Van Halen » Tracks » Panama

Van Halen – Panama (3:31)

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About This Track

“Panama” is a song from Van Halen’s highly successful album 1984. It was the third single released from that record and is one of their most recognized songs.

The song was written about a car. According to David Lee Roth this was because critics accused him of writing about nothing more than partying, sex, and automobiles but Roth realized that he had yet to write a song about cars. In an interview with Howard Stern, Roth explained the meaning behind the trademark song. Although the song features some suggestive lyrics, it is about a car that Roth saw race in Las Vegas; its name was “Panama”, hence the title of the song.

During the bridge of the song where Roth says “I can barely see the road from the heat comin’ off of it,” guitarist Eddie Van Halen can be heard revving his Lamborghini in the background. The car was backed up to the studio and microphones were attached to the exhaust pipe to record the sound for the song.

The music video for the song, directed by Pete Angelus, features mostly on-stage antics by the band. It heavily uses shots of band members flying through the air attached to a cable. During the breakdown, David Lee Roth is seen sword dancing and ribbon dancing. Bassist Michael Anthony’s Jack Daniel whiskey bottle guitar is also seen.
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Albums featuring this track

  • 1984
    Van Halen Play
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  • Best of Van Halen, Volume 1
    Van Halen Play
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  • The Best of Both Worlds (disc 1)
    Van Halen Play
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  • The Best of Van Halen, Vol. 1
    Van Halen Play
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See all 21 albums

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  • cabodude

    Roth gave Van Halen its sound

    last month

  • pauldixonsr

    one of the best ever and there back

    last month

  • TheDarkSide73

    YAY!!!!!!!!The Real Van Halen is back together again

    last month

  • Ghostwhisperz59

    Always wished eddie would make a solo album-he's awesome!!!

    last month

  • scientist4u

    The real Van Halen , takes some beating ,Roth sounds so good !

    last month

  • nola872

    this and running with the devil are great so much energy ! david is pretty damn sexy in this

    March 2012

  • shalas1959

    Oh yeah,HuH!!!!

    March 2012

  • tobografi

    rockinnnnn

    March 2012

  • Ezekiel22

    <~~From Panama. Party anthem!

    March 2012

  • davidbowiegirl

    Great song

    March 2012

  • giggleloop1

    Always sounds good

    March 2012

  • sketchinwulf

    when i have a car. i will be this woman.

    March 2012

  • jehf-rock

    Dançante é clássica.

    February 2012

  • Daytona_Drifter

    Nobody, and I mean NOBODY can holler like Diamond Dave! Van Halen Rules! Van Hagar drools

    February 2012

  • BMWPRETTY

    Nice! ;-)

    February 2012

  • rockandrolljoe

    Hot shoe

    January 2012

  • greenvillepa

    Rock on !!

    January 2012

  • BMWPRETTY

    spank! A little bit hot tonight! :-)

    January 2012

  • Nettacki

    GT4 ! [3]

    January 2012

  • nssworld

    Without a doubt my favorite VH song...

    January 2012
See all 221 shouts

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