‘Why Can't This Be Love’ is a song by the American rock band Van Halen for their seventh studio album, 5150 (1986). The song was the group's first single with Sammy Hagar, replacing founding member David Lee Roth. It was released on both 7" and 12" formats with the latter having an extended version featuring extra lyrics. In the US, it went to number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and hit number one on the Cashbox Top 100, the week of May 16. It was a top 10 hit in the United Kingdom, Australia and Germany and a top 20 single in Canada, the Netherlands and Sweden.
"Why Can't This Be Love?" was the first Van Halen single with Sammy Hagar as lead singer, replacing David Lee Roth. Hagar had plenty of cred as a rocker and went over as well as could be expected in his position. This song took the band in a more mature, melodic direction, which proved hit-worthy. The Van Hagar era was on, and the Sammy vs. Dave debates commenced. 5150 was a detour from the band, and the direction they would follow centered on a more keyboard-driven sound.
“The old people that were in doubt, they heard (imitates keyboard riff notes) ‘Why Can’t This Be Love’ and they just went, ‘Whoa, this is a new sound for Van Halen,'” said Hagar in 2023. “You know that keyboard riff sounded like a guitar riff. Whereas previous stuff like ‘Jump’ sounded like a synthesizer. So, some of the hardcore guitar people rebelled a little bit, but they got a whole new audience with that. And we just satisfied them, and they stayed. And we just went out, and every show sold out in minutes, and we went out and just killed it. Cash Box called it "a powerful pop/rock kicker." Billboard said "hard-rocking hooks alternate with trademark guitar workouts."
Replacing David Lee Roth in the studio was certainly a challenge for Sammy Hagar, but filling his shoes in concert was even more daunting. When Van Halen toured for 5150 (the first Van Halen album without David Lee Roth), Hagar, pushed to get Bachman–Turner Overdrive as the opening act, since the Canadian rockers could play a set of hits that would keep the crowd enthralled. BTO agreed, and dutifully delivered their hits. At the conclusion of their set, Van Halen wasted no time taking the stage; the short changeover was designed to minimize the inevitable "Where's Dave" calls from the audience.
Label – Warner Bros.
Songwriters – Eddie Van Halen, Michael Anthony, Sammy Hagar, Alex Van Halen
Producers – Mick Jones, Donn Landee, Eddie Van Halen, Michael Anthony, Sammy Hagar, Alex Van Halen
SONG LYRICS
[Verse 1]Oh, here it comes
That funny feeling again
Winding me up inside
Every time we touch
Hey, I don't know
Oh, tell me where to begin
'Cause I never ever
Felt so much
Hey
[Pre-Chorus]
And I can't recall
Any love at all
Oh, baby, this blows 'em all away
[Chorus]
It's got what it takes
So tell me why can't this be love?
Straight from my heart
Oh, tell me why can't this be love?
[Verse 2]
I tell myself
Hey, only fools rush in
Only time will tell if we stand the test of time
All I know
You've got to run to win
And I'll be damned if I'll get
Hung up on the line, hey
[Pre-Chorus]
No, I can't recall
Anything at all
Ah, baby, this blows 'em all away
Woo
[Chorus]
It's got what it takes
So tell me why can't this be love?
You want it straight from the heart
Oh, tell me why can't this be love?
[Instrumental Break]
[Chorus]
Woo, it's got what it takes
So tell me why can't this be love?
Straight from the heart
Tell me why can't this be love?
[Outro]
Baby, why can't this be love?
Got to know why can't this be love?
I wanna know why can't this be love?