Just What Is The Meaning of Sammy Hager's "I Can't Drive 55?"

I Cant Drive 55.jpg
There've been nunerous songs whose meanings have ranged from politics, to relationships, and even to modern day schooling. But there is perhaps one song that is rather cryptic in its meaning if I may say so myself.

Which song is that? Of course the smash hit by then Van Halen-lead-singer-to-be Sammy Hagar. It's this song that exposed Mr. Hagar to a wider audiance. On his past seven albums, he was essentially a cult artist and really only made mainstream with his VOA (1984) album. But the big question is WHAT THE HELL DOES IT MEAN?

Good question! I always thought it was about drivig a '55 car (a la the old, retro cars); however, it turns out that it is the speed limit.

A word on the speed limit:

For quite some time, the speed limit on American highways was rather high (about 125 mph). However, as more people began driving, so did more accidents occur. The government concluded that the majority of these accidents could have been prevented by reducing speed. Hence in 1983, the speed limit was reduced to 55 only to be increased to 65 in late 2000. Need I say that our rockstar re-recorded this smash hit of his as I Can't Drive 65 in 2001 for the NASCAR album Full Throttle?

Sammy had this to say about the song (and I quote).

"I was in a rent-a-car that wouldn't go much faster than 55 miles an hour. I was on my way back from Africa. I did a safari for three months throughout Africa. A really great vacation after Three Lock Box. I was traveling for 24 hours, I got to New York City, changed planes, Albany, New York. Got in a rent-a-car. Had a place in Lake Placid at the time, a little log cabin, I used to go there and write with my little boy. Aaron, at that time, went to North Country school when I was on tour. I would go there and see him. It was a really cool getaway. But it took two and a half hours to drive there from Albany. And I was driving from Albany, New York at 2:00 in the morning, burnt from all the travel. Cop stopped me for doing 62 on a four lane road when there was no one else in sight. Then the guy gave me a ticket. I was doing 62. And he said, 'We give tickets around here for over-60.' and I said, 'I can't drive 55.' I grabbed a paper and a pen, and I swear the guy was writing the ticket and I was writing the lyrics. I got to Lake Placid, I had a guitar set-up there. And I wrote that song there on the spot. Burnt."

Now speaking of cops, in 2014, our very own once Vice President Candidate, Sarah Pallin, was driving and pulled over for speeding (63 in a 45mph). Strangely the song was on the radio at the time which may have influenced her driving. Sammy Hagar responded in a Twitter feed: "Dear @SarahPalinUSA heard you were #GoingRogue on the gas pedal! I'll cover your ticket if you promise to do better next time? #Icantdrive55." 

The song earned Hagar lots of support. In 1985 he replaced Diamond Dave in Van Halen and in 1986 they releaed their first album with him, 5150. After the success of the song, it was played live even on his tours with Van Halen.




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