Sammy Hagar says he approves Republican Party's use of Van Halen classic

Sammy Hagar says that he has no problem with Sen. John McCain and the Republican Party using Van Halen's 1991 song "Right Now" in their race for the Presidency, according to roadrunnerrecords.com.

Although former bandmates Eddie and Alex Van Halen, who co-wrote the song with Hagar and Michael Anthony, have objected to the song's use by the G.O.P., Hagar issued a statement explaining why he supports its use, saying, "When I wrote the lyrics to 'Right Now', I intended them to inspire people to not sit around and wait for something they believed in but to go out and get it, to make a change however they needed to. Whether it was McCain who used the song or if Obama had chosen to use the song, with the current political climate, the lyrics still have the same meaning, and we all need to do something to make a difference, every action counts."

Hagar went on to say, "In fact, I still feel so strongly about this that I wrote a new song 'Cosmic Universal Fashion' with a young Iraqi musician in an attempt to motivate a new generation to the same affect. I am pleased to be associated with the lyrics to my original song and the new one in hopes that both will make people move to make a difference."

Although "Right Now" gained heavy airplay on MTV upon its release on Van Halen's 1991 album For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge, the song stalled at Number 55 on The Billboard Hot 100 chart. Hagar explained why people think "Right Now" was a bigger hit than it was: [ Click to listen if you have a backstage pass] "'Right Now' wasn't as big a hit as people think. It wasn't a huge single at all -- it was kind of a stiff. Pepsi said, 'We're gonna use the 'Right Now' video concept,' which we had no rights to -- no one had. I mean, it was just an idea of saying, 'Tight print: 'Right now,' you know, 'this is happening. Right now, that is happening.'' We had no control over that, so we said, 'Well, what the heck. They're gonna use the whole thing anyway, just let 'em use the song,' and then we really regretted it."

Hagar's video for his new song "Cosmic Universal Fashion" can be accessed through Hagar's official website redrocker.com. The video features former Van Halen bandmate and frequent touring partner Michael Anthony.

Sammy Hagar & The Wabos' next U.S. date will be on November 16th in New Orleans at the House of Blues.
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