Livin' It Up

Sometimes you inadvertently find really cool things at the library. I had to return some books on my lunch break yesterday and I stopped to glance at the CD rack. I like to check out CDs to see if I want to buy them. (I'm sure you understand the importance of a test drive in this economy). Anyway, I found the Sammy Hagar disc Livin' It Up (Rhino/Cabo Wabo Music) and I grabbed it for a listen.

The 2006 album features 11 tracks, all (naturally) dealing with the carefree island life. Livin' It Up is a great summer vacation disc. Here are the songs:

"Sam I Am"
"Living on a Coastline"
"Mexico"
"The Way We Live"
"I Love This Bar"
"One Sip"
"Rainy Day Women" #12/#35
"Halfway to Memphis"
"Sailin'"
"Let Me Take You There"
"Someday"

It didn't take long for me to find favorites on this effort. I really like "Sam I Am," "Living on a Coastline," and "The Way We Live." I get sick of established rockers doing cover tunes, but Sammy's version of "Let Me Take You There" is pretty darn good, too.

Remember: this is beach music, rock style and that's how I like it, but I suppose some prefer the Beach Boys or Jimmy Buffett. I would be lying if I said I didn't look up a vacation to Cabo San Lucas after listening to this disc. In fact, I haven't booked my Jamaican holiday yet, so I might just switch and go to Cabo. I've always wanted to visit the Cabo Wabo Cantina anyway - I hear there is live music there every night. 

I think "The Way We Live" is probably the most rocking song on Livin' It Up. The lyrics are fun and true-to-life:

"I work hard for my money/
Wish I didn't have to work at all/
Sacrifice some things/
Can't live without another/
But we're going to Cabo in the fall."

Story of my life right there. I give up a fancy car for vacations and my Glam. I mean, you can't have everything and you've got to pick and choose in life.  I firmly believe that Sammy Hagar at Rocklahoma would have made great sense - he's a party host for summer after all! I guess it just wasn't meant to be...

Perhaps I'll bump into Sammy while vacationing in Cabo and give him a Bring Back Glam! hello!

Here's the video for "Sam I Am." Enjoy!

Comments

[Joe]

I LOVE SAMMY HAGAR...That song is cool too...gotta love...THE RED ROCKER!!!...Sammy would have been great for Rocklahoma too.

[Christian]

I never bought much Sammy, apart from a compilation to get 'I can't drive 55' and the first Montrose CD. This is cool tho, I should check it out.

[reptilblvd]

Eeeck, not for me!!

[red6ixx]

never really been a fan of Sammy but i will check the album out.

Allyson i have been coming here for a few months now and i must say i do enjoy your page. I would also like to say thanks as i would never have heard of 'EndeverafteR' without you and they rock like a motherf*cker.

so thank you.

[mom2ross]

Sammy is always great live, he's one will go see even on a "school night". He's been around forever and has always done what he wants musically. Now he's to the point where he only has to tour a few times every other year and can spend the rest of his time in Cabo. When Michael Anthony chooses to tour with Sammy instead of Van Halen, you got gain some respect for the man. Keep us posted if you go to Cabo, Allyson - and if there's extra room in a suitcase for me...
P.S. My favorite album would have to be "Standing Hampton", it's one you can listen to again and again, every track.

[kari]

Oh, did this blog make my morning!!! Being a diehard REDHEAD and truly understanding what Sammy is about and where he is in his life right now, I absolutely love this CD. It's also become a beach staple for sure! I was lucky enough to see this tour 5 times w/in an eight day span, and then Cabo in 2006 for the Birthday Bash. There is no other place like Cabo. It's heaven on earth and as Sam says, It's the Way We Live. LIVE IT UP LIVE IT UP!

[Tommy Can Drive 55]

What I like about Sammy Hagar is that he reminds you of the kid in school that really doesn't seem to have much potential in anything, but somehow achieves success. Rock on Sammy!

[aXe mAn]

Sammy Hagar ROCKS! I am hoping to catch one of his shows this summer!

[don]

no, no, no and no. i saw sammy when he was the red rocker back before van hagar. what he did then would fit rocklahoma no doubt about it. but what he does now? not only does it not fit it's not even close. well, i take that back since they've already changed the direction of rocklahoma after 1 year. i predict in 2 years time this festival will not include glam/hair and will be full of 70s AOR and stuff like what sammy puts out now. i have absolutely zero interest in that kind of music. for those that do like it, enjoy, but as for me................ i'll be somewhere else.

[Vicky]

Ya know...I'm not a huge fan of Sammy's music. And I definitely did NOT like Van Hagar. (It's Diamond Dave or NOTHING!)...But I must admit, the man is a sweetheart and he is a good showman.

[Joe]

Montrose rocked...Sammy rocks..but I always liked sammy better solo than with Van Halen..Like I said above "I LOVE SAMMY HAGAR" but years back when I first heard Sammy was joining Van Halen..I was like. NOOOOOO!!!!..But I am glad he is still out there rocking =)

[lance]

"Sammy Hagar at Rocklahoma would have made great sense - he's a party host for summer after all! I guess it just wasn't meant to be..."

Unfortunately, Cinderella will be dropped from the Rocklahoma line-up due to Tom's injury. Sammy's got an open date between Iowa and Georgia shows. Maybe Sammy and Rocklahoma IS meant to be...

Sammy could save the day. I'd love to see it.