Customer Reviews

I Never Said Goodbye

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This was the album Sammy had to do to fill out his contract. He was in the middle of putting out more great rock with Van Halen. He had a little help from his friends on this project. The music is well writen and the music is first rate!! Many fans blow this CD off, but trust me, many true treasures to be found on this CD.

This album was recorded between Van Halen's 5150 and OU812 and has a solo Hagar feel to it. Two of Sammy's biggest ballads "Give to Live" and "Eagles Fly" are here, but don't forget about the rocker "Back into You" (GREAT TUNE!!). Like most of Sammy Hagar's work, this album is full of happy party style rock mixed with an occasional song with thoughtful and somewhat deep lyrics. Hagar is an outstanding songwriter, which is evident in this recording.

I've had this CD now for about 10 years and it is Still played regularly on the CD player as it is still an excellent album! Although his other CDs are great too, I think this is the best of the bunch. It has great ballads (Eagles Fly & Give To Live) and even better rockers (Back Into You, When The Hammer Falls Down, Privacy, etc.)! This album has it all. You won't be sorry.

THE BAND: Sammy Hagar (vocals, guitar), Eddie Van Halen (bass), Jesse Harms (keyboards), David Lauser (drums & percussion).

THE DISC: (1987) 10 tracks clocking in at approximately 45 minutes. Included with the disc is a 6-page black/white booklet containing song credits/titles/times, song lyrics, and thank you's. Recorded at A&M Studios, Los Angeles, CA. Label - Geffen.

COMMENTS: Hagar had all ready joined Van Halen when this album came out. Since Van Halen's "5150" (from 1986) grabbed so many headlines, I was actually surprised to see this solo Sammy album reach the light of day. Can you say contractual obligation (with Geffen)? No rest for the weary though... Hagar's been a songwriter since the early 70's with Montrose, so kicking out songs comes naturally to the red rocker. I think of solo Hagar material in two eras - the 1st era being the 70's and early/mid 80's; and the 2nd era being the late 80's and after. Hagar has some classics from era-1... "Standing Hampton" (1981), "Three Lock Box" (1983) and "VOA" (1984). This self titled 1987 release (also known to as "I Never Said Goodbye") is the first classic of the later Sammy era. While a very solid album, I still can't help but rank it behind the 3 early classics mentioned above from '81-84. The melodies are front and center here, and the lyrics a distant 2nd. Hagar is not so much into singing about fast cars, women, and rock & roll anymore as much as he now wants to sing about love, relationships and philosophy (and even his family on later albums)... not that there's anything wrong with that (I guess). Sammy is aging, and you can tell by his written words. The album has a few solid rockers - the opener "When The Hammer Falls", and the one rebellious tune "Boys Night Out". A few mid tempo songs - "What They Gonna Say Now", "Returning Home", a Cheap Trick wannabe - "Privacy", and two power ballads that garnered nationwide attention from the FM radio stations - "Give To Live" and "Eagles Fly"... both great tunes. A solid and polished album with many a good song... but not as hard and rocking as his earlier material. Essential - you bet (4.5 stars).

This album was originally released without a special title; it was just "Sammy Hagar". It took me years to find this CD, and when I finally did, I snatched it up and locked it away.

This is one of Sammy's very best efforts; "Give to Live" even survived to be re-recorded on a live "Van Halen" album. "Boy's Night Out" is a guys-only anthem that hasn't been heard since "Cruisin' and Boozin'" (from the Red album). Want your spirit to soar? Play "Eagles Fly"; this song will make you feel like a hero. And guys, if you've got a woman you'd crawl through broken glass for, you have to play "Hands and Knees" for her.

Sammy has done many other albums that are as good as this one, but none of them are quite LIKE this one. You have to have this one or you can't call yourself a Hagar fan.

After recieving my first Sammy Hagar CD, "The Essential Red Collection" for Christmas, I really liked the Red Rocker's sound and style. Then a few days later, I purchased "Ten 13." I got hooked on both albums and knew that my next collection of music would be none other than the collection of The Red Rocker, Sammy Hagar. For my third Hagar CD, I purchased this album, "I Never Said Goodbye." This CD is well organized, contains some excellently written lyrics and has a tremendous sound. Sammy's riffs on this album are phenomenal. Joining Sammy on this album is Eddie Van Halen on bass.

The greatest highlights of this album are these songs:

The opening track, "When The Hammer Falls." This song has excellent lyrics, great heavy riffs provided by Sammy and of course his great vocals, and the drum beats on this song are loud and sound like rolling thunder. The power ballad of the album, "Give To Live" is a heart-warming ballad that is an excellent choice for a wedding song. The lyrics explain that if you want love, you have to give and make sacrifices, as in the title, you have to "Give to Live." The chorus is sung with an amazing power that really gets deep inside your heart. This is one of my favorite ballads of all time.

The next greatest track of the album is "Returning Home." The chorus is sung with a small choir. This song is an excellent example of Sammy's song-writing skills. The next track, "Standin At The Same Old Crossroads" is a short single-guitar jam with Sammy reciting some short vocals. This song does have some pretty good guitar work from the Red Rocker. Very good tune for such a short amount of time. It lasts just under two minutes. Jump a couple tracks to "Back Into You." This is a very catchy song and the chorus is sung wonderfully with a lot of power. Another good example of Sammy's great writing skills. The second ballad of the album is "Eagles Fly." This song has the most lyrics and are very dynamic that makes this song a masterpiece. The song is about traveling to the sky going where only the "Eagles Fly." This is the second-highest point on the album next to "Give To Live."

This is a good, strong solid effort from the Red Rocker. The album overall is good. Half of the album, the songs I didn't mention I feel aren't up the par with the songs I did mention. The highest point on the album is the ballad, "Give To Live." If not for that song, I would have given the album a 3. That ballad holds the under-par songs on their feet in my opinion. For those of you that are looking to buy another Hagar album, I do recommend this album but don't pay a fortune for it. For example, don't go to FYE and pay nearly $20 for it when you could get it on Amazon or the nearest Best Buy (where I got it) for $12. I don't think the album is quite worth the fortune FYE wants.

I NEVER SAID GOODBYE is a great record, but it's just not as great as, say, STANDING HAMPTON. The album has some songs that rank with Hagar's best- "Returning Home" has a cautionary message, "Eagles Fly" is highly inspirational, and "Give To Live" has inspired me to leave the front seats when I take the bus to those who really need them. On the other hand, a couple of tracks, like "Boy's Night Out", have no reason for even existing. Overall, this is better than most other hard rock of 1987.

I remember when this first came out, I bought it on album. I still have the album when it was a self titled album, prior to the MTV contest. All are the self titled.
I was completely impressed with this when it first came out. Playing bass is Edward VanHalen and thoughout the album is the backing vocals of the Van Halen gang. This to me is the best Hagar album and blows OU812 and For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge out of the water. No this isnt Eddie playing guitar but the red rocker plays really good. The opening track of "When the Hammer Falls" let's you know what the album is all about. It's about to rock your pants off. There is only three somewhat mellow songs (Hands and Knees, Give To Live, and Back Into You) but even they have good chords. This album is not a complete party album, some of it has true and deep meaning (What They Gonna Say Now). All in all, this is an album that a true Red Rocker should have. This is Sammy being Sammy and not VanHagar.

If you remember this album was untitled until MTV ran a contest naming this album. I forget what the winner won, but I think there were copies of this album with no title before the contest. Any one want to verify this? Also, the Hands and Knees video had a brief appearance by Van Halen. It's one of Sammy's best efforts.

Don't be misguided by others into thinking this is a Van Halen album with Sammy's name on it. Yes,it is true that Sammy had to fulfill contract obligations to Geffen and make what was thought to be his last solo album.But this album is all Sammy as he plays all the guitar and relegates Eddie to some weak bass playing that Bill Church should have handled.Mikey and Al were left at home as Sammy's former and current keyboardist Jesse Harms as well as former and current drummer David Lauser fulfill their rightful roles in the band.As far as the music, it was all recorded without the use of seperate track recordings; in other words it was played and sung together as if being recorded live and is Sammy's personal favorite solo album. Featuring "Eagles Fly" and "Give to Live", this album is a winner from start to finish with Sammy getting a rare VH days chance to play the lead. Enjoy!