Jump by Van Halen
Artist: Van Halen Weeks at #1: 5 weeks Chart dates: February 25, 1984 – March 24, 1984
About
“Jump” is the lead single from Van Halen’s 10x platinum selling album 1984. The song was internationally successful, becoming Van Halen’s only #1 hit in both the US & Canada and reaching #2 in Ireland & Australia, #4 in Germany, Austria & Switzerland, and #7 in the UK. At first, the rest of the band was reluctant to include the song because of its heavy use of synths and lack of prominent guitar. But after Eddie got producer Ted Templeton on board, the rest of the band softened up. The original inspiration for the lyrics came from David Lee Roth watching a person on TV who was threatening to commit suicide by jumping off of a building and Roth figured someone in the crowd must be thinking, “Go ahead and jump”. It was, however, not written about suicide – the song is about ‘jumping’ on the opportunity to hook up with someone. Also, it has been said that the 82nd Airborne Division (US Army) uses this tune periodically for paratrooper training and operations. “Might as well jump” … before I kick your ass out of the Goddamn door! Intentionally or involuntarily, you’re goin' out!
