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Runnin' with the Devil
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<h2 id="composition">Composition</h2> <p>The song begins with a collection of car horns sounding. The horns were taken from the band's own cars and mounted in a box and powered by two car batteries, with a foot switch. Producer <a href="/facts/Ted_Templeman/0IjPn2WQ">Ted Templeman</a> slowed the horns down before adding them to the track. This same idea was first used during the band's club sets and appeared on the <a href="/facts/Gene_Simmons/xX3Y9QzH">Gene Simmons</a>-recorded demo of the song, as well as the song "House of Pain" which preceded it on the demo.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:7" href="#fn:7"><sup>7</sup></a> A four-measure guitar solo is played after the second and third chorus.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:8" href="#fn:8"><sup>8</sup></a> </p><p>Initial pressings of the Van Halen compilation <a href="/facts/Best_Of_%E2%80%93_Volume_I_(Van_Halen_album)/jFvEglbA"><i>Best Of, Vol.1</i></a> contained an alternate edit of "Runnin' with the Devil" where the verses, chorus and solos were arranged in a different order than that of the original album version. It was reported that this was accidental and subsequent pressings have replaced this version with the one found on <i>Van Halen</i>. </p> <h2 id="background">Background</h2> <p>The song's lyrics have often been misinterpreted as being <a href="/facts/Satanism/gxR2K0Vm">satanic</a>, yet the band members have never revealed the full meaning of the song. It is usually interpreted as being about the life of a touring young band. The song's verses deal with an individual's experience, including learning that a "simple" lifestyle is not as simple as it appears. The lyrics "Runnin' with the devil" are usually interpreted as being a reference to freedom. In the song freedom is portrayed as a lack of social ties and living in the present.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:9" href="#fn:9"><sup>9</sup></a> The song's meaning has also been interpreted as being an attempt to convince a person that the theme of a simple life is not wrong as it appears. Therefore, the lyrics of "Runnin' with the Devil" would not be serious.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:10" href="#fn:10"><sup>10</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="reception">Reception</h2> <p><i><a href="/facts/Cash_Box/8L7IspkS">Cash Box</a></i> said it has "driving guitar work, tough jaunty beat and excellent lead and backing vocals."<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:11" href="#fn:11"><sup>11</sup></a> <i><a href="/facts/Record_World/pjfycyex">Record World</a></i> said that "The production is extremely hot, with a 'live' quality to it, and sets off the screaming guitars quite well."<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:12" href="#fn:12"><sup>12</sup></a> In March 2023, <i><a href="/facts/Rolling_Stone/HhCFoJ9F">Rolling Stone</a></i> ranked the song at number 68 on their "100 Greatest Heavy Metal Songs of All Time" list.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:13" href="#fn:13"><sup>13</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="personnel">Personnel</h2> <h3>Van Halen</h3> <ul><li><a href="/facts/David_Lee_Roth/VI0NRQtF">David Lee Roth</a> – vocals</li> <li><a href="/facts/Eddie_Van_Halen/AezgN14d">Eddie Van Halen</a> – guitar, backing vocals</li> <li><a href="/facts/Michael_Anthony_(musician)/LRqQedHj">Michael Anthony</a> – bass, backing vocals</li> <li><a href="/facts/Alex_Van_Halen/0x1uRr0C">Alex Van Halen</a> – drums</li></ul> <h2 id="charts">Charts</h2> <table><tbody><tr><th>Chart (1978)</th><th>Peakposition</th></tr><tr><td>US <a href="/facts/Billboard_Hot_100/gwKl8VL9"><i>Billboard</i> Hot 100</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:14" href="#fn:14"><sup>14</sup></a></td><td>84</td></tr></tbody></table> <table><tbody><tr><th>Chart (1980)</th><th>Peakposition</th></tr><tr><td>Belgian VRT Top 30<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:15" href="#fn:15"><sup>15</sup></a></td><td>11</td></tr><tr><td>Dutch Mega Charts<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:16" href="#fn:16"><sup>16</sup></a></td><td>2</td></tr><tr><td>Dutch Top 40<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:17" href="#fn:17"><sup>17</sup></a></td><td>7</td></tr><tr><td>UK Singles Chart<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:18" href="#fn:18"><sup>18</sup></a></td><td>52</td></tr></tbody></table> <table><tbody><tr><th>Chart (2020)</th><th>Peakposition</th></tr><tr><td>US <a href="/facts/Hot_Rock_%26_Alternative_Songs/8zMTSuEV">Hot Rock & Alternative Songs</a> (<i><a href="/facts/Billboard_(magazine)/CVruQGq5">Billboard</a></i>)<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:19" href="#fn:19"><sup>19</sup></a></td><td>14</td></tr></tbody></table> <table><tbody><tr><th>1980 year-end chart</th><th>Position</th></tr><tr><td>Belgian VRT Top 30<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:20" href="#fn:20"><sup>20</sup></a></td><td>76</td></tr><tr><td>Dutch Megacharts<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:21" href="#fn:21"><sup>21</sup></a></td><td>30</td></tr><tr><td>Dutch Top 40<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:22" href="#fn:22"><sup>22</sup></a></td><td>53</td></tr></tbody></table> <h2 id="further-reading">Further reading</h2> <ul><li><i>Van Halen Guitar Anthology</i>. Van Nuys, California: Alfred. 2006. pp. 40–45. <a href="/facts/ISBN_(identifier)/15AdSPa9">ISBN</a> 9780897246729. <a href="/facts/OCLC_(identifier)/Yqad8waq">OCLC</a> <a href="https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/605214049">605214049</a>.</li></ul> <h2 id="references">References</h2> <ol> <li id="fn:1"><p>Van Halen I. Classicvanhalen.com. <a href="http://www.classicvanhalen.com/albums_vh.shtml" target="_blank">http://www.classicvanhalen.com/albums_vh.shtml</a> <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:2"><p>"Vh1 Top 100 Hard Rock Songs". Archived from the original on May 14, 2016. Retrieved November 20, 2018. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160514014033/http://music.spreadit.org/vh1-top-100-hard-rock-songs/" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20160514014033/http://music.spreadit.org/vh1-top-100-hard-rock-songs/</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:3"><p>Klosterman, Chuck (October 6, 2020). "All 131 Van Halen Songs, Ranked From Worst to Best A look back at the band's formidable legacy". Vulture.com. Retrieved October 9, 2020. <a href="https://www.vulture.com/article/best-van-halen-songs-chuck-klosterman.html" target="_blank">https://www.vulture.com/article/best-van-halen-songs-chuck-klosterman.html</a> <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:4"><p>Unterberger, Andrew (2020-10-06). "Eddie Van Halen's 15 Best Songs: Staff Picks". Billboard. Retrieved 2023-10-18. <a href="https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/eddie-van-halen-best-songs-top-15-9368619/" target="_blank">https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/eddie-van-halen-best-songs-top-15-9368619/</a> <a href="#fnref:4" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:5"><p>"Readers' Poll: The Best Van Halen Songs". Rolling Stone. 2011-11-23. Retrieved 2023-10-18. <a href="https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/rolling-stone-readers-select-ten-favorite-van-halen-songs-10698/" target="_blank">https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/rolling-stone-readers-select-ten-favorite-van-halen-songs-10698/</a> <a href="#fnref:5" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:6"><p>"Remembering Eddie van Halen". YouTube. 3 December 2024. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2NLnXhTzTo&pp=ygUeYW5kZXJzb24gY29vcGVyIGFsZXggYmFuIGhhbGVu" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2NLnXhTzTo&pp=ygUeYW5kZXJzb24gY29vcGVyIGFsZXggYmFuIGhhbGVu</a> <a href="#fnref:6" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:7"><p>"Runnin' With The Devil". VHND.com. Van Halen News Desk. 6 May 2013. Retrieved 6 October 2014. <a href="http://www.vhnd.com/van-halen-i/runnin-with-the-devil/" target="_blank">http://www.vhnd.com/van-halen-i/runnin-with-the-devil/</a> <a href="#fnref:7" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:8"><p>Walser, Robert (1 April 2013). Running with the Devil: Power, Gender, and Madness in Heavy Metal Music. Wesleyan University Press. ISBN 9780819574213. Retrieved 6 October 2014. <a href="9780819574213" target="_blank">9780819574213</a> <a href="#fnref:8" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:9"><p>Walser, Robert (1 April 2013). Running with the Devil: Power, Gender, and Madness in Heavy Metal Music. Wesleyan University Press. ISBN 9780819574213. Retrieved 6 October 2014. <a href="9780819574213" target="_blank">9780819574213</a> <a href="#fnref:9" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:10"><p>Brackett, Nathan; Howard, Christian David (2004). "The New Rolling Stone Album Guide". Rolling Stone. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 9780743201698. Retrieved 6 October 2014. van halen runnin' with the devil rollingstone. <a href="9780743201698" target="_blank">9780743201698</a> <a href="#fnref:10" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:11"><p>"CashBox Singles Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. April 15, 1978. p. 46. Retrieved 2022-01-01. <a href="https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/70s/1978/CB-1978-04-15.pdf" target="_blank">https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/70s/1978/CB-1978-04-15.pdf</a> <a href="#fnref:11" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:12"><p>"Record World Single Picks" (PDF). Record World. April 15, 1978. p. 38. Retrieved 2023-02-15. <a href="https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Record-World/70s/78/RW-1978-04-15.pdf" target="_blank">https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Record-World/70s/78/RW-1978-04-15.pdf</a> <a href="#fnref:12" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:13"><p>"The 100 Greatest Heavy Metal Songs of All Time". Rolling Stone. 2023-03-13. Archived from the original on 2023-03-13. Retrieved 2023-03-13. <a href="https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/100-greatest-heavy-metal-songs-1234688425/" target="_blank">https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/100-greatest-heavy-metal-songs-1234688425/</a> <a href="#fnref:13" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:14"><p>"Van Halen Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 13, 2023. <a href="https://www.billboard.com/artist/Van-Halen/chart-history/HSI" target="_blank">https://www.billboard.com/artist/Van-Halen/chart-history/HSI</a> <a href="#fnref:14" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:15"><p>"Radio2 top 30: 8 oktober 2016 | Radio2". Top30-2.radio2.be. Archived from the original on 2012-04-09. Retrieved 2016-10-13. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120409063716/http://top30-2.radio2.be/#/song-info/8355" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20120409063716/http://top30-2.radio2.be/#/song-info/8355</a> <a href="#fnref:15" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:16"><p>Hung, Steffen. "Van Halen - Runnin' With The Devil". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 2013-12-09. <a href="http://www.dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Van+Halen&titel=Runnin%27+With+The+Devil&cat=s" target="_blank">http://www.dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Van+Halen&titel=Runnin%27+With+The+Devil&cat=s</a> <a href="#fnref:16" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:17"><p>"Van Halen - Runnin' With The Devil". Top40.nl. Retrieved 2013-12-09. <a href="http://www.top40.nl/van-halen/van-halen-runnin-with-the-devil_11348" target="_blank">http://www.top40.nl/van-halen/van-halen-runnin-with-the-devil_11348</a> <a href="#fnref:17" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:18"><p>"VAN HALEN | Artist". Official Charts. Retrieved 2013-12-09. <a href="http://www.theofficialcharts.com/artist/_/van%20halen" target="_blank">http://www.theofficialcharts.com/artist/_/van%20halen</a> <a href="#fnref:18" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:19"><p>"Van Halen Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 13, 2020. <a href="https://www.billboard.com/artist/Van-Halen/chart-history/ARK" target="_blank">https://www.billboard.com/artist/Van-Halen/chart-history/ARK</a> <a href="#fnref:19" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:20"><p>"Lucky's Disco-bar voor wie houdt van feesten". Luckysdb.be. Retrieved 2013-12-09. <a href="http://www.luckysdb.be/" target="_blank">http://www.luckysdb.be/</a> <a href="#fnref:20" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:21"><p>Hung, Steffen. "Dutch charts portal". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 2013-12-09. <a href="http://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=1980&cat=s" target="_blank">http://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=1980&cat=s</a> <a href="#fnref:21" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:22"><p>"SINGLE TOP lOO : 1980" (PDF). Top40.nl. Retrieved 2016-10-13. <a href="http://www.top40.nl/pdf/top100/top100-1980.pdf" target="_blank">http://www.top40.nl/pdf/top100/top100-1980.pdf</a> <a href="#fnref:22" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> </ol>