Tattoo (Van Halen song)

"Tattoo"
Single by Van Halen
from the album A Different Kind of Truth
Released January 10, 2012
Recorded January 2, 2012
Genre Hard rock
Length 4:44
Label Interscope
Writer(s) Eddie Van Halen, David Lee Roth, Alex Van Halen, Wolfgang Van Halen
Producer(s) Van Halen and John Shanks
Van Halen singles chronology
"Up For Breakfast"
(2004)
"Tattoo"
(2012)
"She's the Woman"
(2012)
Music video
Tattoo on YouTube

"Tattoo" is the first song and single from the album, A Different Kind of Truth, from American hard rock band Van Halen. The single was released online and to radio stations January 10, 2012.

History

The song's structure is based largely on a song entitled "Down in Flames," which was written and played by Van Halen on their 1978 world tour.[1] When the band decided to cover Clint Ballard Jr.'s song "You're No Good" for their second album, Van Halen II, they incorporated the intro from "Down in Flames" as the intro to their arrangement.

A version of the song was worked on during the aborted 2001 reunion with Roth according to Ray Luzier.[2]

"Tattoo" became Van Halen's first single to chart on the American Billboard Hot 100 in 17 years, and their 23rd overall.

Release

A 30-second "teaser" clip of the song was posted on January 6, 2012. The official single release was announced as January 10 after Van Halen played an intimate club gig at the Cafe Wha?[3]

Charts

Chart (2012) Peak
position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[4] 62
Japan (Japan Hot 100)[5] 14
US Billboard Hot 100[4] 67
US Billboard Rock Songs[6] 16

Personnel

References

  1. "Van Halen - Down In Flames". YouTube. 2007-01-14. Retrieved 2012-01-11.
  2. "Korn Drummer Ray Luzier Talks ‘The Path of Totality,’ Van Halen, MCA + More". Loudwire.com. 2012-05-16. Retrieved 2012-07-25.
  3. Graham, Mark (2012-01-06). "Van Halen Dazzles During Intimate Reunion Concert At Cafe Wha? | VH1 Tuner". Vh1.com. Retrieved 2012-01-11.
  4. 4.0 4.1 "Top 100 Music Hits, Top 100 Music Charts, Top 100 Songs & The Hot 100". Billboard.com. 2012-07-21. Retrieved 2012-07-25.
  5. "Van Halen Album & Song Chart History" Japan Hot 100 for Van Halen.
  6. "Music Chart Analysis, Artist Spotlights, Music Insider, Chart Beat & News". Billboard.com. 2012-07-20. Retrieved 2012-07-25.

External links