Jamie's Cryin'
{{Infobox song
| name = Jamie's Cryin'
| cover = Jamies Cryin label.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Van Halen
| album = Van Halen
| B-side = I'm the One
| recorded = 1977
| studio = Sunset Sound Recorders, Hollywood
| genre = Hard rock
| length = 3:30
| label = Warner Bros.
| writer = {{hlist|Michael Anthony|David Lee Roth|Alex Van Halen|Edward Van Halen}}
| producer = Ted Templeman
| prev_title = Runnin' with the Devil
| prev_year = 1978
| next_title = Ain't Talkin' 'bout Love
| next_year = 1978
| misc = {{External music video
| type = single
| header = Music videos
| 1 = {{YouTube|OOjm4I7LRgY|"Jamie's Cryin'"}}
}}
}}
"Jamie's Cryin'" is a song written by the band Van Halen that was first released on the band's 1978 debut album. It was subsequently released as the third single from the album but did not chart. It has also been released on a Van Halen compilation album and was sampled for Tone Loc's 1988 song "Wild Thing".
Writing and recording
Some of the songs on Van Halen were written before the band was signed and appeared on a demo the band prepared to secure their contract. "Jamie's Cryin'" was written later, after the band was signed and while they were recording the album. Guitarist Eddie Van Halen played the riff for the song and producer Ted Templeman and lead singer David Lee Roth thought it had potential for a song that could be a single from the album. Roth remembered that "We heard Edward fooling around with his guitar between takes, and we yelled 'Hey man, that's just what we need on the album.'" According to Templeman, when it was time to record the song they had most of the melody completed, but not the melody for the bridge and none of the lyrics were written. Roth had the idea to write the lyrics about a high school romance that didn't last. Templeman believes he got the idea from a two-note lick Eddie Van Halen played in the song that sounded like someone crying.{{cite book|title=Ted Templeman: A Platinum Producer's Life In Music|author1=Templeman, Ted|author2=Renoff, Greg|year=2020|publisher=ECW Press|isbn=9781773054797}}
Templeman stated that:{{quote|At first I was worried that the lyrics were too reminiscent of a fifties white pop breakup song, but eventually I realized Dave's lyric was a lot like those wonderful Holland-Dozier-Holland Motown tracks like "Where Did Our Love Go?" Those songs sounded happy, but were about heart-rendering breakups. The way it came off was in keeping with that heavy-metal-with-a-smile, upbeat sound, this teenage thing. It ended up being one of the singles off the record.}}
Roth has claimed that in addition to writing the lyrics he also structured the guitar solo for the song by singing it out.{{cite web|title=David Lee Roth takes most of the credit for Van Halen's success|publisher=Ultimate Classic Rock|accessdate=2023-03-12|url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/david-lee-roth-van-halen-credit/|date=September 18, 2019|author=Irwin, Corey}}{{cite web|title=David Lee Roth: I "structured" the guitar solos on Van Halen's debut album - and EVH's guitar stripes were my idea|date=November 22, 2019|accessdate=2023-03-12|publisher=Guitar World|url=https://www.guitarworld.com/news/david-lee-roth-i-structured-the-guitar-solos-on-van-halens-debut-album-and-evhs-guitar-stripes-were-my-idea|author=Bienstock, Richard}}
As with other songs on Van Halen that did not use vibrato (e.g., "Runnin' with the Devil", "You Really Got Me"), Eddie Van Halen played his rhythm guitar part on "Jamie's Cryin'" on an Ibanez Destroyer.{{cite web|title=Van Halen: VH1|publisher=Guitar World|accessdate=2023-03-12|date=November 20, 2008|author=Bosso, Joe|url=https://www.guitarworld.com/features/van-halen-vh1}}
"Jamie's Cryin'" is one of the few songs on Van Halen on which overdubs were used.{{cite web|title=Van Halen: the story of the debut album that saved rock|author=Steven Rosen|accessdate=2023-03-12|publisher=Louder Sound|work=Classic Rock|date=October 6, 2020|url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/van-halen-the-debut-album-that-saved-rock}}
Lyrics and music
Classic Rock critic Dave Everley described the lyrics to "Jamie's Cryin'" as being "about the aftermath of a one-night stand that’s surprisingly sympathetic."{{cite web|title=Van Halen: a track-by-track guide to the debut album that saved rock'n'roll|author=Everley, Dave|accessdate=2023-03-12|publisher=Louder Sound|work=Classic Rock|date=August 24, 2021|url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/van-halen-debut-album-guide}} The Vincennes Sun-Commercial said that it "told the age-old story of how a girl falls in love, but knows the guy only wants a one night stand."{{cite news|via=newspapers.com|accessdate=2023-03-12|newspaper=The Vincennes Sun-Commercial|title=Van Halen's first is explosive|date=March 21, 1980|page=6|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/120738511/the-vincennes-sun-commercial/}}
Roth describes "Jamie's Cryin'" as a pop song. Roth stated to the Cleveland Plain Dealer that "I don't consider it bubblegum. It ain't. It's a pop tune. I grew up with that stuff, with the Dave Clark Five and the Beatles." He also described the song as a "cosmic cha cha" and said that "We're the band that sold a Ricky Ricardo rumba in 'Jamie's Cryin.'"{{cite book|title=Van Halen Rising: How a Southern California Backyard Party Band Saved Heavy Metal|author=Renoff, Greg|publisher=ECW Press|isbn=9781770907911|year=2015}}
The song's hook is similar to that on the Kiss song "Christine Sixteen". Eddie Van Halen and drummer Alex Van Halen had played on the demo for "Christine Sixteen."{{cite web|title=Turns out Eddie Van Halen played a big part in Kiss' 'Christine Sixteen'|author=Gray, Geordie|date=October 12, 2020|accessdate=2023-03-12|publisher=Tone Deaf|url=https://tonedeaf.thebrag.com/sinead-oconnor-new-album/}}
In choosing Eddie Van Halen as the sixth greatest "pick squealer" of all time, the staff of Guitar World said that "With his aggressive pick attack, Ed sounds almost as if he’s using some weird wah-wah effect when he pinches the strings in the hyperboogie riffs of 'I’m the One' and 'Jamie’s Crying.'"{{cite web|title=The Top 10 Pick Squealers of All Time|date=October 27, 2017|accessdate=2023-03-12|publisher=Guitar World|url=https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/top-10-pick-squealers-all-time}} Joe Charupakorn noted that on the guitar solo Van Halen "could have easily wailed, but instead chose to the play thematically and appropriately to maintain the song's vibe."{{cite book|title=Van Halen - Signature Licks|author=Charupakorn, Joe|year=2015|publisher=Hal Leonard|isbn=9781495034817}} Charupakorn also noted that "the solo makes use of question-and-answer phrasing that is similar in structure to the intro riff."
Critical reception
The Morning Call critic Len Righi noted that the song was getting significant radio airplay before the single came out and said that "its sinewy beat, piercing guitar fills and crisp harmonies behind David Lee Roth's husky vocal combine to produce powerful rock."{{cite news|via=newspapers.com|accessdate=2023-03-12|newspaper=The Morning Call|author=Righi, Len|title=Records|date=March 25, 1978|page=41|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/120737989/the-morning-call/}} Ultimate Classic Rock critic Annie Zaleski said that "Jamie's Cryin'" "proved that hard rock could be poppy and melodic."{{cite web|title=Is Van Halen's First Album Their Best: Our Writers Answer Five Burning Questions|date=9 February 2018 |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/van-halen-first-album-roundtable/|publisher=Ultimate Classic Rock|accessdate=2023-03-12}} Fellow Ultimate Classic Rock critic Matt Wardlaw said that he loved its "energy and the attitude and the power." Kiss bassist Gene Simmons stated that he loves the song because of the hook.{{cite web|title=Gene Simmons pays tribute to Eddie Van Halen: "Not since Hendrix did anyone change the game like Edward"|author=Simmons, Gene|date=January 18, 2021|accessdate=2023-03-12|publisher=Guitar World|url=https://www.guitarworld.com/features/gene-simmons-pays-tribute-to-eddie-van-halen-not-since-hendrix-did-anyone-change-the-game-like-edward}} Guitar World contributor Henry Yates praised the "often-overlooked rhythm chops that underpinned the stalking groove of 'Jamie’s Cryin.'"{{cite web|title=Eddie Van Halen 1955-2020: a visionary virtuoso who rewrote the rules of electric guitar|date=December 14, 2020|author=Yates, Henry|accessdate=2023-03-12|publisher=Guitar World|url=https://www.guitarworld.com/features/eddie-van-halen-1955-2020-a-visionary-virtuoso-who-rewrote-the-rules-of-electric-guitar}} Allmusic critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine described it as a "full-fledged anthem" and a song "that changed rock & roll and still [is a] monolithic slab of rock to this day."{{cite web|title=Van Halen|author=Erlewine, Stephen Thomas|publisher=Allmusic|accessdate=2023-03-12|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/van-halen-mw0000196169}} Fresno Bee critic Carol J. Castaneda said that the song demonstrated that "the band's rock 'n' roll talents are indisputable."{{cite news|via=newspapers.com|accessdate=2023-03-12|newspaper=Fresno Bee|author=Castaneda, Carol J.|title=New Van Halen album shows fierce instinct for lyrics, melody|date=June 22, 1979|page=F14|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/120738956/the-fresno-bee/}} Guitar World editor-in-chief Brad Tolinski and Chris Gill noted that the song featured "Van Halen's catchiest melody to date" and was a "successful attempt at penning a radio-friendly hit."{{cite book|title=Eruption: Conversations with Eddie Van Halen|author1=Tolinski, Brad|author2=Gill, Chris|year=2021|publisher=Hachette|isbn=9780306826672}}
Although "Jamie's Cryin'" did not chart when it was released as a single, Eddie Van Halen was disappointed that their cover of "You Really Got Me" was chosen as the lead single from the album over "Jamie's Cryin'".{{cite web|title=Everything you need to know about Van Halen's 'You Really Got Me'|author=Filcman, Debra|publisher=Ultimate Classic Rock|accessdate=2023-03-12|url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/van-halen-you-really-got-me/|date=January 28, 2018}} He stated that "It kind of bummed me out that Ted [Templeman] wanted our first single to be someone else's tune. I would have maybe picked 'Jamie's Cryin', just because it was our own."{{cite web|title=Backyard parties and unbridled genius: the story of Van Halen's early years|date=January 25, 2021|author=Rosen, Steven|accessdate=2023-03-12|publisher=Louder Sound|work=Classic Rock|url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/backyard-parties-and-unbridled-genius-the-story-of-van-halens-early-years}}
Other releases
"Jamie's Cryin'" was one of five songs included on a sampler EP that Warner Bros. Records put out in advance of the release Van Halen (along with "Runnin' with the Devil", "You Really Got Me", "Eruption" and "Ice Cream Man").{{cite book|title=Unchained: The Eddie Van Halen Story|author=Brannigan, Paul|year=2021|publisher=Permuted Press|isbn=9781637583517}}{{cite news|via=newspapers.com|accessdate=2023-03-12|newspaper=Post-Star|title=Record Reviews|date=March 18, 1978|page=10|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61517391/the-post-star/}}{{cite book|page=42|title=Van Halen: The Eruption and the Aftershock|author=Christopher, Michael|year=2021|publisher=Backbeat|isbn=9781493062102}} The band also shot a music video for the song at the Whisky a Go Go, along with videos for the first two singles from the album.
In Japan, "Jamie's Cryin'" was the B-side to the band's 1978 single "On Fire".{{cite magazine |url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/van-halen-the-japanese-singles-vinyl-collection-revealed |title=Van Halen: The Japanese Singles vinyl collection revealed |first=Scott |last=Munro |magazine=Classic Rock |date=September 16, 2019 |access-date=February 28, 2025}}
"Jamie's Cryin'" was included on the 2004 Van Halen compilation album The Best of Both Worlds.{{cite web|title=The Best of Both Worlds|author=Erlewine, Stephen Thomas|publisher=Allmusic|accessdate=2023-03-12|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-best-of-both-worlds-mw0000208604}}
"Jamie's Cryin'" is one of the songs included on Guitar Hero: Van Halen.{{cite web|title=Guitar Hero: Van Halen Track List Revealed|date=August 7, 2009|publisher=Guitar World|accessdate=2023-03-12|url=https://www.guitarworld.com/news/guitar-hero-van-halen-track-list-revealed}}
Roth sang a version of "Jamie's Cryin'" on the 2006 tribute album Strummin' with the Devil: The Southern Side of Van Halen.{{cite web|title=Strummin' with the Devil: The Southern Side of Van Halen|author=Monger, James Christopher|publisher=Allmusic|accessdate=2023-03-12|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/strummin-with-the-devil-the-southern-side-of-van-halen-mw0000344844}}{{cite news|via=newspapers.com|accessdate=2023-03-12|newspaper=The Bradenton Herald|author=Gerome, John|title=Bluegrass Tribute|date=June 16, 2006|page=E37|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/120732417/the-bradenton-herald/}}
Sampling
Tone Loc sampled "Jamie's Cryin'" for his 1988 song "Wild Thing".{{cite web|title=Van Halen's debut album: A track-by-track guide|author=Lifton, Dave|date=February 10, 2018|accessdate=2023-03-12|publisher=Ultimate Classic Rock|url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/van-halens-debut-track-by-track/}}{{cite news|via=newspapers.com|accessdate=2023-03-12|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|author=O'Malley & Collin|title=Inc.|date=January 7, 1991|pages=1–14|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/120737465/chicago-tribune/}} Producer Matt Dike incorporated parts of the intro of "Jamie's Cryin'" as well as some guitar licks into "Wild Thing" in order to give it a "West Coast vibe." Van Halen did not originally give permission to sample the song and sued over it, but eventually an out-of-court settlement was reached, apparently for $180,000.