Eddie Van Halen shaped rock music as we know it. But did you know one of Van Halen’s most intense tracks, Don’t Tell Me (What Love Can Do), was born out of Kurt Cobain’s tragic death? The song, with its dark tone and lyrics, sparked controversy, and Eddie’s role in its creation left a powerful impression.
According to Sammy Hagar, the song’s lyrics were directly inspired by Cobain’s death. On social media, he revealed that he struggled to sing the song.
Sharing a live version of the song, he wrote: “Singing this song was always difficult. I wrote the lyrics about Kurt Cobain’s death.”
He continued, “I wanted the chorus to say ‘I wanna tell you what love can do,’ but Bruce Fairbank, Ed and Al wanted to make it more dark and negative. Technically it’s a brutal song to sing.”
The Red Rocker added.
“I painted myself in a corner, but we will be doing it at the residency in Vegas. I’m going to add it to the show. Today marks the 30th anniversary of ‘Don’t Tell Me What Love Can Do’!”
Singing this song was always difficult. I wrote the lyrics about Kurt Cobain’s death. I wanted the chorus to say “I wanna tell you what love can do”, but Bruce Fairbank, Ed and Al wanted to make it more dark and negative. Technically it’s a brutal song to sing. I painted myself…
— Sammy Hagar (@sammyhagar) January 10, 2025
The song appeared on Van Halen’s 1995 album ‘Balance.’ Hagar, Eddie Van Halen, Michael Anthony, and Alex Van Halen are among the songwriters.
In 1994, the world was shaken by the untimely death of Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain. His passing marked the end of an era for grunge and left a cultural void that no artist could fill. Cobain’s struggles with fame, mental health, and addiction became emblematic of the darker side of the music industry.
