Van Halen - Crossing Over

Another "unreleased" tune, folks! This song only made it as a B-Side to the "Can't Stop Lovin' You" single and as a bonus track for the Japanese release of Balance. The original cover of Balance was deemed too offensive in Japan as it featured conjoined twins, hence the single child on the seesaw. They also received this song as an apology. Balance ended up selling more in Japan than domestically in the US, which was impressive at the time as imported albums were roughly $4 more in Japan. The song was originally written and recorded by Eddie in 1983, shortly after one of his friends had committed suicide. The song, originally titled "David's Song," was given a chance at rebirth after the untimely death of their manager, Ed Leffler. Sammy wrote his own lyrics around his feelings about both Leffler's and his own father's passing. On the left channel is Eddie's music from 1983 featuring his vocals and electronic drums; on the right channel, is the reworked song with re-worked guitar, bass, drums, and vocals by the rest of the band. If you listen closely in the second verse of the song, you can hear Eddie singing the original verses, since they never really got rid of the original track, choosing instead to dub over it. You can also notice that at points the melody is similar to another Van Halen song, "Love Walks In." In my opinion, this is the coolest and darkest song they had ever written together.

Lyrics:
I reach across to the other side
To make contact with you
Golden slumber, you fill my dreams
When I make contact with you, oh
Don't ask me why I'm crossing over
Oh, crossing over

[Sammy & Eddie]
I never got to (What's it all about?)
Really know you (Is there a way...)
The way I want to now (Outta here)
So many things I... (I'm like the rest)
I didn't tell you (Seeking an answer)
I wanna tell you now
Tell me why, oh Lord (But why, why, why, why?)
You're crossing over (Why? Why?)

(I gotta bring you back, to see your face)
Oh, crossing over
(I wanna hear you call my name, to feel your touch)
Reaching out, reaching out
(Hear your voice again)
(To hear your voice again)
Crossing over
(To feel your touch)
Reaching out
(To feel you)
Crossing over
(To feel)
Crossing over
(To feel)
Reaching out, reaching out
Crossing over


I DO NOT OWN THE PICTURE OR SONG USED IN THIS VIDEO.