Who's behind the notes? Discover Van Halen: The Pioneers of Hard Rock Guitar
"Jump" is a song by the American rock band Van Halen, released in 1984. Here are some interesting facts about the song:
Genre Fusion: "Jump" marked a departure from Van Halen's traditional hard rock sound, incorporating elements of synth-pop. The prominent synthesizer riff, played by Eddie Van Halen, is one of the most recognizable aspects of the song.
Chart Success: The song was a massive commercial success, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It also topped the charts in several other countries.
Grammy Win: "Jump" won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal in 1985. The band's incorporation of synthesizers in the song was notable in a genre dominated by guitar-driven rock.
Iconic Music Video: The music video for "Jump" features the band performing on a soundstage with various colorful geometric shapes in the background. David Lee Roth's energetic and acrobatic moves in the video became iconic.
Album Success: The song is part of Van Halen's album "1984," which was also a commercial success, eventually being certified Diamond in the United States.
Opening Synth Line: The famous synth riff that opens the song was initially written by Eddie Van Halen as a guitar part. However, the producer, Ted Templeman, suggested using a Oberheim OB-Xa synthesizer for that part, creating the distinctive sound.
"Jump" remains one of Van Halen's most well-known and enduring songs, showcasing the band's ability to experiment with different musical styles while maintaining their rock roots.