Panama by Van Halen is one of the band's most celebrated tracks, known for its explosive energy and signature sound. Released as part of their sixth studio album, 1984, on January 9, 1984, under Warner Bros. Records, the track showcases Van Halen’s fusion of hard rock and glam metal with a polished, radio-friendly edge. The album, produced by Ted Templeman, cemented the band's place in rock history and marked a significant commercial breakthrough, becoming one of their best-selling albums.
The track features the classic Van Halen lineup: David Lee Roth on vocals, Eddie Van Halen on guitar, Alex Van Halen on drums, and Michael Anthony on bass. The song’s tempo is upbeat, with a driving rhythm that feels almost like a high-speed race, which is fitting given the song’s inspiration.
Despite common misconceptions, Panama is not about a woman, but rather a car. Roth explained that he wrote the song after noticing he had never written about fast cars, despite being known for his hard-partying rock star lifestyle. The track features revving engine sounds, which were rumoured to have been recorded using Eddie Van Halen's Lamborghini.
Musically, Panama is anchored by Eddie Van Halen’s sharp guitar work, which includes one of his most recognizable riffs. The song also features a memorable guitar solo that showcases his technical skill and playful innovation. Michael Anthony's bass lines and backing vocals give the song depth, while Alex Van Halen’s drumming adds relentless energy. Roth’s vocal performance is flamboyant and dynamic, as he sings about living life in the fast lane, literally and figuratively.
On the Billboard charts, Panama was a major hit, reaching #13 on the Billboard Hot 100 and contributing to the overall success of the 1984 album, which peaked at #2 on the Billboard 200. The song became one of Van Halen’s most popular live tracks, often accompanied by high-energy performances and a celebratory atmosphere at concerts. Fans particularly loved the band's use of Panama in live settings, where Roth would swing from stage props and the band’s chemistry was on full display.
The 1984 album itself was a defining moment for Van Halen, marking their last record with Roth before his departure in 1985.
If you want to learn this composition deeply rooted in classic rock, Mike Walker’s detailed guidance on, how to play Panama on guitar is the perfect place to start. His step-by-step approach will help you express the emotional depth of the song while making the learning process enjoyable.
To play the Panama on the guitar most used chords are:
- B
- D
- A
Watch this guitar lesson and follow the instructions to learn the Panama guitar chords and master the chord transition techniques for playing Panama on guitar.
The lesson for the Panama has the following sections:
- Introduction
- Song Arrangement Part 1
- Song Arrangement Part 2
- Song Demo
- Solo
- Beginners Version
The Panama guitar tutorial is a life saviour for those who want to learn to play this song.
The Panama guitar tutorial simplifies learning by breaking it into smaller parts.
Check out the Panama Guitar Chords to play the Panama song on guitar.
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