Spanish Fly (song)
Encyclopedia
"Spanish Fly" is an instrumental solo played on a nylon string acoustic guitar by Eddie Van Halen
. It was featured on his band Van Halen
's 1979 album Van Halen II
. The song was viewed by many as a follow up to the famous electric guitar based instrumental "Eruption" from the band's first album Van Halen
released in 1978.
There are two explanations for the writing and inclusion on the album of "Spanish Fly". One is the band's producer Ted Templeman
heard Eddie playing a similar sound piece on an acoustic guitar at a party and suggested it be included on the new record. This story is similar to the inclusion of "Eruption" on the first album. The second, more likely explanation is that the song was included as a response to people suggesting Eddie was a good rock guitarist, but that he probably couldn't go beyond this.
The track is played in one take with a pick, rather than fingerstyle. It expands on many of the techniques used in "Eruption" such as tremolo picking and finger tapping. It is believed by many guitar players to be a more difficult piece than "Eruption". Guitarist Steve Vai
has been known to say "Spanish Fly" is his favorite Van Halen song.
Eddie Van Halen
Edward Lodewijk "Eddie" Van Halen is a Dutch-American guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter and producer, best known as the lead guitarist and co-founder of the hard rock band Van Halen, inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame...
. It was featured on his band Van Halen
Van Halen
Van Halen is an American hard rock band formed in Pasadena, California, in 1972. The band has enjoyed success since the release of its debut album, Van Halen, . As of 2007 Van Halen has sold 80 million albums worldwide and has had the most #1 hits on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart...
's 1979 album Van Halen II
Van Halen II
-Personnel:*David Lee Roth - lead vocals*Eddie Van Halen - electric and acoustic guitars, backing vocals*Michael Anthony - bass guitar, backing vocals*Alex Van Halen - drums-Production:*Producer: Ted Templeman...
. The song was viewed by many as a follow up to the famous electric guitar based instrumental "Eruption" from the band's first album Van Halen
Van Halen (album)
Van Halen is the debut studio album by American rock band Van Halen, released in February 1978.- History :Recorded in 1977, Van Halen sold over 10 million copies in the US alone, becoming one of the most successful debuts by a rock band. Along with 1984, it gives Van Halen two original albums with...
released in 1978.
There are two explanations for the writing and inclusion on the album of "Spanish Fly". One is the band's producer Ted Templeman
Ted Templeman
Ted Templeman is an American record producer.-Career:He began his career in the mid 1960s in the Santa Cruz area as a drummer in a band called The Tikis. At the suggestion of Lenny Waronker, the group decided to change their name. Harpers Bizarre was born in 1966, with Templeman switching to...
heard Eddie playing a similar sound piece on an acoustic guitar at a party and suggested it be included on the new record. This story is similar to the inclusion of "Eruption" on the first album. The second, more likely explanation is that the song was included as a response to people suggesting Eddie was a good rock guitarist, but that he probably couldn't go beyond this.
The track is played in one take with a pick, rather than fingerstyle. It expands on many of the techniques used in "Eruption" such as tremolo picking and finger tapping. It is believed by many guitar players to be a more difficult piece than "Eruption". Guitarist Steve Vai
Steve Vai
Steven Siro "Steve" Vai is a three time Grammy Award-winning American guitarist, songwriter and producer who has sold over 15 million albums. Steve Vai is widely known as a flamboyant guitar virtuoso....
has been known to say "Spanish Fly" is his favorite Van Halen song.