Posted on 06/06/2024 11:02:54 AM PDT by nickcarraway
David Lee Roth fans should be used to the former Van Halen frontman throwing them curveballs, so perhaps they won’t be too surprised by the latest song he’s premiered on his social media pages. Diamond Dave has debuted his own version of power-pop band Tommy Tutone’s 1981 hit “867-5309/Jenny.”
Roth has recorded a faithful cover of the song, which was a No. 4 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 for Tommy Tutone.
Roth posted his cover under the name “Jenny Jenny (That telephone song).” The tune is accompanied by a video featuring two Styrofoam mannequin heads. One of the mannequin heads resembles Roth and is wearing a headset microphone and wraparound sunglasses. The second head has female features, has bottlecaps for eyes, and is mottled with pink paint.
Roth’s Fans React to His “867-5309/Jenny” Cover
Roth’s new recording inspired a lot of fans to share their opinion about the tune in the comments section of his Instagram page.
“I know I’m supposed to hate this but….it’s pretty cool,” one fan wrote. “Dave ain’t lost nothing, it’s just a different Diamond Dave. I dig it, we’re lucky to have him.”
Another commented, “I need these songs available on cd or vinyl, please, make it happen!”
A third fan wrote, “Traveling back to the 80’s with Dave is a fun trip.”
About Roth’s Recent Recordings
During the last few years, Roth has posted a variety of previously unreleased tracks on his official website and social media pages. He’s also made some of these songs available as digital downloads and via streaming services.
Many of the tracks were originally featured in The Roth Project, an interactive comic book Roth debuted in 2020. The online presentation boasted a soundtrack that included tracks Roth recorded several years earlier in collaboration with current Mötley Crüe guitarist John 5.
In 2022 and 2023, Roth also posted new versions of several Van Halen songs that he recorded with studio musicians.
More About “867-5309/Jenny”
“867-5309/Jenny” appeared on Tommy Tutone’s second album, Tommy Tutone 2. The song was co-written by Jim Keller, the band’s lead guitarist, and Alex Call, who’d been the lead singer, guitarist, and principal songwriter of the Bay Area group Clover.
Drummer John Cowsill, a member of the family band The Cowsills, sang backing vocals and played percussion on the track. In recent years, Cowsill has played drums with The Beach Boys.
Perhaps, but only back in the day. I don't care for his songs after he destroyed his vocal cords. Only early Van Halen stands out for me.
This cover sounds like karaoke crap. I could sing it better this has-been who keeps trying to be relevant.
Didn’t this guy sing one of those songs?
Agreed.
Van Halen had a great version of “You Really Got Me”, but the song of theirs that really does it for me is “Ain’t Talkin’ ‘bout Love”.
An Energizer bunny, that’s for sure.
1000 times better matching voice for VH than Hagar any day of history!!! IMHO...
That sounded terrible!
Ha! Humility to that guy would be like sunlight to a vampire! Lol!
Like I said, Valerie Bertinelli has some choice words regarding that dude.
I’ll give Roth credit for one thing.....consistency.......he’s ALWAYS been a proper jerk.
Saw VH on their very 1st tour in’79 IIRC....they opened for Black Sabbath believe it or not.
That was back before Roths ego completely consumed him and they ripped every song.....Roth included.
Between Eddie’s guitar, Roth actually having it together back then and never having seen a drum kit on fire before, it was an experience I’ll never forget.
Not being a Sabbath fan (too dark and heavy for me) when VH left the stage we left the auditorium.......that night I could actually feel the changing of Rock and Roll guard.
Having said all that, I believe VH lost its edge when changing from Roth to Hagar......I love me some Red Rocker but VH seemed too mellow with him.....he shoulda brought the Three Lock Box, Bad Motor Scooter attitude with him......just my 2 cent
Thank you.
Saw SH twice 83 and 84
Music was great
Sammy talked like an 8-year-old that had just learned curse words
It was ridiculous and unnecessary and overdone
As for the original song, I was friends with a gal named Jennifer who was dating a musician for a time. Aside from occasional session work, writing a lyrics for a few songs for some well or semi-known artists that never charted or even made to alblum and sitting in with local bands, he mostly played solo acoustical guitar gigs in pubs, small bars from NE to the Mid-Atlantic.
One of the songs on his set list and often requested was Brown Eyed Girl which he referred to and introduced as “The Horny Drunk Rich College Girl’s # 1 Requested Song”.
“I’m from New England, I knew these girls when I was in college, they were all Women Studies majors and went to Brown or Emily Dickinson College and some of them also took up pottery. One gal was tragically killed in a kiln explosion. I think her name was Fawn. This song goes out to you Fawn wherever you are and your big beautiful brown eyes.”
LOL!
He was a very funny guy, but few except for me, got the joke.
But my friend Jennifer didn’t think it was too funny, aside from that she hated being called Jenny, when he’d sing the 867-5309/Jenny song and would sing various parts of her actual phone number like “426- Number Number Number Number” or 4 “Something” 6- Number, and there’s and 8 and a 7 in there also, then another number” and “if you want her number, you can find it in the Men’s room.
He never sung out her entire number in anyone gig though, but for obvious reasons she was not amused.
Some original songs just don’t happen when they are covered later. I listened to both versions, and Tommy’s is the best.
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