There is no telling what one may see when they dream at night, and classic rock music icon Sammy Hagar discovered this when a night's sleep inspired his brand-new song "Encore, Thank You, Goodnight." Over the course of his career, Hagar has been known for creating classic tunes. He emerged at a time when he was competing against the likes of AC/DC, Guns N' Roses, and Ozzy Osbourne, yet he managed to make his name one of the most relevant in music. This includes both his work as a solo artist and in bands.

While plenty of his songs came from real-life experiences, with some being born because of dreams, his new track actually began being written inside of one. For a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer who has seemingly done it all, this adds another interesting chapter to his storied career.

It's also fitting that it comes at a time when Hagar is truly starting to reflect on all he has done, taking time to celebrate his journey with those who have been alongside him. As Hagar continues to be a legendary voice in a genre he helped make famous, he's also keeping plenty of legacies at the forefront of fans' minds.

The Song Was Written In The Corner Of A Dream

The Riff Is Attributed To Eddie

When Sammy Hagar's new song "Encore, Thank You, Goodnight" debuted, it may have seemed just like a tribute song to Eddie Van Halen. Technically, that's exactly what the song is, as it thanks Eddie for everything he has given, but the story runs deeper. During an exclusive clip from Fox News, Hagar explains how a dream with Eddie led to the writing of the song: "He was saying let's write a song, let's write a cool song. Then he starts playing this cool riff, and I start singing.

Hagar recalls in the middle of the verse, ing that this was just a dream. However, when he woke up, he did not forget everything they had done. Hagar was able to what he was singing. As for the riff that Eddie was playing, he leaned on guitarist Joe Satriani: "I kind of got it, I showed Joe, and we created this whole song."

At first, Hagar worried about creating the tune in fear of people thinking he was crazy. His mind eventually changed once he realized this was the closest he would come to writing with Eddie again. As he wrote the lyrics, he expressed exactly what he wanted to say after the encounter, which was "Thank you for the song / Thank you for the visit, what took so long?" In fact, throughout it, Hagar repeatedly thanks Eddie and details the dream.

This was the closest he would come to writing with Eddie again.

To make things even more special, it features Michael Anthony, who was the bass guitarist for Van Halen. That adds another person who got to play alongside Eddie, enjoying his brilliance. Additionally, the music video provides a perfect visual. It not only features home video footage as a way to pay tribute, but it also depicts what the scene was like for Hagar in the dream and waking up to write the tune. As the song plays on, it is an absolutely perfect rock track and definitely one where Eddie's influence can be heard throughout.

Sammy Hagar And Eddie Van Halen Go Way Back

They Created Magic Together

While Sammy Hagar's song is a tribute to Eddie Van Halen, it also provides the singer with closure regarding his time in Van Halen. Famously, Van Halen burst onto the scene with their self-titled debut studio album in 1978. This became an absolute classic, and their success grew from there. Perhaps their biggest record of all time came in 1984 and was titled by the same name as the year. This featured some of their signature songs and should have been a major highlight for the band, but instead, it led to the departure of lead vocalist David Lee Roth.

After his exit, it was Hagar who stepped in. He had already made a name for himself as a solo artist, so there was no question of whether he could handle the job or not. The first album he made with the band was released in 1986 and was titled 5150. It was so well-received that it earned the number one spot on the Billboard 200. Following this, their next three albums would enjoy the same success, making the transition from Roth to Hagar a great decision. However, it wasn't meant to last, as 1995's release would be the last to feature Hagar.

Hagar would return to tour with the band in the early 2000s, but things would break down once again. There are many different sides to the story of what happened, but matters became difficult enough to the point that Hagar returned to his solo career, while Van Halen once again welcomed back Roth. This left Hagar without much closure on his time with the band. What should have been a celebration of enjoying their work always seemed to end in heartbreak. Nonetheless, it never changed Hagar's feelings for Eddie, as there were plenty of good times shared.

Sammy Hagar Prides Himself On Representing Van Halen

The Setlist Tells A Life’s Journey

Now that Sammy Hagar has a song that is a true tribute to Eddie Van Halen, the singer can properly honor his former bandmate during his live shows. However, Hagar has made it clear that this is not a way to profit from Eddie's memory. This is a story that actually happened and Hagar is even giving Eddie co-writing credit for it. All he wants to do is sing about his friend and create a special moment during his performances. As it is, Hagar paying tribute to his former band is not uncommon for him to do while performing live shows.

Along with this new tune, Hagar always adds Van Halen tracks to the setlist, as a way to keep the band's legacy alive. If you look at one of his most recent concerts (setlist.fm), Hagar played 12 Van Halen songs. He makes sure to include his own hits like "I Can't Drive 55," but his show is primarily all Van Halen.

However, fans don't mind, as the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band remains one of the most beloved of all time. Regardless of how his dream or his new song is perceived, Hagar is ready to keep performing as long as he can and honor his friend while doing it.

In hopes of extending his career, Hagar has become the latest artist to do a residency in Las Vegas, playing dates between April and May 2025. The shows, which take place at Dolby Live at Park MGM, have allowed for a lighter schedule for Hagar without the rigorous travel that comes with touring. While he may not be performing on the biggest stages in the world every night anymore, Hagar is content playing his hits there, hoping to provide many more years of entertainment.