Panama

About this song

The song was released as the third single from the album 1984 and reached number 13 in the US, becoming the album's third top 20 hit in a row. Its music video shows the band on stage, often swinging back and forth from a cable, and features a custom bass guitar designed to look like a bottle of Jack Daniels whiskey. MTV reportedly had a ban on product placement, but the bass was so prominent, and the band so popular after the number one hit "Jump" that year, that the network had to air the video as is.

What it's about

The song takes its name from a nickname for a blue 1969 Kadett Caravan, which was called "Panama" as a joke about how far south one could go and still have a corrupt good time. The car serves as a metaphor for a hot woman who is into hard partying.

Summary written with AI, based on the song's page on Genius.

Fun facts

• Sampled in 1 other song, like “1984 by The Hood Internet”.
• Covered 7 times, including “Panama by the bird and the bee”.
• Written by Michael Anthony, Eddie Van Halen, Alex Van Halen and David Lee Roth.
• Produced by Ted Templeman.
• Recorded at 5150 Studios.