Hot for Teacher — Van Halen Lyrics

Hot for Teacher by Van Halen

"Hot for Teacher" by Van Halen is a high-energy rock track from their 1984 album 1984. The song tells the story of a student's infatuation with his teacher, blending humor with Van Halen's signature hard rock sound.

• Album: 1984


• Track: Hot for Teacher


• Artists: Van Halen


• Release Date: January 9, 1984


• Producer: Ted Templeman


• Writers: Michael Anthony, Eddie Van Halen, Alex Van Halen, David Lee Roth


• Genres: Rock, Heavy Metal, Glam Metal, Hard Rock

Annotations and Meaning.

[Instrumental Intro]

The song begins with a strong instrumental intro that establishes an intense and rebellious tone, highlighting Eddie Van Halen's dazzling guitar abilities.

[Interlude]

The interlude includes a fun conversation among pupils in which they speculate about their teacher. This enhances the song's youthful and mischievous mood.

[Verse 1.]

In the opening stanza, the protagonist professes his admiration for his teacher, highlighting her appeal and his desire to impress her. Lines like "T-t-teacher, stop that screamin', teacher, don't you see?" demonstrate the student's humorous yet assertive demeanor.

[Pre-Chorus]

The pre-chorus comments on the protagonist's lack of concentration in school, juxtaposing his newfound interest in the teacher with his typical disregard for homework.

[Chorus]

The infectious chorus, "Got it bad, got it bad, got it bad, I'm hot for teacher," perfectly captures the student's strong crush and desire, making it a classic hook.

[Interlude]

Another amusing interlude includes the protagonist laughing about school and anticipating the weekend, which adds to the song's carefree and rebellious vibe.

[Verse 2.]

The second verse continues the story, with the protagonist remarking on the frigid quality of regular lessons and contrasting it with his enthusiasm for the teacher. The phrase "Little girl from Cherry Lawn" provides a personal touch by referencing David Lee Roth's school memories.

[Pre-Chorus]

The pre-chorus is repeated, emphasizing the protagonist's humorous approach to schooling and focus on the teacher.

[Chorus]

The chorus is repeated, highlighting the fundamental theme of the student's obsession.

[Guitar Solo].

Eddie Van Halen's iconic guitar solo is an aggressive and exciting moment that demonstrates his technical proficiency and adds dimension to the song.

[Interlude]

The closing interlude has funny dialogue and the memorable line "Class dismissed," which reflects the protagonist's casual and rebellious attitude toward school.

[Chorus]

The chorus is repeated once more, emphasizing the notion of obsession with its distinctive hook.

[Outro]

The song concludes with enthusiastic and playful exclamations, giving listeners a lasting image of the protagonist's exuberant and carefree character.

Genius Annotations.

The annotation states that "Hot for Teacher" was inspired on David Lee Roth's experiences at Cherry Lawn School. The song's comical and lighthearted take on a student's crush on his instructor appealed to audiences, making it a memorable smash. The song's music video and controversial themes even influenced the founding of the PMRC, which lobbied for warning labels on albums containing explicit content.

Van Halen's "Hot for Teacher" is a classic rock song that blends humor, high-energy instrumentation, and memorable lyrics. Its lighthearted storyline and tremendous performances have made it a perennial favorite among rock lovers.