For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge
CD 1991 Van Halen

Liner Notes

For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge (also known as F.U.C.K.) is the third Van Halen album that Sammy sings lead vocals on. This album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 album chart, and maintained the position for three weeks. Their tour promoting the album was named F.U.C.K. 'n' Live.

NOTE: A newly expanded version is available for 2024 here

Related Videos


  • Van Halen - Top Of The World (Live in Dallas, TX 1991)

  • Van Halen - Poundcake (Official Video) [HD]

  • Van Halen - Poundcake (Live at the West End Marketplace, Dallas, TX, 12/4/1991) [Official Video]

  • Sammy Hagar & Michael Anthony on The Top Live Songs from For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge

  • Sammy Hagar & Michael Anthony on Andy Johns, Bass, and Alex's Drum Tone

  • Van Halen "For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge" 24th Anniversary

 19 Redhead Comments

Rocky5150's picture

VH at their peak. Andy nailed the production. The chemistry was top notch. This album just doesn’t age at all.

Wilson_Alexandre's picture

In 1983 when Van Halen was in Brazil with David Lee Roth, I went to see them at Ibirapuera Gymnasium in Sao Paulo. I painted a red T-shirt where I designed the back cover of Sammy Hagar's Loud'n'Clear album by lifting a guitar, painted the Sammy Hagar logo on the left side of my chest, put on the shirt and went to the Van Halen concert.
I was in the front row of the audience and Eddie Van Halen was pointing his finger at my Sammy Hagar t-shirt, but I didn't understand what he meant by gesturing to me. I think he wanted my gift shirt for him. (I dont know). Coincidentally, two years later Sammy Hagar joined Van Halen.
Sammy Hagar is said to have been known in Brazil from Van Halen - THAT NEWS IS COMPLETELY MISTAKED. I'm sure more than 50,000 fans (at least) already knew about Sammy Hagar's songs playing at our rock dances from 1971 to 1998, long before he joined Van Halen. Take the test when you arrive in Brazil Sammy!
Play Love or Money, This Planet's on Fire, Reckless, Red and other songs like: I can't drive 55, Growing Pains and you'll see.
My team and I did a job that the Brazilian media never did. Today Sammy Hagar is a phenomenon in Brazil, long before he joined Van Halen. And Sammy Hagar made a difference with Eddie's band. Van Halen's music got heavier, more robust and modern with Sammy Hagar leading the vocals. This is no demerit to David Lee Roth who has always been the great musician too, but Sammy Hagar has left his trademark Red Rocker on Van Halen as well. 5150, OU812, FOR UNLAWFUL..., BALANCE, are pure Sammy Hagar songs!

Ed F's picture

"You work me up, I pay my plan" I always thought it was "You work me up a payment plan" The, "My conscience loves to stick around" it sounds to me like "Might cost you less to stick around" Which would make more sense. These are lyrics to In n Out.

TimKarr's picture

Give a good listen to "In and Out". Lyrically, it is very insightful, and musically it is awesome. It has become my favorite track on the album.

Stonebaldhead's picture

Poundcake, Judgment Day, Runaround, Pleasure Dome, The Dream is Over, Right Now, 316, and Top of the World absolutely rule the rocking world. This was the first album with a few fillers, but they were great too. This Grammy winner was much deserved.

fabricio_pcortes's picture

I was 12 when I first saw the "right now" music video, and now, 20 years later, I feel the same emotion... My older sister bring home that record, ir was amazing, I remember play it over and over and over again! My sister hates me when the record broke up Sorry!!!!

A-stin White's picture

Poundcake time, baby!!!!!

johnnybeane's picture

VH was the biggest band in the world to me at this time.

This album was huge to me as a guitarist.

REDJAVI63's picture

With this CD I saw Van Halen in Mexico City for the first time in 1992, amazing show, I can´t believe it what I´m seeing, it was a dream come true, Van-Hagar really rocks in Mexico.

krlindbeck's picture

i first bought this album on cassette when I arrived for training at Fort Leonardwood, MO. From the time I heard the power drill at the beginning of Poundcake to the harminzing on Top of the World, this became my favorite Van Hagar album - and I say Van Hagar as a good thing - Sammy joining Eddie was a great time in music history as they both made some awesome music and developed more as artists.

This is my all time favorite album from this era of Sammy's career. I have replaced the cassette and the CD twice from excessive wear!

azure.s's picture

In '91, I had split from the fiancee and was determined to "do something" with my life, other than party constantly. I went back to college and became independent...and missed out on this stuff! So I'm sort of rediscovering it.

m22587's picture

When they came out and played "Poundcake" at the beginning of the MTV music awards it was unreal.Sammy nailed it! I still have it on VHS somewhere.Just finished your book Sam.Nice story of a hardworking American.Been a fan since Montrose.VH way better band, especially live!

SharkByte's picture

This is the strongest album of the entire Van Halen catalog!
The lyrics and Sammy's vocals are scary good, and it showcases Eddie's playing better than ever, Michael's bass and vocals more than ever and Al sounds like a beast! I was in Fresno on the first night that was recorded for "Live: Right Here Right Now" and these songs sounded awesome live! Favorites included Judgment Day, Spanked, Right Now, Man On A Mission, but I rarely skip past any of them.

rocknrollrebel5150's picture

This album is probably in my top twenty favorite albums of all time. I love this album. Just this one and Balance kick the hell out of the Roth albums.

maryannl050's picture

Unforgettable!!! I was lucky enough to meet the band. Of course Sammy and Michael were the best!!

Rose Morris's picture

This was one of the best albums. Every song is great and with Sammy singing, the lyrics hit my soul.

David Mccain's picture

Great sound and even better music. Just can't top this disc. First Van Halen CD I bought was this one. Just loved it. Still do.

benisme_123's picture

This is the first album i brought featuring Sammy (also first VH). I was 12 years old when it came out. One day i'd heard "Jump" on the radio, liked the guitar and when browsing through the local music store found this (on tape) and got it. I found this album heavier and better than i expected and ended up loving it. So many great songs, "Right Now", "Poundcake", "Runaround" just to name a few. From the first listen i become a S.H and Van Hagar fan for life. Not a bad choice from a then 12 year old music fan. I still think it's a great album!

302_Boss_Chick's picture

I was only 13 when this album came out and all I remember is the video for "Right Now", and giggling at the naughty word that the title spelled out. Well, I just dug this CD out my husband's collection, blew the dust off...and grasped the full meaning of the title.

They oughta sell this CD with boxes of Viagara as a back-up. HA!!