I came to know this band just as I was starting to come of age. I was 12. I heard them with some cousins back East; Van Halen II had just been released. It was the beginning of a love affair, a visceral experience that goes on to this day.

Eddie Van Halen was at the core, his guitar playing unique and master-class, a virtuoso. And his style, and his smile, and his energy, they all created musical magic.

Eddie died this week. His music will live on forever.

The band put a lot of music out over decades; this song was from an earlier album, and a cover of the 1953 John Brim original song.

Van Halen’s version was a playful, rocking take on the original blues arrangement. And man did it rock!

ENJOY these fun lyrics~

“Dedicate one to the ladies…

Now summertime’s here babe, need somethin’ to keep you cool

Ah, now summertime’s here, babe, need somethin’ to keep you cool

Better look out now, though, Dave’s got somethin’ for you

Tell ya what it is

I’m your ice cream man, stop me when I’m passin’ by

Oh my my

I’m your ice cream man, stop me when I’m passin’ by

See now all my flavors are guaranteed to satisfy

Hold on a second, baby

I got a puddin’ pie banana, ah, dixie cups

All flavors and push ups too

I’m your ice cream man, baby, stop me when I’m passin’ by

See now all my flavors are guaranteed to satisfy

Hold on, one more

Well, I’m usually passin’ by just about eleven o’clock

Uh huh, I never stop, I’m usually passin’ by just around eleven o’clock

And if you let me cool you one time, you’ll be my regular stop

All right boys

I got a puddin’ pie banana, ah, dixie cups

All flavors and push ups too

I’m your ice cream man, stop me when I’m passin’ by

See now all my flavors are guaranteed to satisfy, yes

I’m your ice cream man, stop me when I’m passin’ by

I’m your ice cream man, stop me when I’m passin’ by

They say all my flavors are guaranteed to satisfy

Ah, one time

I’m your ice cream man, stop me when I’m passin’ by

I’m your ice cream man, stop me when I’m passin’ by

They say all my flavors are guaranteed to satisfy

One time, boys

I’m your ice cream man

I’m your ice cream man

B-b-b-b-b-b-b-baby

Oh my, my, my

All my flavors are guaranteed to satisfy

Writer(s): Brim John