As the presidential election grows closer and the unemployment rate hovers at over 8%, the economy is at center stage in the news and top of mind for many Americans.

It’s an issue that Chickenfoot address in their song “Three And A Half Letters.” The lyrics are taken from letters that singer Sammy Hagar received from fans who are having a hard time getting by. He quotes messages from a guy who got laid off from a factory where he worked for 9 years, a vet who just returned from Afghanistan, and a 51 year old homeless man.

The video ends with the solemn message: “People from all walks of life are facing hunger. Please help your local Food Bank: www.feedingamerica.org“

The song was written during a dark period for the usually upbeat band (which also includes Hagar’s former Van Halen bandmate, Michael Anthony, as well as guitarist Joe Satriani and Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith). Their manager, John Carter passed away during the recording of the album: Carter signed Hagar to his first solo deal (after he got fired from hard rock band Montrose), and also produced his first four albums.

It’s one of Chickenfoot’s heaviest songs, but “Satch” and Anthony share a funny story about the making of “Three And A Half Letters.” Hagar and Satriani co-wrote all the songs on the album, and Satriani played bass on the demo, which brought back some unpleasant memories for Anthony, who was famously replaced in Van Halen by Edward Van Halen’s son, Wolfgang.

And as for the current version of Van Halen, who have recently postponed over thirty concerts on their current tour? Anthony, had little to say about his former bandmates.

Chickenfoot has just wrapped their tour for their second album, III.

– Brian Ives, CBS Local