In this post we will take a look at the Top 25 Van Halen songs.
Before Van Halen was formed in 1974, the dutch brothers Alex and Eddie Van Halen formed their very first band, The Broken Combs.
As a band they played various local clubs, backyard parties and local function which gained them popularity in the early days.
After several name changes they officially kept their band name as Van Halen. The band line up included Eddie Van Halen as lead guitarist, Alex Van Halen as drummer with new members, David Lee Roth as vocalist and Michael Anthony as bassist.
The band’s biggest break came after they got attention of Warner Bros in the year 1977. The next year the band released its first self-titled debut album ‘Van Halen’. The album was a commercial success and listed number 19 in Billboard 100. Rest is all history.
So, coming back to the point, here are top 25 Van Halen Songs of all time.
1. Eruption
Eruption is the most popular instrumental song ( guitar solo ) from their self-titled debut album ‘Van Halen’. It is played by Eddie Van Halen and is considered as one of greatest solos of all time.
The length of the song is 1 minute and 42 seconds. The 2 hand tapping and tremolo picking part are the most highlighted part of the solo.
The guitar used in the solo, named as ‘Frankie’ is created by Eddie himself. The guitar is basically a mixture of Gibson’s sound and Fender Strat functionality. Here is great lesson of the song.
2. Cathedral
Cathedral is again an popular instrumental guitar solo from their fifth studio album which was released in 1982. Eddie used one of his Fender Stratocaster to record this solo.
The length of this guitar instrumental is 1 minutes and 23 seconds. In this video of Eddie performing this song you can clearly see, how he uses only hammer on’s to pull the whole guitar solo.
The two popular effects used in the solo are delay and chorus. Here is a great lesson of the song that you must check out.
3. Dance the Night Away
Recorded in 1978, ‘Dance the night away’ is the second song from their second self titled album Van Halen II which was released in 1979.
According to wikipedia, David Lee Roth wanted to title this song as ‘Dance, Lotta, Dance’ but Eddie Van Halen convinced him that ‘Dance the Night Away’ was more suitable.
As many of you might know, this song was inspired by Fleet wood Mac’s ‘Go your own way’. This song was also featured in six movies that are mentioned below:
- Howard Stern Private Parts
- Mission To Mars
- Grown Ups ( for only trailer )
- That’s my boy
- Argo
- Anchorman 2
4. Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love
Fourth in the list we have is ‘Ain’t Talking ‘Bout Love’, which is their 3rd single from their self titled debut album Van Halen.
According to Wikipedia, the writer of this song Eddie Van Halen, didn’t showed this song to the rest of the band mates as he thought it was not good enough. Released in 1978, the length of the song is 3 minutes and 50 seconds.
5. Atomic Punk
Atomic punk is their 7th single from their self titled debut album ‘Van Halen’. Here is a remastered version of the song that you can hear in Youtube. Eddie used the MXR EVH Phase 90 effect pedal to record this song. Do give this song a listen if you haven’t yet already.
6. You Really Got Me
This song is actually the cover version of ‘You Really Got Me‘ which is originally written by Ray Davies for the band ‘The Kinks’.
Van Halen, released this cover version as their first single for their self titled debut album.
According to Wikipedia, this is one of the song that helped jump start the career of the band. This song was also peaked to number 21 in US Hot Rock and Alternative Songs ( Billboard ) this year (2020).
7. Spanish Fly
Spanish Fly is the seventh track from their second self titled album i.e, Van Halen II. According to Guitar World, the idea of this instrumental came during a party at Ted Templeman’s house, when Templeman’s saw Eddie playing the acoustic guitar as good as he plays the electric.
Next, Ted suggested to do a acoustic instrumental for Van Halen II.
EVH used his nylon string Ovation to record this track. Here is a remastered version of the song.
8. Everybody Wants Some
Released in 1980, this song is the third track from their Women and Children First album.
You can hear some of new guitar techniques used by EVH in this song. It is also featured in movies like Better Off Dead, Zombieland, Freaks and Geeks and Richard Linklater film Everybody Wants some.
The length of the song is 5 minutes and 08 Seconds.
9. Unchained
Recorded and released in 1981, Unchained is the track from their fourth album Fair Warning. According to wikipedia, the effect pedal used in this song is MXR M-117 Flanger.
This song is also considered as one of the best Van Halen songs. Here is a official live music video which is sitting at 1 million views.
10. So This Is Love
Released in 1981, this is also one of the four singles from their fourth album Fair Warning.
After the release the song peaked at number 110 in US Billboard Hot 100 and number 15 in US Mainstream Rock Track charts.
The four short solos used in this song are previously written by EVH. Give this song a listen if you haven’t yet.
11. Romeo Delight
Romeo Delight is the fourth track from their album Women and Children first. You can hear the use of tap harmonics in the intro of the song which sounds really cool.
It sounds like EVH used a pick to play the intro but it he has without one. If you like power rock songs then you will love this one. Here you can hear the remastered version of this song.
12. Loss Of Control
Loss of control is also one of the tracks from their ‘Women and Children first’ album. It is said that legendary metal band ‘Pantera’ took inspiration from the intro riff of this song.
According to an interview with Rock Stars Magazine, David Lee Roth said, “Loss of Control” is turning everything upto 78. You know how late on a saturday night you feel like turning everything on to 78 and blowing out all your fuses and going, Aaaaaaaah.
Well, that’s what this song does. It starts out really slow and just goes zip into 78 and you’ll think your tape recorder is all messed up.
13. Beautiful Girls
Released in 1979, Beautiful Girls is the last song from their second album Valen Halen II. This song was originally titled as ‘Bring on the girls’ but changed later to Beautiful Gilrs.
This song is also used in a Saturday Night Live commercial parody called “Schmitt’s Gay”. The length of the song is 3 minute and 57 seconds and written by all the four members of the band.
14. And The Cradle Will Rock
Written by all the four members of the band, this song is one of the tracks from their album Women and Children First.
The starting of the song which sounds like a guitar is actually EVH playing his Wurlitzer electronic piano. It is also the first song by the band that featured the keyboard playing of Eddie.
15. Jump
Released in 1983, Jump is the lead single from their album 1983. The length of the song is 4 minutes and 02 seconds and labeled under genres like synth rock, rock and glam metal.
This is Van Halen’s most successful single that peaked to number 1 spot on the US Billboard Hot 100. Though it has a guitar solo, this song is keyboard driven which is unlike most Van Halen songs.
16. Somebody Get Me A Doctor
Written by all four members of the band, this song is the third track from their second self titled album Van Halen II.
The song length is 2 minutes and 52 seconds and released in 1979. According to EVH, this song is all about being high and feeling good.
The song starts with a guitar riff that is considered as one of the best riffs ever. Here is remastered version of the song.
17. Runnin’ with the Devil
Released in 1978, this is one the most popular song from their debut album Van Halen. Many journalist all around the world consider this song as one of the best tracks by the band..
According to wikipedia, the lyrics of this song was inspired by Runnin’ from the Devil by Ohio Players, an American Funk Band.
This song was also ranked 9th greatest hard rock songs of all time by VH1.
18. Little Guitars
This hard rock song is one of the popular tracks from their album Diver Down, which was recorded and released in 1982. The flamenco-style intro which is played by Eddie is what the song is famous for.
The song was named little guitars because it is played on a copy of Les Paul which is three inches longer than your fore arm to the tip of your fingers.
EVH mostly used hammer-ons and pull-offs to play the classical intro.
19. (Oh) Pretty Woman
Oh, Pretty Woman is actually a single by Roy Orbison and The Candy Men which was recorded and released in 1964. Van Halen did a cover version of this song in 1982 which became a massive hit.
It even peaked to number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100, number 1 in Billboard Mainstream Rock Chart and number 10 in US Cash Box Top 100.
Here is the Official Music Video of the song sitting at 4 million plus views that you can watch if you haven’t.
20. Jamie’s Cryin’
This song is one of the tracks from their first self titled album Van Halen which was released in 1978. The lyrics of this song was written by David Lee Roth.
After the release of the song it became the fan favorite song.
This song is actually about a girl who has a one night stand and lives to regret it.
21. Hot for Teacher
Released in 1984, this song is one of the tracks from their sixth studio album, 1984. The song is produced by Ted Templeman and written by all the four members of the band.
Here is the official music video of the song where you can see all the band members dressed up as young and adult students.
The music video is sitting at 22 million views in youtube.
22. Feel Your Love Tonight
This is the 8th song from their debut self titled album Van Halen which was released in 1978. As mentioned in VHND.com, this song was appeared on the Warner Brothers Demo.
Here is the official audio that you can listen to which is sitting at 2 million plus views in youtube.
23. Intruder
Intruder is a 1 minute and 39 seconds instrumental from their fifth studio album Diver Down.
As mentioned in VHND.com, this instrumental was recorded because the band needed an intro for ‘Preety Woman’ because the video of Preety Woman ran longer than the length of the song.
Here is the audio that you can listen to if you haven’t.
24. Mean Street
Mean street is the first track from their fourth album Fai Warning which is released in 1981. As stated in VHND.com, this song was originally recorded as a demo called ” Voodoo Queen “.
This song is also considered as one of the best tracks by the band.
One can hear some of the best works by EVH in this track. Here is a remastered audio of the song that you can hear if you haven’t.
25. Ice Cream Man
Last on the list is Ice Cream Man, which was released in 1978 under their self titled debut album Van Halen. As mentioned in songfacts.com, this track was originally written and recorded by John Brim ( Chicago Blues Musician ).
Later David Lee Roth decided to insert it on their debut album as a tribute to Blues music. Here is the Van Halen’s version of the song that you can watch and listen to if you haven’t.
