The American rock band Van Halen, with all of its ultra-high energy, musical talent, and hard rock rolled into one, had no choice but to make it into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Since its inception in 1972, the band has garnered a significant following, and in the early 1980s, it was widely acknowledged for reintroducing hard rock to the forefront of the music scene.
Van Halen has gone through many lineup changes throughout their career, including the departure of lead guitarist and founding member Eddie Van Halen, although a significant portion of the band’s musical sound has remained the same.
If you are a fan of Van Halen, I hope you appreciate this list and continue to rock out. If you’re not familiar with Van Halen, the following list of the band’s top 10 songs will get you started.
1. Eruption
There’s no disputing that “Eruption” takes first place on this list because of its incredible solo that lasts for almost two minutes. It perfectly exemplifies Eddie Van Halen’s uncompromising skills on the fretboard and features one of the most iconic riffs in the entire annals of rock and roll music.
It also happens to be the flip side of the number two entry on this list. Even though a lot of people would argue that this prelude doesn’t count as a whole song, we are going to completely disagree with them.
Eruption does not even require lyrics or a full four-minute tune to be considered the finest. It can’t be helped.
2. Runnin with the Devil
When you hear this music for the first time, you can’t help but bop your head along with it. There is a good explanation as to why the song “Runnin’ with the Devil” was once placed at number nine on the list of the best hard rock songs of all time by VH1.
This song stands out among the numerous amazing songs that were produced during that era thanks to the distinctive staccato bass approach. However, the performance that David Lee Roth gave was the primary factor that propelled the song to its pinnacle.
3. Unchained
“Unchained” embodies the purest form of rock and roll. A song that exemplifies Van Halen and its music may be recognized by its synchronized vocals, insane lick, and insane solo, all of which are components of the song. They are free in every sense of the word.
The conversation that Roth has with Templeman about his suit and the “leg” he is getting as a result of it is the most enjoyable part of the song. No, it needs to make sense; none of it does.
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4. And the Cradle Will Rock
The members of Van Halen are never reluctant to experiment with new musical styles. They were not the band that consistently utilized a single approach or sound throughout their career.
This song doesn’t even begin with the standard heavy guitar entrance, which is one of the elements that make it one of the best things about it. The tune begins with what sounds like an electric guitar being played on an electric piano.
The impact is very different from what one would expect and is nearly unearthly. This song by Van Halen is the rock anthem song of this generation because it features just the right amount of tempo and some flair from the 1980s.
5. Mean Street
If Eddie Van Halen could only pour his emotions into one song, he’d likely choose to do it with this one. The rock song “Mean Street” is as uninhibited and authentic as it possibly could be.
Not only does it contain the high level of VH energy that is expected, but it is also an excellent demonstration of the band’s tremendous musical abilities.
The song “Mean Street” served as the introduction to the album “Fair Warning,” but it was unable to compete with the more upbeat sounds that were becoming increasingly popular at the time. But what sets Van Halen apart is their ability to create music that stands the test of time, and “Mean Street” still attracts new listeners today.
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6. Dance the Night Away
Even though most people don’t think of Van Halen when they hear the term “feel-good music,” the band has managed to put out a number of these albums without straying too far from their heavy rock roots.
The fact that “Dance the Night Away” is so exceptional can be attributed to several factors, but the simple reality remains that it is enjoyable to listen to. However, if you dig further into the song, you’ll discover some of the cutest small bits in there, which is surprising given that VH is rarely described as being cute.
While you’re listening, be sure to keep an ear out for the cowbell, Roth’s almost-laughing sound, and other idiosyncrasies that give this song its unique and enjoyable flavor.
7. You Really Got Me
There is a possibility that one of Van Halen’s most commercially successful songs is a version of a Kinks tune. Even die-hard followers of the Kinks have to concede that VH’s rendition is a significant step up from the first attempt at performing the song, which was released in 1964.
There was something about You Really Got Me” that called for a lot of volumes and all of the band’s guts, and Van Halen made sure to hit all of those notes perfectly. Even though it wasn’t written by Van Halen, this track is a fan favorite of the band.
8. Panama
A tune that gets its motivation from a motor vehicle almost always has a strong emphasis on speed and propulsion. The song “Panama” delivers this to us in a style that is more glam metal and seems to genuinely match Van Halen naturally.
The riffs in this song are said to be one of their purest and strongest, and we are unable to argue with that assessment. There is a myth circulating that claims Roth penned the song in response to criticism that he exclusively writes songs about parties, ladies, and fast automobiles.
However, this assertion is not accurate. In response to the criticism that he had not yet produced a song about speeding automobiles, Roth penned “Panama” as an answer.
9. Ain’t Talkin Bout Love
I would like to extend my gratitude once more to Eddie Van Halen for the fantastic and basic riff that serves as the backbone of the majority of this song. Some people may question whether or not “Ain’t Talkin’ Bout Love” genuinely belongs on our list, but we’re certain that it does.
It’s not easy to produce such impact with such simplicity, yet VH manages to accomplish it time and time again with several of their songs.
The fact that “Ain’t Talkin’ Bout Love” can be played by any guitarist successfully is “Ain’t Talkin’ Bout Love’s” most appealing quality. It is a song that can be played and shared, and what else should music be if not those things?
10. Jump
This song is probably the first thing that comes to people’s minds when they think of the band Van Halen, and they are probably playing it in their brains right now.
It’s safe to say that “Jump” is one of the most popular songs on this list, but it doesn’t mean it’s certainly the very finest thing that VH has ever done. It is not difficult to claim that “Jump” has evolved into a pop song of the 1980s; in fact, many die-hard fans of Van Halen refuse to even refer to the song as a rock. H
however, the song is yet another excellent illustration of Van Halen’s ability to transform a six-chord keyboard stroke into a potent hymn using their incredible songwriting skills. Whether you like the song or not, its success was not a complete fluke. The members of Van Halen were aware of what they were doing.