Van Halen Rules – Their 10 Best

Van Halen formed in Pasadena, CA. The band was known for Eddie Van Halen’s guitar virtuosity and flamboyant singer David Lee Roth. But Roth left for an ill-advised solo career in the mid-80’s and was replaced by Sammy Hagar.  

The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007. 

#10. Why Can’t This Be Love

The song was the group’s first single with Sammy Hagar, replacing founding member David Lee Roth.

 it went to #3 on the Billboard Hot 100.

#9. Right Now

Singer Sammy Hagar says the lyrics for “Right Now” were the best he ever wrote for a Van Halen song. “I was tired of writing cheap sex songs, Eddie (Van Halen) and I wanted to get serious and talk about world issues.”

#8. And The Cradle Will Rock

From their 1980 album “Women And Children First,” it was guitarist Eddie Van Halen’s first recorded keyboard work.

Legend has it drummer Eric Carr played “And the Cradle Will Rock…” along with Van Halen’s cover of “You Really Got Me” as part of his audition tape for KISS – he got the gig.

#7. Runnin’ With The Devil

A track on their self-title debut set released in 1978 was inspired by the Ohio Players’ 1974 song “Runnin’ From The Devil.”

#6. Poundcake

The opening track on their 1991 album “For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge” reached #1 on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart.  

#5. Hot For Teacher

Written by the band and produced by Ted Templeman, the song was the fourth and final single from the “1984” album.

#4. You Really Got Me

Originally released by The Kinks in 1964, Eddie Van Halen gave it an ‘update’. As Van Halen’s first single, it became popular radio hit that helped launch the band’s career, 

#3. Dreams

The song was played after John Kerry’s presidential nomination acceptance speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention. It was also used as his campaign’s theme song at rallies.

Hagar claimed it was his favorite Van Halen song.

There were three music videos made for the track. The most well-known version, released in 1986, featured the U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels performing a variety of aerial stunts. The other two videos were basically concert clips.

#2. Jump

The lead single from the band’s sixth studio album, “1984” it is Van Halen’s most successful single, reaching #1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The song differs from earlier Van Halen songs in that it was driven by a keyboard riff. 

#1. Panama

Although the song contained suggestive lyrics, it was about a car, named ‘Panama Express’ that singer David Lee Roth saw race in Las Vegas, Also, ‘Panama’ was the name of Roth’s car, an Opel Kadett.

Roth wrote the song after being accused by a reporter of “only singing about women, partying, and fast cars.” He realized he had never written a song about fast cars and decided to compose one.

Van Halen:

David Lee Roth/Sammy Hagar – Vocals

Eddie Van Halen – Guitar

Michael Anthony – Bass

Alex Van Halen – Drums

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