Ranking Every Song by Van Halen: The David Lee Roth Era

1. 71. Blood And Fire – A Different Kind of Truth (2012)

Van Halen without a doubt is my second-favorite band ever (see my Aerosmith list for the ranking of my favorite), but A Different Kind of Truth doesn’t do much for me. Roth’s vocals through much of the record aren’t the greatest, and few of the songs stand out from each other. Blood And Fire is the lowest song on my list.

2. 70. Cathedral – Diver Down (1982)

3. 69. 1984 – 1984 (1984)

May have broken the records for the most times one could put “1984” in a title. I imagine hearing this intro on the album was a bit of a shock for diehard Van Halen fans in the 1980s. It’s a nice lead in for Jump.

4. 68. Spanish Fly – Van Halen II (1979)

Eddie kills it here, but this list is mainly for full-on songs.

5. 67. The Trouble With Never – A Different Kind of Truth (2012)

6. 66. Sunday Afternoon in the Park / One Foot out the Door – Fair Warning (1981)

Eddie is amazing here on the guitar (as always), but I just can’t stand Roth’s vocal delivery.

7. 65. China Town – A Different Kind of Truth (2012)

This album needed Anthony in the worst way.

8. 64. As Is – A Different Kind of Truth (2012)

9. 63. Hang ’em High – Diver Down (1982)

10. 62. Big Bad Bill (Is Sweet William Now) – Diver Down (1982)

Roth must’ve lived another life singing show tunes.

11. 61. Honeybabysweetiedoll – A Different Kind of Truth (2012)

I’m not sure what this album was trying to be.

12. 60. Bullethead – A Different Kind of Truth (2012)

13. 59. Beats Workin’ – A Different Kind of Truth (2012)

14. 58. Outta Space – A Different Kind of Truth (2012)

Story time: If you’re familiar with our radio station, you may have seen our mid-2010s Houston’s Eagle Chevy Suburban out at events we appear at. When I was on our promo team, that van was called “Outta Space.” Despite it clearly being a reference to Houston’s space travel history, I’d like to think it was named for a Van Halen song. Our Chevy Express Cargo van is in fact called “Van Halen,” and yes I voted for that name. Bummed we didn’t rename “Outta Space” “REO Speedwagon.”

15. 57. Happy Trails – Diver Down (1982)

The last track on Diver Down, which the trail would then lead to 1984‘s intro and first track; Jump. A happy trail indeed.

16. 56. She’s The Woman – A Different Kind of Truth (2012)

“I want to be your knight in shining pickup truck” has to be the best line on the record.

17. 55. Big River – A Different Kind of Truth (2012)

18. 54. Stay Frosty – A Different Kind of Truth (2012)

19. 53. Push Comes to Shove – Fair Warning (1981)

20. 52. Light Up the Sky – Van Halen II (1979)

21. 51. Me Wise Magic – Best of Volume 2 (1996)

While it was a shame to see Hagar leave Van Halen, we did get these two great Roth tracks on Best of Volume 2, his first recorded material with the band since 1984. Unfortunately, the reunion of the original Van Halen lineup was an extremely short-lived one. Imagine if Van Halen III was a Roth record …

22. 50. Tora! Tora! / Loss of Control – Women and Children First (1980)

23. 49. Outta Love Again – Van Halen II (1979)

24. 48. Girl Gone Bad – 1984 (1984)

25. 47. You and Your Blues – A Different Kind of Truth (2012)

The first song on this list from A Different Kind of Truth that I can say I genuinely like. Some of the others are okay, but You and Your Blues rocks.

26. 46. Atomic Punk – Van Halen (1978)

27. 45. Tattoo – A Different Kind of Truth (2012)

Is this song a bit “bubblegum” by Van Halen standards? Yes. Do I still like this song and wish the rest of A Different Kind of Truth played off this track’s moment? Also yes. I hope someday someone goes back and does a “George Lucas” amount of remixing to this track and album. A.I. Michael Anthony backing vocals please.

28. 44. On Fire – Van Halen (1978)

From this point forward, in my own professional opinion, I think every song on this list is a certified “banger” (a little 2020s lingo for ya). Van Halen’s debut album should honestly be in every genre-appropriate hall of fame anywhere.

29. 43. Ice Cream Man – Van Halen (1978)

30. 42. Little Dreamer – Van Halen (1978)

“Oooh-oooh” “Little dreamerrrrrrr”

31. 41. I’m the One – Van Halen (1978)

32. 40. Romeo Delight – Women and Children First (1980)

33. 39. Bottoms Up! – Van Halen II (1979)

34. 38. The Full Bug – Diver Down (1982)

35. 37. In a Simple Rhyme – Women and Children First (1980)

36. 36. Fools – Women and Children First (1980)

37.

38. 34. D.O.A. – Van Halen II (1979)

39. 33. Secrets – Diver Down (1982)

40. 32. (Intro) / Little Guitars – Diver Down (1982)

41. 31. House of Pain – 1984 (1984)

42. 30. Take Your Whiskey Home – Women and Children First (1980)

43. 29. And the Cradle Will Rock… – Women and Children First (1980)

This is just such a quintessential Van Halen tune. “And I say rock on…”

44. 28. Intruder / (Oh) Pretty Woman – Diver Down (1982)

(Oh) Pretty Woman was an unexpected hit for the band, given the song was a cover and typically didn’t receive hard rock treatment, which the sort of average Diver Down desperately needed. The music video for the song is a bit bizarre, but purely Van Halen. MTV refused to air it.

45. 27. Where Have All the Good Times Gone! – Diver Down (1982)

In my opinion Where Have All the Good Times Gone! is the best song on Diver Down. The song is a cover of a Ray Davies-written song, performed originally by the Kinks. This wasn’t the first time Van Halen covered a Kinks hit; that song to come later …

46. 26. You’re No Good – Van Halen II (1979)

One of the many examples of how much Anthony’s backing vocals meant to all of Van Halen’s records that he appeared on. His higher register gives every track he backed a unique sound exclusive to Van Halen. The man himself can from a song when needed, as at times during Hagar’s most recent “Best of All Worlds” tour, Anthony fronted entire songs and occasionally would trade verses with the Red Rocker.

47. 25. Somebody Get Me a Doctor – Van Halen II (1979)

One of Eddie’s most iconic riffs ever to open a track, supported by the power Roth brings with his screeches and wails. Somebody Get Me a Doctor rightly kicks off the top-25 greatest songs from the Roth era.

48. 24. Everybody Wants Some – Women and Children First (1980)

While Van Halen I and II brought the party vibes as the 1970s were on the way out, Women and Children First was a sign of the band switching gears on the sound of their records. Everybody Wants Some is proof the band could still produce the ultimate party hit.

49. 23. Hear About it Later – Fair Warning (1981)

Hear About it Later is going to start the trend of several Fair Warning songs appearing in the top-25. Fair Warning is in my opinion a criminally underrated record, and this list is going to reflect that.

50. 22. So This Is Love? – Fair Warning (1981)

51. 21. Could This Be Magic? – Women and Children First (1980)

In my opinion Could This Be Magic? is the best song on Women and Children First. While far from the typical Van Halen style and flair, the song is easy listening and a true window into the talent of Roth’s range with the style of music he could bring to life. 

52. 20. I’ll Wait – 1984 (1984)

53. 19. Dirty Movies – Fair Warning (1981)

54. 18. Women in Love… – Van Halen II (1979)

If this list was “Best Van Halen Intros for a Song,” the opening guitar riff from Women in Love… surely would be in the top-10. A dreamy song with Eddie and Anthony crooning on backing vocals, the track is easily one of the best on Van Halen II.

55. 17. Can’t Get This Stuff No More – Best of Volume 1 (1996)

It’s a shame Can’t Get This Stuff No More didn’t kickstart the Roth era all over again in full swing. The track is led by an energetic Eddie guitar riff, which leads into the reintroduction of Roth to Van Halen. I’d like to think in another reality somewhere far away that Roth and Van Halen rocked out of the 1990s and into the 2000s.

56. 16. Feel Your Love Tonight – Van Halen (1978)

57. 15. Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love – Van Halen (1978)

I sadly never got to hear Van Halen play Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love live, but I did have the opportunity to see Anthony on the “Best of All Worlds” tour front this song to give Hagar a brief break. Michael Anthony kicks ass.

58. 14. Drop Dead Legs – 1984 (1984)

59. 13. Sinner’s Swing! – Fair Warning (1981)

Sinner’s Swing! alone should’ve landed Fair Warning millions more in sales. What were you all up to in 1981?

60. 12. Beautiful Girls – Van Halen II (1979)

It’s not a complete beach day if I don’t hear this song once. 

61. 11. Mean Street – Fair Warning (1981)

“This is hhhooooooommmmmeeee. Thissss isss mmmeeeaaannn ssstreeet.”

62. 10. Jamie’s Cryin’ – Van Halen (1978)

Jamie’s Cryin’ is the entire banded turned up to 10, so it’s only fitting that my top-10 starts off with this stellar track from their debut record.

63. 9. Top Jimmy – 1984 (1984)

Top Jimmy is based on a buddy of Roth’s who worked at a bar he was financially invested in. It’s worth the read if you have the time.

64. 8. Hot for Teacher – 1984 (1984)

A Van Halen brothers masterclass. Roth’s lyrical artistry makes this hit track a fun way to help close out Roth’s first stint with the band.

65. 7. Eruption – Van Halen (1978)

I typically have a negative bias toward instrumentals and interludes when doing ranking lists like this because it’s typically difficult to put them against fully-fledged-out songs. Eddie Van Halen completely erases that conundrum with Eruption. For how revolutionary this track was for what the rest of us mortals thought a guitar could do, I’ve made the rare decision to separate Eruption from You Really Got Me.

I can only imagine what it’d have been like to have heard this for the first time as someone living in 1978. That 70s Show needed an episode on Van Halen alone, and I’m perplexed that hardly a mention of the band ever took place.

66. 6. Unchained – Fair Warning (1981)

It should be no surprise that Unchained is my top track off Fair Warning. Again, WHY DID THIS ALBUM NOT SELL MORE!?!?!?!?! I blame One Foot out the Door.

67. 5. Dance the Night Away – Van Halen II (1979)

The top-5 kicks off with the best track off Van Halen II; Dance the Night Away. It’s a big reason Van Halen in my mind was able to carry the moment from their first record to the second. I’d have loved to have attended parties when this song was on the charts. “Daaannnceee the nnniiighhht awayyy!”

68. 4. You Really Got Me – Van Halen (1978)

With all respect to the Kinks, I’m sorry but this is no longer your song. Van Halen proved it was turning rock and roll on its head with this track. Rock hasn’t been the same since, and thank god for that.

69. 3. Panama – 1984 (1984)

A song so great, even Sammy Hagar will play it! Panama is the one of the ultimate Van Halen tracks, and it kind of makes you wonder what else the original Van Halen lineup could’ve achieved had they survived the mid-80s together. I feel sorry for anyone that grew tired of it due to how often it’s been replayed over the last 40 years. I’m thankful I’m not one of them! “PANAMA!!!”

70. 2. Jump – 1984 (1984)

I imagine it was a shock for many when Jump was first released to hear synth on a Van Halen record, but man did they kill it! Without a doubt the most fun and musically inclusive track the band put out from this era; there’s something for everyone! Paired with an equally-fun music video and it’s no wonder the song was the biggest hit the band ever had due to its commercial appeal.

Sammy Hagar himself shouting “I love this song” right before his performance of it as the iconic synth music began, this past summer at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, is something I’ll truly never forget.

71. 1. Runnin’ with the Devil – Van Halen (1978)

The best Van Halen song is THE song that essentially started it all, as track No. 1 on their debut record. Rock music from the moment needle touched vinyl for the first time on Runn’ with the Devil was forever changed, and we should all be thankful for it. Eddie Van Halen changed the way the guitar could be played, inspiring countless guitarists and fueling the shift toward harder and heavier-rocking tracks as the 1070s came to a close, ushering in the 1980s.

It’s been four years now, but the world isn’t the same without you Eddie; rest in peace guitar hero.