Top 10 Best Van Halen Songs
When it comes to rock legends, Van Halen is a name that's impossible to ignore. Their music has been a staple of the rock scene for decades, blending hard-hitting guitar riffs, unforgettable vocals, and a party-ready attitude that's kept fans coming back for more. From the early days of their explosive debut to the era-defining hits of the '80s, and beyond, Van Halen has carved out a legacy with songs that still get crowds fired up today.But which Van Halen tracks stand above the rest? Everyone has their favorites, and this list gives you the chance to weigh in. Do you prefer the high-energy anthems that have become concert staples? Or are you more into the deeper cuts that showcase the band's versatility? Maybe it's the David Lee Roth era that speaks to you, or perhaps you lean towards the Sammy Hagar years.
No doubt, Jump is the best song. Hagar sucks badly! They say Jump is pop?! Dang idiots, have you listened to DLR compared to Hagar? Energetic and the best song!
1. Jump
2. Panama
3. Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love
4. Beautiful Girls
5. Pretty Woman
6. Runnin' with the Devil
7. Hot for Teacher
8. I'll Wait
9. Unchained
10. Dance the Night Away
11. Jamie's Cryin'
12. Feel Your Love Tonight
13. You Really Got Me
14. And the Cradle Will Rock
15. Dancing in the Streets
16. Everybody Wants Some!
There should not even be a competition! The secret to why Jump is at the top is that it is the best song of Van Halen! The keyboard play in this song is amazing! Let's make a record: Vote it up over fifty percent!
The boyish naivety of lines like "I think of all the education that I missed, but yet my homework was never quite like this" just proves what Van Halen is all about: kickass guitars, charismatic vocals, unbelievably underrated harmonies, crazy drums, and all in the name of having a good time.
The amazing start at the drums, and then the following kickass guitar. The pioneers of Hard Rock. "I don't feel tardy! Class dismissed! I'm hot for teacher!"
This should be number 2, and Panama should be at number 1. Both are great tunes and a whole lot better than Jump.
Such a fun one to play on guitar. Hot for Teacher (which is probably my second favorite by them) and Jump are great songs. But come on, if this doesn't get you playing air guitar, what does? Eddie's pick sliding, shredding, and signature tapping are all here in this song. Don't forget about David Lee Roth (Van Halen's best singer). His vocals are out of this world.
Jump is not only not the best Van Halen song of all time, but it is also one of the worst. It was written for the mainstream and is not classic Van Halen. Panama is literally twice as good as Jump, and so is every other song on this list. It is a damn shame that Jump is number one on this list.
This song made me fall in love with Van Halen (they are still my favorite band ever). I was obsessed with it for months! The guitar intro blew me away, the riff gave me goosebumps, and the lyrics made me feel like a badass for listening to them!
This is my favorite Van Halen riff, and the chorus is extremely catchy. While I love just about everything by VH (with Roth), this song just stands out a little more from the rest.
Hands down, this song rocks and is the song that really defines Eddie Van Halen's distinctive guitar sound.
The first Van Halen song I heard, which got me into VH. That riff is just mesmerizing. The vocals and lyrics, the short solos... Everything's just so good. Just love this song. No reason for it.
Jump at number one? Really? This song is a masterpiece, Eddie Van Halen is incredible, and of course, would it really be a great song without David Lee Roth?
Jump is overrated. This should be number 1. It's easily one of the best hard rock songs of all time.
Why is this not number 1? I'm 10, and I play Van Halen all the time on the guitar. This one the most. Almost every day I play this. An instant classic.
One of the greatest guitar solos by Eddie Van Halen. Eddie's skills with the guitar are amazing.
This song really shows what Eddie Van Halen is capable of doing. This guitar solo is pure magic.
Has everything: screaming, innovative Eddie signature guitar work, gorgeous melody, killer Mike bass, excellent synthesizer, superb Sammy singing, profound, meaningful lyrics which are extremely upbeat to the point of being spiritual and inspiring without being overly religious, dogmatic, or pretentious, and a great hook with higher and higher. A total masterpiece!
My favorite song of all time. This feels less like a piece of pop-metal and more like Sammy Hagar trying to convert an audience of Roth purists to the Hagar side. With inspiring lyrics like these and an amazing energy that pulsates from every chord, he makes a brilliant case.
I am surprised that Why Can't This Be Love is this high, but I'm glad. This is a very nice (also pretty catchy) song from Van Halen. Even though I love all their other songs as well, I always find myself coming back to this song.
The one that got me into Van Halen. This song is just epic. The vocals are great, and so is the music. I'm happy that this is in the top 10. For me, it should be in the top 5.
Wow, I'm not the only one. I used to listen to Panama and Jump, and to me, they were just good songs, but this one was the one that really got me into Van Halen and made me love many others of their songs.
Jump will always win a popularity contest, and it IS a great pop song. But it's not what VH are all about - raw, energetic, and THAT guitar. Unchained is the perfect example.
Great riff, the best of the album. This band does not get enough credit and gets branded as a pop band. This song isn't pop.
My favorite Van Halen song. Starts off with absolutely ripping guitar, and David Lee Roth is at his finest on vocals and lyrics.
The tune is GREAT! Grew up with it! Saw VH perform at the Providence Civic Center in Rhode Island! Played this for my girlfriend, married shortly after! Still love it and my wife! So does she.
A classic for Halen. It really put them into mainstream radio and rock, and it deserves it. This song is short, but it still packs a punch.
This is actually a cover song, originally by The Kinks and known for its riff. So I guess The Kinks should get most of the credits.
The Newcomers
Underrated song from the band. Belongs in the top 10 and has a great chorus. David Lee Roth does great on this song, and altogether, it is a slower, sadder Van Halen song.
Not my favorite, but it should be in the top 10. "I'll Wait" was a nice contrast to the quicker-paced hits on 1984. "Why Can't This Be Love" and "Beautiful Girls" are my top 2.
It's my favorite song from Van Halen. The rhythm is so catchy and really gets me in a good mood that it's impossible not to sing along. It's just great.
One of my favorite songs of all time. An absolute masterpiece.
1. Dance the Night Away - The best of Van Halen. Yeah, man, good track from a great album, and it is awesome. I absolutely love this piece of amazing music.
2. Jump up, jump down, so close, so yeah, I gotta jump.
3. Why Can't This Be Love - The best Sammy song, and it is great.
4. Dreams - A great song that is really good.
5. Love Walks In - It's about an alien.
6. Right Now - AMAZING.
7. Top of the World - So good.
8. Poundcake - Really good.
9. When It's Love
10. Can't Stop Loving You
How is this so low?! Eddie's guitar sounds better than it ever has on this song. It has a different, more sophisticated feel to it, and it's hands down the best song on the best Van Halen album.
This song is amazing, not their best, but easily in the top five. The title and the synth intro make you think it's going to be a ballad. After the intro, you hear those kickass guitar chords that you can headbang to.
Then the singing starts, and it's still heavy, but the chorus catches you by surprise since it's so beautiful, emotional, and sounds like a ballad. Such a masterpiece! The guitar solo is also pretty good. Great song!
It reminds me of the most beautiful moments of my life.
Truly a great song, better than Jump, believe me!
It's beyond me how any true fan who can really appreciate the best guitar playing of Eddie Van Halen cannot realize how "Mean Street" was Eddie at his peak. "Mean Street" is the best song of "Fair Warning," and "Fair Warning" is at least in the top three of Van Halen's best albums.
So, how on earth can it be ranked at 15? Jesus Christ, Eddie Van Halen's genius is in his guitar playing, and "Jump" is his synthesizer. Where are the true fans of Van Halen?
People who listened to more than three Van Halen songs know the entire "Fair Warning" album is the best material the band has released so far. "Mean Street" is a song with actual meaning, made to express emotions and not necessarily appeal to the masses.
Beautiful song that makes you think about all that happens while we are busy doing something else. Not their best from the musical perspective, but it sure shows their talent with lyrics.
Another great one from Hagar. Great power ballad with its guitars, piano, and lyrics. Probably the best song from For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge, up there with Poundcake.
My personal favorite. I don't see why Hagar gets so much hate. This is truly an iconic song.
I feel like this should be higher, quite a catchy, hard-rock-themed song and can be relatable to everyday lives.
A true ballad from 5150, and it is a dreamy, powerful single. Not as good as Dreams, but might be better than Why Can't This Be Love.
What the heck is this?! Sure, it's not the best, but it sure needs to be higher! Really catchy song that really puts you in a positive mood. Van Halen for the win!
This song is energizing and fun. It should be higher.
More than a solid cover. To me, it's better than the original. I love the intro. And how could we forget that amazing music video?
I used to hate this song, but I enjoy it now. It's a short song with great beats, and the lyrics are very relatable.
What a catchy tune. Definitely deserves to be in the top 10.
Great song that highlights their debut album. It's a bit underrated and definitely deserves to be in the top 10.
This is my personal favorite, albeit maybe not the best, but I love the hard rock sound. Definitely their hardest and fastest song.
What? Why is this so low? Don't people notice the awesome guitar work going on here?
This song is so much underrated! Definitely the best VH song ever.
This is such an amazing song! So underrated.
By far my favorite Van Halen song. The intro has a lot of emotion, and I particularly enjoy the guitar in the outro. It also has some 7/8 in the chorus, which makes it unique.
This is slightly better than Jump and Panama. I know all three songs, but the intro in this song is the icing on the cake.
This is top ten! Way better than Jump!