[Eternal Guitar Hero] Van Halen’s Classic and Popular Songs
Van Halen, the American hard rock band whose name shines brilliantly in the history of rock worldwide.
Their Dutch band name comes from the surname of the brothers: Alex on drums and Edward on guitar.
Since their 1978 debut, despite several lineup changes, they have rewritten rock history with high-quality songs and outstanding performances.
Among them, guitarist Edward—better known as “Eddie”—was a charismatic figure who repeatedly created innovative playing styles, influencing countless guitarists not only in the rock world but beyond.
The great guitarist “Eddie,” often mentioned alongside the guitar god Jimi Hendrix, passed away on October 7, 2020.
As we pray for his repose, let us look back on Van Halen’s many classics, focusing on tracks that feature Eddie’s captivating guitar.
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[Eternal Guitar Hero] Van Halen’s Greatest and Most Popular Songs (21–30)
Runnin’ With The DevilVan Halen
Their second single, taken from their 1978 debut album “Burning Fuse.” While their debut single was a cover, this track is an original by the four members.
Their signature style—heavy riffs, pop-leaning melodies, and virtuosic guitar work—was already firmly established here.
TattooVan Halen
Tattoo, the first track on the album A Different Kind Of Truth, which was released about 14 years after 1998’s Van Halen III.
With a slower tempo, it delivers a hard-hitting sound.
The guitar solo is dramatic and cool!
Dance The Night AwayVan Halen
Their second album, released in 1979, ‘Legendary Bomber,’ became their first to reach the U.S.
Top 10, and the single cut from it also climbed to No.
15 on the Billboard chart.
The song can be considered a masterpiece that showcases the flowering of their pop sensibilities.
In recent years, the Latin guitar hero Santana has also covered the track.
Beautiful GirlsVan Halen
A track released as a single from their second album, “Legendary Bomber.” Closing out the album, this song is notable for its bluesy vibe.
Listening to it, you can tell they influenced the LA metal bands that later sparked a boom.
That bluesy direction also carried over into vocalist David Lee Roth’s solo work.
PoundcakeVan Halen
The opening number of their ninth album, “F@U#C%K,” released in 1991.
At the start of the track, Eddie Van Halen delivers a tricky guitar performance using a power drill.
The album also marked a return to a guitar-centered sound, shifting away from the synthesizer-driven approach of their more recent works.
Fire In The HoleVan Halen
The title “Fire In The Hole” is a warning called out to alert people when a blast or detonation is about to occur.
The powerful sound truly feels explosive and gets your heart racing.
It was included on the 1998 album Van Halen III and was used on the soundtrack for the film Lethal Weapon 4.
And The Cradle Will RockVan Halen
A track released as a single from their third album, “Rules of Darkness,” which came out in 1980.
The song was given the Japanese title “Rock ’n’ Roll Baby.” From this album onward, all the tracks were their own originals, and compared to the previous two albums, which had a strong party-rock vibe, this one is notable for its more serious atmosphere.
Good EnoughVan Halen
The number that opens the album 5150.
Following new vocalist Sammy Hagar’s greeting-like shout of “Hello, baby~!”, the guitar roars into an intro that flaunted the birth of a new Van Halen to the world.
With its driving, hard-edged feel that amps up the listener’s excitement, it’s a quintessential track for them.
The Seventh SealVan Halen
The number that opens the album “Balance.” After a somewhat mysterious sound effect, it suddenly shifts as a driving guitar riff bursts out with a crisp, clear tone.
Although 1991—the year the album was released—was the heyday of grunge, marked by the massive success of Nirvana’s “Nevermind,” it sounds as if they’re making a statement of intent not to be swept up by the times by deliberately blasting out classic American rock.
Man On A MissionVan Halen
A track marked by a funky guitar riff and punchy rhythmic accents.
The song appears on the 1991 album “F@U#C%K,” and listening to it, you can see why the album is sometimes called “the heaviest-feeling record in their history.” Come to think of it, wasn’t there a masked Japanese band with a very similar name to this song…?