What Is Van Halen's Greatest Song?
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- čas přidán 3. 11. 2022
- In today’s livestream I discuss what one of my friend's describes as a fool's errand, what is Van Halen's greatest song?
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Solo for Ice Cream Man is so freaking tasteful as well as a technical masterpiece.
Rick highlighted this solo on an earlier “greatest guitar solos” segment. He said it is one of the hardest solos to play and due to his age and loss of flexibility in his hands he could no longer play it. He just said an insanely difficult solo to pull off trying to sound like EVH.
Ice Cream Man solo is far more impressive (to me) than Eruption.. I know I'll be in the minority, but thats okay..
LOVED that solo.
Ice Cream Man easily has one of my favorite EVH solos of all time.
My favorite Van Halen guitar solo. Eruption is what it is, and Earth shattering genre changing moment in time. And clearly one of the best things he ever put on record. But ice cream man, it's the smoothest brutal guitar solo I've ever heard. Edward reached a level on that, that was Untouchable by anybody else.
i think ice cream man is one of, if not, his best solo!
I would argue there are no obscure Van Halen songs because we, as Van Halen fans, listened to the entire album.
Same with Zep.
@@a2ndopynyn Yes
So true!!
ok , but in a hypothetical reality in which you were only allowed to listen to 5 van halen songs for the rest of your life ,you would make some choices
BINGO!
"Ain't Talkin' 'bout Love" is probably the best riff ever...... you can never get tired of it
"Here about it later" is the buried treasure. That intro is a true magic moment!
Great intro. That song kicks so much ass. Major violation, carried away for suuuurrrreeeee yeeeeaaaa
Hell yeah. Mind blowing song
Amazing song off of FW- their best album, hands down
Agreed!
Michael Anthony’s vocals add SO MUCH to all of these songs! Often under appreciated!
Along with his bass playing!!!
Van Halen screwed him in the end, which leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. Michael Anthony takes the high road, so that helps a bit.
To your comment… Not sure if you’re familiar with ‘Dreams’ live Toronto.. have a great one..!
What was that thing where Eddie said he was better singer than Mike but Mike just
had freakishly high voice..was very odd.
There are 2 great singers in Gen 1 VH. David Lee Roth is neither…
Living in the immense shadow of his brother, Alex Van Halen is criminally underrated as a drummer. The VH brothers had swing and swagger. He is a GREAT drummer!
His studio recordings aren't the most impressive.
Nothing beats going to a Van Halen show and Alex hitting the drums moments before the show starts. Still send chills up my spine.
As a guy who played drums for 20 years I agree. Alex is criminally underrated.
Agree... and yet during their heyday, he was often maligned. Never understood why.
It was the 3rd kick drum ......give me a break
His tone, phrasing, vibrato, rhythmic feel, choice of notes, control of dynamics - all unrivaled...
"Mean Streets' is by FAR...the greatest VH song of all time...Ed's playing had a fiery, white hot intensity...lotta anger comin' out on that track...R.I.P Mr. Van Halen 😇
I was singing and thinking Mean Streets in my head then went down to the comments and saw this. I think we're on to something.
I will put it as my favorite beginning.... Little Dreamer is my all around fav. But man Mean Streets beginning is FIRE
It's not the most well known, which is fine, but it is the best song.
Heard it first at a party in college in 1985. Someone brought it over and played the album
And that intro blew my mind....
Take your whiskey home.
The coolest thing about Rick Beato is his enthusiasm. He’s always positive and pretty much a total fan of just about everyone. Never an unkind word 🙌
you'd be enthuastic too if you could just sit infront of the camera and earn a 100 bucks
@@paveantelic7876 Except when you play all these songs you get nothing, thats why he said it would be 'demonetised'.....
He's playing it safe.
I learn so much from Rick.
@@DexterHaven yet here you are watching the whole thing lol
Fair Warning is the most underrated album in music history.
I like it's darkness. Not underrated for me.
Agreed. It's a MASTERPIECE!
I love the closing triplet of So This is Love?, Sunday Afternoon in the Park, and One Foot out the Door. That last one is in my top 5 VH songs!
@@johnnyfox8934 Absolutely!!!!!!
My most played album of my lifetime
I can't believe nothing from Women and Children First was mentioned. This album is full of VH classics that they played live until the end. Romeo's Delight, In A Simply Rhyme, Take Your Whiskey Home, and of course, And The Cradle Will Rock!
Romeo Delight never got the recognition it so deserved. Right out of the gate the song just blazes with intensity and phenomenal musicianship all around.
Romeo Delight - my favorite off that album. SUPER fun to play live, too.
Another Romeo Delight Vote. The power chords in that song are devastating.
I've always loved Little Dreamer - the feel is unique and Dave''s vocals are really expressive
My fav also!
But it's no disrespect to so many others.... It's just one that hits me the most but It isn't a blow others away song. SOOOOO many good tunes. I am huge fan every album every song even Gary songs I liked.. not in the same as Early DLR and Sammy but man there are so many good songs
Yeah like the song shouldn’t have made the record but it turned out to be a killer. The feel. The whole band absolutely nailed it. It had the emotion of a band who had not “made it” yet.
Little Dreamer is also my favorite Van Halen song😊
Unchained is so damn sophisticated and the fact that it is so appealing is exactly what made Van Halen so great.
"Cmon, Dave, give me a break."
"One break coming up!"
Lol.
@@hansvandermeulen5515 I heard Michael Anthony walked into the studio while Dave was recording his vocals, MA was dressed to go on a date, Dave just shouted that sh*t out from across the room(you know, Dave being Dave) MA responded and they just decided to leave that in the song.
Unchained is just a bad ass song, period!!👍
@@C_mao it's just such a funny exchange with that break in the song.
Yeah that is way up there for me as well.
Michael Anthony deserves a very special place in the band. He’s bass playing and vocals are phenomenal. Van Halen wouldn’t be the same without him.
Totally agree. One of the best bass sounds ever in rock. Perfect in the pocket playing mixed with fancier stuff when needed. He really has an exceptional tenor voice that made the background vocals fly. Haven't heard enough of him singing on his own to judge his vocals, but VH's background vocals are up there with Queen's.
No Mike, Not Van Halen.
@@foto21 So true. He was going to be a music teacher if the "band thing" didn't work out. He was definitely a musician who understood what to play to enhance the song and arrangement. According to an interview, he said he would look for a lot of spots to put harmonies in and work them out. If that isn't a contribution to VH's sound, I don't know what is. Another interview, with Noel Monk I think, said that when he watched the band practice in the early days, Mike was part of the songwriting process. I can give a few, of many, examples of Mike's great bass playing.
1) The mellow breakdown before the guitar solo in Jamie's Cryin', very subtle but tasty and musical.
2) The slow, quiet part in "In A Simple Rhyme", very subtle but tasty and musical again.
3) The second guitar in "Cradle...", equal or better than the guitar solo itself IMO
4} The live version from Oakland of " So This Is Love?", constant groove and jam through the whole song. Epic bass playing!
When Eddie said he had to show Mike what to play, I'm assuming that since Eddie basically wrote the music, he would have to show him the structure of the song and let him go from there. I've been a songwriter in bands and that is what I would sometimes do for both the drums and bass. It's ironic that MA is constantly playing with top-notch musicians. He must be doing something right :)
I always try to fly the Michael Anthony flag!
You know that Eddie and Mike had a falling out after The Sammy years right?
@@metalmike570 Oh yeah!! Not being snarky but, I'm not sure what part{s} of my post your response is referring to. 🙂
One of my favorite Van Halen songs is Little Guitars from the Diver Down album. In my mind, that song puts the some of the best from all 4 members on full display.
I agree, I was waiting for him to call that one. I’m always making people listen to it.
DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY , JANIES CRYING Acoulpe 70s VH
Australia 1982 and 15 years old. A mate of mine invited me to go around his friends place to listen to a new band he had just discovered. As soon as we got there, he had a huge smile on his face and he told us to sit down and strap in. He put Van Halen 1 on his turntable and my whole world changed'
Girl Gone Bad deserves much love here. Seriously a masterpiece.
Underrated. I love the rhythm section during the solo. Super cool chords at the beginning. Epic song.
Totally agree
Totally agree. I love how you could hear the two Van Halen brothers so tight in their musicianship in that song.
Totally agree. There are so many amazing parts in this song. It’s mind blowing!!
Van Halen at it's best. My favorite song outside of Push Comes To Shove.
Eddie was a complete force of nature. His live energy was so incredibly special and positive. He was one of one.
Keith Ferris You called it Bro !✔
Totally agree. Eddie didn’t make music that you write, he made music that you feel. A virtuoso who is basically our modern day Beethoven.
I was friends with EVH in 07/08, he was a great person too. Yes, I have pics and a guitar from eddie as well.
I’m 55 n grew up with his music, and he’s the main reason I started playing guitar in 77/78.
See my “ the Lemonade 🍋 Man” CZcams channel, I just did a 5 min tribute EVH rip !
@@thelemonademan6235 Envy you I saw Van Halen many times Did Eddie always drink a lot?
@@ratter531 I appreciate your words. However, out of respect 🫡 for Eddie, I love the man, no man is perfect.
He was a great person, and I will say only things or peace ☮️ for him and his family.
I was blessed to have crossed paths with him more then once.
Mikes contribution to VH is enormous, the solid bass and his harmony vocals. My personal favourite track... I'm the one
I was in high school from 1978-1982 in Phoenix,Arizona.
Van Halen was always playing somewhere from someone’s car stereo. They came to Phoenix alllllllllll the time! I think I saw them 10+ times during those years. My girlfriends and I were hardcore fans! Whenever I’m feeling old, sad, tired, weak, vulnerable and down…I play Van Halen and go down memory lane! It’s better than any antidepressant, alcohol, drug, money, fancy purse or shoes! My forever band! Eddie and all of them should know how great they made so many people feel! So upset Eddie is gone, but he left a legacy!❤
Drop Dead Legs sums up Van Halen for me. The groove, the sound, the strangeness, and one of the best outro solos of all time.
Yep, I whole-heartedly concur. So many great tracks, but that one was my first thought. What a banger! Those drums! That everything!
Special mention for 'Light Up the Sky'. That solo is transcendent (also 'D.O.A' from that album, little kid me thought the speeding-up at the end was ridiculous!)
100% agree
Hard not to agree with you on that one.
I forgot how great that song is. Love the groove.
Couldn’t agree more
Van Halen (especially DLR era) was just a perfect storm of energy, groove, and showmanship that, in my honest opinion, was unmatched.
well said !
I thought Sammie Hagar took it to another level
Kind like Heart 70s and 80s. Better in some ways, not so much in others.
Mean Streets is cooler but Dave was always annoying.
@@ednunez7682no one plays the Sammy era stuff, that's just reality. But I know it's like trying to tell a Megadeth fan there's a reason why James sells out stadiums and Dave plays 2500 seat venues, right?
Michael Anthony Is Incredibly underrated in more ways than one most people have no idea how incredibly talented he is and playing bass is only one of them.
Girl Gone Bad off of 1984 is my personal favorite. Very dynamic with great lyrics and Eddie at his absolute best!
Agreed.👍🏾
Good song. Not my favorite but DEFINITELY up there for me. Good choice.
Yeah, I would say that’s in my top 3. Might even be my number one depending on the day
My fav also
Correct. It is so chaotic... like he's always about to fall off a cliff. I love it so hard.
The whole time you're talking about how blown away you were hearing Running with the Devil the first time, I'm thinking, "and then you get to the second track."
Let's give Michael Anthony credit too he's an amazing bass player with amazing pocket and tone, and incredible back up vocals!
Without thinking about it much "Aint Talkin Bout Love" comes to mind. Rip EVH🙏
Ain't talking about love gets my vote. The lyrics are epic.
Lyrics, and the iconic intro which Paul Gilbert loves ,😅
It's the song that inspired me to learn guitar. Play it as a warm up almost every day.
100% " Ain't Talking about Love " has my vote to!
And the most powerful guitar riff I've ever heard
Encore Ending Super Anthem for Concert Send Off !
Rick, Unchained is my favorite Van Halen song. In 1981, my little brother (who was 5 years old) would run into my room and jump around like Eddie playing air guitar when I put this song on. It became my favorite since then. My brother passed away at the young age of 20 in 1997. Every time I hear Unchained, I think of him and his youthful, fearless spirit. Thank you for this amazing video.
Sorry for your loss. Great memory and association for you, VH and your brothers spirit!
@psychlos21 I am so sorry for the untimely loss of your brother. Unchained is one of the greatest rock songs period.
As a long time Van Halen fan, I always would say Unchained for my favorite as well.
Unchained. No debate about that. 2nd favorite Ain't Talking bout love
@@JWPCMH Both such killer songs. 1 and 2 neck and neck also for me.
Van Halen is my all time favorite band.
Watching your joy listening to these tracks is why I subscribe.
Just appreciation for the best music ever recorded. It will never be duplicated, and it’s so awesome we have these treasures to all light up over and grin ear to ear every time we hear it. Every time is like the first time. It’s always awesome.
Push comes to shove. Best EVH solo ever. The dynamics of that solo showcases all of his tricks.
This!
"Ain't Talkin' bout Love" The best song the best signature sound, great production intro, solo, Dave's vocals, the chanting backups HEY HEY HEY! Very edgy rock lyrics. That's it. the full Van Halen experience in one super cool song. Powerful with the best licks. Raw but together as a great rock band.
I think their best song would be Ice Cream man
Greatest two chord song ever.
ATBL is definitely up there for me!
@@magdump7380 Rolling Stones; "When the Whip Comes Down". AD sometimes that's all ya, need.
Yeah, the lead sound and whammy bar dives on that song are historic. And VH only really had that true hard street feel on the first record. The best VH lyrics ever in my opinion are on the first record. Every song kicks ass and has something to say also. That edge was the first thing they lost when they hit.
Mean Street gets my vote. That intro is still the most fascinating guitar part I've ever heard. The riff is outstanding, lyrically David Lee Roth's most coherent and topical work. The tone, the solo, the bass is audible and really lays a fantastic foundation. You can feel Ed's anger and frustration. Brilliant brilliant brilliant tune.
Hands down my favorite VH album.
This one song defines VH. Still get goose bumps
Soon as I saw the title for this video I immediately thought Mean Street!!
Beautifully put, Kevin, you nailed it! Mean Street is a freakin' buffet of musicality and lyricism🤘🤘🤘
Fair Warning is their creative peak - I feel badass just listening to it!
I can’t think of a band that had a better build up to a song than VH. The way Eddie and Alex worked off of each other was simply a gift from above
DLR's song writing is criminally underrated. Coming up with lyrics and melodies to tie all of EVH's genius riffs together. Every song on all 6 albums had something
"only time will tell if we stand the test of time" Hagar could hit the high notes but sure couldn`t write lyrics
Little Dreamer, Lighting Up the Sky, Mean Streets and especially Secrets are as good as any songwriter in rock.
Ed was today's Mozart. Most just haven't figured that out yet. It takes time. Pure Genius.
Not us, though. The reason his passing hit like a ton of bricks is because we DID know that it was the last day we woke up thinking we could get more. Was like a door getting slammed in our face, or finding out when you were a kid that there isn't a Santa Claus.
I know I'm an outlier, but Me Wise Magic is one of my absolute favorites. It subverts expectations, makes you wonder what exactly is going on, and then just smacks you in the face with that insane bridge.
i like that tune
I was in the car on PCH when Me Wise Magic came on the radio and I got totally choked up realizing Dave was back.
Oooof, yes an outlier
love this and Can't Get This Stuff No More!
When that song came out and that chorus landed it was like Oh My God and every hair on my body was standing up.
"Me Wise Magic" is my vote prior to watching the video. Let's go!! Listen to Eddie's subtleties and the solo. Phenomenal bass line from Mikey too. And the usual fantastic bottom with Alex as well. And I'm not a big Van Halen fan. Edit, again: I forgot about "Top Jimmy". That one's a monster. Still waiting for "Me Wise Magic", but Top Jimmy might deserve equal billing.
Me Wise Magic has one of the best outro solos
Up
Drop Dead Legs is the best VH track by far with Top Jimmy not far behind. They are just perfectly odd and nothing anyone else would’ve ever thought to do. Two Magic Songs.
I totally agree with you Bob,,,, What a magnificent peice of work, my mate had a great stereo system back in the early 80's, , Great opening guitar work, Eddie absolutely goes off from 2.35mins on Drop Dead Legs, I play it flat out full volume, my friends who claim they are Van Halen fans, say " Hmmm, I havent heard that song" now they have it on their top 10 play list, Hilarious,,, It's the best underated solo, in my opinion, yes there are laps BUT...... I Just Love it....... As for Top Jimmy, WoW......Full on.....
Mean Street is one I have grown to love more and more. Fair Warning is by far my fav VH album
Fair Warning is a top 5 stuck on a desert island album for me
So true!!!
Oh yeah! This album kicks hard!
Best Van Halen album by far far far. Eddie absolutely crushes the guitar. Crushes it! That intro to Mean Street is pure guitar genius. I mean....how the hell do you even think of that? The only problem was there are so many guitar tracks it was impossible to duplicate in concert. But that's OK. Just put the album on at ear bleeding volume and it's all good!
It was also Ed's
Hear About It Later... It's got everything, a beautiful clean melodic flange intro, great guitar parts, great vocals and lyrics, AMAZING GUITAR SOLO, great guitar outro.
Absolutely hear about it later more so than unchained
I always crank that song when I see a thunderstorm coming --- that opening riff sounds so ominous!
great tune!..love it!...b sides are better
Musical perfection!!! My favorite.
That fucking incredible guitar solo!
Poundcake is definitely one of my fav hagar era tunes! Love the BIG DRUMS!
The intro to 'Mean Street' makes all the hair on my body stand up. Always has and still does! I think it's their best.
Little Guitars. The acoustic intro is awesome, and the song itself, is friggin' great. Eddie could rock like nobody else ever.
YES. I wish Rick would have played that one. Pure genius!
Fantastic song
Intruder.
Most of all, Eddie always seemed like he was having fun playing and that shone through on every track he touched.
Well put.... having fun!
For me it's "I'm the One" off their debut. No other song better demonstrates why Eddie was such a phenominal guitar player. A perfect example of how he was able to command rthythm, swing, and lead all at blistering tempos.
I LOVE the way you‘re searchin‘ for the right words to express your respect for EVH and his band.
Difficult to choose a fave, but my jaw dropped when I first heard "Little Guitars" back in the day, particularly the intro.
I so agree.Little Guitars is one of my favorite VH songs of all time!
Agreed
Yeah, I loved that one too and I'm pretty sure that the drums in the beginning of the main track are what inspired the drums on U2s Bullet the Blue Sky. At least I hear some similarities in them. It's an awesome groove though. Love it in both tracks.
One of the absolute best songs.
Agreed! Little guitars and Ain't talkin bout love for me
For my money 'Little Guitars' is the most sonically satisfying VH tune there is. Its infectious melody conjures images (for me anyway) of southern California in the late 70s early 80s. A Van Halenized flamenco concoction, which would not be out of place in a Cheech and Chong movie soundtrack back-in-the-day.
Absolutely!!
My fav song also
So when my 10 year old daughter needed a walk up song for her 12U softball team and she asked for some suggestions… Hell yeah, you know it. She usually led off so every game started with Unchained ripping across the fourpack and into the souls of every 10-12 year old girl in the area. It was glorious, at least for a season until she changed to Dua Lipa. Love everything you do, Rick.
“In a Simple Rhyme” is hands down the best song Van Halen ever did. It highlights the virtuosity of all the players; DLR’s vocal range, Eddie’s unique and wide ranging guitar skills, Michael Anthony’s foundational bass with expressive melodic fills, and Alex’s solid drumming. The backing vocals were also incredibly harmonic. It never got any air play, but I would move the needle back on the LP for hours to hear it over and over. That was 1980, and I still do it today on the CD player in my car.
One of my favorites as well. Absolutely beautiful and brilliant song.
100%!
An absolute masterclass in song writing dynamics and background vocal harmony.
"Feel Your Love Tonight" captures the essence of VH for me. Fun-loving, hard rocking, and solid vocal harmonies. Perfectly balanced cut.
Probably the best summer tune that VH ever made --- it makes me think of warm days and girls in skimpy Daisy Duke shorts
If you haven't already heard 'em, check out the live versions from some of the 1978 bootlegs of VH in the UK, like the London show. The whole set's amazing, but "Feel Your Love Tonight" and "Little Dreamer" both sound way punchier than on the album versions.
Great handclaps on that tune, one of the best from their debut
I for one still have a crush on the riff of "Ain't talkin bout love". So catchy!
I do to! Love that song very very much.
Amazing choice, Rick! An impossible task to choose one, but I must say Unchained brings back spine tingling memories. I was a pimple faced kid with a precious ticket in hand for the 1984 tour, soaked with sweat, clouds of smoke drifting around, then the house lights go down...everyone starts roaring, Edward and Al cut in with their noodling intros...then Noel Monk screaming "I give you...the MIGHTY VAN HALEN", then THAT riff. Man, what a band! Untouchable to this day.
When I was younger, I believed that Eddie was a phenomenal guitar player. I now believe that he was a once in a lifetime player and musician...So lucky to have grown up listening to the music
true enough Nik
He's probably the only guitarist in history that literally changed a generation on how we think about rock music --- not even Hendrix or Page had that same effect
Well said and agree with you 100%!!!✌️👍
To quote Scott Ian "He might be the most talented entertainer, in any form of entertainment, from 1978 to today". I agree. To say that EVH was the total package is an understatement
Yeah he gets more amazing just by time passing by.
This instantly became one my favorite CZcams episodes. Damn Rick, you killed it!
Unchained.
I feel like we, as fans of Eddie, will never get over losing him. His talent, his vibe, his personality, all we've lost just leaves a hole in the universe. Rock on Ed.
,Makes me teary eyed every time.
I literally had to pull over on the side of the road and cry for 10 minutes when I heard the news --- only celebrity death that affected me like that !!
I was most moved by the deaths of Eddie Van Halen and Edgar Froese (of Tangerine Dream). I know it's maybe weird, but both of these meant so much to shaping my musical world and I wept over the loss of both. More than once.
He was a phenomenon
He left a pretty good legacy with Wolfie
‘I’ll Wait’ is worth a mention as it’s an amazingly well crafted song that stands on its own as a song. What I mean is that the song stands above the individual performances of each band member, despite them all being amazing!!
The only song on 1984 I don't really like, to each their own
Great song! As a drummer, I listened to this one a lot. In the outro, Al does a simple two eigth note snare fill, but it's so effective. So simple, but the feel...
No bad VH song in my opinion and I agree on the song I'll Wait, Always liked that song and the solo especially the end with tremolo leading into the next verse
@@fatShowPony Same here - I never developed a liking for "I'll Wait", as opposed to every other song on "1984", each of which I love. However, many of my friends and band mates consider it one of their favorite Van Halen songs, which has always confused me - what am I not getting about the song? There must be something about it, but that's the great thing about differences in personal tastes I guess - it would be boring if we all liked the same stuff.
For me, I think it's the relatively plodding and slow (for Van Halen) rhythm, it doesn't seem like the kind of rhythm Alex Van Halen would have fun with, or go crazy playing. And the lack of a significant change of mood or rhythm between the verses and choruses adds to the feeling of "sameness" for me. I do like the pre-solo for it's change of mood, and I can't not like the guitar solo 🤣, it's EVH
@@fatShowPony The only Van Halen song I actually dislike.
Here’s the deal. First thing I gotta say.. Rick, you’re one of the only reasons I pick up my phone in the morning. I was a musician as a young man, but after getting hooked up with Ted Nugent in 1972 I first became a drum tech, then eventually a stage lighting designer. I won’t drop names, but I worked for many bands in my 33 years of touring. I digress..
Your take on all the music you play, review, comment on, or solos you play note for note, are a joy to watch and listen to. I loved your interview with Yngwie (ok, I’ll drop that name, I lit him for a couple tours in the late 80s) because he was actually humble! Not something I noticed when I toured with him. Regardless, I’d love to meet you, I know we’d get along, share some stories, and I promise, a few large laughs at some of the things I’ve seen and heard until retiring in 2014. Keep up the great work man. You are the best.
VH fan since day 1...saw them open for Black Sabbath in '78...I say Dance the Night Away, Beautiful Girls, Love Walks In, and Can't Stop Loving You , and Running With the Devil as my top 5. Still loving VH all these years later.
As a guitar player I would have to say "I'm the one". The guitar solo's in that song were unreal.
And the rhythmic swing Eddie uses when playing oh ya solo is ridiculous he just goes off
So awesome.
That bass line is no joke either!!! ☺️
Great solo, but Outta Love Again’s solo is his best imo. It’s so aggressive and unpredictable. You just can’t guess where he’s going at any point in the solo if you’ve never heard it.
Bah badaah shoobedoowaaah!!
Being Van Hagar withstanding “Dreams” always brings out emotions in me. The lyrics, sound, and the blue angels. How can u not like that?
Agreed!
Thumbs up to van hagar
This is my pick for best song but my favorite is Drop Dead Legs!
Completely agree with you.
Romeo's Delight is my fave VH song. They opened with it at the '83 US Festival and my 16 year old self about died and went to heaven.
Romeo, not Romeo’s.
@Cantstandtherock my life is so much better with reading your reply!
So grateful you took the 13 calories away from your big brain and channeled them into your finger in order to correct my heinous error.
Your can go forth today and know I stand corrected. 🤘🏼
Romeo Delight is my overall fave VH song, with Dirty Movies in a close 2nd!
@philly4444 yasssss! Another amazing tune
@@deltawaters7308 grammar takes precedent over classic VH in some folks mind. Who would have thunk it?
I gotta give it up to I'm the One, Jamie's Cryin' and Feel Your Love Tonight...but really, the greatest VH song has to be Running with the Devil. It's that one song that just hits for everyone. It's so universal.
My favorite EVH solo will always be Push Comes to Shove, just a perfectly crafted solo.
Sir yes sir! It suspends us higher and higher then leaves us up at the pinnacle of musical bliss!!!
Definitely
For sure man... that’s what I gave as my favorite VH song.
One of my favorites! That is such a sexy song all the way around but that guitar groove…. Damn.
I love Van Halen! I'm old. Their first four albums were released while I was still in High School and they are still in my daily play list. Timeless great music that even my grand kids will love.
git ur walker out and hit a concert bro
I'm picturing my grandparents handing me a VH record behind my parents' backs and saying, "don't tell your Mom and Dad we gave this to you!"
@@asnark7115 All my kids love Van Halen too. Pretty sure my daughter has played VH for my grandson.
I was 11 when the first Van Halen record was released. It was a game changer for sure!
I was 16 when Van Halen released their first record and I seen them that year and the next at the Texas Jam baby !✔
Grew up near the Brothers , they were so good even as teens , everyone knew they were en route to the top . The parties we attended , as kids , were unreal . I remember hearing Al's drums I'm a backyard & thinking ..DAMN !!!
If I had to show in one song what Van Halen is it would be I'm The One. It has it all. The riff, the beat, the harmonies, the lyrics, the solo. It capsulates what VH is in a nutshell.
Im in complete agreement. Im the one shows perfectly how Eddie was influenced by swing music
Bingo
If a alien landed and ask “what’s a Van Halen”? I’m The One is THE one
Thats a face ripper! All of VH1 is. But I'm the One just peaks.
A friend of mine many yrs ago said I'm the one was a lot of cool guitar and some vocals and they were cool too!
Fair Warning is one of the greatest rock albums of all time. It’s perfect from start to finish. And it didn’t sell very many units. Incredible😮
I think it was Roth that noted in an interview that everytime he comes across guitarists thet say Fair Warning is their favorite album. As a guitarist.....I've got to admit the same. Every album is seminal and stands alone and no one questions the epicness of VH1 and 2.....but Fair Warning offers something that resonates with guitarists.
Fair Warning is THE album for the hardest of the hardcore VH fans.
I disagree. The music is great, but the vocal melodies let it down for the most part.
The opening riff of Mean Street still gives me chills.
Years ago I read an interview with Eddie. He commented that Fair Warning was the darkest period of his life, but probably his best work.
Rick! Your quest for the best EVN guitar song turned into 'The best Vanhalen song!' but, at 35:00 your passion for all 4 members hit the roof! I'm with you. Vanhalen and Vanhagar are amazing, but. Each era offered something special and different from each. Being fortunate to have experienced VH since 1975 at the ice house and other SoCal clubs, because I lived in Costa Mesa, not far from Pasadena and L. A. I searched EVH's gear, amps frankenstrats etc. on the floor at literally 100's of small shows. EVH produced his amazing tone and effects with, Space echo, MXR flanger, MXR phase 90, MXR stereo chorus, MXR distortion+ (plus) , wahwah and volume pedal. He loved MXR products. I tried to get close to the stage to see each pedal setting but didn't get close enough. VH fans horded the stage floor. I once owned these circa late 70's pedals MXR pedals trying to sound like EVH. And now 46 years later Wolfgang VH is his father's son. So difficult to pick 1 to be the best. They're all the best. We lived to hear and see the mighty Eddie Vanhalen. God bless Wolfgang as he Carry's the torch and fills his dad's shoes.
Hands down, "Girl Gone Bad"...
If you are a drummer, this song will be one of your favorites. Alex has always been one of the most underrated drummers in the industry. Probably because Eddie and Dave were so incredibly famous that he was always faded into the background
My choice too!!! And I’m not even a drummer. Nobody ever talks about this song but it’s absolutely amazing!!
The band is Eddie Van Halen not Alex Van Halen..!
Sorry, that song is messy and way down there for me. I'm a drummer.
Great showcase for Alex.
Girl Gone Bad one of my favorites from 1984! Exponentially better than "Chump"
I don't care what anyone says, I think DLR was a great singer and perfect for VH.
I always felt that the two singers whose voice complemented the musical style of their band so perfectly were Diamond Dave and Jon Anderson of Yes!!
God damn right ! I love Dave's voice and the vox he laid down for those first 6 VH albums were perfect for their sound. Fuck Sammy, I'll take Dave's voice over his anyday, not to mention that Dave's lyrics were a thousand times better.
Dave was the absolute best!!!
After David Lee Roth left I pretty much quit listening to them.
Absolutely! When I think of VH, I always think of the DLR era and never, ever think of the SH era. The former was classic rock; the latter competent pop. ❤
I love Rick. As a Van Halen fan, this is a "Boys Having Fun in Reunion" session. So good.
Rick, have immense respect for you and you're talent. Best VH tunes are the more obscure songs. On Fire, Take you're whiskey home, In a simple rhyme, little guitars and house of pain need to be on this list. Also, Michael Anthony is such a key to their sound, never gets the credit he deserves.
My favourite VH song is `And The Cradle Will Rock'. Just a perfect rock song to me, among the many stone-cold classics this amazing band wrote in their time.
Just grabs the listener and smacks them around, lol, and he broke a few keys on the fender Rhodes while recording that part. Great tune.
For me: Jamie's Crying. A perfectly crafted pop song that really swings and has amazing vocals and harmonies!
Always loved that crying "wahh wahh" sound Eddie made with his guitar in that song!
that was the first VH tune I ever heard back in 1980 or so and I loved it
You probably also like Olive Garden, Walmart, Applebee's, etc...
The second song I heard by VH. My favorite off of VH1. Dave sings with such soul and the the harmonies during the slow breakdown give me goosebumps.
@@jwc1977 Only when you're working there Jonathan!
Hear About It Later is my personal favorite.
" Human Being "..never get bored
Unchained, DOA, Mean Streets, Girl Gone Bad, entire VH1, and 2 and Fair Warning, best guitar record EVH ever recorded and it's not even close.
I'll wait, the entire balance album and a handful of songs from 5150
Totally agree
Fair Warning is the absolute best! Take Your Whiskey Home, And The Cradle Will Rock, Full Bug, Little Guitars, Somebody Get Me a Doctor... This list really is a fool's errand.
Unchained has been my ringtone for years. They way that riff starts up is just so freaking cool; I don't get tired of it. The other song of theirs that hits me the same is "On Fire". The intro to that song is so bad-ass.
Somebody Get me a Doctor and Outta Love Again from VH2, and Don't Tell Me What Love Can Do from Balance.
(EDIT) On Fire from the first album too. I'm a bit biased because I'm a singer... all the songs I mentioned have strong vocal parts.
Mean Street is my favorite. It was a darker song for VH. Eddie is amazing. Alex gets featured more than usual. Michael solid as always allowing Eddie to do his thing. DLR singing/talking on great lyrics.
agreed
100%
That simple drum/bass break just before the solo is just brilliant..
Also agree it’s my favorite VH song
problem with me is that I wish the rideout was longer
Van Halen is one of my favorite bands. Theirs first record changed rockmusic .Each song are 10/10 point. I must take my best song, ever , is " Little Dreamer " 🙂👍❤
“Mean street” sorry I have a couple. The other is “I’ll wait” absolutely brilliant. The break down before the solo in Mean Street. It’s just so sick. And the beginning… all of it. I’ll wait is just such a great lyrical story. That’s easy to understand and the music is so perfect. Like a puzzle piece.
"Hear About It Later" is their most representative song. It has it ALL !!! No filler !!!
Intro is so beautiful.
Eddie’s playing never fails to make people stop, shake their head in wonder, and smile. I smile every time I hear EVH play. You know he loved what he was doing.
RIP
I sure hope it brought him some comfort to know that he had entertained -- no, ENCHANTED -- millions of people with his playing.
Ain’t talkin about love is one of my favorite songs to play on the drums
"Hear About It Later". Study what Ed is playing during the verse and up to the chorus.
The clean Strat intro (straight into the board, I think)
The main/intro riff.
The childlike vibe of the background vocals.
The bridge.
The solo.
All the various guitar tones.
Some of the best Dave-isms in the lyrics.
The diversity in this tune makes it a showcase.
The song is a masterpiece.
I was 16 and heard ‘Ain’t Talkin bout Love’ for the first time, I was FLOORED and SHOOK and in shock and listening to that album, I knew the world had changed forever. The Aliens had landed and are her forever. Eddie’s talent was ‘Once in a lifetime’ and his guitar playing, like Jimi, will be in our guitar playing DNA for generations. Probably forever. Btw, Van Hagar was one of the great bands of its time, but Van Halen is LEGEND. Period.
That's my all-time favorite the beginning is just unbelievable never heard a sound like that.
“Unchained” has always been one of my favorites.
Love the guitar opening, the rhythm, the solo… what’s not to love? 🤷♂️
RIP🎸EVH
Exactly! Not only my favourite Van Halen song, but my favourite riff of all time!
@@davidmeban2489 It just feels like a punch to the face when it starts- in a good way.
@@cheerwhiner7829 most mornings driving into work bud lol
I had to jump in to add a mention of the breakdown with Dave and Ted on the talkback mic. "One break, coming up!". This is the cherry on top of an incredible song.
@@davidtansey1395
…”Come on Dave, gimme a break.”
“Hey, hey, hey, hey… one break… comin’ up!”
Classic 👍
The absolute kings of the genre and era! Eddie is untouchable as a player, song writer, composer, inventor, trend setter, he was 100% a gift to all of us, how lucky are we that we got to actually be alive and witness it all first hand? Decades from now people will still be just as crazy about this band and Eddie and totally jealous of us!
I’ve been to the edge that’s where I stood and looked down. Awesomeness
My vote is for "Drop Dead Legs". That outro section is just ridiculously good. Eddie and Alex played together since they were toddlers. No wonder they were insanely good as a rhythm section. Many people think Eddie's leads and licks were the stuff, they forget he was as good as a rhythm player as he was playing lead. And then there's the songwriting. And performance. And showmanship. Yep, VH was one of the best rock bands in history.
Dude! Such a riff!
That’s a really nice call!!! So good.
Such a fun and sleazy tune --- always makes me think of my rowdy days at the strip clubs in the 90's LOL
I was coming here to list that one! Super amazing underrated track…
I’d also throw in Atomic Punk and I’ll wait
...so hard to pick EVH best stuff. It is all genius.
"Beautiful Girls" is one of their songs that doesn't get talked about much.
I wondered if that would get a mention - certainly belongs on the list!
Love this song, it's true VH spirit, great Dave lyrics! No other band could do a song like this!
Wow 🙏 I just love the way Rick's enthusiasm comes straight from his heart, it's truly so inspiring to watch. I enjoy every second of it 🎸❤️
The slide on Dirty Movies is incredible for someone not known for their slide prowess. That he plugged in and took one take is crazy. It has great tone, intonation, and swing that takes years to master.
I’m in heaven watching this. When you are a Van Halen fan, there is no such thing as an obscure Van Halen song. The every song in the catalog is close to being the best song!
Totally.
Absolutely!
Apart from Van Halen III 😃
@@Koffieleuter there is some good stuff on that CD.
You get it Ron. It's like Sophie's Choice. Impossible to pick one.
Unchained...glad you said it was your favorite. It's mine too. Raw, precision, the timing, the vocals....wow! The song never gets old. I sure miss Eddie. Hurts still, knowing he's gone, and how he made me feel since 1978. The band and each musician in Van Halen, have given me/us so much. They have made a song for everyone out there. Fools errand to find a clear favorite for sure. RIP legend....
Loved, Fair Warning
Love it when the drums kick in.
Unchained has EVERYTHING Van Halen.
Definitely the best riff. One of the greatest of all time, period!
"Mean Street" and "Unchained'. Numbers 1 and 1A.
Followed by "Ain't Talkin Bout Love". Then you can throw a blanket over about 30 songs. 30 great songs.
My favorite has changed numerous times over the years, but I'm stunned by how little love Balance gets from the farm base. Aftershock is an incredibly killer track, Feelin' is insanely deep, Baluchitherium could be a wrestler's intro, but I think the pinnacle of Eddie's talent plus his influence in production quality is The Seventh Seal.
It's Unchained...it's unlike any song by any other band...it overflows with attitude, gnarl and feel...it IS the essence of the greatest band of all time! Put it on in your car and try to stick to the speed limit...good luck!
Unchained. That riff!!!! That tone!!!! Damn!!!!!!!
"I'M THE ONE"!!! Eddie shows off the entire song. Dave is stellar. Great backup singing. Huge rhythm section. Fast, fun and playful.
YES!!!!!!