Official top 50 Van Halen songs thread!! (Countdown has begun!!)

[The Realm]

9 lists entered into the spread sheet thus far, and we are already down to just two songs that have made all of them.

Wow! These type of facts will never fail to amaze me. So now I'm thinking this top 50 could be anything! I did find it pretty tough and I have to admit and I know I have left out some really great songs, but surely more than two are 'all time classics' on everyone's lists?

[WilliamMunny]

Looking at my split, I can honestly say that my list somehow fails to represent my 'actual' listening habits (most the Hagar albums).

I suppose ranking anything takes into account a lifelong perspective as well as my current tastes. After all, just because I never need to hear 'You Really Got Me' or 'Dreams' ever again doesn't mean I don't think super highly of both songs.

Albums:

VH: 8
VHII: 4
WaCF: 2
FW: 5
DD: 1
1984: 7
5150: 4
OU812: 3
Carnal: 4
Balance: 6
Greatest Hits/Comps: 3
ADKoT: 1
III: 2

[TAC]

9 lists entered into the spread sheet thus far, and we are already down to just two songs that have made all of them.

Wow, that's interesting. I know that I don't have one song that 8 others have. Probably 2 or 3 more.

[KevShmev]

I am throwing this out there now: the fact that no one else has had Outta Space in their top 50 bums me out.  That is such a great song, and if that intro doesn't make you want to head bang, seek medical help immediately.

[devieira73]

I am throwing this out there now: the fact that no one else has had Outta Space in their top 50 bums me out.  That is such a great song, and if that intro doesn't make you want to head bang, seek medical help immediately.

I'm still finishing and organizing my final list, but sure it will be in my top 15. My fave from ADKOT!

[TAC]

I am throwing this out there now: the fact that no one else has had Outta Space in their top 50 bums me out.  That is such a great song, and if that intro doesn't make you want to head bang, seek medical help immediately.

Stop lobbying.

[KevShmev]

Haha, but to harken back a bit, I hated not being able to get Loss of Control in my top 50.  Just too many good songs, but that one sure is good fun.

[The Realm]

I am throwing this out there now: the fact that no one else has had Outta Space in their top 50 bums me out.  That is such a great song, and if that intro doesn't make you want to head bang, seek medical help immediately.

A great song but I feel we will all be saying this about a number of song we don't include in our top 50s - can't include everything!

I loved ADKoT when it was released, however, I don't really return to it often these days.

[TAC]

Haha, but to harken back a bit, I hated not being able to get Loss of Control in my top 50.  Just too many good songs, but that one sure is good fun.

Should've bumped Outta Space.

[Stadler]

I know which WACF song you picked, and it's likely just as high on my list, but you are severely underrating the rest of that album.

Even I feel like I agree with you.  I have two other songs that could have been in the Top 50 but I couldn't readily pick something to move down.  Maybe something from I or II, but those records are just SO friggin' good.

That was their current album when I became a fan. If I recall, I believe my 8-track edited out the ending of Take Your Whiskey Home.

Take a song like Loss Of Control....the band is on fire on that. It's ferocious. Probably not making anyone else's list though.

It's maybe that I'm pissed Kev left "Growth" off the song list.   

[Dream Team]

I am throwing this out there now: the fact that no one else has had Outta Space in their top 50 bums me out.  That is such a great song, and if that intro doesn't make you want to head bang, seek medical help immediately.

I haven't submitted my list yet  .

Yeah, can't wait to see how many people leave Hot for Teacher, Mean Streets, I'm the One, etc off their lists  .

[Stadler]

9 lists entered into the spread sheet thus far, and we are already down to just two songs that have made all of them.

Wow! These type of facts will never fail to amaze me. So now I'm thinking this top 50 could be anything! I did find it pretty tough and I have to admit and I know I have left out some really great songs, but surely more than two are 'all time classics' on everyone's lists?

Yeah, that always stuns me as well.  I can name probably 10 songs that I would just assume would be on all lists.  Though having said that, I'm sure that I'm the one holdout on a couple of songs.   

[Stadler]

Looking at my split, I can honestly say that my list somehow fails to represent my 'actual' listening habits (most the Hagar albums).

I suppose ranking anything takes into account a lifelong perspective as well as my current tastes. After all, just because I never need to hear 'You Really Got Me' or 'Dreams' ever again doesn't mean I don't think super highly of both songs.

Albums:

VH: 8
VHII: 4
WaCF: 2
FW: 5
DD: 1
1984: 7
5150: 4
OU812: 3
Carnal: 4
Balance: 6
Greatest Hits/Comps: 3
ADKoT: 1
III: 2

I am DYING to know what the SECOND VH3 song is.  I did a complete listen - even to the throwaway songs - and in my not-so-humble opinion that album falls off QUICKLY. 

[Stadler]

I am throwing this out there now: the fact that no one else has had Outta Space in their top 50 bums me out.  That is such a great song, and if that intro doesn't make you want to head bang, seek medical help immediately.

A great song but I feel we will all be saying this about a number of song we don't include in our top 50s - can't include everything!

I loved ADKoT when it was released, however, I don't really return to it often these days.

I can guess I have about five songs to which that applies.  One song in my TOP FIVE might not be on even half the lists.

[hefdaddy42]

I pick the songs I like the most and let the chips fall where they may.

Same.  The only way to do it that makes sense to me.

[WilliamMunny]

Looking at my split, I can honestly say that my list somehow fails to represent my 'actual' listening habits (most the Hagar albums).

I suppose ranking anything takes into account a lifelong perspective as well as my current tastes. After all, just because I never need to hear 'You Really Got Me' or 'Dreams' ever again doesn't mean I don't think super highly of both songs.

Albums:

VH: 8
VHII: 4
WaCF: 2
FW: 5
DD: 1
1984: 7
5150: 4
OU812: 3
Carnal: 4
Balance: 6
Greatest Hits/Comps: 3
ADKoT: 1
III: 2

I am DYING to know what the SECOND VH3 song is.  I did a complete listen - even to the throwaway songs - and in my not-so-humble opinion that album falls off QUICKLY.

'A Year to the Day' is a top-5 EVH 'guitar' song for me. One of their best 'epics,' and definitely would be viewed differently if it had been released as an EVH solo track.

[KevShmev]

I am not surprised to see so few songs making every list. With some fans greatly preferring the Roth era, and some greatly preferring the Hagar era, it is inevitable that a few seemingly obvious choices will get left off a list or two.

[TAC]

You made a spelling error. let me fix it.

I am not surprised to see so few songs making every list. With some fans greatly preferring the Roth era, and some greatly preferring the Hagar era, it is inevitable that a few seemingly obvious choices will get left off a list or two. Can somebody else please send Outta Space?

OK, all set.

[KevShmev]

Mayday! Mayday!

[HOF]

Looking at my split, I can honestly say that my list somehow fails to represent my 'actual' listening habits (most the Hagar albums).

I suppose ranking anything takes into account a lifelong perspective as well as my current tastes. After all, just because I never need to hear 'You Really Got Me' or 'Dreams' ever again doesn't mean I don't think super highly of both songs.

Albums:

VH: 8
VHII: 4
WaCF: 2
FW: 5
DD: 1
1984: 7
5150: 4
OU812: 3
Carnal: 4
Balance: 6
Greatest Hits/Comps: 3
ADKoT: 1
III: 2

I am DYING to know what the SECOND VH3 song is.  I did a complete listen - even to the throwaway songs - and in my not-so-humble opinion that album falls off QUICKLY.

'A Year to the Day' is a top-5 EVH 'guitar' song for me. One of their best 'epics,' and definitely would be viewed differently if it had been released as an EVH solo track.

It’s a banger.

[TAC]

Kev, how many lists are we up to so far?

[KevShmev]

Kev, how many lists are we up to so far?

10. Two weeks still to go, and I know a few are still planning to submit, but not sure if we will get to 15 total or not.

[TAC]

If you don't get enough lists, you can count mine twice.

[KevShmev]

Redo it and add Outta Space, and it's a done deal. 

[TAC]

 

[wolfking]

I'm gonna struggle to get a list in.  Still got a few albums to listen to.  Not very motivated to put something together to be honest.  Finding out I'm really not a VH fan at all.

[KevShmev]

I'm gonna struggle to get a list in.  Still got a few albums to listen to.  Not very motivated to put something together to be honest.  Finding out I'm really not a VH fan at all.

It happens.

I will say this: even though I have often said I am a big fan of both the DLR and Sammy eras, the Roth era really does hold up better as a whole.  Some of those Sammy albums really have some clunkers. Not that every song on the Roth albums was a winner, but even the least best ones can still be pretty enjoyable when doing the full album listens.  I know it aggravates Sammy that his era has kind of fallen by the wayside and the Roth era is largely considered peak Van Halen.  Turn on any classic rock station and I would imagine 95% of VH songs that get played are from the Roth era.  Even our local classic rock station, when doing their annual Rock and Roll 500 last spring, they had eight VH songs in there, with only one being from the Hagar era (the lowest ranked one, Right Now at #477).  And that station has historically been a huge supporter of Sammy Hagar (the same countdown had five songs from his solo career), but even they know at this point that the Roth era is where it's at with most when it comes to Van Halen.

[Deadeye21]

Interestingly, I had the opinion that it was all about the Roth era and there were very few good Hagar songs. I had thought that Sammy’s third album with the band (I have no idea if I’m allowed to keep using the acronym here) was meant to be awful. 5 tracks from that one made my list, and a fair few Hagar tracks made my top 50, peaking at number 3! I’d never made the effort to get through them before, but it turns out all but two of their albums are awesome. (Wasn’t a fan of Balance or III)

[DragonAttack]

Man, trying to pick between 2 VHIII songs on Ranker is like trying to decide if I prefer cleaning up cat barf or dog crap more...

Also How Many Say I has to be the absolute worst thing Van Halen has ever done. Maybe the worst thing done by a popular rock group ever....

Queen's 'Body Language':  "Hold my beer"

Finally numbering my list.  It was pretty easy:  took the 16 songs that fit on my best of Van Hagar, along with the 20 for the Roth era, then added ten right of the bat that wouldn't fit onto either one.  The remainders were kind of slim pickings.  And I won't be surprised if my #2 comes in at #40 or misses the list entirely. 

Real brief as to VHIII:  at the time, it was hard for me to get into yet another lead singer, along with all the drama.  I certainly knew of Gary Cherone.  Extreme's performance at the Freddie Mercury Tribute concert (an Easter Monday thirty frickin years ago already!) made me a fan, 'Pornograffit' is good, so I was hoping for the best.  It just seemed like a 'hollow' offering, and then when I read where Anthony played very little, and the absence of his BVs was stark.  The album cover certainly stunk.

I gave 'Outta Space' and a couple others ADKOT a try.  Just didn't work for me.  Hard to recapture an earlier era.

To end on 'semi positives':  I passed on seeing VH in '79 and '80.  A great guy with a van would take 6-8 along for the 150 mile drive to Wings Stadium in Kalamazoo.  I passed, saying I had a big exam coming up, only because one or two big time jerks were also going.  Years later, they cancelled their OU812 show, but my then wife and I did see the F*CK show but with way too many of those songs.

Oh, and Sammy Hagar put on a great show with a great stage that MTV televised in early '84.  Saw him that fall, a few weeks after the Tigers won the World Series. It was like the state of Michigan was still partying.  Nugent (back when he was cool)  even came out for the encore 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NAcsFR72wI

[Stadler]

I'm gonna struggle to get a list in.  Still got a few albums to listen to.  Not very motivated to put something together to be honest.  Finding out I'm really not a VH fan at all.

You be you, but knowing you're a guitar player, that surprises me.

[wolfking]

I'm gonna struggle to get a list in.  Still got a few albums to listen to.  Not very motivated to put something together to be honest.  Finding out I'm really not a VH fan at all.

You be you, but knowing you're a guitar player, that surprises me.

The guitar work is incredible but something about their music I haven't fully taken to.  Maybe they are just too light, not metal enough perhaps.  Maybe just too upbeat for me?  I'll try and sample the rest of the albums though.

I'm not a big DLR fan.  I prefer his solo stuff but for some reason he just doesn't really do it for me.  His 'wooooos' all the time in a lot of the old VH stuff kinda piss me off.  I'll keep trying, I do want to try and do this and there were a few songs I hadn't really heard that I liked.

[Dream Team]

I'm gonna struggle to get a list in.  Still got a few albums to listen to.  Not very motivated to put something together to be honest.  Finding out I'm really not a VH fan at all.

It happens.

I will say this: even though I have often said I am a big fan of both the DLR and Sammy eras, the Roth era really does hold up better as a whole.  Some of those Sammy albums really have some clunkers. Not that every song on the Roth albums was a winner, but even the least best ones can still be pretty enjoyable when doing the full album listens.  I know it aggravates Sammy that his era has kind of fallen by the wayside and the Roth era is largely considered peak Van Halen.  Turn on any classic rock station and I would imagine 95% of VH songs that get played are from the Roth era.  Even our local classic rock station, when doing their annual Rock and Roll 500 last spring, they had eight VH songs in there, with only one being from the Hagar era (the lowest ranked one, Right Now at #477).  And that station has historically been a huge supporter of Sammy Hagar (the same countdown had five songs from his solo career), but even they know at this point that the Roth era is where it's at with most when it comes to Van Halen.

That's definitely true in my case; in forcing myself to re-listen to all the Hagar albums I found so many of those songs to be insipid and toothless.

[Stadler]

That's where I'm parked; even the Sam songs that made my list are largely there because of Eddie. I meant what I said; in my re-listening, I have a new awareness of just how good that guy was. EVERY songs just about has something that makes me go, "WHA?" to this day.

[Dream Team]

Submitted my list. I'll be interested to see if anyone else has my #1 song very high; or even my #2 for that matter. Might be considered idiosyncratic.

[KevShmev]

Submitted my list. I'll be interested to see if anyone else has my #1 song very high; or even my #2 for that matter. Might be considered idiosyncratic.

Your number 2 is in my top 10.