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

[KevShmev]

 

For instance, 'I'll Wait' is BY FAR my favorite track off of 1984—"such good photography" has been a part of my personal lexicon for about 35 years!!!

Spoiler alert: you and I were the two highest rankers of I'll Wait, but one of us had it one spot higher than the other. Time will tell who was the highest...

[KevShmev]

Here are today's songs.

43 (t) Don’t Tell Me (What Love Can Do)
Appeared on 9 of 17  entrees
Top 10 finishes: 1
Highest Ranking: 8 (WardySI)

I disliked this song a lot when I first heard it.  Sammy sounding like his voice was blown out combined with Alex's annoying cymbal flourishes in the choruses were big obstacles for me to immediately climb.  I did come around to liking it, although it is still not a favorite, and thus did not make my top 50.


43 (t) Ice Cream Man
Appeared on 10 of 17  entrees
Top 10 finishes: 2
Highest Ranking: 6 (TAC)

This one actually took me a while to come around on as well, as I just didn't like that much first, considering it the lone hiccup on an otherwise masterful debut record.  Like the above, it didn't get ranked, but I do like it quite a bit now.

[pg1067]

43(t) - Don’t Tell Me (What Love Can Do):  Never heard it.

43(t) - Ice Cream Man:  Vaguely cool novelty song with some nostalgia value for the days when we'd hear the ice cream truck and run outside (although I'm sure it's some sort of sexual metaphor).

[Stadler]

I had "Don't Tell Me (What Love Can Do) at #20, and - nailing the zeitgeist once again - Ice Cream Man at #44.

I really dig DTM(WLCD).  It's a dark song and in hindsight really reflects the mood and attitude of the band at the time.  Famously, it was "Let Me Show You What Love Can Do" or something (about Kurt Cobain) and the brothers said no, we want something darker.  Sam fought, but relented, but the tensions really signaled the end of the band in that incarnation.

[HOF]

Don’t Tell Me What Love Can Do came in at 27 for me. Love how meaty everything sounds on Balance, and I’m glad they went for a darker overall tone on this song than whatever it was Sammy wanted to do. Never had any problem with the symbols on the chorus. Sammy is a bit shrill, but it’s a pretty great vocal performance overall. This is another one of those more introspective Sammy lyrics that I appreciate for being something a bit deeper.

Ice Cream Man did not rank.

[DragonAttack]

43(t) - Don’t Tell Me (What Love Can Do):  Never heard it.

YouTube is your friend😉

[wolfking]

Neither of these ranked for me.  Ice Cream Man is just the type of novelty song I can't buy into.

[TAC]

Ice Cream Man is just the type of novelty song I can't buy into.

I see what you did there.

43 (t) Don’t Tell Me (What Love Can Do)
Appeared on 9 of 17  entrees
Top 10 finishes: 1
Highest Ranking: 8 (WardySI)


43 (t) Ice Cream Man
Appeared on 10 of 17  entrees
Top 10 finishes: 2
Highest Ranking: 6 (TAC)

I had DTM(WLCD) at Not Ranked. Never even considered it.

I had Ice Cream Man at #6. It's a little campy, but it shows just what a machine this band was from the jump.

[King Puppies and the Acid Guppies]

43 (t) Don’t Tell Me (What Love Can Do)
Appeared on 9 of 17  entrees
Top 10 finishes: 1
Highest Ranking: 8 (WardySI)

I disliked this song a lot when I first heard it.  Sammy sounding like his voice was blown out combined with Alex's annoying cymbal flourishes in the choruses were big obstacles for me to immediately climb.  I did come around to liking it, although it is still not a favorite, and thus did not make my top 50.


43 (t) Ice Cream Man
Appeared on 10 of 17  entrees
Top 10 finishes: 2
Highest Ranking: 6 (TAC)

This one actually took me a while to come around on as well, as I just didn't like that much first, considering it the lone hiccup on an otherwise masterful debut record.  Like the above, it didn't get ranked, but I do like it quite a bit now.

Don’t Tell Me (What Love Can Do) - This song snuck in at #42 for me. Pretty close to the consensus. I was actually surprised how much this song grew on me when I was doing my relistening, and the rest of Balance for that matter. The middle instrumental break in this song is fantastic!

Ice Cream Man - This landed at #37. Yes the lyrics are kind of dumb. Yes they are definitely very tongue in cheek and full of innuendo. Yes the song is sort of campy. However, there's no denying the song is fun to listen to and full of great playing by Eddie.

[The Realm]

43 (t) Don’t Tell Me (What Love Can Do)
Appeared on 9 of 17  entrees
Top 10 finishes: 1
Highest Ranking: 8 (WardySI)

43 (t) Ice Cream Man
Appeared on 10 of 17  entrees
Top 10 finishes: 2
Highest Ranking: 6 (TAC)

Don't Tell Me - this was 18 for me. I love this song although I think it is mainly because of the verses and the cool phaser guitar intro/guitar part under the verses. The chorus isn't that strong overall.  The guitar solo and guitar solo outro (before chorus reprise) are also great.

Ice Cream Man - unranked.

[bl5150]

I had Don't Tell Me in the 80's but find it a pleasant enough song.  Probably a good indication of how important VH were to me growing up - ranked in the 80s and still nothing I actively dislike.

I ranked Ice Cream Man #18.  Fiery guitar solo and the sense of humour that was a big part of my attraction to DLR era Van Halen.

Wouldn't mind a Davesickle guitar

[jammindude]

I’m lurking. But I just wanted something noted.

How many of you thought that it was EVH on the acoustic guitar on the intro of ICM? Because it was just a scant couple of years ago that I found out it was Dave.

[wolfking]

Davesickle.     My first time seeing that, holy shit!

[WardySI]

ICM didn't rank for me.

I recall when Balance was released I had no idea it was even coming out had missed the single even, but walking into my local hearing Don't Tell Me blasting over the stereo I was hit with that sound (someone above described it as meaty and I agree) and what a song!  Somewhat a departure at the time and I dug it and of course Ed's guitar before the final chorus is sublime (I never understood the split in fanbase or how anyone couldn't still enjoy Ed's work during the Hagar era some incredible stuff but oh well)...  Anyway great song and glad it made this 50 \m/


ETA No I didn't know that was Dave jammindude - noted

[Deadeye21]

Here are today's songs.

43 (t) Don’t Tell Me (What Love Can Do)
Appeared on 9 of 17  entrees
Top 10 finishes: 1
Highest Ranking: 8 (WardySI)

43 (t) Ice Cream Man
Appeared on 10 of 17  entrees
Top 10 finishes: 2
Highest Ranking: 6 (TAC)

Don’t Tell Me was my 50th track. Pretty groovy, but nothing super special.

Ice Cream Man didn’t rank. I really don’t care for this song.

[bl5150]

jump.

 

[King Puppies and the Acid Guppies]

jump.

 

[KevShmev]

We see someone's number 1 land in the 40s again today!

42 Humans Being
Appeared on 8 of 17  entrees
Top 10 finishes: 1
Highest Ranking: 3 (WardySI)

This song was an instant ass-kicker for me.  Interestingly, it is the only song in the top 50 that wasn't on a VH studio album.  This song has held up really well, which is why it landed at 20 for me.


41 Little Guitars
Appeared on 10 of 17  entrees
Top 10 finishes: 2
Highest Ranking: 1 (Deadeye21)

This is the first and only song from Diver Down to appear in the top 50.  Nothing from that album made my top 50, but I would agree that this is the best song from it, so I am good with its appearance.

[Deadeye21]

MY NUMBER ONE IS 41ST!?

Nup. This list is rigged.

[HOF]

Humans Being is great. I had it at 30. VH were on top of it in the 90s. I just wish they had made more music in that period because what they did make sounded great. A little surprised it’s the only non album track to make it (I had Me Wise Magic one spot higher at 29, and I thought that one was fairly well thought of by others around here).

Little Guitars was one I probably should have ranked upon further reflection. It’s a really fun song. My apologies, Deadeye!

[KevShmev]

Me Wise Magic didn't miss the top 50 by much (it finished at 56), but I was also a little surprised it didn't do a little better.

[devieira73]

I love Humans Being, it was my #28. The solo section is great with that nice double bass drum groove!
So... no Pretty Woman (#32) in the Top 50? I think the VH's version is amazing, specially if we hear it together with Intruder (which I always do).
I also will miss Me Wise Magic (#38) and I Can't Get This Stuff No More (#44).

[Stadler]

Me Wise Magic didn't miss the top 50 by much (it finished at 56), but I was also a little surprised it didn't do a little better.

Dammit.  Me Wise Magic is #4 on my list.  I LOVE that song.


Little Guitars was #10

Humans Being was #86

[Stadler]

I’m lurking. But I just wanted something noted.

How many of you thought that it was EVH on the acoustic guitar on the intro of ICM? Because it was just a scant couple of years ago that I found out it was Dave.

I'm trying to remember where I saw it, but I saw a COOL interview with Dave from not that long ago; it was after ADKOT.  It spent a lot of time on his tattoos (he did the irezumi style - the traditional Japanese tattoo style - with munewari - the "strip" down the chest so that the tattoos are not visible outside the shirtline or with a kimono) and his tattoo artist.  Supposedly he did it all at once rather than building up as some do.   Anyway, there was a scene and Dave had an acoustic guitar and he was playing and singing along and it was remarkably good, perhaps because it's not something you'd expect from him. 

I'll see if I can find a link; it's a fascinating look into the man; after 45 years in the public life, the REAL David Roth is still pretty much an enigma.

[pg1067]

43(t) - Don’t Tell Me (What Love Can Do):  Never heard it.

YouTube is your friend😉

I mean...I'm aware that there are lots of options where I COULD listen to it.

41 Little Guitars
Appeared on 10 of 17  entrees
Top 10 finishes: 2
Highest Ranking: 1 (Deadeye21)

This is the first and only song from Diver Down to appear in the top 50.  Nothing from that album made my top 50, but I would agree that this is the best song from it, so I am good with its appearance.

Fucking what?!  LG is a good song, and the Spanish guitar intro is really cool, but it's not even close to the best song on that album.  Hang 'Em High is a complete ass kicker.  One of my absolute favorite VH songs.

[HOF]

Hang 'em High is pretty cool, but I'm more surprised about (Oh) Pretty Woman, which is a classic VH cut that they really made their own.

But, 50 songs also really isn't a long list for VH. 

[King Puppies and the Acid Guppies]

42 Humans Being
Appeared on 8 of 17  entrees
Top 10 finishes: 1
Highest Ranking: 3 (WardySI)

This song was an instant ass-kicker for me.  Interestingly, it is the only song in the top 50 that wasn't on a VH studio album.  This song has held up really well, which is why it landed at 20 for me.


41 Little Guitars
Appeared on 10 of 17  entrees
Top 10 finishes: 2
Highest Ranking: 1 (Deadeye21)

This is the first and only song from Diver Down to appear in the top 50.  Nothing from that album made my top 50, but I would agree that this is the best song from it, so I am good with its appearance.

Humans Being - Awesome! I was a little worried this song would be forgotten about and not make the list. I had it at #15. It's a fantastic song. That build up in the intro always takes me back to when this song first came out. Such a nostalgic song for me. If I remember correctly, this song was recorded for the movie Twister, which is where I first heard it.

Little Guitars - I had this at #31. A great song from kind of a mixed bag of an album.

[Stadler]

42 Humans Being
Appeared on 8 of 17  entrees
Top 10 finishes: 1
Highest Ranking: 3 (WardySI)

This song was an instant ass-kicker for me.  Interestingly, it is the only song in the top 50 that wasn't on a VH studio album.  This song has held up really well, which is why it landed at 20 for me.


41 Little Guitars
Appeared on 10 of 17  entrees
Top 10 finishes: 2
Highest Ranking: 1 (Deadeye21)

This is the first and only song from Diver Down to appear in the top 50.  Nothing from that album made my top 50, but I would agree that this is the best song from it, so I am good with its appearance.

Humans Being - Awesome! I was a little worried this song would be forgotten about and not make the list. I had it at #15. It's a fantastic song. That build up in the intro always takes me back to when this song first came out. Such a nostalgic song for me. If I remember correctly, this song was recording for the movie Twister, which is where I first heard it.

Little Guitars - I had this at #31. A great song from kind of a mixed bag of an album.

Humans Being was a song with controversy. The Brothers again hated the lyrics, and kept begging Sam to record with them in LA.  Sam's wife was pregnant, though, in Hawai'i and he didn't want to travel.  I guess she finally came to San Francisco, and he commuted from there. 

It's an "eh" song for me.

[wolfking]

Shit, I didn't know about Humans Being.  What was this song released on?

[TAC]

I had Humans Being as Not Ranked. I was nice at that point to get some new material, but neither the new Sammy or DLR song was that good IMO.

I had Little Guitars at #38. Always enjoyed it.
Wait..THIS is the only Diver Down track?? I mean, I know the album kind of sucks, but only one song?

The other Diver Down tracks I had were:
Hang 'Em High at #48.
The Ful Bug at #11.

[wolfking]

I find that surprising too.  I had Hang 'em High at 31 and the Full Bug at 27.

[KevShmev]

Shit, I didn't know about Humans Being.  What was this song released on?

The soundtrack to the Twister flick.

I know at the time that Sammy didn't want to do as he didn't want fans to have to buy a soundtrack just to hear their one song, but the brothers overruled him and he caved (IIRC).

The soundtrack also has a instrumental by just Alex and Eddie called Respect the Wind.  Really good song, one featuring just Eddie on guitar and Alex on keys.  I am pretty sure that was played over the end credits in the film.

[wolfking]

I'll check that out.

[wolfking]

Humans Being is not bad.  Not sure if it would have ranked but could be close.  That chorus reminds me of Harem Scarem.

[The Realm]

42 Humans Being
Appeared on 8 of 17  entrees
Top 10 finishes: 1
Highest Ranking: 3 (WardySI)

41 Little Guitars
Appeared on 10 of 17  entrees
Top 10 finishes: 2
Highest Ranking: 1 (Deadeye21)

Humans Being - ok this is a miss for me. Sorry, I actually forgot to include non-album tracks....

Little Guitars - Ranked 34 for me. Totally agree with Kev that this is the best song on the album and it is the only song from Diver Down I ranked in my top 50 so I guess I got that part right. I am just not much of a fan of DD. I do love the Pretty Woman cover but I just couldn't rank it.