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

[wolfking]

Definitely up there on my list.

[King Puppies and the Acid Guppies]

I'm going to try to bang out the rest of my list over the next couple days to meet the deadline. I've been so busy at work I haven't had time to work on it the last couple weeks.

[TAC]

Definitely up there on my list.

So...there is a list?

[King Puppies and the Acid Guppies]

Definitely up there on my list.

So...there is a list?

I hope Wolfking submits a list. I'd be interested to see someone's take on Van Halen going into this having not been a fan a previously. Going into something without preconceived notions can yield interesting results.

[King Puppies and the Acid Guppies]

Re-listening to all the albums has reminded me how terrible the production is on the drums on OU812, plus whatever that constant clicking is in almost every song on the album is extremely annoying and once you hear it, it's all you can hear....

[devieira73]

It's like a click track with the sound of a cowbell echoing... I think it's more noticeable on Mine All Mine, When It's Love and Feels So Good - I don't know if it has in any other songs (parts of Finish What You Started and Black and Blue are actually cowbells being played by Alex). But, yes, that is really annoying.

[Stadler]

Got to say, I'm fired up with anticipation for the reveal.  I can't wait. 

[HOF]

I know exactly what you guys are talking about with the clicking sound on OU812, and can see why it would be annoying. I always kind of liked it. I used to think it was actually a synth effect, at least on When It’s Love, but maybe it is the click track bleeding through.

[devieira73]

Not offending anyone's taste...  but I was listening to Dirty Water Dog today and I confirmed that I love this song immensely!!
Someone mentioned earlier about Josephina... and indeed it's among the best from VHIII.
@Wolfking: you tried to listen to that album? I think there's a lot of cool and different guitar work from Eddie there, what you think?

[HOF]

Not offending anyone's taste...  but I was listening to Dirty Water Dog today and I confirmed that I love this song immensely!!
Someone mentioned earlier about Josephina... and indeed it's among the best from VHIII.
@Wolfking: you tried to listen to that album? I think there's a lot of cool and different guitar work from Eddie there, what you think?

I love that intro to Dirty Water Dog. The percussion there is actually a push brush I believe, and then they used the sound of it falling at the end as well. The lyrics are probably the worst on III and get close to some of the cringier Sammy moments. But otherwise it is a very cool track.

[devieira73]

Not offending anyone's taste...  but I was listening to Dirty Water Dog today and I confirmed that I love this song immensely!!
Someone mentioned earlier about Josephina... and indeed it's among the best from VHIII.
@Wolfking: you tried to listen to that album? I think there's a lot of cool and different guitar work from Eddie there, what you think?

I love that intro to Dirty Water Dog. The percussion there is actually a push brush I believe, and then they used the sound of it falling at the end as well. The lyrics are probably the worst on III and get close to some of the cringier Sammy moments. But otherwise it is a very cool track.

I didn't know that. It does sound like a strange kind of percussion, cool!
About the lyrics, I must admit I never payed attention to them, so... let's keep this way!

[Stadler]

I can't for the life of me believe I'm saying this about GARY CHERONE, who I love, and I'm not suggesting that the quality is his fault - it's not - but there's one song that made my list - Without You - and the next tier songs on that record would all be far better as instrumentals. 

[Stadler]

I know exactly what you guys are talking about with the clicking sound on OU812, and can see why it would be annoying. I always kind of liked it. I used to think it was actually a synth effect, at least on When It’s Love, but maybe it is the click track bleeding through.

it's not on every song, though; I don't hear it on A.F.U., or Cabo Wabo.  I do hear it on Finish... .

[HOF]

Not offending anyone's taste...  but I was listening to Dirty Water Dog today and I confirmed that I love this song immensely!!
Someone mentioned earlier about Josephina... and indeed it's among the best from VHIII.
@Wolfking: you tried to listen to that album? I think there's a lot of cool and different guitar work from Eddie there, what you think?

I love that intro to Dirty Water Dog. The percussion there is actually a push brush I believe, and then they used the sound of it falling at the end as well. The lyrics are probably the worst on III and get close to some of the cringier Sammy moments. But otherwise it is a very cool track.

I didn't know that. It does sound like a strange kind of percussion, cool!
About the lyrics, I must admit I never payed attention to them, so... let's keep this way!

Yeah, I think it was probably inspired by Stomp (the Broadway show). Back when III came out there was a radio broadcast I listened to that basically previewed the album, and they explained the percussion on that track. Now that’s my memory from 24 years ago, so I could be off. But I’ve always understood that to be the case.

[HOF]

I can't for the life of me believe I'm saying this about GARY CHERONE, who I love, and I'm not suggesting that the quality is his fault - it's not - but there's one song that made my list - Without You - and the next tier songs on that record would all be far better as instrumentals.

I like all of those songs and even I agree the vocals are very harsh and it doesn’t come off as Gary’s finest moment. Not sure if it was partly just where his voice was at at the time, or if it was just the way they were recorded or what.

[wolfking]

Not offending anyone's taste...  but I was listening to Dirty Water Dog today and I confirmed that I love this song immensely!!
Someone mentioned earlier about Josephina... and indeed it's among the best from VHIII.
@Wolfking: you tried to listen to that album? I think there's a lot of cool and different guitar work from Eddie there, what you think?

I got halfway through it.  Once had an incredible solo.  I'll finish the album off now actually.

[wolfking]

A Year to the Day is.......not bad.  Eddie rips shit up.  This song would have been amazing with Sammy.

[wolfking]

Yeah, that's about it for VH3.

[devieira73]

Cool to know your impressions! Once and Year to the Day are among my faves from the album (specially Once), although they aren't the 2 on my Top 50.

[KevShmev]

Quick reminder: submissions are due by the end of Saturday, April 30th. I will tally the results up when I am back from Tennessee on the 1st or 2nd and start the countdown right away. 

To anyone still planning to submit a list, please proofread your list, because I am not waiting for anyone to correct it when I get back if you list a song twice, meaning your list will not be used.   

[wolfking]

Got a top 20 down.  Will have the rest nutted out by early Sunday morning (my time) and sent.

[King Puppies and the Acid Guppies]

Sent my list off. Mine might be the most controversial list of them all......

[wolfking]

My list is just about complete.

While this hasn't made me a VH fan of, the two albums most my style that really stick out that I will come back to is Balance and FUCK.  I also have much more of an appreciation for Eddie.  He was amazing.

[TAC]

My list is just about complete.

While this hasn't made me a VH fan of, the two albums most my style that really stick out that I will come back to is Balance and FUCK.  I also have much more of a appreciation for Eddie.  He was amazing.

Nice. 

[wolfking]

I was actually noodling with a couple of his solos this morning and yeah, unique, intricate and much more difficult than they appear while being melodic and tasteful.

I wish he did play in a more heavy metal context though in his career.  That would have been epic.

Another thing is, I hear so many of my fav guitarists listening to his stuff.  It's clear Criss Oliva basically worshipped Eddie.  I hear a lot in Jason Becker too, but so many really, it's endless.

[TAC]

I'm sure you know that Becker played on David Lee Roth's 3rd album.

[wolfking]

I'm sure you know that Becker played on David Lee Roth's 3rd album.

A Little Ain't Enough. 

Got that one on CD!

[wolfking]

My list.......has been sent!

[TAC]

My list.......has been sent!

 

[wolfking]

I was close to quitting, but glad I followed through.

[TAC]

I was close to quitting, but glad I followed through.

Glad you didn't give in.

[wolfking]

I was close to quitting, but glad I followed through.

Glad you didn't give in.

Yeah same.  I'm the type of person that once they dabble their toes in, it feels wrong not taking the plunge.  Wanted to bulk up the number of lists too and be a team player too.  Kev puts so much work in and we get so much enjoyment and great discussion from this idea.

[TAC]

You da man! Plus...Eddie Van Halen 

[wolfking]

You da man! Plus...Eddie Van Halen 

A couple of songs made the list because of the solo alone and some wouldn't have ranked anywhere near as high if it wasn't for the guitar solo.

As I said though, everyone will puke at my number 1, but I can't escape it, just always fucking loved it.

[TAC]

Jump?