I know, I know. Van Halen isn’t the most cerebral band in the world, but EVH’s playing and Michael Anthony’s harmonies made their stuff unique back in the day.
I was trying to think of the best examples that encapsulate their very best qualities in a song and the song I kept coming back to was “I’m The One”. It’s predictably cheesy but features so many Van Halen-isms from that era (especially DLR’s screams, screeches, grunts, moans, etc) along with EVH’s nice runs, divebombs, etc that I felt it was a worthy example.
I also think “On Fire” from their first album is a winner, and there are tidbits from other songs like “Cradle Will Rock” (that intro!), “Mean Streets”, “Unchained” etc that are worthy of mention.
But I cannot think of another song that ties up all the VH goodies into one neat package like “I’m the One”.
I only know the radio hits. Just off the top of my head, and I’m sure I’ll change my mind once other people start mentioning things, I really like Hot For Teacher.
I used to think I liked Van Halen a lot, but it turns out that my love of Running With the Devil is so profound that it tricked me into thinking I like the rest of their stuff. I don’t. Their music hasn’t really aged too well either, but Running With the Devil still fucking rocks.
Just sums up Van Halen to me. When he finally just plays simpled-down barre chords for the chorus, after all of his amazing EVH-ness, it is just so damn good. And the lyrics are just perfect DLR idiocy. 'cuz that’s what he excels at, right?
ETA: and when you play it, getting the riff correct? So fun to play…
I was never a big Van Halen fan but several of those old songs really are fun. I was in high school when 1984 came out but by that time I had gotten into R.E.M., U2, The Police, INXS, Psychedelic Furs, etc.
“Everybody Wants Some” is a good one. Memorably used in the fantasy sequence in Better Off Dead.
Ain’t Talkin’ 'Bout Love- Just kicks so much ass.
Dance the Night Away is another fav of mine, and I have loved, “Everybody Wants Some” ever since, “Better Off Dead” came out.
EDIT: In considering what the OP actually asked, I’ll go with, “Everybody Wants Some”, for Dave’s vocals, the lyrics, and Eddie’s guitar.
EVH has written so many classic songs it’s ridiculous. It’s arguable he’s a better composer than guitarist, which is saying a lot for one of the three or four most important and influential guitar players in rock history.
I’ve been a huge VH fan since the first album broke. ( I even own a EVH Wolfgang and a replica Frankenstrat!)
“Everybody Wants Some” was the first song that popped to mind because it incapsulates their live sound so well.
“Somebody Get Me a Doctor” and the trademark Michael Anthony harmony.
The Diver Down album had some hidden gems behind all the smaltzy stuff, particularly “Little Guitars”
I know it’s been tremendously overplayed but “Eruption/You Really Got Me” comes in like a 747, rocks the old Kinks tune VH style… and still blows any uninitiated listener away.
