Your favorite Van Halen song of the David Lee Roth era and your favorite Van Halen song of the Sammy Hagar era

Cafe Society
1

For the David Lee Roth era, it’s a tough call between Runnin’ With the Devil and Everybody Wants Some, with the narrow victory gonig to the former.

For the Sammy Hagar era, it’s another tough call: Love Comes Walking In and Dreams, again with the victory to the former.

What are your choices?

–Also, while we’re on the subject of Van Halen, I have a Factual Question. When they performed live during the Sammy Hagar era, and in particular on later, nostalgia tours (rather than in support of a new album), did Sammy perform songs from the David Lee Roth era? Does he do DLR justice?

2

From the David Lee Roth era: Hot for Teacher.

From the Sammy Hagar era: Right Now.

3

Good choice. I think Sammy even wrote that. ETA: Yep, Sammy wrote the lyrics.

4

I don’t remember exactly, maybe 1 or 2? I remember them doing Ain’t Talking 'bout Love and Eddie’s solo had some of Cathedral. Maybe Unchained? I remember reading that during the 5150 tour, Sammy would have a fan come up to sing Jump. Not sure if that was actually a thing.

Ain’t Talking 'bout Love is the best Roth song and maybe Why Can’t This Be Love for Hagar. Nowadays I like Mean Streets the most.

5

I had to think about the Roth era choice, and I think I’ll go with “Everybody Wants Some.”

The Hagar era, no thought required. “Cabo Wabo.” And I’ll go so far as to say it is the best song by the band, period.

6

DLR: So this is Love?
SH: Not a damn thing

7

Early VH: ‘Aint Talkin’ About Love’

Late VH: Not much interest.

8

D.O.A. and Right Now.

9

Roth: Panama

Hagar: bupkis

10

I’ll Wait/Right Now

:grin: They go together!

11

Dave: Jump
Sam: Dreams

12

I’ll Wait
Love Walks In

Probably the two VH songs that appeal the most to me - pretty much outliers from the rest of the band’s output.

13

Dave: Running with the Devil

Sammy: Aftershock. Probably my favorite VH song if I absolutely had to choose.

Bonus entry, Cherone: A Year to the Day

And yes, Sammy performed a few DLR era songs during his time. The most common were Ain’t Talking ‘bout Love, Panama and Jump.

I’m a massive fan and love all three singers and eras. They’re all very different and I understand why some people only like Dave or only like Sammy or couldn’t get into the whole thing with Gary. For me, the constant has always been the interplay and bond between Eddie and Alex and no matter the singer and sound, that’s always been special and is the core of what made the band what it was.

14

That’s something I’d like to qualify since I’m obviously too late to edit my post above. I don’t dislike Sammy Hagar as such, I just don’t care for him in Van Halen.