# Your favorite Van Halen song of the David Lee Roth era and your favorite Van Halen song of the Sammy Hagar era **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** music\ **Created:** [October 19, 2025, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-van-halen-song-of-the-david-lee-roth-era-and-your-favorite-van-halen-song-of-the-sammy-hagar-era/1024090 "2025-10-19T03:58:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2025, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-van-halen-song-of-the-david-lee-roth-era-and-your-favorite-van-halen-song-of-the-sammy-hagar-era/1024090/1 "2025-10-19T03:58:07Z")
For the David Lee Roth era, it’s a tough call between [Runnin’ With the Devil](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-fJAn6IrRU&pp=ygUfdmFuIGhhbGVuIHJ1bm5pbiB3aXRoIHRoZSBkZXZpbA%3D%3D) and [Everybody Wants Some](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EI8JN-fSLo&pp=ygUedmFuIGhhbGVuIGV2ZXJ5Ym9keSB3YW50cyBzb21l), with the narrow victory gonig to the former. For the Sammy Hagar era, it’s another tough call: [Love Comes Walking In](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qcQ34iTswY) and [Dreams](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLdqOQTTTRY&pp=ygUQdmFuIGhhbGVuIGRyZWFtcw%253D%253D), 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? ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2025, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-van-halen-song-of-the-david-lee-roth-era-and-your-favorite-van-halen-song-of-the-sammy-hagar-era/1024090/2 "2025-10-19T04:04:40Z")
From the David Lee Roth era: Hot for Teacher. From the Sammy Hagar era: Right Now. ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2025, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-van-halen-song-of-the-david-lee-roth-era-and-your-favorite-van-halen-song-of-the-sammy-hagar-era/1024090/3 "2025-10-19T04:06:32Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > From the Sammy Hagar era: Right Now. Good choice. I think Sammy even wrote that. ETA: Yep, Sammy wrote the lyrics. ---
**Author:** ![CaveMike](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cavemike/32/16379_2.png) [@CaveMike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaveMike)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2025, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-van-halen-song-of-the-david-lee-roth-era-and-your-favorite-van-halen-song-of-the-sammy-hagar-era/1024090/4 "2025-10-19T04:08:07Z")
> [@HeyHomie](#): > > 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? 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. ---
**Author:** ![GESancMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gesancman/32/2923_2.png) [@GESancMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GESancMan)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2025, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-van-halen-song-of-the-david-lee-roth-era-and-your-favorite-van-halen-song-of-the-sammy-hagar-era/1024090/5 "2025-10-19T04:10:26Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2025, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-van-halen-song-of-the-david-lee-roth-era-and-your-favorite-van-halen-song-of-the-sammy-hagar-era/1024090/6 "2025-10-19T05:39:52Z")
DLR: So this is Love? SH: Not a damn thing ---
**Author:** ![BrickBat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac91a4/32.png) [@BrickBat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrickBat)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2025, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-van-halen-song-of-the-david-lee-roth-era-and-your-favorite-van-halen-song-of-the-sammy-hagar-era/1024090/7 "2025-10-19T05:48:28Z")
Early VH: ‘Aint Talkin’ About Love’ Late VH: Not much interest. ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2025, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-van-halen-song-of-the-david-lee-roth-era-and-your-favorite-van-halen-song-of-the-sammy-hagar-era/1024090/8 "2025-10-19T12:25:47Z")
D.O.A. and Right Now. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2025, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-van-halen-song-of-the-david-lee-roth-era-and-your-favorite-van-halen-song-of-the-sammy-hagar-era/1024090/9 "2025-10-19T12:49:26Z")
Roth: Panama Hagar: bupkis ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2025, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-van-halen-song-of-the-david-lee-roth-era-and-your-favorite-van-halen-song-of-the-sammy-hagar-era/1024090/10 "2025-10-19T12:55:30Z")
I’ll Wait/Right Now 😁 They go together! ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2025, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-van-halen-song-of-the-david-lee-roth-era-and-your-favorite-van-halen-song-of-the-sammy-hagar-era/1024090/11 "2025-10-19T14:54:14Z")
Dave: Jump Sam: Dreams ---
**Author:** ![SunUp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SunUp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SunUp)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2025, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-van-halen-song-of-the-david-lee-roth-era-and-your-favorite-van-halen-song-of-the-sammy-hagar-era/1024090/12 "2025-10-19T15:11:28Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![theater\_in\_a\_crowded\_fire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/aca169/32.png) [@theater\_in\_a\_crowded\_fire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/theater_in_a_crowded_fire)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2025, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-van-halen-song-of-the-david-lee-roth-era-and-your-favorite-van-halen-song-of-the-sammy-hagar-era/1024090/13 "2025-10-20T11:04:06Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![BrickBat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac91a4/32.png) [@BrickBat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrickBat)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2025, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-van-halen-song-of-the-david-lee-roth-era-and-your-favorite-van-halen-song-of-the-sammy-hagar-era/1024090/14 "2025-10-20T16:31:28Z")
> [@theater\_in\_a\_crowded\_fire](#): > > 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. 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. ---
**Author:** ![The\_wind\_of\_my\_soul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecc23a/32.png) [@The\_wind\_of\_my\_soul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_wind_of_my_soul)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2025, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-van-halen-song-of-the-david-lee-roth-era-and-your-favorite-van-halen-song-of-the-sammy-hagar-era/1024090/15 "2025-10-21T11:04:15Z")
“Jump” is the obvious choice for David Lee Roth. I thought about choosing some other song to be all edgy and alternative, but if I’m being real, “Jump” is my clear favorite. And for Sammy Hagar, I’ll resist being edgy again and go with the same choice that’s been repeated several times in this thread already: “Right Now.” ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2025, 11:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-van-halen-song-of-the-david-lee-roth-era-and-your-favorite-van-halen-song-of-the-sammy-hagar-era/1024090/16 "2025-10-21T11:08:33Z")
DLR: Maybe Pretty Woman? Their take is so good. Tough call, though – lots of great stuff SH: IT. ---
**Author:** ![Baal\_Houtham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baal_houtham/32/13604_2.png) [@Baal\_Houtham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baal_Houtham)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2025, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-van-halen-song-of-the-david-lee-roth-era-and-your-favorite-van-halen-song-of-the-sammy-hagar-era/1024090/17 "2025-10-21T12:50:52Z")
DLR - Jump SH - nothing (Hagar rubs me wrong, and I’m not really a VH fan — _Teacher_ is clever, Eddie was uber-talented, _Dance_ is catchy) ---
**Author:** ![P-man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/p-man/32/3606_2.png) [@P-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/P-man)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2025, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-van-halen-song-of-the-david-lee-roth-era-and-your-favorite-van-halen-song-of-the-sammy-hagar-era/1024090/18 "2025-10-21T22:34:13Z")
I haven’t heard a lot of Van Hagar, but haven’t liked what I have heard. I’m okay with DLR era VH, but they’ve never been one of my favorite bands. I am a big fan of Hagar-era Montrose, however. ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2025, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-van-halen-song-of-the-david-lee-roth-era-and-your-favorite-van-halen-song-of-the-sammy-hagar-era/1024090/19 "2025-10-22T00:04:44Z")
Hot for Teacher Why can’t this be Love ---
**Author:** ![Ponch8](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponch8/32/9883_2.png) [@Ponch8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponch8)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2025, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-van-halen-song-of-the-david-lee-roth-era-and-your-favorite-van-halen-song-of-the-sammy-hagar-era/1024090/20 "2025-10-22T01:24:13Z")
The world-famous **Ponch8 Music Rating System** lists “Beautiful Girls” as David Lee Roth’s best and “Right Now” as Sammy Hagar’s best. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-van-halen-song-of-the-david-lee-roth-era-and-your-favorite-van-halen-song-of-the-sammy-hagar-era/1024090.md?page=2)