What Is Van Halen's Greatest Song?
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- Опубликовано: 8 фев 2025
- In today’s livestream I discuss what one of my friend's describes as a fool's errand, what is Van Halen's greatest song?
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Solo for Ice Cream Man is so freaking tasteful as well as a technical masterpiece.
Rick highlighted this solo on an earlier “greatest guitar solos” segment. He said it is one of the hardest solos to play and due to his age and loss of flexibility in his hands he could no longer play it. He just said an insanely difficult solo to pull off trying to sound like EVH.
Ice Cream Man solo is far more impressive (to me) than Eruption.. I know I'll be in the minority, but thats okay..
LOVED that solo.
Ice Cream Man easily has one of my favorite EVH solos of all time.
My favorite Van Halen guitar solo. Eruption is what it is, and Earth shattering genre changing moment in time. And clearly one of the best things he ever put on record. But ice cream man, it's the smoothest brutal guitar solo I've ever heard. Edward reached a level on that, that was Untouchable by anybody else.
i think ice cream man is one of, if not, his best solo!
I would argue there are no obscure Van Halen songs because we, as Van Halen fans, listened to the entire album.
Same with Zep.
@@a2ndopynyn Yes
So true!!
ok , but in a hypothetical reality in which you were only allowed to listen to 5 van halen songs for the rest of your life ,you would make some choices
BINGO!
Living in the immense shadow of his brother, Alex Van Halen is criminally underrated as a drummer. The VH brothers had swing and swagger. He is a GREAT drummer!
His studio recordings aren't the most impressive.
Nothing beats going to a Van Halen show and Alex hitting the drums moments before the show starts. Still send chills up my spine.
As a guy who played drums for 20 years I agree. Alex is criminally underrated.
Agree... and yet during their heyday, he was often maligned. Never understood why.
It was the 3rd kick drum ......give me a break
Australia 1982 and 15 years old. A mate of mine invited me to go around his friends place to listen to a new band he had just discovered. As soon as we got there, he had a huge smile on his face and he told us to sit down and strap in. He put Van Halen 1 on his turntable and my whole world changed'
Same. And I had a similar reaction to High Voltage the first time I heard it. It was like a mix of blues, and hard rock with some punk rock sensibilities mixed in. VH and AC/DC...What a time to be a teen.
The coolest thing about Rick Beato is his enthusiasm. He’s always positive and pretty much a total fan of just about everyone. Never an unkind word 🙌
you'd be enthuastic too if you could just sit infront of the camera and earn a 100 bucks
@@paveantelic7876 Except when you play all these songs you get nothing, thats why he said it would be 'demonetised'.....
He's playing it safe.
I learn so much from Rick.
@@DexterHaven yet here you are watching the whole thing lol
Michael Anthony deserves a very special place in the band. He’s bass playing and vocals are phenomenal. Van Halen wouldn’t be the same without him.
Totally agree. One of the best bass sounds ever in rock. Perfect in the pocket playing mixed with fancier stuff when needed. He really has an exceptional tenor voice that made the background vocals fly. Haven't heard enough of him singing on his own to judge his vocals, but VH's background vocals are up there with Queen's.
No Mike, Not Van Halen.
@@foto21 So true. He was going to be a music teacher if the "band thing" didn't work out. He was definitely a musician who understood what to play to enhance the song and arrangement. According to an interview, he said he would look for a lot of spots to put harmonies in and work them out. If that isn't a contribution to VH's sound, I don't know what is. Another interview, with Noel Monk I think, said that when he watched the band practice in the early days, Mike was part of the songwriting process. I can give a few, of many, examples of Mike's great bass playing.
1) The mellow breakdown before the guitar solo in Jamie's Cryin', very subtle but tasty and musical.
2) The slow, quiet part in "In A Simple Rhyme", very subtle but tasty and musical again.
3) The second guitar in "Cradle...", equal or better than the guitar solo itself IMO
4} The live version from Oakland of " So This Is Love?", constant groove and jam through the whole song. Epic bass playing!
When Eddie said he had to show Mike what to play, I'm assuming that since Eddie basically wrote the music, he would have to show him the structure of the song and let him go from there. I've been a songwriter in bands and that is what I would sometimes do for both the drums and bass. It's ironic that MA is constantly playing with top-notch musicians. He must be doing something right :)
I always try to fly the Michael Anthony flag!
You know that Eddie and Mike had a falling out after The Sammy years right?
@@metalmike570 Oh yeah!! Not being snarky but, I'm not sure what part{s} of my post your response is referring to. 🙂
Eddie was a complete force of nature. His live energy was so incredibly special and positive. He was one of one.
Keith Ferris You called it Bro !✔
Totally agree. Eddie didn’t make music that you write, he made music that you feel. A virtuoso who is basically our modern day Beethoven.
I was friends with EVH in 07/08, he was a great person too. Yes, I have pics and a guitar from eddie as well.
I’m 55 n grew up with his music, and he’s the main reason I started playing guitar in 77/78.
See my “ the Lemonade 🍋 Man” RUclips channel, I just did a 5 min tribute EVH rip !
@@thelemonademan6235 Envy you I saw Van Halen many times Did Eddie always drink a lot?
@@ratter531 I appreciate your words. However, out of respect 🫡 for Eddie, I love the man, no man is perfect.
He was a great person, and I will say only things or peace ☮️ for him and his family.
I was blessed to have crossed paths with him more then once.
I've always loved Little Dreamer - the feel is unique and Dave''s vocals are really expressive
My fav also!
But it's no disrespect to so many others.... It's just one that hits me the most but It isn't a blow others away song. SOOOOO many good tunes. I am huge fan every album every song even Gary songs I liked.. not in the same as Early DLR and Sammy but man there are so many good songs
Yeah like the song shouldn’t have made the record but it turned out to be a killer. The feel. The whole band absolutely nailed it. It had the emotion of a band who had not “made it” yet.
Little Dreamer is also my favorite Van Halen song😊
I wish more people would praise "Little Dreamer" --- it's not a blazing song like many VH tunes but Dave has some great vocal phrasing in it --- it's subtle and powerful
Van Halen (especially DLR era) was just a perfect storm of energy, groove, and showmanship that, in my honest opinion, was unmatched.
well said !
I thought Sammie Hagar took it to another level
Kind like Heart 70s and 80s. Better in some ways, not so much in others.
Mean Streets is cooler but Dave was always annoying.
@@ednunez7682no one plays the Sammy era stuff, that's just reality. But I know it's like trying to tell a Megadeth fan there's a reason why James sells out stadiums and Dave plays 2500 seat venues, right?
Ed was today's Mozart. Most just haven't figured that out yet. It takes time. Pure Genius.
Not us, though. The reason his passing hit like a ton of bricks is because we DID know that it was the last day we woke up thinking we could get more. Was like a door getting slammed in our face, or finding out when you were a kid that there isn't a Santa Claus.
Rick, Unchained is my favorite Van Halen song. In 1981, my little brother (who was 5 years old) would run into my room and jump around like Eddie playing air guitar when I put this song on. It became my favorite since then. My brother passed away at the young age of 20 in 1997. Every time I hear Unchained, I think of him and his youthful, fearless spirit. Thank you for this amazing video.
Sorry for your loss. Great memory and association for you, VH and your brothers spirit!
As a long time Van Halen fan, I always would say Unchained for my favorite as well.
Unchained. No debate about that. 2nd favorite Ain't Talking bout love
Your brother’s spirit lives on. My 6 year old chose Unchained as his walk out song for his little league baseball games 😂. Your brother smiles upon you
Agree
I was in high school from 1978-1982 in Phoenix,Arizona.
Van Halen was always playing somewhere from someone’s car stereo. They came to Phoenix alllllllllll the time! I think I saw them 10+ times during those years. My girlfriends and I were hardcore fans! Whenever I’m feeling old, sad, tired, weak, vulnerable and down…I play Van Halen and go down memory lane! It’s better than any antidepressant, alcohol, drug, money, fancy purse or shoes! My forever band! Eddie and all of them should know how great they made so many people feel! So upset Eddie is gone, but he left a legacy!❤
that was the most accurate description that I have been thinking but you put it perfectly into words like you have
Perfectly said. I feel exactly the same.
"Here about it later" is the buried treasure. That intro is a true magic moment!
Great intro. That song kicks so much ass. Major violation, carried away for suuuurrrreeeee yeeeeaaaa
Hell yeah. Mind blowing song
Amazing song off of FW- their best album, hands down
Agreed!
That drum-and-bass section leading into the solo needs MORE COWBELL!
Drop Dead Legs sums up Van Halen for me. The groove, the sound, the strangeness, and one of the best outro solos of all time.
100% agree
Hard not to agree with you on that one.
I forgot how great that song is. Love the groove.
Couldn’t agree more
Dirty Movies😄
One of my favorite Van Halen songs is Little Guitars from the Diver Down album. In my mind, that song puts the some of the best from all 4 members on full display.
I agree, I was waiting for him to call that one. I’m always making people listen to it.
DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY , JANIES CRYING Acoulpe 70s VH
Secrets too
Diver Down was one of the DLR eras weaker albums but Little Guitars with the intro was absolutely phenomenal.
Girl Gone Bad deserves much love here. Seriously a masterpiece.
Underrated. I love the rhythm section during the solo. Super cool chords at the beginning. Epic song.
Totally agree
Totally agree. I love how you could hear the two Van Halen brothers so tight in their musicianship in that song.
Totally agree. There are so many amazing parts in this song. It’s mind blowing!!
Van Halen at it's best. My favorite song outside of Push Comes To Shove.
Unchained is so damn sophisticated and the fact that it is so appealing is exactly what made Van Halen so great.
"Cmon, Dave, give me a break."
"One break coming up!"
Lol.
@@hansvandermeulen5515 I heard Michael Anthony walked into the studio while Dave was recording his vocals, MA was dressed to go on a date, Dave just shouted that sh*t out from across the room(you know, Dave being Dave) MA responded and they just decided to leave that in the song.
Unchained is just a bad ass song, period!!👍
@@C_mao it's just such a funny exchange with that break in the song.
Yeah that is way up there for me as well.
Mean Street gets my vote. That intro is still the most fascinating guitar part I've ever heard. The riff is outstanding, lyrically David Lee Roth's most coherent and topical work. The tone, the solo, the bass is audible and really lays a fantastic foundation. You can feel Ed's anger and frustration. Brilliant brilliant brilliant tune.
Hands down my favorite VH album.
This one song defines VH. Still get goose bumps
Soon as I saw the title for this video I immediately thought Mean Street!!
Beautifully put, Kevin, you nailed it! Mean Street is a freakin' buffet of musicality and lyricism🤘🤘🤘
Fair Warning is their creative peak - I feel badass just listening to it!
Mikes contribution to VH is enormous, the solid bass and his harmony vocals. My personal favourite track... I'm the one
I know I'm an outlier, but Me Wise Magic is one of my absolute favorites. It subverts expectations, makes you wonder what exactly is going on, and then just smacks you in the face with that insane bridge.
i like that tune
I was in the car on PCH when Me Wise Magic came on the radio and I got totally choked up realizing Dave was back.
Oooof, yes an outlier
love this and Can't Get This Stuff No More!
When that song came out and that chorus landed it was like Oh My God and every hair on my body was standing up.
The whole time you're talking about how blown away you were hearing Running with the Devil the first time, I'm thinking, "and then you get to the second track."
I feel like we, as fans of Eddie, will never get over losing him. His talent, his vibe, his personality, all we've lost just leaves a hole in the universe. Rock on Ed.
,Makes me teary eyed every time.
I literally had to pull over on the side of the road and cry for 10 minutes when I heard the news --- only celebrity death that affected me like that !!
I was most moved by the deaths of Eddie Van Halen and Edgar Froese (of Tangerine Dream). I know it's maybe weird, but both of these meant so much to shaping my musical world and I wept over the loss of both. More than once.
He was a phenomenon
He left a pretty good legacy with Wolfie
His tone, phrasing, vibrato, rhythmic feel, choice of notes, control of dynamics - all unrivaled...
You nailed it!
I for one still have a crush on the riff of "Ain't talkin bout love". So catchy!
I do to! Love that song very very much.
‘I’ll Wait’ is worth a mention as it’s an amazingly well crafted song that stands on its own as a song. What I mean is that the song stands above the individual performances of each band member, despite them all being amazing!!
The only song on 1984 I don't really like, to each their own
Great song! As a drummer, I listened to this one a lot. In the outro, Al does a simple two eigth note snare fill, but it's so effective. So simple, but the feel...
No bad VH song in my opinion and I agree on the song I'll Wait, Always liked that song and the solo especially the end with tremolo leading into the next verse
@@fatShowPony Same here - I never developed a liking for "I'll Wait", as opposed to every other song on "1984", each of which I love. However, many of my friends and band mates consider it one of their favorite Van Halen songs, which has always confused me - what am I not getting about the song? There must be something about it, but that's the great thing about differences in personal tastes I guess - it would be boring if we all liked the same stuff.
For me, I think it's the relatively plodding and slow (for Van Halen) rhythm, it doesn't seem like the kind of rhythm Alex Van Halen would have fun with, or go crazy playing. And the lack of a significant change of mood or rhythm between the verses and choruses adds to the feeling of "sameness" for me. I do like the pre-solo for it's change of mood, and I can't not like the guitar solo 🤣, it's EVH
@@fatShowPony The only Van Halen song I actually dislike.
"Ain't Talkin' bout Love" The best song the best signature sound, great production intro, solo, Dave's vocals, the chanting backups HEY HEY HEY! Very edgy rock lyrics. That's it. the full Van Halen experience in one super cool song. Powerful with the best licks. Raw but together as a great rock band.
I think their best song would be Ice Cream man
Greatest two chord song ever.
ATBL is definitely up there for me!
@@magdump7380 Rolling Stones; "When the Whip Comes Down". AD sometimes that's all ya, need.
Yeah, the lead sound and whammy bar dives on that song are historic. And VH only really had that true hard street feel on the first record. The best VH lyrics ever in my opinion are on the first record. Every song kicks ass and has something to say also. That edge was the first thing they lost when they hit.
So when my 10 year old daughter needed a walk up song for her 12U softball team and she asked for some suggestions… Hell yeah, you know it. She usually led off so every game started with Unchained ripping across the fourpack and into the souls of every 10-12 year old girl in the area. It was glorious, at least for a season until she changed to Dua Lipa. Love everything you do, Rick.
"Feel Your Love Tonight" captures the essence of VH for me. Fun-loving, hard rocking, and solid vocal harmonies. Perfectly balanced cut.
Probably the best summer tune that VH ever made --- it makes me think of warm days and girls in skimpy Daisy Duke shorts
If you haven't already heard 'em, check out the live versions from some of the 1978 bootlegs of VH in the UK, like the London show. The whole set's amazing, but "Feel Your Love Tonight" and "Little Dreamer" both sound way punchier than on the album versions.
Great handclaps on that tune, one of the best from their debut
And it's one of the only tracks EVH double tracks. He plays under the lead.
❤missed. Best of both worlds and spankline my faves . I'm kind of bent...
When I was younger, I believed that Eddie was a phenomenal guitar player. I now believe that he was a once in a lifetime player and musician...So lucky to have grown up listening to the music
true enough Nik
He's probably the only guitarist in history that literally changed a generation on how we think about rock music --- not even Hendrix or Page had that same effect
Well said and agree with you 100%!!!✌️👍
To quote Scott Ian "He might be the most talented entertainer, in any form of entertainment, from 1978 to today". I agree. To say that EVH was the total package is an understatement
Yeah he gets more amazing just by time passing by.
"Ain't Talkin' 'bout Love" is probably the best riff ever...... you can never get tired of it
I agree 100% VH’s best song ever. I NEVER get tired of hearing it.
@@jimhall2924 I agree to agree
Unchained!!!
The tone in the beginning riff is just tasty as F...
Eddie said he played that on a Sitar.
I love Van Halen! I'm old. Their first four albums were released while I was still in High School and they are still in my daily play list. Timeless great music that even my grand kids will love.
git ur walker out and hit a concert bro
I'm picturing my grandparents handing me a VH record behind my parents' backs and saying, "don't tell your Mom and Dad we gave this to you!"
@@asnark7115 All my kids love Van Halen too. Pretty sure my daughter has played VH for my grandson.
I was 11 when the first Van Halen record was released. It was a game changer for sure!
I was 16 when Van Halen released their first record and I seen them that year and the next at the Texas Jam baby !✔
Van Halen is my all time favorite band.
Watching your joy listening to these tracks is why I subscribe.
Just appreciation for the best music ever recorded. It will never be duplicated, and it’s so awesome we have these treasures to all light up over and grin ear to ear every time we hear it. Every time is like the first time. It’s always awesome.
If I had to show in one song what Van Halen is it would be I'm The One. It has it all. The riff, the beat, the harmonies, the lyrics, the solo. It capsulates what VH is in a nutshell.
Im in complete agreement. Im the one shows perfectly how Eddie was influenced by swing music
Bingo
If a alien landed and ask “what’s a Van Halen”? I’m The One is THE one
Thats a face ripper! All of VH1 is. But I'm the One just peaks.
A friend of mine many yrs ago said I'm the one was a lot of cool guitar and some vocals and they were cool too!
Mean Street is one I have grown to love more and more. Fair Warning is by far my fav VH album
Fair Warning is a top 5 stuck on a desert island album for me
So true!!!
Oh yeah! This album kicks hard!
Best Van Halen album by far far far. Eddie absolutely crushes the guitar. Crushes it! That intro to Mean Street is pure guitar genius. I mean....how the hell do you even think of that? The only problem was there are so many guitar tracks it was impossible to duplicate in concert. But that's OK. Just put the album on at ear bleeding volume and it's all good!
It was also Ed's
I’m in heaven watching this. When you are a Van Halen fan, there is no such thing as an obscure Van Halen song. The every song in the catalog is close to being the best song!
Totally.
Absolutely!
Apart from Van Halen III 😃
You get it Ron. It's like Sophie's Choice. Impossible to pick one.
100%
Grew up near the Brothers , they were so good even as teens , everyone knew they were en route to the top . The parties we attended , as kids , were unreal . I remember hearing Al's drums I'm a backyard & thinking ..DAMN !!!
Eddie’s playing never fails to make people stop, shake their head in wonder, and smile. I smile every time I hear EVH play. You know he loved what he was doing.
RIP
I sure hope it brought him some comfort to know that he had entertained -- no, ENCHANTED -- millions of people with his playing.
Difficult to choose a fave, but my jaw dropped when I first heard "Little Guitars" back in the day, particularly the intro.
I so agree.Little Guitars is one of my favorite VH songs of all time!
Agreed
Yeah, I loved that one too and I'm pretty sure that the drums in the beginning of the main track are what inspired the drums on U2s Bullet the Blue Sky. At least I hear some similarities in them. It's an awesome groove though. Love it in both tracks.
One of the absolute best songs.
Agreed! Little guitars and Ain't talkin bout love for me
Most of all, Eddie always seemed like he was having fun playing and that shone through on every track he touched.
Well put.... having fun!
My top 10 Van Halen songs
1. I’m the one
2. 5150
3. DOA
4. And the cradle will rock
5. Drop dead legs
6. Light up the sky
7. Eruption
8. Beautiful girls
9. Mean street
10. Little guitars
Love 5150 but not even close to top 10... full bug .. outta love again woman in love to be honest the first 6 albums are the the bests songs
Dude Light Up the Sky definitely doesn't get enough credit. 5150 is incredible too.
As a guitar player I would have to say "I'm the one". The guitar solo's in that song were unreal.
And the rhythmic swing Eddie uses when playing oh ya solo is ridiculous he just goes off
So awesome.
That bass line is no joke either!!! ☺️
Great solo, but Outta Love Again’s solo is his best imo. It’s so aggressive and unpredictable. You just can’t guess where he’s going at any point in the solo if you’ve never heard it.
Bah badaah shoobedoowaaah!!
Mean Street is my favorite. It was a darker song for VH. Eddie is amazing. Alex gets featured more than usual. Michael solid as always allowing Eddie to do his thing. DLR singing/talking on great lyrics.
agreed
100%
That simple drum/bass break just before the solo is just brilliant..
Also agree it’s my favorite VH song
problem with me is that I wish the rideout was longer
Being Van Hagar withstanding “Dreams” always brings out emotions in me. The lyrics, sound, and the blue angels. How can u not like that?
Agreed!
Thumbs up to van hagar
This is my pick for best song but my favorite is Drop Dead Legs!
Completely agree with you.
That song always reminds me of my high school buddies and I going to see "Top Gun" at the cineplex in the summer of '86
Michael Anthony Is Incredibly underrated in more ways than one most people have no idea how incredibly talented he is and playing bass is only one of them.
I remember very clearly the first time I heard first Van Halen LP. It was on Christmas day 1978. I was 14 years old and my buddy down the street came over in the afternoon super excited about this new album he received as a Christmas present and said I had to come hear it right now. I went over to his house, he put it on the turntable and it just blew me away. Like Rick said, what is this sound? We played the album over and over and over mesmerized. I had never played a guitar prior to that and I knew right then that I had play and I did. Years of learning and at 58 I'm still playing today. Eddie changed my life on Christmas day 1978.
don't you miss the days when we would get super excited about a new album.....
This echos my experience. I was blown away. I'm nearly 57 now.
I can imagine heads exploding when they hit the scene in 70s. I was working at Kmart as a teen in early 90s and I new the hits but someone put VH I on the stereo in electronics department and it stopped me in my tracks! It sounded so much better and fresher than the 1984 songs I knew! Ted Templeman’s production is so open and clear! 🎉
We are the same age, and I also still play guitar because of that first album. At that age I liked loud, hard rock but Van Halen just sounded tighter and more organized musically. I was 14. I didn't know why it sounded so good to me.
@@thomasjones4932 TV
Ain't talking about love gets my vote. The lyrics are epic.
Lyrics, and the iconic intro which Paul Gilbert loves ,😅
It's the song that inspired me to learn guitar. Play it as a warm up almost every day.
100% " Ain't Talking about Love " has my vote to!
And the most powerful guitar riff I've ever heard
Encore Ending Super Anthem for Concert Send Off !
Eddie's guitar tone, Alex's snare sound, Anthony's incredible backing vocals...Diamond Dave and Sammy Hagar...whew. in the words of Rick Beato, 'I mean, COME ON!' ;-)
The intro to 'Mean Street' makes all the hair on my body stand up. Always has and still does! I think it's their best.
For me: Jamie's Crying. A perfectly crafted pop song that really swings and has amazing vocals and harmonies!
Always loved that crying "wahh wahh" sound Eddie made with his guitar in that song!
that was the first VH tune I ever heard back in 1980 or so and I loved it
You probably also like Olive Garden, Walmart, Applebee's, etc...
The second song I heard by VH. My favorite off of VH1. Dave sings with such soul and the the harmonies during the slow breakdown give me goosebumps.
@@jwc1977 Only when you're working there Jonathan!
"I'M THE ONE"!!! Eddie shows off the entire song. Dave is stellar. Great backup singing. Huge rhythm section. Fast, fun and playful.
YES!!!!!!
As far as musicianship, vocals, production and just being an overall tour de force of their talent, "In A Simple Rhyme" is their epoch moment for me. Every member shines and is at the top of their game.
The harmonies of simple rhyme actually gives me a boner !! lol
Yes!
awesome and amazing song
Seeing them play In a simple rhyme on their last tour blew me away and a dream come true.
Bravo
Push comes to shove. Best EVH solo ever. The dynamics of that solo showcases all of his tricks.
This!
I saw VH here in Rio de Janeiro in 1983, I was a kid of 12 years old. The show change my life, on the next day my mother bought a guitar for me. Almost 40 years playing and feels like that boy in Maracanazinho with one of his favorite bands. Ain't Talking About Love is my favorite. Awesome! Miss EVH so much...
Unchained...glad you said it was your favorite. It's mine too. Raw, precision, the timing, the vocals....wow! The song never gets old. I sure miss Eddie. Hurts still, knowing he's gone, and how he made me feel since 1978. The band and each musician in Van Halen, have given me/us so much. They have made a song for everyone out there. Fools errand to find a clear favorite for sure. RIP legend....
Loved, Fair Warning
Love it when the drums kick in.
Unchained has EVERYTHING Van Halen.
Definitely the best riff. One of the greatest of all time, period!
"Mean Street" and "Unchained'. Numbers 1 and 1A.
Followed by "Ain't Talkin Bout Love". Then you can throw a blanket over about 30 songs. 30 great songs.
I was 16 and heard ‘Ain’t Talkin bout Love’ for the first time, I was FLOORED and SHOOK and in shock and listening to that album, I knew the world had changed forever. The Aliens had landed and are her forever. Eddie’s talent was ‘Once in a lifetime’ and his guitar playing, like Jimi, will be in our guitar playing DNA for generations. Probably forever. Btw, Van Hagar was one of the great bands of its time, but Van Halen is LEGEND. Period.
That's my all-time favorite the beginning is just unbelievable never heard a sound like that.
I gotta give it up to I'm the One, Jamie's Cryin' and Feel Your Love Tonight...but really, the greatest VH song has to be Running with the Devil. It's that one song that just hits for everyone. It's so universal.
I can still hardly listen to VH without getting choked up. EVH’s and Neil Peart’s works meant so much to me growing up, and are the core reason of my greatest passion, music. Damn I miss those days of getting new music from them in their prime. It’s never been quite the same. 😢
I think Alex should play with Getty and Alex
@@majikmuzik8036 They could play "Mary Had A Little Lamb" and I'd probably like it.
👍I used to say something similar ..” Van Halen could play ‘Happy Birthday,’ and it would sound awesome.”
AMEN!! 💔💔💔😭
DITTO🤘🏻
I’m The One is #1. Opening riff. Blistering but musical solos. Harmony vocals. Prime DLR. And, the break down features some of the humor that they embraced from time to time. It encapsulates everything that made them great in one song.
It truly has everything.
Yeah I agree, if we some day lost everything known about VH to history but one song, this would be the one...
Lots of other great songs, but only one number one.
I love it Bottoms Up when they do a similar vocal break and you can hear Dave laugh a little bit, always makes me smile, what a great little moment they left in.
Greatest song by Edward.
I have to agree with you there. There are close runners up, but I'm The One has the ferocity, the swing, the vocals, the guitar virtuosity. Nobody can play it like they did in the late 70's. Mikey and Alex laying down the fucking law as a rhythm section.
Hear About It Later... It's got everything, a beautiful clean melodic flange intro, great guitar parts, great vocals and lyrics, AMAZING GUITAR SOLO, great guitar outro.
Absolutely hear about it later more so than unchained
I always crank that song when I see a thunderstorm coming --- that opening riff sounds so ominous!
great tune!..love it!...b sides are better
Musical perfection!!! My favorite.
That fucking incredible guitar solo!
“In a Simple Rhyme” is hands down the best song Van Halen ever did. It highlights the virtuosity of all the players; DLR’s vocal range, Eddie’s unique and wide ranging guitar skills, Michael Anthony’s foundational bass with expressive melodic fills, and Alex’s solid drumming. The backing vocals were also incredibly harmonic. It never got any air play, but I would move the needle back on the LP for hours to hear it over and over. That was 1980, and I still do it today on the CD player in my car.
One of my favorites as well. Absolutely beautiful and brilliant song.
100%!
An absolute masterclass in song writing dynamics and background vocal harmony.
My favorite EVH solo will always be Push Comes to Shove, just a perfectly crafted solo.
Sir yes sir! It suspends us higher and higher then leaves us up at the pinnacle of musical bliss!!!
Definitely
For sure man... that’s what I gave as my favorite VH song.
One of my favorites! That is such a sexy song all the way around but that guitar groove…. Damn.
That solo might actually have the most "emotion" of any he did
“Unchained” has always been one of my favorites.
Love the guitar opening, the rhythm, the solo… what’s not to love? 🤷♂️
RIP🎸EVH
Exactly! Not only my favourite Van Halen song, but my favourite riff of all time!
@@davidmeban2489 It just feels like a punch to the face when it starts- in a good way.
@@cheerwhiner7829 most mornings driving into work bud lol
I had to jump in to add a mention of the breakdown with Dave and Ted on the talkback mic. "One break, coming up!". This is the cherry on top of an incredible song.
@@davidtansey1395
…”Come on Dave, gimme a break.”
“Hey, hey, hey, hey… one break… comin’ up!”
Classic 👍
Atomic Punk no questions needed Spectacular. The shredding Eddie does is beyond words 😍. Masterpiece!!!!
Atomic Punk and I'm On Fire are my favs from the Van Halen album.
on fire
I am a Van Halen expert, and I have concluded that pound for pound, regardless of commercial success, the greatest VH song is OUTTA LOVE. Alex is off the chain. Mike carries that song underneath, with slick runs and fills. Eddie's tone is perfect, great riff, fantastic solo. The backing vocals are melodic and on point. And Dave's singing is stellar with lines screams and chirps that Hagar would sprain his uterus trying to duplicate. The Fury of the Mighty Van Halen on showcase on that song.
But.....I'm the One? Hot For Teacher? Unclaimed? I won't fight you on those.
Yesss! Hang 'em High is also a mostly unknown Eddie rhythm gem.
My vote is for "Drop Dead Legs". That outro section is just ridiculously good. Eddie and Alex played together since they were toddlers. No wonder they were insanely good as a rhythm section. Many people think Eddie's leads and licks were the stuff, they forget he was as good as a rhythm player as he was playing lead. And then there's the songwriting. And performance. And showmanship. Yep, VH was one of the best rock bands in history.
Dude! Such a riff!
That’s a really nice call!!! So good.
Such a fun and sleazy tune --- always makes me think of my rowdy days at the strip clubs in the 90's LOL
I was coming here to list that one! Super amazing underrated track…
I’d also throw in Atomic Punk and I’ll wait
...so hard to pick EVH best stuff. It is all genius.
Drop Dead Legs is a monstrous song - that last couple of minutes outro is one of my all time favourite pieces of rock music. It is absolute fire.
That song is so fun and sleazy --- pretty much the ultimate strip club song, if you ask me
How is this channel demonetized? Beato is like the goodwill ambassador, historian, educator and music lover that makes the world a better place. Come on RUclips. He’s one of the good guys.
All channels that play music clips are demonetized. Nothing to do with RUclips. It's record labels that hold the rights who are claiming the income. RUclips has to go along.
He`s not woke enough. Storm chaser Pecos Hank gets hundreds of millions of views and RUclips steals all his money because they don`t like Texas. It`s how the "Oy Vey" people stay rich and keep everyone else as poor as possible.
Romeo's Delight is my fave VH song. They opened with it at the '83 US Festival and my 16 year old self about died and went to heaven.
Romeo, not Romeo’s.
@Cantstandtherock my life is so much better with reading your reply!
So grateful you took the 13 calories away from your big brain and channeled them into your finger in order to correct my heinous error.
Your can go forth today and know I stand corrected. 🤘🏼
Romeo Delight is my overall fave VH song, with Dirty Movies in a close 2nd!
@philly4444 yasssss! Another amazing tune
@@deltawaters7308 grammar takes precedent over classic VH in some folks mind. Who would have thunk it?
Little Guitars. The acoustic intro is awesome, and the song itself, is friggin' great. Eddie could rock like nobody else ever.
YES. I wish Rick would have played that one. Pure genius!
Fantastic song
Intruder.
all of Fair Warning is insanely brilliant, the rhythm guitar work, the drums, the solos, vox, flawless, nicely dark at times, powerful, solid.
Fair Warning was the first VH album I ever listened to. Good times.
For my money 'Little Guitars' is the most sonically satisfying VH tune there is. Its infectious melody conjures images (for me anyway) of southern California in the late 70s early 80s. A Van Halenized flamenco concoction, which would not be out of place in a Cheech and Chong movie soundtrack back-in-the-day.
Absolutely!!
My fav song also
It's so great to hear all this respect for VH. Never understood why they weren't more talked about. I am personally a fan of their covers, love You're No Good. But like others have said depends on the day, new appreciation every time I listen.
Ain’t talkin bout love. My favorite VH riff and song of all time.
Unchained for me was always my fav! Not necessarily for it's virtuosity but the song itself ,the groove ,feel the attitude, dark energy and of course the snarly tone as well as all the little fills Ed does in the cracks is just like WTF!!. RIP EVH.
Hands down, "Girl Gone Bad"...
If you are a drummer, this song will be one of your favorites. Alex has always been one of the most underrated drummers in the industry. Probably because Eddie and Dave were so incredibly famous that he was always faded into the background
My choice too!!! And I’m not even a drummer. Nobody ever talks about this song but it’s absolutely amazing!!
The band is Eddie Van Halen not Alex Van Halen..!
Sorry, that song is messy and way down there for me. I'm a drummer.
Great showcase for Alex.
Girl Gone Bad one of my favorites from 1984! Exponentially better than "Chump"
I was at the famous Anaheim Stadium gig(aka the "Parachute Show"). VH opened with On Fire, it was mind blowing. It will forever be my favorite VH song.
The solo section on Light Up the Sky melts my face every time
The intro as well
Unchained. So good. Always my favorite.
Blown away in 1981 as a 13 year old.
Will never get tired of this song.
Ice Cream Man for me...the awesome acoustic beginning, the incredible solo then the ultra heavy rythym immediately after!
My thought as well... it at least deserves an honorable mention
This instantly became one my favorite RUclips episodes. Damn Rick, you killed it!
Unchained.
The closing track of Van Halen 1: On Fire. What a way to close an album, just epic. Even today, almost 45 years later, it still makes me feel like running through a wall. If there ever was a song that is the perfect bridge between hard rock and heavy metal, then it must be On Fire!
Mean Streets brought the pain. Listening to and playing that song ... what a beast of a player Eddie was. I agree that the guitar on Jamie's Crying sounded amazing as well.
Mean Streets was finally the song that said to all other guitarists --- don't even try to get on my level, pleebs
I recently noticed that he played that intro without a pick!
Let's give Michael Anthony credit too he's an amazing bass player with amazing pocket and tone, and incredible back up vocals!
I love this video man. Your facial expressions and responses to some of these track pieces are so entertaining to watch because even though you've no doubt heard these probably a hundred times they still continue to blow your mind. Which is exactly how most of us responded upon hearing this stuff for the first time and yes still shake our heads with wonder and amazement every time we hear it.
You asked about Eddie's tone on that record. You probably already know this but that was José Arredondo. He did Eddie's mods back in the day and I had a couple of JCM 100's done by him back when I was in Joshua. Someone stole that head and he never got that sound back unfortunately and Jose died shortly thereafter that. Absolutely killer tone. Many people don't know this, and if he was alive he could interview them to confirm this, Jose' what is the original guy that used to overload the second stage power amp supply with 220 and then govern with a voltage line suppressor. Jose also did this for everyone in LA that wanted to have the AC/DC sound and that "snap out of the tubes that came from 220 V but you couldn't really get it with 110 so he was the originator of that device though he never got credit for it.
Great info, Ken! So easy to forget with today's technology that a lot of the amazing sounds we all love came from guys just messing around to see what they could come up with. Love your channel, too!
@Ken
Great piece of information right there brother.
Thank you
😊
Yes Ken and because of his stuff being stolen back in the 80s.....he retired the Frankenstrat in around 85
And started looking to making his own signature line of amps and guitars......I remember him saying his marshall cabs were stolen in Brazil
I've got a different version of this story:
I've recently read that EVH's Marshalls were stock. No mod whatsoever except the Variac. Arredondo's modded Marshall was a fabrication made up by Eddie himself, to throw copycats off.
His legendary Marshall head got lost during a tour, yes, but Eddie got it back som time later. I think he used it up to OU812 or For Unlawful... (Etc) then he retired as it was already dying on him. Then he started using Soldano amps. After that, came the 5150s.
Anyway I believe Eddie's sound was in his hands, heart and soul.
Who knows ken?
People like to think his Amps were modded to make the magic more plausible.
Ed was a gift from God with the hands of the devil👺🔥
No one has sounded like him to this day and we've had all the mods possible
From 1978, Little Dreamer is my favorite Van Halen song! It's a song about a girl following her dreams despite her critics! Eddie Van Halen's solo is off the hook, and Michael Anthony's background vocals are outstanding. Dave is just Dave, the greatest front man of all time!
They may talk about you cold when you were
Headed for the skies
But you were young and bold and baby
Didn't that change with a wink o' your eye?
Now no one's talking 'bout those crazy days gone by
No one talks about the times you cried
(Oooh-oooh) Little dreamer
(Oooh-oooh) Little dreamer
And then they went and they voted you
Least likely to succeed
I had to tell them baby you were armed with all you'd need
Seems no one's talking 'bout those crazy days gone past
Weren't they amazed when you were really last?
(Oooh-oooh) You are the little dreamer
(Oooh-oooh) You were the little dreamer, yeah-ee-yeah!
Yeah, they talk about you cold when you were
Headed for the skies
But you were young and bold and baby
Didn't that change with a wink o' your eye?
Seems no one's talkin' 'bout the crazy days gone past
Weren't they amazed when you were really last?
(Oooh-oooh) You are the little dreamer
(Oooh-oooh) The little dreamer, yeah, ohh-oh
(Oooh-oooh) Yeah, little dreamer
(Oooh-oooh) Little dreamer
One I never see mentioned in these lists is 'Secrets' off Diver Down, one of their most beautifully done songs that often gets overlooked. Its is so perfect and shows their fine touch when they lighten up. And Dave's lyrics and vocals fall over it so wonderfully. And that swing...
Secrets my fav solo that most over look
Secrets, Little Guitars and Push Come To Shove are my Holy Trinity of Van Davey, mate.
My favourite also. But to be objective, it isn't what most think of when they think of a VH song. But what an amazing piece of music
Totally agree. “Secrets” is one of the lost gems of the =VH= catalog... 🔥🔥🔥
Eddie said in an interview that Secrets was his favorite song on Diver Down
“Mean street” sorry I have a couple. The other is “I’ll wait” absolutely brilliant. The break down before the solo in Mean Street. It’s just so sick. And the beginning… all of it. I’ll wait is just such a great lyrical story. That’s easy to understand and the music is so perfect. Like a puzzle piece.
"I'm the one" is my pick. Amazing drums, shuffle beat on steroids, rhythm almost no one can replicate, tapping, EVH cage system, speed, dive bombs, amazing back up vocals from everyone, VH general playfulness specially at the end. Such a rich song and what a frustrating ride to learn but also a school in itself.
it's a swing song no big whoop Benny Goodman was going to do it for years
@@ralphtom3431 Ok. But, you've missed the entire point. 😁
So glad to hear Drop Dead Legs get some attention. One of my favorite VH songs and just one of my favorite rock tunes.
Love that jam... I used to drum that whole my buddy played guitar, and with just two people it Kills!
Everytime I Play VH
I Always Hear Things I've Never Heard Before
This Guy Was a Wizard on The Guitar .
His Sound , His Approach at Playing So Freely and Effortlessly is Just Pure Magic 🎸🎸
He Was Able To Take The Instrument to a Whole New Level , From His Playing Style to All of His Mods , it's Like He Was a Musical Magician Creating Any Sounds Thinkable and Bringing That Thought To Life !!
Amazing Guitarist 🎸 ❤️
RIP The Mighty Van Halen
The slide on Dirty Movies is incredible for someone not known for their slide prowess. That he plugged in and took one take is crazy. It has great tone, intonation, and swing that takes years to master.
Fair Warning is the most underrated album in music history.
I like it's darkness. Not underrated for me.
Agreed. It's a MASTERPIECE!
I love the closing triplet of So This is Love?, Sunday Afternoon in the Park, and One Foot out the Door. That last one is in my top 5 VH songs!
@@johnnyfox8934 Absolutely!!!!!!
My most played album of my lifetime
“And The Cradle Will Rock…” and “Everybody Wants Some” have always been favorites of mine. It is hard to go wrong with anything up to 1984. But Van Hagar had some great songs too.
"Everybody Wants Some" is also my favorite
Yup. “And The Cradle Will Rock…” but also "Light Up The Sky". I loved that second album.
Have you seen jrs grade… cracks me right up every time
Girl Gone Bad off of 1984 is my personal favorite. Very dynamic with great lyrics and Eddie at his absolute best!
Agreed.👍🏾
Good song. Not my favorite but DEFINITELY up there for me. Good choice.
Yeah, I would say that’s in my top 3. Might even be my number one depending on the day
My fav also
Correct. It is so chaotic... like he's always about to fall off a cliff. I love it so hard.
I know it's not a top choice for fans but the solo in Ice cream man is insane! My favorite lead from Eddie. It's just so all over the place stylistically how can you not love it!
Exactly!!
it's such a joyful song
Ice Cream Man is probably my favorite VH songs. Thank you for mentioning it.
@@chrispatterson4963 man like Rick said its so hard to pick one. This one just resonates with me because of all the styles he uses in the solo. It just leaves you feeling so good after hearing it. My sons band covered it (pretty darn well too) and because its not a cover many bands attempt it was one of their most requested. Says a lot about the song to me!
Wow I thought it was just me but it seems like a lot of people love it.
I can't believe nothing from Women and Children First was mentioned. This album is full of VH classics that they played live until the end. Romeo's Delight, In A Simply Rhyme, Take Your Whiskey Home, and of course, And The Cradle Will Rock!
Romeo Delight never got the recognition it so deserved. Right out of the gate the song just blazes with intensity and phenomenal musicianship all around.
Romeo Delight - my favorite off that album. SUPER fun to play live, too.
Another Romeo Delight Vote. The power chords in that song are devastating.
Right on!
Fools, Take your Whiskey and Loss of Control are monster songs
There has never nor will there ever be another player who was more connected to their instrument than Edward Van Halen. He and the guitar were always one, and it showed in his expressions of pure joy while performing.
I'd put SRV in that same camp. Rory Gallager, too.
Here’s the deal. First thing I gotta say.. Rick, you’re one of the only reasons I pick up my phone in the morning. I was a musician as a young man, but after getting hooked up with Ted Nugent in 1972 I first became a drum tech, then eventually a stage lighting designer. I won’t drop names, but I worked for many bands in my 33 years of touring. I digress..
Your take on all the music you play, review, comment on, or solos you play note for note, are a joy to watch and listen to. I loved your interview with Yngwie (ok, I’ll drop that name, I lit him for a couple tours in the late 80s) because he was actually humble! Not something I noticed when I toured with him. Regardless, I’d love to meet you, I know we’d get along, share some stories, and I promise, a few large laughs at some of the things I’ve seen and heard until retiring in 2014. Keep up the great work man. You are the best.
Fair Warning is one of the greatest rock albums of all time. It’s perfect from start to finish. And it didn’t sell very many units. Incredible😮
I think it was Roth that noted in an interview that everytime he comes across guitarists thet say Fair Warning is their favorite album. As a guitarist.....I've got to admit the same. Every album is seminal and stands alone and no one questions the epicness of VH1 and 2.....but Fair Warning offers something that resonates with guitarists.
Fair Warning is THE album for the hardest of the hardcore VH fans.
I disagree. The music is great, but the vocal melodies let it down for the most part.
The opening riff of Mean Street still gives me chills.
Years ago I read an interview with Eddie. He commented that Fair Warning was the darkest period of his life, but probably his best work.