25 songs for the essential Van Halen playlist

This contribution to the Twister soundtrack also has the distinction of being the last track Van Halen recorded with Sammy Hagar on vocals before he broke from the band in June 1996. It's a typical mainstream rocker associated with the "Van Hagar" era of the band, and old-school Van Halen fans likely loathe the schlockiness of the tune, which can be said from just about any song included on a soundtrack. However, it's still one of the better efforts in the final days of the band's mainstream relevancy. 

One of Van Halen's more underrated tracks, and the opener to 1981's underappreciated effort Fair Warning. There are no gimmicks on "Mean Street," a raw, gritty track which features another blistering Eddie Van Halen guitar intro and is quite refreshing to the pure hard rock fans of the band. Fair Warning remains the lowest-selling album of the David Lee Roth era, though it went double-platinum in the United States. Yet, "Mean Street" is one track certainly worth celebrating. 

A Van Halen deep cut worth celebrating. From 1980's up-and-down release Women and Children First, "Romeo Delight" is another track that exemplifies the greatness that is Eddie Van Halen. It's a hodgepodge of his creativity and innovation on the guitar, but also a track that showcases brother Alex's underrated drumming ability. And, notably, how the two were influenced by elements of both the blues and jazz, respectively. 

Van Halen didn't start writing and recording ballads until Sammy Hagar joined the band following David Lee Roth's departure after the career-changing 1984 album. For better or worse, Hagar's addition took the band in a new, more pop rock-oriented direction. "Dreams" was the second single released from 1986's 5150 record — the band's first with Hagar — and reached No. 22 on the Billboard Hot 100. There's an almost anthemic element to the tune (fueled by Eddie Van Halen synthesizers), which is more potent that the hair metal power ballads that dominated the second-half of the 1980s and first couple years of the '90s.

A classic rock staple, "Jamie's Cryin'" opened Side Two of Van Halen's self-titled debut album that is still one of the great first records by a band of all time — as we'll see. There are plenty of raw rockers on that record, but this track — which never charted but found success later on when Van Halen started to take off — is one of the more complete and well-organized numbers, complete with a memorable rock riff from Eddie Van Halen, which also was written after the band signed its contract with Warner Bros.

The first single, though not the most popular song, from the 5150 follow-up OU812, "Black and Blue," just might be the heaviest. A true Van Halen tune, regardless of who is doing the singing, "Black and Blue" is one that fits any time period within the band's history and should be appreciated for that fact. It's melodically heavy, and filled with catchy harmonies that keep chiming in one's head for days. It was a Top 40 hit for the band, but tends to be overshadowed by the other, more prominent tracks from the record.

One of seven tunes to be released as singles from 1991's For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge, and the only one to crack the Top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100. "Top of the World" became something of an anthem of the Sammy Hagar years in Van Halen, but interestingly enough, the main riff of the tune goes back to the group's early days, but never saw the light of public day until more than a decade had gone by. It was a popular live tune during the 1990s for the band, as well.

Van Halen fancied covers during the David Lee Roth years, and 1982's Diver Down album features five of them. And, it's rather safe to say that this take of the Roy Orbison iconic classic is the best of the lot. Actually, Van Halen's "Oh, Pretty Woman," which featured a futuristically spacey, near two-minute intro dubbed "Intruder," was the catalyst for the Diver Down record to be made following the success of the tune as a standalone single, which made it all the way to No. 12 on Billboard's Hot 100. 

For good measure, we'll also include the 42-second acoustic, cantina-vibe intro via Eddie Van Halen. Over the years, rock critics and music fans alike seem to appreciate the Diver Down album more and more. It can also be argued that "Little Guitars" is the highlight of the record. One of the band's more unique tracks, it truly highlights the Van Halen brothers' musicianship. Alex's stellar time-keeping and some exceptional Eddie pick work make for an unheralded Van Halen gem that deserves more attention.

Perhaps the best moment from the uneven result that was Women and Children First, "Everybody Wants Some!!" showcases all that David Lee Roth-era fans of the band like about the frontman and the music the band made in those early years. We especially like his rap tendency on the track. Of course, Alex Van Halen's jungle-drumming intro and more innovative guitar work from brother Eddie make for a Van Halen song that has left its mark quite prominently in the realm of pop culture. It's included in one of the most memorable scenes from the 1985 John Cusack vehicle Better Off Dead, and inspired the title of Richard Linklater's 2016 teen comedy/college comedy of the same name.

Another power ballad from the "Van Hagar" era, and perhaps the best of the bunch. By the summer of 1988, Van Halen was a mainstream rock giant, consistently played on MTV and FM radio. Arguably the centerpiece of the OU812 record, "When It's Love" was just something we'd expect to hear from Van Halen at this point in its career. The song reached No. 5 on the Hot 100 and, especially for old-school Van Halen fans, it's OK to admit to liking it. Plus, we just can't get enough of those intoxicating Michael Anthony background vocals.

"Summer Nights" is an unabashed celebration of wild times with your favorite people to usher in the Sammy Hagar era of the band. Off the 5150 album, it's perhaps the one song that encapsulates both periods of the band's history. Though never a hit, it featured the campy Van Halen feel of the David Lee Roth years and the heavy, pop-infused work that Hagar became known for as a solo artist during the early 1980s. Nearly 40 years after coming out, it's one Van Halen tune that still deserves more attention.

There was always an element of campiness to Van Halen's music, especially when David Lee Roth fronted the band. And, of course, its trademark lyrics filled with sexual innuendoes and playful raunchiness that continued well into the Sammy Hagar years. "Ice Cream Man," from Van Halen's debut record, undeniably checks a box in both departments. Overall, it's a fun song not to be taken seriously, but symbolic of the unabashed good times — that included plenty of female companionship — that Diamond Dave and boys enjoyed early on.

And yet another gem from Van Halen's debut, as well as another track complete with one of Eddie Van Halen's legendary guitar riffs. Now, Van Halen was never really considered a heavy metal band, even though it was often associated with some of those acts throughout the years — especially when it came to touring. However, critics have long considered "Ain't Talkin' 'bout Love" to be the group's most "heavy metal" offering within its musical arsenal.

The opening track and lead single from the aforementioned For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge. "Poundcake" is the hardest song on the album, and is perhaps best known for the use of power drill during the song's introduction and amid Eddie Van Halen's guitar solo. "Poundcake" is a hard-driving number that even dedicated Roth-era fans of the band should be able to appreciate. Though not a presence on the Hot 100, "Poundcake" is satisfying enough for all factions of Van Halen fandom to enjoy. 

"Right Now" never cracked the Top 40, but remains one of Van Halen's most popular and recognizable songs, mostly because of its memorable music video, which took home several moon men statues at the 1992 MTV Video Music Awards. Whether with Roth or Hagar in the mix, Van Halen's music consistently had a good-time, often raunchy vibe. However, "Right Now" might be the most meaningful and serious song within the group's catalog. Dealing with issues like economics and homelessness, it's the closest thing Van Halen came to a message tune.

The track that officially introduced the music world to "Van Hagar." The new look, and sound, of the band did not seem to deter rock fans, and even those in the Roth camp of Van Halen, from supporting Hagar and the work that was produced here. The lead single from 5150, "Why Can't This Be Love" was the perfect marriage of Eddie Van Halen's expanded sound direction of the band (more synth and mainstream rock) and Hagar's success as a solo artist that fused hard rock with an accessible vibe that catered to just about anybody. The tune peaked at No. 3 on the Hot 100.

The opener to Van Halen's debut record, complete with one of the most iconic basslines in music history, regardless of genre (thank you, Michael Anthony). And not to mention a mess of car horns for the intro that precedes said baseline. "Runnin' with the Devil" has long been hailed for its overall composition and originality for the time, which allowed the band to stand out amid other hard rock acts of the time and turn plenty of heads. If there's one Van Halen song that had plenty of influence on hard rock and heavy metal acts to come, this would be it. 

Among the highlights from the group's second studio release Van Halen II, "Dance the Night Away" has an element of disco going on, but also a hint of the blues with a healthy dose of pop tendencies. Eddie Van Halen's use of tap harmonics stands out on a track that is one of the band's great early melodic numbers, though it still very much resides within in the confines of rock. A good-time number, "Dance the Night Away" reached No. 15 on the Billboard Hot 100.

"Dance the Night Away" is a special tune, but for our money, the shining moment from Van Halen II comes via the album's closing number. In the spirit of the aforementioned "Ice Cream Man," "Beautiful Girls" is among a host of Van Halen songs that are truly associated with David Lee Roth and his sexual persona. His quick-paced, quirky, yet conversational lyrics are superb, and Eddie's dirty guitar work pace a feel-good tune that should also be hailed as one of the great album closers of all time. Sealed, literally, with a kiss. 

With the massively successful and career-defining 1984 album, the direction of Van Halen's sound took a rather dramatic turn when Eddie Van Halen incorporated keyboards and synthesizers into the mix. Though David Lee Roth was not a fan of that direction, the keyboard-driven "Jump" opened the door to a larger group of mainstream rock fans for Van Halen, and might be the group's most recognizable tune to the masses. "Jump" is also the only Van Halen song to reach No. 1 on the Hot 100, and the video was must-see television on MTV or Friday Night Videos.

With Roth on board, Van Halen loved to be campy and a little goofy. Another stellar moment from 1984, "Hot for Teacher" continued that trend, but featured more exemplary work from the Van Halen brothers, not to mention those trademark Michael Anthony backing vocals. Back to Alex Van Halen for a second. His double-bass-fueled, cymbal-aided opening on this beloved track is something infant drummers usually aimed to master. Alex's opening pattern continued throughout the song and stood out even among brother Eddie's usual guitar greatness. And oh yeah, the music video is one of the best ever.

The brilliant instrumental "Eruption" pretty much introduced the music world to Eddie Van Halen and his masterful guitar work. His "tapping" technique on the song earned him immense praise, and the entire effort is arguably the defining moment of his exceptional legacy. And it came on Van Halen's debut album, one of the most celebrated records in hard rock history. As a lead-in to the band's heart-pounding, high-octane cover of The Kinks' "You Really Got Me," "Eruption" makes for a potent one-two punch.

This is the last unabashed rocker of the David Lee Roth era as Van Halen's frontman. From 1984, it's also one of the great rock songs that truly encapsulates what made this version of the foursome one of the great rock acts of all time. From start to finish, "Panama" is 3 1/2 minutes of straightforward mainstream rock, with all four members delivering at a high level of excellence. Particularly Roth's vocals, which are at its best and harken back to the raw, primitive days of Van Halen's first two records. "Panama" peaked at No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The undisputed highlight of Fair Warning, and really the entire Van Halen catalog. Don't agree? Let us plead our case. When rock fans think about the epitome of Van Halen and its overall sound and aura, "Unchained" should be the first track that comes to mind. It's the precursor to a song like "Panama," but without the mainstream, commercial appeal, or at least a more raw version. All four parts of the band work in perfect unison, and it's pretty much a non-stop celebration of arena hard rock that was gaining Van Halen more and more fans in the early days of a decade that would make the band music legends.