Van Halen Songs & Biggest Hits – Top 10 All-Time

Last Updated: June 4, 2022 | Written by Matthew Campbell

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Van Halen is an American rock band formed in 1972. All Van Halen fans know there is the David Lee Roth Era and the Sammy Hagar Era.

Therefore, we created two top 10 Van Halen song lists – one for each era. The rest of the band consisted of guitarist Eddie Van Halen, drummer Alex Van Halen, and bassist Michael Anthony.

van halen songs

Van Halen was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007. Van Halen only had one number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 – Jump. According to the RIAA, Van Halen is the 19th-best-selling band/artist in U.S. history.

Best Van Halen Songs

David Lee Roth as the lead singer of the best Van Halen songs

#1 Jump
Released in 1983
On Album 1984

Ah, might as well jump (jump)
Go ahead and jump

#2 Panama
Released in 1984
On Album 1984

Don’t you know she’s coming home with me?
You’ll lose her in the turn
I’ll get her!

#3 Runnin’ with the Devil
Released in 1978
On Album Van Halen

When I jumped out, on that road
I got no love, no love you’d call real
Ain’t got nobody, waitin’ at home

#4 Hot For Teacher
Released in 1984
On Album 1984

I think of all the education that I missed
But then my homework was never quite like this
Whoa, got it bad, got it bad, got it bad
I’m hot for teacher

#5 Dance the Night Away
Released in 1979
On Album Van Halen II

Dance the night away hey, hey, yeah
Dance, dance, dance the night away

#6 You Really Got Me
Released in 1978
On Album Van Halen
The song was originally released in 1964 by The Kinks.

Girl, you really got me now
You got me so I don’t know what I’m doin’
Girl, you really got me now
You got me so I can’t sleep at night

#7 Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love
Released in 1978
On Album Van Halen

My love is rotten to the core
Ain’t gonna talk about love
Just like I told you before, before

#8 Jamie’s Cryin’
Released in 1978
On Album Van Halen

She knew he’d forget her
And so they said goodnight
And now he’s gone forever

#9 I’ll Wait
Released in 1984
On Album 1984

I’ll wait till your love comes down
I’m coming straight for your heart
No way you can stop me now
As fine as you are

10. Eruption
Released in 1978
On Album Van Halen
Eruption is an instrumental song featuring the guitar skills of Eddie Van Halen.

Sammy Hagar as the lead singer of the best Van Halen songs

#1 Right Now
Released in 1992
On Album For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge

Right now,
Catch a magic moment, do it
Right here and now
It means everything

#2 Why Can’t This Be Love
Released in 1986
On Album 5150

It’s got what it takes
So tell me why can’t this be love?
Straight from my heart
Oh, tell me why can’t this be love?

#3 Love Walks In
Released in 1986
On Album 5150

And then you sense a change
Nothing feels the same
All your dreams are strange,
Love comes walkin’ in

#4 Dreams
Released in 1986
On Album 5150

So baby dry your eyes, save all
The tears you’ve cried
Oh that’s what dreams are made of
‘Cause we belong in a world that must be strong

#5 When It’s Love
Released in 1988
On Album OU812

Oh, how do I know when it’s love
I can’t tell you but it lasts forever
How does it feel when it’s love
It’s just something you feel together

#6 Finish What Ya Started
Released in 1988
On Album OU812

Come on baby finish what you started
I’m incomplete
That ain’t no way to treat the broken hearted
Come on and finish me

#7 Best Of Both Worlds
Released in 1986
On Album 5150

I want the best of both worlds
And honey I know what it’s worth
If we could have the best of both worlds
We’d have heaven right here on earth

#8 Summer Nights
Released in 1986
On Album 5150

Summer nights and my radio
Well, that’s all we need, baby, don’tcha know?
We celebrate when the gang’s all here
Hot summer nights, you’re my time of the yea

#9 Top Of The World
Released in 1991
On Album For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge

Standin’ on top of the world for a little while
Standin’ on top of the world
Let’s give it all we got

#10 Poundcake
Released in 1991
On Album For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge

Homegrown and down-home, ooh yeah, that’s the one
Still cookin’ with that old time, long lost recipe

Van Halen Highest-Charting Songs

#1 (Oh) Pretty Woman, 1982
#1 Jump, 1983
#1 Why Can’t This Be Love, 1986
#1 Black and Blue, 1988
#1 When It’s Love, 1988
#1 Poundcake, 1991
#1 Runaround, 1991
#1 Top of the World, 1991
#1 Won’t Get Fooled Again, 1993
#1 Don’t Tell Me (What Love Can Do), 1995
#1 Humans Being, 1996
#1 Me Wise Magic, 1996
#1 Without You, 1998
#2 I’ll Wait, 1984
#2 Panama, 1984
#2 Finish What Ya Started, 1988
#2 Can’t Stop Lovin’ You, 1995
#3 Dancing in the Street, 1982
#4 Love Walks In, 1986
#6 Dreams, 1986
#6 Feels So Good, 1989
#6 Fire in the Hole, 1998
#7 The Dream Is Over, 1992
#9 Amsterdam, 1995

Have a favorite Van Halen song, not on our list? Please share it below so that we can add the song!

Other music artists’ song list to read:

Don’t Have An Empty Dance Floor!

About Matthew Campbell

Wedding Music Expert

Matthew (Matt) Campbell is the founder & editor of My Wedding Songs. He is a veteran wedding DJ and knows the latest music trends to help you pick your wedding songs quickly. His articles will help you find the bangers and romance for your ceremony and party or earbud happiness. He hosts the Wedding Songs Podcast and is the author of the Wedding Music Playlist. Matthew lives in Las Vegas, NV, and loves traveling with his wife in his spare time. Read Full Bio.