Van Halen Songs List & Biggest Hits for a Wedding Playlist
Last Updated: August 14, 2023 | Written by Matthew Campbell (Editor of My Wedding Songs and wedding DJ)
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, I created two top 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 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.
Spotify Van Halen Playlist
Best Van Halen Songs List
David Lee Roth as Lead Singer
#1 Jump
Released in 1983 on the album 1984
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Ah, might as well jump (jump)
Go ahead and jump
#2 Panama
Released in 1984 on the album 1984
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
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 the album Van Halen
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
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 the album 1984
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
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 the album Van Halen II
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Dance the night away hey, hey, yeah
Dance, dance, dance the night away
Next, read a Bon Jovi wedding playlist.
#6 You Really Got Me
Released in 1978 on the album Van Halen
The song was originally released in 1964 by The Kinks.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
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 the album Van Halen
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
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 the album Van Halen
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
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 the album 1984
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
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 the album Van Halen
Eruption is an instrumental song featuring the guitar skills of Eddie Van Halen.
(Instrumental Guitar Solo)
Check out a Led Zeppelin wedding playlist.
Sammy Hagar as Lead Singer
#1 Right Now
Released in 1992 on the album For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
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 the album 5150
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
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 the album 5150
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
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 the album 5150
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
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 the album OU812
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
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
Put on your headphones and play an Aerosmith wedding playlist.
#6 Finish What Ya Started
Released in 1988 on the album OU812
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
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 the album 5150
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
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 the album 5150
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
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 the album For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
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 the album For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Homegrown and down-home, ooh yeah, that’s the one
Still cookin’ with that old time, long lost recipe
Van Halen Highest-Charting Singles
- #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? Please share your song below in the comments!
About
DJ, Editor, Music Lover
Matthew (Matt) Campbell is the founder/editor of My Wedding Songs from his experience as a wedding DJ. He is the author of two wedding planners: ‘Wedding Songs Planner’ and ‘The Wedding Music Toolkit’. Matt is the host of the ‘Wedding Songs Podcast’. He shares music inspiration in his weekly newsletter the ‘Wedding MusicLetter’. His articles have been published on Rolling Stone, DJ Life Magazine, and DJ Times. Matt resides in the wedding capital of the world – Las Vegas.