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[Eternal Guitar Hero] Van Halen’s Classic and Popular Songs

Live Spot LugHiroyasu Hirata
I’m Hiroyasu Hirata from Live Spot RAG. When I was 15, I was blown away by how cool music—especially rock—was, and I started playing guitar and formed a band. I’m from Kochi Prefecture, where there weren’t many live houses or concert venues, so there were few opportunities to experience live music. Back then, our sources of information were magazines, CDs, and even VHS tapes (!?). Still, I was captivated by the sparkle of music, and I spent my days enjoying guitar and music, mostly neglecting my studies. I moved to Kyoto for university and “graduated” from the light music club, so to speak (laugh). Until then, I mainly listened to Japanese rock and Western hard rock, but thanks to seniors and peers I learned there was so much more music in the world. Now I listen to anything that strikes me as good, regardless of genre. After graduating, I joined RAG. After about six years in the office and about ten years in the music studio, I now work at the long-established Live Spot RAG, which has been around for 39 years, mainly handling promotions. Being exposed to the “real music” performed by Japan’s top musicians and delivering it to our audience lets me feel the brilliance of music anew every day. I still play guitar and keep a band going casually, and in recent years I’ve even started singing—better late than never. I’ve fully become an old guy by now, but I hope we can continue to chase “what lies beyond the dreams I painted with music back then” together.

Van Halen, the American hard rock band whose name shines brilliantly in the history of rock worldwide.

Their Dutch band name comes from the surname of the brothers: Alex on drums and Edward on guitar.

Since their 1978 debut, despite several lineup changes, they have rewritten rock history with high-quality songs and outstanding performances.

Among them, guitarist Edward—better known as “Eddie”—was a charismatic figure who repeatedly created innovative playing styles, influencing countless guitarists not only in the rock world but beyond.

The great guitarist “Eddie,” often mentioned alongside the guitar god Jimi Hendrix, passed away on October 7, 2020.

As we pray for his repose, let us look back on Van Halen’s many classics, focusing on tracks that feature Eddie’s captivating guitar.

[Eternal Guitar Hero] Van Halen’s Greatest and Most Popular Songs (21–30)

Runnin’ With The DevilVan Halen

Van Halen – Runnin’ With The Devil (Official Music Video)

Runnin' With The DevilVan Halen

Their second single, taken from their 1978 debut album “Burning Fuse.” While their debut single was a cover, this track is an original by the four members.

Their signature style—heavy riffs, pop-leaning melodies, and virtuosic guitar work—was already firmly established here.

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Beautiful GirlsVan Halen

Van Halen – Van Halen II – Beautiful Girls

Beautiful GirlsVan Halen

A track released as a single from their second album, “Legendary Bomber.” Closing out the album, this song is notable for its bluesy vibe.

Listening to it, you can tell they influenced the LA metal bands that later sparked a boom.

That bluesy direction also carried over into vocalist David Lee Roth’s solo work.

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Dance The Night AwayVan Halen

Van Halen – Dance The Night Away (Official Music Video)

Dance The Night AwayVan Halen

Their second album, released in 1979, ‘Legendary Bomber,’ became their first to reach the U.

S.

Top 10, and the single cut from it also climbed to No.

15 on the Billboard chart.

The song can be considered a masterpiece that showcases the flowering of their pop sensibilities.

In recent years, the Latin guitar hero Santana has also covered the track.

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Fire In The HoleVan Halen

Van Halen – Fire In The Hole

Fire In The HoleVan Halen

The title “Fire In The Hole” is a warning called out to alert people when a blast or detonation is about to occur.

The powerful sound truly feels explosive and gets your heart racing.

It was included on the 1998 album Van Halen III and was used on the soundtrack for the film Lethal Weapon 4.

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PoundcakeVan Halen

Van Halen – Poundcake (1991) (Music Video – Full Length Version) WIDESCREEN 1080p

PoundcakeVan Halen

The opening number of their ninth album, “F@U#C%K,” released in 1991.

At the start of the track, Eddie Van Halen delivers a tricky guitar performance using a power drill.

The album also marked a return to a guitar-centered sound, shifting away from the synthesizer-driven approach of their more recent works.

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Source Of InfectionVan Halen

Van Halen – Source Of Infection

Source Of InfectionVan Halen

A high-energy number from the 1988 album OU812.

Its up-tempo feel and guitar work are reminiscent of the classic Hot for Teacher.

While many tracks on the album prominently feature synthesizers, this song finds Eddie Van Halen unleashing his virtuosity on guitar—complete with three appearances by a blistering guitar solo.

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Man On A MissionVan Halen

Van Halen – Man On A Mission

Man On A MissionVan Halen

A track marked by a funky guitar riff and punchy rhythmic accents.

The song appears on the 1991 album “F@U#C%K,” and listening to it, you can see why the album is sometimes called “the heaviest-feeling record in their history.” Come to think of it, wasn’t there a masked Japanese band with a very similar name to this song…?

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