The Best Eddie Van Halen Solos Tournament - Sammy Era+

[DFVH5150]

I'm back from vacation and it's time for Part II where the winner will go up against (and likely lose to--let's be real--but, you never know) The Dave Era victor, OFOTD, for the EVH title.

And this isn't just the obvious Sammy Era, but I also threw in the Gary "era" as well, and...even Mitch's song with the band. Hey, have to be complete and it was officially released by him "Featuring Van Halen" on iTunes for purchase. And even though the solo likely doesn't exist for that tune because Ed apparently didn't provide it (thus him just playing a low riff where he would normally overdub a solo, like on TWILY), it is technically the solo for the song as it's a non-repetitive riff that's also melodic plus at the 2/3-3/4-mark unlike some of his other "non-solos."

Again: this is simply voting for what you think is the best guitar solo from conventional VH songs with vocals, so that leaves out "Eruption" obviously and any instrumental. Also, if a song has two solos (like "Dreams") you can count whichever of the pair you prefer. Solos that end songs (like "Drop Dead Legs") count as well. I nixed songs without solos (like "The Seventh Seal") but kept ones with some sort of solo, even if it's mini (like "Dirty Movies").

Also, I needed an even number for the Sammy Era so I added "Won't Get Fooled Again" since there is a 99.99% likelihood it's a studio song with the audience dubbed in. I did NOT include other officially released actual live songs like "One Way to Rock" and "Rock and Roll" because 1, they're live and we're not doing that and 2, Sammy's playing too which isn't the same of course. And I especially didn't include LWAN's "5150" (sorry) because of not only the live factor, but it would be a shoe-in for the victory. TBOBW tracks are included as well.

This time however, there are byes, and I awarded them to the following:

Dreams
Top of the World
Right Now
Judgement Day
Best of Both Worlds
"5150"
Poundcake
Runaround
Mine All Mine
Love Walks In
Don't Tell Me (What Love Can Do)
Feelin'

Because of the holiday, voting ends Sunday, 11:00 PM EST:

Summer Nights vs. It's the Right Time
Cabo Wabo vs. Josephina
Inside vs. Take Me Back (Deja Vu)
Not Enough vs. Learning to See

Without You vs. Dirty Water Dog
Humans Being vs. Ballot or the Bullet
Aftershock vs. Up for Breakfast
Year to the Day vs. From Afar

Sucker in a 3 Piece vs. The Dream Is Over
Once vs. It's About Time
Good Enough vs. Get Up
When It's Love vs. Big Fat Money

Feels So Good vs. Man on a Mission
Black and Blue vs. Fire in the Hole
Amsterdam vs. Won't Get Fooled Again
Pleasure Dome vs. Source of Infection

Finish What Ya Started vs. A.F.U. (Naturally Wired)
Can't Stop Lovin' You vs. One I Want
Why Can't This Be Love vs. Spanked
In 'N' Out vs. A Apolitical Blues

[DFVH5150]

Mine:

Summer Nights
Cabo Wabo
Inside
Not Enough

Without You
Humans Being
Aftershock
Year to the Day

Sucker in a 3 Piece
Once
Good Enough
When It's Love

Feels So Good
Black and Blue
Amsterdam
Pleasure Dome

Finish What Ya Started
Can't Stop Lovin' You
Why Can't This Be Love
In 'N' Out

[JUNGLE DRUMMER]

Just curious...why on earth did you give a bye to the TOTW solo?

[DFVH5150]

shoe-in

Despite all my obsessive disclaimers I missed a typo: "shoo-in."

That's better. I.D.F.A.

[JUNGLE DRUMMER]

Summer Nights
CW
Inside
Learning To See

Without You
Humans Being(but I love the slide solo on Ballot, too)
Aftershock
YTTD

Sucker(ugh, tough choice)
Once
Good Enough
When Its Love

Feels So Good
Black And Blue
Amsterdam
Pleasure Dome(one of Ed's greatest solos but, sadly, I feel like it will lose here because so many people dislike the song)

AFU
One I Want
Spanked
In N Out

[DFVH5150]

Just curious...why on earth did you give a bye to the TOTW solo?

Because I simply fucking love it. A Top 3 all-time for me.

Oddly enough I'm not even a big fan of the wah, but that beginning wah wah part rocks my balls...then the way Al's drum come in with it...then the beautiful climax followed by one of my favorite EVH guitar melodies accompanied with a sweet whammy bar dive...it's so majestic.

For me, that's why.

[JUNGLE DRUMMER]

Because I simply fucking love it. A Top 3 all-time for me.

Oddly enough I'm not even a big fan of the wah, but that beginning wah wah part rocks my balls off...then the way Al's drum come in...then the beautiful climax followed by one of my favorite EVH guitar melodies accompanied with a sweet whammy dive...

For me, that's why.

Fair enough. Not one of my favs, but like I said, I think the PD solo is easily one of his best of the Sam era but I'm sure it will get bounced in the first round simply because people dont like the song. Same with a great solo like One I Want.

[DFVH5150]

Fair enough. Not one of my favs, but like I said, I think the PD solo is easily one of his best of the Sam era but I'm sure it will get bounced in the first round simply because people dont like the song. Same with a great solo like One I Want.

Yeah PD's is bad as hell. Still don't understand why the song as a whole catches so much shit. The spoken lyrics?

As for OIW, it's one of my probably Top 30-40 songs, but the solo was just kind of average for me and this is just about the solo. As always, to each their own.

[JUNGLE DRUMMER]

Yeah PD's is bad as hell. Still don't understand why the song as a whole catches so much shit. The spoken lyrics?

As for OIW, it's one of my probably Top 30-40 songs, but the solo was just kind of average for me and this is just about the solo. As always, to each their own.

Wow, I think the One I Want solo is the best on III, along with the YTTD and Ballot solos.

People think PD is too long and meandering I would guess. Probably my favorite Alex track of the Sam era, and a very unique guitar tone for Ed on it, especially the intro. Doesnt sound like any other tune, as far as guitar tone.

[JUNGLE DRUMMER]

Oh, and dont get me wrong, I really like the TOTW solo. It's very "triumphant" sounding to me, but I just hadn't really ever put it up there as a top Ed solo.

[DFVH5150]

Oh, and dont get me wrong, I really like the TOTW solo. It's very "triumphant" sounding to me, but I just hadn't really ever put it up there as a top Ed solo.

Yes! "Triumphant" is the word! Why'd you ask me if you knew the answer?

[PrideofPasadena]

TOTW is a cool solo. Like JD says, it stays with the uplifting feeling of the song. If we're talking that against PD, though....PD all day.

Musically, Pleasure Dome kills! I like it even better if it was an instrumental.

[Jedi McFly]

Wow, I think the One I Want solo is the best on III, along with the YTTD and Ballot solos.

People think PD is too long and meandering I would guess. Probably my favorite Alex track of the Sam era, and a very unique guitar tone for Ed on it, especially the intro. Doesnt sound like any other tune, as far as guitar tone.

Totally agree on all points. III has some underrated guitar work, the few you point out being some prime examples. And Pleasure Dome has always been super cool to me for the same reasons you stated. I dig VH getting a little more experimental in terms of sound and structure on it.

[CaboChris]

PD is fire. That intro is quintessential Ed.

[VH1986]

Summer Nights
Cabo Wabo
Inside
Not Enough

Without You
Humans Being
Aftershock
Year to the Day

Sucker in a 3 Piece
It's About Time
Good Enough
When It's Love (Tough one for me. I love the Jazzy solo on the Gibson 335 on BFM.)

Feels So Good
Black and Blue
Amsterdam
Source of Infection (THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN A FIRST ROUND MATCH-UP.)

A.F.U. (Naturally Wired)
One I Want
Why Can't This Be Love
In 'N' Out