Which song would you play for somebody ...

**I Coulda Hada VH** · 11.27.20, 06:26 PM

Who has never had the pleasure of hearing the musical genius of Eddie Van Halen?

**Jedi McFly** · 11.27.20, 06:33 PM

I feel like “In a Simple Rhyme” shows off the entire band best while “I’m The One” is Ed’s best showcase. So I’m undecided between those two tunes.

**DFVH5150** · 11.27.20, 07:13 PM

Hot for Teacher

**I Coulda Hada VH** · 11.27.20, 07:26 PM

Originally Posted by Jedi McFly

I feel like “In a Simple Rhyme” shows off the entire band best while “I’m The One” is Ed’s best showcase. So I’m undecided between those two tunes.

Agreed.

**I Coulda Hada VH** · 11.27.20, 07:27 PM

Originally Posted by DFVH5150

Hot for Teacher

Great answer, also.

**Sam Vs. Dave** · 11.27.20, 07:52 PM

I'm the One. All the great things about Van Halen packed into one song.

**JUNGLE DRUMMER** · 11.27.20, 07:58 PM

Depends on if one just wants to showcase Ed, or the entire band. Regardless, too many great choices to choose just one.

I'm The One, On Fire, Feel Your Love Tonight, Light Up The Sky, Outta Love Again, Everybody Wants Some!!, Fools, Romeo Delight, Loss Of Control, In A Simple Rhyme, Mean Street, "Dirty Movies", Hear About It Later, Unchained, Little Guitars, Hang Em High, Girl Gone Bad, Hot For Teacher...can make cases for all of those.

**Ashe** · 11.27.20, 09:48 PM

Unchained--THE riff.

**mike zack** · 11.27.20, 09:58 PM

Originally Posted by Ashe

Unchained--THE riff.

This!

**Heisenberg** · 11.27.20, 10:05 PM

Aint Talkin Bout Love

Cmon....fuck

**DFVH5150** · 11.28.20, 02:06 AM

Yes, but, is there enough tapping in "I'm the One?" Maybe there is. In which case it would get my vote over HFT which is the the same answer to the "band as a whole" question.

But man, HFT with just him...the tapping at its maybe second-best, one of his all-time best riffs, AND one his all-time best solos. "Unchained" WOULD be my vote if there was more of the hammer-ons, but there is not. And that's most important because that's what put him on the map, despite all of the other hundred great things about him.

So again, is there enough of his trademark in ITO, which was my runner-up? That's the question. A little in the first solo, so close enough?

**Raldo** · 11.28.20, 03:34 AM

Hangem High is another good choice IMO.

**ScottyBHarris** · 11.28.20, 07:47 AM

Hear about it Later

**James in New York** · 11.28.20, 08:04 AM

Intruder...

All of those mentioned are great...

Maybe 5150 live from LWAN ... It shows his pure joy in the opening riff...then the Cathedral like prelude to the solo...then that solo rips and soars...then back to the incredibly happy riff..!