Which song would you play for somebody ...

[Raldo]

LUTS and Romeo are good back-to-back.

How about LUTS and Amsterdam? You end one and start one with ‘Light em Up’.

[DFVH5150]

Intruder, followed immediately (just like the record) by Unchained. Works every time.

When I got my first high tape deck I used to screw around like this...long, long ago. Gotta que it up just right, though. LUTS and Romeo sounded good after, as well.

Nowadays, I'd just throw on a YT vid..."see, see what I'm saying...CAANN YOUU DIIGG IITT!!!".

"Intruder" into "Unchained?" Hmm...I'm gonna have to try that!

[Dave's Dreidel]

Mean Street

Not sure any other song shows the difference between Ed and other players like Mean Street.

"Oh, you've had three years to catch up? Well, here's something new for you...try this bitches."

[It's Mike]

I think Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love is probably the ideal pick here. Plenty of other great options though

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[5150 Mean St]

Some good answers in here. I'd probably go with my intros to it;

Running with the Devil - first heard this song while watching the WCW inspired "Ready 2 Rumble" when I was in high school. When that kicked in, I immediately sat up and went "who is THAT?!" and my buddy informed me it was Van Halen. That was the first time I stood up and took notice of them, and I was hooked.

When the time came to introduce my sons to Van Halen a few years back, the video I pulled up on YouTube was 5150 from LWAN. I just think the band absolutely crushes that song, and if you're looking for a video that encapsulates the whole Eddie experience (his infectious joy at playing, his athleticism on the stage, his pryotechnics on the guitar, his beautiful finger tapping solos...), I think that one is it. And my boys were sufficiently blown away.

So I'd vote one of those two.

[rocknblues81]

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

I don't really introduce VH to anyone I know. Not my youngest nieces or nephews.

How can one explain something like the video to Jump to this generation?

They're going to think it is cringeworthy. And it kind of is.

The drama that went on... Eh... I never name VH as one of my favorite bands to anyone. lol

[Brett]

I think for me probably best answer would be Hot For Teacher. It’s the best combination of being famous, commercial-sounding, showcases Dave’s humor in his lyrics, Ed’s amazing playing, of course Al’s intro, and Mike is great on it too. I actually think it’s a pretty easy question.

[PrideofPasadena]

LUTS and Romeo are good back-to-back.

How about LUTS and Amsterdam? You end one and start one with ‘Light em Up’.

A cool idea, but the slower tempo of Amsterdam would throw it off a bit, for me.

[DRFC]

I don't really introduce VH to anyone I know. Not my youngest nieces or nephews.

How can one explain something like the video to Jump to this generation?

They're going to think it is cringeworthy. And it kind of is.

The drama that went on... Eh... I never name VH as one of my favorite bands to anyone. lol

That's like not introducing someone to Robert Deniro as a serious actor because he's so goofy in the Meet the Parents role.

[BlindtotheWorld]

Unchained--THE riff.

This is the correct answer! That riff is so Eddie, it's silly.

[bsbll4]

I think for me probably best answer would be Hot For Teacher. It’s the best combination of being famous, commercial-sounding, showcases Dave’s humor in his lyrics, Ed’s amazing playing, of course Al’s intro, and Mike is great on it too. I actually think it’s a pretty easy question.

This was my thought as well. You want something that is commercially appealing to the average listener but something that also showcases how amazing the band is in all aspects. I think Hot for Teacher is perhaps the most Van Halen song ever recorded, and if not, certainly in the top 5. That's not to say they won't gravitate towards deeper cuts in the future as they become acclimated with the band, but let's face it, if VH debuted with Outta Love Again they probably don't become the band they did, so in this scenario you want something that has that commercial appeal.

Still, some of the other suggestions are great too: ATBL, Unchained, Panama, etc. In a different scenario, if someone casually knew of VH and asked "why do you think these guys are so great" that's when I bust out I'm the One or something like it.

[MF5150]

This is about the genius of Edward not Van Halen though, gents.

I'm not sure Panama or ATBL showcase that genius, but I understand the commercial reasoning behind playing somebody those types of tunes if you're trying to show em who VH is.

When it comes to Ed though? In my opinion you want to play them something that showcases the man's versatility and his ability to almost seamlessly weave a fabric of different sounds, all while maintaining his own personality.

Eruption? Of course.
Push Comes to Shove? Yes
Top Jimmy? Yes
On Fire? Yes
Women and Children First? Yes
Full Bug? Yes
Drop Dead Legs? Yes
Sinner's Swing? Yes
As Is? Yes
Simple Rhyme? Yes
Secrets? Yes
Blood and Fire? Yes
Girl Gone Bad? Yes

5150? Yes
Mine All Mine? Yes
AFU? Yes
Feeling? Yes
Pleasure Dome? Yes
Dream is Over? Yes
Black and Blue? Yes
Aftershock? Yes


Me Wise Magic? Thats the exclamation point.

[bsbll4]

That's almost a different question though. That's more like "what song best demonstrates Ed's genius" rather than why the band as a whole is great. Don't get me wrong, they all could fit in that question as well, but if you're trying to show someone the band you need a song that showcases the whole package. I don't think Hot for Teacher does Mike justice in what he brought to VH, but you probably have to make a sacrifice somewhere.

[MF5150]

That's almost a different question though. That's more like "what song best demonstrates Ed's genius" rather than why the band as a whole is great.

Absolutely. That's the question that this thread is asking.

Don't get me wrong, they all could fit in that question as well, but if you're trying to show someone the band you need a song that showcases the whole package. I don't think Hot for Teacher does Mike justice in what he brought to VH, but you probably have to make a sacrifice somewhere.

Yes they definitely could. But is a new listener really going to get excited over listening to Secrets? I don't think so. Mainly because they don't have that frame of reference as to why it's such a diversion in style, sound and sensibility.

I would say Hot for Teacher is a good jumping off point, if you're trying to showcase the band or Ed, for that matter.

[fudd]

Hear about it later, I’m the one, dreams and Cabo wabo.


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