Favorite Track from Van Halen's Debut

Recorded Aug 30 - Sept 1977 @ Sunset Sound Recorders, Hollywood
Produced by Ted Templeman
Engineered by Donn Landee

IMO the greatest debut ever released, and of course the greatest band in the world.

Impossible to pick a favorite track. I remember hearing Ice Cream Man for the first time and thinking, "there's no way I can be as good a guitarist as this guy." Which is still true today haha. But I had to go with Eruption. The chills up my spine when I first heard that piece were rather painful. I've never been hit so hard by musical force like that day. And I'm still trying to learn how to play it decades later--with no small success. All hail the king, baby. This album has NEVER gotten old.

"Dedicate one to the ladies..."

I'm the One.

There's not really a bad track on here, although I'm not wild about You Really Got Me compared to the others.

This is probably my favorite VH album. It still gets regular listens while I'm at work. Runnin with the Devil was the first Van Halen song I ever heard when I was a wee lad. It never gets old. I almost picked it but ended up voting for Ice Cream Man. Such a good jam. I love how it starts out then bursts into a great boogie.

Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love

"Nobody rules these streets at night but meeeeeeeee... the atomic PUUUUUNK!" (karate kicks off of drum riser)

Impossible but I'll pick "Runnin' With The Devil."

Great album from start to finish even if I think some of the songs are overplayed. I went with On Fire.

"Littlllllleeeeee Dreeeeeeaaamaaaaaahhhhh!"

Gotta go with Ain't Talking 'Bout Love (cuz that main opening riff!), but the whole album is great!

Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love

I always dug this tune

The Atomic Punk!!!!!

The whole album is killer, though.

I love this album, it was one of the first CDs I ever bought with my own money. No other Van Halen album touches how great this one is, in my eyes.

Atomic Punk is also my favorite. It's heavy and mean.

Nearly impossible to pick a fave. Absolute annihilation from start to finish. I almost went "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love" since it was the first song I learned how to play on guitar, but I chose "Atomic Punk" cuz I had never heard a song start like that. I still don't know what the hell it is, sliding the pick up the fret board? A finger slide? This album never gets old. Classic cover too, with Eddie with the "Frankenstrat" and MIchael Anthony with the blurred motion waves around him. I am assuming that is your auto'd copy, Shay?

Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love

I remember that riff from years ago but not the song I've been racking my brain and it finally clicked.



Love that tune!

the sentinel wrote:

Nearly impossible to pick a fave. Absolute annihilation from start to finish. I almost went "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love" since it was the first song I learned how to play on guitar, but I chose "Atomic Punk" cuz I had never heard a song start like that. I still don't know what the hell it is, sliding the pick up the fret board? A finger slide? This album never gets old. Classic cover too, with Eddie with the "Frankenstrat" and MIchael Anthony with the blurred motion waves around him. I am assuming that is your auto'd copy, Shay?

It is not, sadly. Just the coolest image I found on Google. Although I have three copies on vinyl--I need to get at least one signed before Ed leaves us.

The effect on Atomic Punk is Ed opening up his Phase 90 whilst strumming muted strings.

My favorite part of Atomic Punk has always been, "Nobody rules these streets at night but me! NOBODY! ahAHahAHahAHahAhAHahAhahAH!!! The Atomic--PUNK!" and how it ends on the tritone trailing with all that feedback.

I picked The Atomic Punk, but could easily go with just about any song on the album.

Damn! A lotta love for Atomic Punk around here! A good thing, mind you.

corplhicks wrote:

Damn! A lotta love for Atomic Punk around here! A good thing, mind you.

It surprises me. Not that it's not an awesome song (of course it is), but I'm surprised at some of the songs it's beating in this poll.

I voted Ice Cream Man.

This is easily my favorite VH album. In fact, it's the only non-Greatest Hits VH album I own on CD (I have 1984 on vinyl).

I voted Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love with Ice Cream Man being a close second.

I like the album but there are a few songs that I can't stand, such as "I'm the One" and "Jamie's Cryin'"

glassprison wrote:

I like the album but there are a few songs that I can't stand, such as "I'm the One" and "Jamie's Cryin'"

Dude, huh what? Those are so freaking good! The interlude to Jamie's Cryin' alone is worth the price admission. And I'm the One has such a badass boogie to it.

corplhicks wrote:

the sentinel wrote:

Nearly impossible to pick a fave. Absolute annihilation from start to finish. I almost went "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love" since it was the first song I learned how to play on guitar, but I chose "Atomic Punk" cuz I had never heard a song start like that. I still don't know what the hell it is, sliding the pick up the fret board? A finger slide? This album never gets old. Classic cover too, with Eddie with the "Frankenstrat" and MIchael Anthony with the blurred motion waves around him. I am assuming that is your auto'd copy, Shay?

It is not, sadly. Just the coolest image I found on Google. Although I have three copies on vinyl--I need to get at least one signed before Ed leaves us.

The effect on Atomic Punk is Ed opening up his Phase 90 whilst strumming muted strings.

My favorite part of Atomic Punk has always been, "Nobody rules these streets at night but me! NOBODY! ahAHahAHahAHahAhAHahAhahAH!!! The Atomic--PUNK!" and how it ends on the tritone trailing with all that feedback.

Thanks for the info, brother.

The song has changed a lot over the years, but right now it's "Jamie's Cryin"

I picked On Fire....but this guitar riff is so damn classic !
I saw a friend play it and was knocked out...had to buy an electric guitar !
Of course, never quite learned to play it....none of the songs on this release....
I knew the basic chord progressions and some notes...
but this was all some pretty free and hot guitar playing - from start to finish of LP.

Excellent debut ! Hard to really pick out one but I'll just go with Runnin' With The Devil.