With the news of guitar savant and rock and roll legend Eddie Van Halen's passing, it got me thinking about how many great songs Van Halen (and Van Hagar) had over their nearly 50 years of performing. From anthems, ballads, and even just 2 minutes of a guitar solo, few bands had the range Van Halen did. With that being said, this is a fitness page so we are going to focus on the top 5 songs of Van Halen's to listen to while working out. R.I.P Eddie Van Halen (1955-2020).

Ok ok, don't rag on me too hard. This one is probably the softest of the 5. I imagine this one is a cardio go to toward the end of the workout. An upbeat and a triumphant message. Hagar with some powerful vocals. Also, if you hate cardio, like me, the lyrics "baby just dry your eyes. Save all the tears you've cried." really hits home. BONUS POINTS for the album cover. Rick Valente was a Mr. Los Angeles in the 1980's and also host of ESPN's BodyShaping television show. Bodyshaping had some of bodybuilding's best on a national television program on a weekly basis! 

Probably the band's most famous and recognizable song. This immediately gets you to perk up with the opening synthesizer, Eddie's new found medium at the time. David Lee Roth's signature scream and showmanship are not far behind. This new direction in style would further drive the wedge between Roth and the band, especially after the IMMENSE commercial success of the album. It stayed at #2 on the Billboard 200 for 5 weeks, where it trailed the greatest album of all time Thriller. Eddie Van Halen performed the guitar solo for Michael Jackson's Beat It on that album.

The difference between two and three on the list was probably the closest of any I had to decide. Here's a true anthem that would've been great to see live (or some of you older folks who saw it live please chime in). Building the chorus that makes you want to chant along with the band. Another strong performance by Eddie of course. In the bridge of the song, where it slows down and an engine can be heard revving, is actually Eddie Van Halen's 1972 Lamborghini Miura. They actually attached microphones to the exhaust pipe to record the sound for the song. ROCK N ROLL!

Ok, now is when I'm going to get grilled by Van Halen purists. This is the Top 5 VH songs While Working Out, NOT top 5 of all time! Like most of the songs of the Hagar era, this one is a bit slower. Eddie's chilling opening piano melody sets the tone. This is probably another cardio banger where you imagine yourself as Rocky finally conquering the stairs of the Philadelphia Museum of Art! So crack open a Crystal Pepsi and enjoy this power ballad.

This is it. THIS is Van Halen. Fast. In your face. The opening drums building, add in Eddie's guitar talents, some signature Roth, and topped off with some sex, drugs, and rock n' roll. Even the ending is perfect. This is the Van Halen song that should be on your next workout playlist. If you're looking for some good 80's nostalgia watch the music video as well.