10 Best Covers Of Van Halen Songs

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Van Halen songs are among the hardest in rock to cover because Eddie Van Halen’s guitar work was so distinctive, inventive, and nearly impossible to imitate. The best versions do not simply copy the originals; they reshape the songs with personality, humor, and enough confidence to stand on their own.

Our 10 Best Covers of Van Halen Songs list brings together some of the most original and entertaining Van Halen covers by a wide variety of artists. Putting together this list was no easy feat. There are not many bands that really want to take on Van Halen songs, aside from bar and garage bands. Who wants to try to duplicate Eddie Van Halen’s guitar parts? It is pretty much an impossible task because nobody could play like Eddie Van Halen. He was one of the most unique and innovative guitarists who ever lived. He was also one of the most loved guitar players in classic rock history.

It is pretty much a no-win situation for anyone who tries to pay tribute to Eddie Van Halen because they are just going to look foolish. So the bands that were successful in covering Van Halen songs are the groups and artists that tried to put their own unique spin on Van Halen. Those are the ones that worked, and those are the ones we picked for this best covers of Van Halen songs list.

# 10 – “Ain’t Talkin’ ’Bout Love” – Velvet Revolver

We open our 10 Best Covers of Van Halen Songs list with this killer version of Van Halen’s classic track “Ain’t Talkin’ ’Bout Love.” The version we present here was performed by the short-lived band Velvet Revolver. The band performed the song live at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony during Van Halen’s induction. Take a listen to how great Slash sounds on this one. At the time, Velvet Revolver consisted of Scott Weiland from the Stone Temple Pilots on lead vocals, Slash from Guns N’ Roses on lead guitar, Duff McKagan from Guns N’ Roses on bass, Matt Sorum, also from Guns N’ Roses and The Cult, on drums, and Dave Kushner from Wasted Youth on rhythm guitar.

# 9 – “I’m the One” – 4 Non Blondes

Continuing with our 10 Best Covers of Van Halen Songs list, we take a listen to the great song “I’m the One.” This classic Van Halen song was remade by the very cool band 4 Non Blondes. The group was led by record producer Linda Perry. The song was released on the Airheads soundtrack. The movie was released in 1994 with an all-star cast that included Brendan Fraser, Steve Buscemi, Adam Sandler, and Chris Farley.

The band really kicks it hard on this smoking version. Linda Perry nails David Lee Roth’s vocals in her own “get out of my face,” or perhaps we should say “get into my face,” vocal. The band 4 Non Blondes featured Linda Perry on vocals and guitar, Christa Hillhouse on bass and vocals, Dawn Richardson on drums, and Roger Rocha on lead guitar.

# 8 – “Jump” – Paul Anka

Come on, have a sense of humor. How could you not love a big-band version of “Jump”? And of course, who better to do it than Paul Anka? The legendary songwriter released a really fun album in the 2000s called Rock Swings. It is actually a convincing swing version that sounds as though the song could have been written in the 1940s. The track also features some legendary rock musicians, including Vinnie Colaiuta, who was Frank Zappa’s drummer and played on many classic recordings. Also playing guitar is Dean Parks, known for his work with Steely Dan. This is an album rock fans need to check out. It is very cool to hear Paul Anka covering not only Van Halen, but also classic rockers like Soundgarden, Billy Idol, Alice Cooper, Nirvana, and Judas Priest, along with many more.

# 7 – “And the Cradle Will Rock…” – The John Jorgenson Band

In the number seven position on our 10 Best Covers of Van Halen Songs list is “And the Cradle Will Rock…” Now, this is what we call a total reworking of a Van Halen song. This version was performed by the legendary guitarist John Jorgenson and The John Jorgenson Band. The recording was released on the album Strummin’ with the Devil: The Southern Side of Van Halen: A Tribute. This great record was issued in 2006. John Jorgenson is one of the most sought-after guitar players in the music business. He has played with just about everyone.

# 6 – “Dance the Night Away” – Santana

Landing in the number six spot on our 10 Best Covers of Van Halen Songs list, we present Van Halen’s early hit single “Dance the Night Away.” There are not many guitar players in rock and roll history who had as much impact as Eddie Van Halen did. However, one of them, who was just as important in classic rock history, was the legendary Carlos Santana. We really dig listening to him cover this Van Halen song with such class.

# 5 – “On Fire” – Stryper

At the halfway point on our 10 Best Covers of Van Halen Songs list is “On Fire.” Metal bands covering metal bands makes the most sense when it comes to keeping it real. You can hear how genuine Stryper is being because Stryper is simply being Stryper. It is as simple as that. The song “On Fire” was originally released on Van Halen’s self-titled debut album in 1978.

# 4 – “D.O.A.” – Warrior Soul

At the number four spot on our 10 Best Covers of Van Halen Songs list, we present “D.O.A.” Warrior Soul’s version is as dark and gritty as it gets. They pay tribute to the song’s great riffs while also bringing their own sound and style to the track. This one has a bit of a Thin Lizzy feel. The song was released on the Warrior Soul album Cocaine & Other Good Stuff. The album was released in 2020.

# 3 – “Romeo Delight” – Adrenaline Mob

Moving along on our 10 Best Covers of Van Halen Songs list, we present “Romeo Delight.” The band Adrenaline Mob lights up this hot cover of Van Halen’s “Women and Children First” album. The drums are killer on this one, as the man sitting behind the kit is Dream Theater’s Mike Portnoy. Make sure you listen to this one all the way through because, at the four-minute mark, the band jumps into a famous part of a Led Zeppelin tune. We do not want to ruin the surprise by telling you which tune it is. This is a smoking version by a band that did not release much music. This recording was released in 2013.

# 2 – “Panama” – Steel Panther

Just off the number one spot on our 10 Best Covers of Van Halen Songs list, we celebrate “Panama.” This is a song the band has covered extensively. However, the best version we have ever heard was performed live by the great California band Steel Panther. They are like the real-life Spinal Tap. David Lee Roth once said that lead singer Ralph “Michael Starr” Saenz sounds more like David Lee Roth than the real David Lee Roth. Take one listen to the video below, and you will probably agree.

# 1 – “Hot for Teacher” – John Corabi, Bruce Kulick, Tony Franklin, and Gregg Bissonette

We close our list of the 10 Best Covers of Van Halen Songs with “Hot for Teacher.” Our favorite Van Halen song of all time also lands in the number one spot on this list. If you are going to try to sound like Van Halen without looking ridiculous, it is going to take some all-star musicians to do so. That is exactly what we have on this almost note-for-note version of Van Halen’s “Hot for Teacher.” The band here features John Corabi on lead vocals, Bruce Kulick on guitar, who nails Eddie’s riffs and solos with near-perfect accuracy, Tony Franklin on bass, and Gregg Bissonette on drums. The song was released on the album Metal on Metal. The album was released in 2013.

These guys are all rock stars in their own right. John Corabi has sung lead vocals for many groups, including Mötley Crüe. Bruce Kulick played with Kiss, The Good Rats, Meat Loaf, and many others, including the current version of Grand Funk. Tony Franklin is a legendary bassist who was in the Power Station and Jimmy Page’s post-Led Zeppelin band The Firm. Gregg Bissonette has the closest relationship to Van Halen, as he played drums on the first three David Lee Roth solo albums. He has played with hundreds of rockers and is currently the drummer for Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band.