Our 10 Best Covers Of Van Halen Songs lists put 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 outside of bar bands and garage bands. Who wants to try to duplicate Eddie Van Halen’s guitar parts. It’s pretty much an impossible task because nobody can play like Eddie Van Halen. He was one of the most unique and innovative guitarists who has ever lived. He was also one of the most loved guitar players in classic rock history.
It’s pretty much a no-win situation for anybody who wants to try to pay tribute to Eddie Van Halen because they’re just gonna look foolish. So the bands that were successful in covering Van Halen songs are the groups and artists that try to put their own unique spin on Van Halen. Those are the ones that worked and those are the ones that we’ve picked for this best covers of Van Halen songs list.
# 10 – Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love
We open up 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 done by the short-lived band Velvet Revolver. The band performed the song live at the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Awards Ceremony when Van Halen was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. Take a listen to how great Slash sounds on this one. At the time the band 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 entitled “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 including 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 we should probably say “get into my face vocal.” The band 4 Non Blondes featured Linda Perry on vocals and guitars, 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 back in the 2000s called Rock Swings. It’s actually a really convincing swing version that sounds like the song could have been written in the 1940s. The song also features some legendary rock musicians in the band including Vinnie Colaiuta who was Frank Zappa’s drummer as well as playing on so many classic recordings. Also playing guitar is Dean Parks of Steely Dan. This is an album rock fans need to check out. It’s very cool to hear Paul Anka not only covering Van Halen but other classic rockers like Soundgarden, Billy Idol, Alice Cooper, Nirvana, and Judas Priest as well as many more.
# 7 -And the Cradle Will Rock
In the number seven position on our 10 Best Covers Of Van Halen Songs list is the song entitled “And the Cradle Will Rock.” Now, this is what we call a total reworking of a Van Halen song. This version was done by the legendary guitar player John Richard 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
Landing in the number six spot on our 10 Best Covers Of Van Halen Songs list we present Van Halens’ early hit single “Dance The Night Away.” There are not many guitar players in rock and roll history that had as much of an impact as Eddie Van Haled did. However, one of them that was just as important in classic rock history was the legendary Carlo Santana. We just really dig listening to him cover this called 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 the song entitled On Fire. Metal bands covering metal bands really makes the most sense as far as keeping it real. You can really hear how genuine Stryper is being because Stryper is just being Stryper. It’s as simple as that. The song “On Fire” was originally released on Van Halen’s debut album called Van Halen 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 the song entitled “D.O.A.” Warrior Soul’s version is as down 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 songs. This one has a little bit of a Thin Lizzy feel to it. The song was released on the Warrior Soul album entitled 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 the song entitled “Romeo Delight.”The band Adrenaline Mob lights up this hot cover from Van Halen’s 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 don’t want to ruin the surprise for you by telling you which tune it is. This is a smoking version by a band that did not release a lot of music. This recording was released in 2013.
# 2 – Panama- Steel Panther
Just of the number spot on our 10 Best Covers Of Van Halen Songs list we celebrate the song entitled “Panama.” This is a very much covered song by the band. However, the best version we have ever heard was done live by the great California band called 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
We close out our 10 Best Covers Of Van Halen Songs list with the song entitled Hot For Teacher. Our favorite Van Halen songs of all time lands in the number one spot also on this list. If you’re going to try and sound like Van Halen without looking ridiculous, it’s going to take some all-star musicians to do so. That’s 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 almost perfectly, Tony Franklin on bass, and Gregg Bissonette on drums. The song was released on the album entitled Metal on Metal. The album was released in 2013.
These guys are all rock stars in their own right. John Corbi has sung lead vocals for so many groups including Motley Crue. 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. Greg 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 in the Ringo Starr and his All Starr Band group.
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