Van Halen Albums Ranked (rated from worst to best)

Formed in Pasadena, California, USA in 1972, by two Dutch brothers, Alex and Eddie Van Halen,  the band Van Halen went on to become one of the biggest names in the hard rock scene. Their lineup changed several times, particularly their lead vocalist and this still leads to arguments to this day. With many being in the David Lee Roth (“Diamond Dave”) camp and just as many being in the Sammy Hagar camp.

There seems to be only one thing all Van Halen fans are united on and that is you can’t have Van Halen without Eddie Van Halen. Once Eddie died of cancer in late 2020, the band disbanded. With the disbandment notice coming from Eddie’s son and Van Halen bassist, Wolfgang.

Best Van Halen Albums Of All Time

Van Halen released 12 albums and as always, we’ll rank them as we see them from the rest to the best.

12. Van Halen III (1998)

This was Van Halen’s 11th studio album which was released on March 17th 1998. It was their 1st studio album in 3 years and their only album to feature lead vocalist Gary Cherone (Extreme). It was also their last album to feature Michael Anthony (bass) who only plays bass on 3 tracks, the rest being played by Eddie.

Eddie’s son Wolfgang replaced Anthony on all subsequent recordings and tours. It was their longest studio album running for over 65 minutes. Although the album was a success in some terms in the US, it was a commercial disaster for the band. The lead single “Without You” did well on radio but fans were critical of the album. They disliked the songwriting, production and band performances as well as the length of the album. 

This was their last album for 14 years until their comeback album in 2012 “A Different Kind Of Truth”.

11. For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge (1991)

F.U.C.K. as it’s often abbreviated, was Van Halen’s 9th studio album which was released on June 17 1991. It was Sammy Hagar’s 3rd album with the band and it debuted at number 1 on the Billboard 200 album chart where it stayed for 3 weeks.

7 of the 11 tracks on this album were released as singles with standout tracks for us being “Poundcake”, “Top Of The World” and “Right Now”. We also have to mention the instrumental track “316”, which was so titled because it was the date of Eddie’s son Wolfgang’s birth.

10. Balance (1995)

Released on January 24th 1995, this was Van Halen’s 10th studio album and their last featuring Sammy Hagar. The album peaked at number 1 on the Billboard 200 album chart, their 4th consecutive number 1 album.

There are several memorable tracks on this album, but stand out tracks for us include; “The Seventh Seal”, “Amsterdam” and “Baluchitherium”.

9. OU812 (1988)

Pronounced “Oh You Ate One Too”, this was Van Halen’s 8th studio album which was released on May 20th 1988. It was the 2nd album to feature Sammy Hagar on vocals and their 2nd consecutive number 1 album on the Billboard 200 album chart.

The track “Source Of Infection” was written about the time Eddie spent in hospital with dengue fever while on holiday in Australia in April 1988 celebrating his wedding anniversary. The singles released from this album included; “When It’s Love”, Black And Blue” and “Finish What Ya Started”.

SEE ALSO: What Guitar Does Eddie Van Halen Use?

8. A Different Kind Of Truth (2012)

This was the band’s 12th and final studio album which was released on February 7th 2012. It was also their 1st full length album with lead vocalist David Lee Roth since “1984” and their only studio album not to feature Michael Anthony on bass. Instead Eddie’s son Wolfgang played bass on this, his only studio album with Van Halen.

The album debuted at number 2 on the Billboard 200 album chart and there were 2 singles released from this album which were “Tattoo” and “She’s The Woman”. Only the track “Tattoo” has a synthesiser played on it, while 2 other tracks on the album, “You And Your Blues” and “As Is” have a processed guitar that sounds like a synth.

7. 5150 (1986)

Pronounced “fifty one Fifty”, this was Van Halen’s 7th studio album which was released on March 24th 1986. This was their 1st album featuring Sammy Hagar on vocals and it peaked at number 1 on the Billboard 200 album chart. It also marked a change in style for the band from a straight up hard rock band, to a band that sometimes produced love songs and ballads.

Many called this new band “Van Hagar” because of Sammy’s influence. At one point the record company Warner Bros., even suggested that the band changed their name, but Eddie and Alex were having none of it. 

They released 4 singles from this album which were “Why Can’t This Be Love”, “Dreams”, “Love Walks In” and “Best Of Both Worlds”.

6. Diver Down (1982)

Released on April 14th 1982, “Diver Down” was Van Halen’s 5th studio album. The album cover displays the diver down flag used by SCUBA divers to indicate there is a diver submerged in that location. 

There were 5 covers on this album, the most popular was “Pretty Woman” (Roy Orbison) which they released as a single. Other singles released from this album were Marvin Gaye’s “Dancing In The Street” and “Secrets”.

This was one of the Van Halen brothers least liked albums with Eddie once being quoted as saying; 

I would rather bomb with my own music than be the world’s biggest cover band.

Eddie Van Halen

5. Women And Children First (1980)

Van Halen’s 3rd studio album which was released on March 26th 1980. This was their 1st album to not feature any cover songs and one of their 1st truly heavy albums. The track “Could This Be Magic” contains the only female backing vocals ever recorded by Van Halen. Nicolette Larson provided the backing on some of the choruses.

Stand out tracks for us include; “Romeo Delight”, “Loss Of Control” and “Everybody Wants Some!!”. The lead track and only single released from this album “And The Cradle Will Rock…”was the 1st song released by Van Halen to feature Eddie Van Halen playing keyboard.

4. Van Halen II (1979)

Peaking at number 6 on the Billboard 200 album chart, Van Halen II was the band’s 2nd studio album which was released on March 23rd 1979. It produced 2 singles which were; “Dance The Night Away” and “Beautiful Girls”. 

The black and yellow guitar known as “Bumblebee” that is featured on the back cover of the album was buried with guitarist Dimebag Darrell (Pantera) Eddie placed it in his coffin, a “Kiss Kasket” at his funeral because Darrell always said it was his favourite guitar. 

3. Fair Warning (1981)

This was their 4th studio album which was released on April 29th 1981. It sold over 2 million copies but was the slowest selling album of the David Lee Roth era. There were a total of 4 singles released from this album; “So This Is Love?”, “Unchained”, “Mean Street” and “Hear About It Later”. 

This album only peaked at number 5 on the Billboard 200 album chart which is a surprise because it features some of Eddie Van Halen’s better heavy guitar work.

2. 1984 (1984)

Released on January 9th 1984, this was Van Halen’s 6th studio album and their last to feature David Lee Roth on vocals until 2012s “A Different Kind Of Truth”. This album sold more than 10 million copies and reached the number 2 spot on the Billboard 200 album chart.

It was kept off the number 1 spot by Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” which featured Eddie Van Halen as a guest guitarist. 

1984 produced 4 singles which were; “Jump”, “I’ll Wait”, “Panama” and “Hot For Teacher”.

1. Van Halen (1978)

This was the band’s debut studio album which was released on February 10th 1978. It peaked at number 19 on the Billboard 200 album chart and has sold in excess of 11 million copies. 

This was the album that gave us tracks such as; “Runnin’ With The Devil”, “Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love” and their cover of the Kinks “You Really Got Me” as well as “Eruption” written and performed by Eddie Van Halen and showcasing his amazing two handed tapping technique.

SEE ALSO: Best Van Halen Songs (you’ll wish you heard earlier)

All Van Halen Albums In Chronological Order

Album	Date
Van Halen	1978
Van Halen II	1979
Women and Children First	1980
Fair Warning	1981
Diver Down	1982
1984	1984
5150	1986
OU812	1988
For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge	1991
Balance	1995
Van Halen III	1998
A Different Kind Of Truth	2012

Frequently Asked Questions