For fans who had the incredible opportunity to witness Van Halen perform live, the experience was likely filled with exhilarating moments, electrifying guitar solos, and unforgettable songs. However, for those with a curious disposition, setlist.fm serves as an excellent resource to explore the band’s performance history. With a remarkable catalog spanning 12 studio albums, it’s no surprise that certain tracks have garnered more attention than others during live shows, while some songs rarely graced the set list.

This analysis focuses exclusively on songs that Van Halen actually performed during their illustrious career, intentionally excluding tracks that never made it to the stage — there exists a separate list for those. The focus here is on songs that thrilled audiences at various points in their journey.

Album: Van Halen (1978)
Most-played: “Ain’t Talkin’ ’bout Love”
Least-played: “Little Dreamer”

Not every debut album achieves the monumental success that Van Halen‘s self-titled album did in 1978. This iconic album produced legendary tracks such as “Runnin’ With the Devil” and the widely acclaimed instrumental “Eruption.” Interestingly, while their cover of “You Really Got Me” by The Kinks is technically the most performed song from this album, if we focus solely on original compositions, “Ain’t Talkin’ ’bout Love” takes the lead. In contrast, “Little Dreamer” is the least performed, with Eddie Van Halen initially dismissing “Ain’t Talkin’ ’bout Love” as a trivial creation, describing it as “just two chords.”

Album: Van Halen II (1979)
Most-played: “Dance the Night Away”
Least-played: “D.O.A.”

The title “Dance the Night Away” suggests that this lively track became a staple in Van Halen’s live performances. It’s a fan favorite, embodying the band’s energetic spirit. Conversely, “D.O.A.” is a dynamic and fast-paced song that first emerged on the band’s Warner Bros. demo tape in 1977, showcasing their raw potential and creative prowess.

Album: <em>Women and Children First</em> (1980)
Most-played: “Everybody Wants Some!!”
Least-played: “Loss of Control”

With only two performances, “Loss of Control” barely clinches the title of the least-played track from Women and Children First, narrowly edging out “Could This Be Magic,” which didn’t make the set list at all. Notably, one of its rare performances occurred in 1977, a full three years before the album’s release. Meanwhile, “Everybody Wants Some!!” became an enduring favorite, racking up over 500 live performances and remaining a consistent highlight of all tours featuring David Lee Roth.

Album: Fair Warning (1981)
Most-played: “Unchained”
Least-played: “Dirty Movies”

Interestingly, two songs from Fair Warning — “Push Comes to Shove” and “One Foot Out the Door” — never entered the set list at all. Following closely behind, “Dirty Movies,” although less frequently performed, still boasts around 40 live renditions over the years. In contrast, “Unchained” emerged as the standout track, significantly contributing to the popularity of the MXR M-117 flanger pedal among guitarists.

Album: Diver Down (1982)
Most-played: “Little Guitars”
Least-played: “Hang ‘Em High”

In a surprising twist, a cover song actually ranks as the most performed from Diver Down: Roy Orbison’s classic “Oh, Pretty Woman.” Yet, looking strictly at original compositions, even the least played track, “Hang ‘Em High,” managed nearly 100 performances, primarily in the year of the album’s release. Originally conceived as “Last Night” back in 1976, “Little Guitars” showcases Van Halen’s remarkable acoustic guitar skills, as Eddie Van Halen was inspired by a flamenco guitarist, leading to a unique sound that resonated with audiences.

Album: 1984 (1984)
Most-played: “Panama”
Least-played: “Drop Dead Legs”

Unsurprisingly, “Panama” stands out as one of the most frequently performed songs across Van Halen’s entire repertoire, solidifying its status as a live favorite. Notably, “Top Jimmy,” a track inspired by a taco stand employee, never made it to the stage, while “Drop Dead Legs” only saw live performances in 2015, during the band’s final tour, marking a poignant moment for fans.

Album: 5150 (1986)
Most-played: “Why Can’t This Be Love”
Least-played: (Tie) “Get Up” and “Good Enough”

As we transition into the Sammy Hagar era with 5150, it’s remarkable to note the absence of the song “Inside,” which was never performed live. However, the rest of the album enjoyed substantial stage time, with both “Get Up” and “Good Enough” each racking up 111 performances. In contrast, “Why Can’t This Be Love” captivated audiences with nearly 600 live plays, challenging any skepticism about the album’s softer sound. Hagar proudly recalled how every show sold out almost instantly, affirming the album’s commercial success.

Album: OU812 (1988)
Most-played: “When It’s Love”
Least-played: “Source of Infection”

Throughout the years, the frequency of live performances for “When It’s Love” fluctuated significantly, ranging from less than a dozen to over 70 renditions. This song played a pivotal role in shaping the OU812 album, as Hagar recounted experiencing goosebumps upon hearing the initial keyboard part, which inspired the entire project. On the other hand, “Source of Infection” was often regarded as a novelty track, earning only three total performances, while “Feels So Good” impressively received none.

Album: For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge (1991)
Most-played: “Right Now”
Least-played: “Man on a Mission”

On May 21, 1992, Van Halen made a peculiar choice to perform “Man on a Mission” for the first and final time, alongside the instrumental “316,” which similarly saw no stage time. In stark contrast, “Right Now” became a staple, with over 300 performances from 1991 to 2004. Eddie Van Halen later shared that the music for “Right Now” had been penned in 1983 but didn’t find its place until nearly a decade later, showcasing the evolving nature of their artistry.

Album: Balance (1995)
Most-played: “The Seventh Seal”
Least-played: “Take Me Back (Deja Vu)”

During the recording of Balance, Van Halen collaborated with the Monks of Gyuto Tantric University for an enchanting chant sequence featured in “The Seventh Seal.” Although the monks were unavailable for live performances, Van Halen ingeniously incorporated a recorded version during concerts. A couple of tracks, “Doin’ Time” and “Strung Out,” never made it to the live stage, while “Take Me Back (Deja Vu)” saw a modest nine performances, all in 1995.

Album: Van Halen III (1998)
Most-played: “Without You”
Least-played: “How Many I Say”

Marking the Gary Cherone era, Van Halen III features just one studio album with seven tracks making it to the set lists. The standout track, “Without You,” enjoyed 78 performances, owing to its status as the first single released from the album, achieving No. 1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. In contrast, “How Many I Say” was rarely played, with a mere seven live performances, all occurring in 1998.

Album: A Different Kind of Truth (2012)
Most-played: “She’s the Woman”
Least-played: (Tie) “Bullethead” and “Stay Frosty”

In 2012, David Lee Roth returned to lend his vocals for A Different Kind of Truth. Unfortunately, only about half of the album’s tracks were ever performed live, with “Bullethead” and “Stay Frosty” each being played only once. “Bullethead” originally debuted in 1977 but was reworked for this album, while “Stay Frosty,” a newer composition, benefited from the creative input of Eddie Van Halen’s son, Wolfgang. The most frequently played track, “She’s the Woman,” was also a reimagined piece from a 1976 demo.