A List of Van Halen Albums In Order of Release
By Sameen Shakya | On April 7, 2023 03:17 AM
Van Halen albums in order of release are 1. Van Halen 2. Van Halen II 3. Women and Children First. Van Halen has released 12 studio records in total.
Known as one of the most popular bands within the realm of Hard Rock and Glam Metal, VH hails from Pasadena, California. There, the band was formed in 1974 by the Van Halen brother Alex and Eddie.
The band would go on to rule Rock radio for much of the late 1970s and early 1980s, becoming cultural touchstones both in the realm of the genre and in the mainstream. Many of their albums are seen as great examples of a certain style of heavy guitar music that is seen at once as quaint and forward-thinking.
With three lead singers in the band's history, their albums can also be categorized into three eras.
A Complete List Of Van Halen Albums In Order of Release
| Album Name: | Release Date: |
| Van Halen | February 10, 1978 |
| Van Halen II | March 23, 1979 |
| Women and Children First | March 26, 1980 |
| Fair Warning | April 29, 1981 |
| Diver Down | April 14, 1982 |
| 1984 | January 9, 1984 |
| 5150 | March 24, 1986 |
| OU812 | May 20, 1988 |
| For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge | June 17, 1991 |
| Balance | January 24, 1995 |
| Van Halen III | March 17, 1998 |
| A Different Kind of Truth | February 7, 2012 |
Van Halen
Van Halen is the self-titled debut album of the band. The album is widely regarded as their best work.
With Eddie Van Halen's virtuoso guitar meeting David Lee Roth's amazing vocals and frontman ship, this self-titled debut took the band straight to the top of rock and roll.
Given that it is their debut, it comes as no surprise that it charted the lowest at number 19 on the Billboard 200, and has since been certified diamond.
Van Halen II
Van Halen II is the well-regarded follow-up to the stellar debut. The album jumped up the charts to peak at number 6.
The album saw a positive critical reaction which helped assuage fears that the band was a one-album wonder and cemented their place commercially. The sequel was seen as a lighter and funnier version of the first album.
It has since sold over six million copies in the United States
Women and Children First
Women and Children First is the third album in this discography. Like its predecessor, this one also peaked at number 6.
However, unlike VH II, this album is known for being much heavier than their previous works. Also, it is the first record within their catalog not to feature any cover songs at all.
Fair Warning
Fair Warning is the fourth album in the Van Halen catalog. Unlike its predecessors, it broke into the top five on Billboard 200.
Despite this accolade, the album is the slowest-selling album during what is now known as the David Lee Roth era of the band. Though commercially something of a failure, the album was also met with positive critical reception.
Diver Down
Diver Down is the fifth album in a still strong discography. The album continued an upward trajectory in the charts as it peaked at number 3.
Unlike Fair Warning, this album was both a critical and commercial success and by 1998, had sold over four million copies just within the United States. The album was also a hit in Canada where it is certified Platinum as well.
1984
1984 is the sixth album in the Van Halen catalog. It would be the last to feature David Lee Roth until 2012.
Seen by many as the end of the Lee Roth era of the band, the album is tied with their debut as VH's best-selling album. 1984 has sold over ten million copies and is certified Diamond.
It is also the first album by the band to peak at number 2 on the Billboard 200.
5150
5150 is the seventh album released by Van Halen. It is also the start of the Sammy Hagar era of the band.
After Lee Roth left, Hagar joined the helm as their lead singer and the band produced this album. Despite a change in singers, which is usually a death knell for Rock bands, this album did really well and peaked atop the Billboard 200, a first for the band.
OU812
OU812 is the eighth album by the Hard Rock band. It also peaked at the Billboard 200, continuing its streak.
Hagar continued to show critics and fans that he wasn't just Lee Roth's replacement, but that the band was now his. With a performance all his own, the singer, alongside the other members, helped push this album to reach a 4-Times Platinum certification.
For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge
For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge is the ninth album by Van Halen. Unsurprisingly, it also peaked atop the Billboard 200.
The album continued Hagar's mission to completely outshine Lee Roth as the singer people associate with Halen. In fact, the album as a whole was a huge success immediately out the gate with seven of the eleven tracks on it being singles.
Balance
Balance is the tenth album to be released by the band. It also marks the end of the Sammy Hagar era of Halen.
A huge success, the album would continue the trend of VH records peaking at number 1 on the Billboard 200. It would also be the last album by the band to ever peak the chart and is seen by some as their last good album.
Balance has been certified Triple Platinum as of May 2004 and has sold over three million copies just within the United States.
Van Halen III
Van Halen III is the eleventh album by the band. It is the only album to feature singer Gary Cherone.
It peaked at number 4 on the Billboard 200 and has been certified Gold. For any other band, this would be a triumph but for Halen, it was a death knell.
A commercial failure, the album is also seen as a pariah by fans of the band, and not even the most hardcore VH fan will defend it.
A Different Kind of Truth
A Different Kind of Truth is the twelfth album in the Van Halen catalog. It is also the last album to be released before the band disbanded forever.
Though the album saw the return of original singer David Lee Roth, favorable critical reception, and peaked at number 2 on the Billboard 200, Eddie decided enough was enough and chose to end the band.
Van Halen Songs
Van Halen songs include 1. Dance the Night Away 2. Ain't Talking About Love. The band has many classic songs in its catalog.
Van Halen Dance the Night Away
Dance the Night Away is the sixth overall single of the band. The song was released on April 1979.
This track, the second off of their sophomore album is also the only song they wrote while recording the album. The rest were all demos.
The lead singer Lee Roth has stated that he wrote the song as a tribute to a woman he once knew.
Van Halen Ain't Talkin' 'bout Love
Ain't Talkin' 'bout Love is the fifth overall single of the band. This song was released on October 1978.
This song has the distinction of being one of the very few songs from the Lee Roth era that subsequent singer Sammy Hagar was willing to sing during concerts.
Many fans and publications love the song because of its riff.
Van Halen You Really Got Me
You Really Got Me is the first single ever released by the band. It is a cover of The Kink's song of the same name.
Halen's version was a hit on the radio and played a huge part in kickstarting the band's career. The artists themselves see it as an updated version of the old classic.
It managed to chart up to 36 on the Hot 100 and was included on their first album.
Van Halen Why Can't This Be Love?
Why Can't This Be Love? is the band's 23rd single. The song was released on March 1986.
Featuring Sammy Hagar, the song rose to number 3 on the Hot 100 and is one of the reasons why its parent album, 5150, reached number 1 on the Billboard 200 charts.
The song is also famous for being the first single the band released with their second vocalist after the departure of founding singer David Lee Roth.
Van Halen Ice Cream Man
Ice Cream Man is another cover song from the self-titled debut. The song was originally by John Brim.
Although never released as a single, the song is popular for the acoustic performance of it Lee Roth and Eddie did during concerts. Through these intimate performances, the song has become something of a fan favorite.
Other Famous Van Halen Songs
- Runnin With the Devil
- Beautiful Girls
- And the Cradle Will Rock...
- So This Is Love?
- (Oh) Pretty Woman
- Where Have All the Good Times Gone!
- Dancing in the Street
- Jump
- I'll Wait
- Panama
- Hot for Teacher
- Dreams
- Love Walks In
- Black and Blue
- When It's Love
- Finish What Ya Started
- Feels So Good
- Top of the World
- Right Now
- Can't Stop Loving You
Recent posts
Musical Artists
Musical Artists
10 Black Male Singers Of The 80s And 90s
Black Male Singers Of The 80s And 90s include the likes of 1. Michael Jackson 2. Usher 3. Lionel Richie and more. These singers have Soul, Rhythm, and Blues. These two decades saw the growing rise of African-American artists in prominent positions i...
Musical Artists
How Long Has Kane Brown Been With His Wife?
How long has Kane Brown been with his wife? Kane Brown is married to Katelyn Jae since 2018 and has two kids, both daughters. Brown is best known as a Country singer and has been active in the industry since 2014 with three albums to his name releas...
Musical Artists
Best Punk Bands With Female Singers
Best punk bands with female singers comprise groups like Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, Patti Smith Group, and Tegan & Sara among others. Female artists Avril Lavigne have pushed the envelope of punk rock by becoming a popular mainstream artis...
Musical Artists
Hollywood Undead Names And Masks
Hollywood Undead New Masks And Names comprises of J-Dog, Funny Man, Johnny 3 Tears, Charlie Scene, and Danny. They are an LA-based Rap-Rock band. Formed in 2005, the group is known for its unique, hockey goaltender-designed masks. Coming at the tail...
Musical Artists
Dave Mustaine And Wife Pamela Have A Son And A Daughter
Dave Mustaine wife Pamela Anne Casselberry is the mother of a son Justis and a daughter Electra. Dave Mustaine and Pamela Anne Casselberry were married in 1991. Born in 1961, the 61-year-old musician is regarded as one of the most iconic figures in ...
Musical Artists
Sawyer Fredericks Family Includes His Parents, Siblings And Partner
Sawyer Fredericks family owns a 90-acre farm in upstate New York. Sawyer Fredericks was born to parents Carl F. Frederick and Kristen L. Fredericks along with his two siblings. The American blues singer rose to mainstream attention after winning the...
Musical Artists
Who Is Savion Wright (NOIVAS) From The Voice 2023?
Savion Wright is a Top 5 contestant on The Voice season 23. Also known as NOIVAS he is a well-known American Idol alum. His performance of A Change Is Gonna Come made all four chairs turn in the blind audition. Wright became a household name a...
