Skip to Search Skip to Live Player Skip to Content Skip to Footer
WRIF Rocks Detroit | Everything That Rocks Wolfgang Van Halen Unveils Track Listing to New Album
  • Home
  • Latest Stories
        • Latest Stories

          • Rock News
          • Man Cave
          • Everything Detroit
          • Andy Green
        • Latest Rock News

  • On Air
        • Dave & Chuck The Freak

          • About
          • Home
          • Dave & Chuck The Freak Podcast
          • Dave & Chuck The Freak’s Tasty Bits
          • Peep Show
          • D&C Store
          • YouTube
        • Shows

          • Dave and Chuck the Freak
          • Jade Springart
          • Meltdown
          • Aimee Brooks
          • WRIF Weekends
          • Motor City Riffs
          • Midnight Metal
          • RIFF2
        • Recently Played

        • The RIFF Wants Your Feedback

          New Music Breakdown
  • Listen + Watch
        • Listen + Watch

          • Dave & Chuck The Freak Podcast
          • Dave & Chuck The Freak’s Tasty Bits
          • Dave & Chuck The Freak Peep Show
          • RIFF TV
          • Talkin’ Rock With Meltdown
          • Jade & Andy Podcast
          • Haunted Michigan with Meltdown
          • New Music Breakdown Poll
          • ROAR Around The Ring
          • All Podcasts
          • Photos
        • Podcasts

          wrif podcast logo
        • RIFF TV

          rifftv logo
        • Photos

          photos image
        • Latest Peep Shows

  • Contests
  • Events
  • Shop
        • Shop

          • The RIFF Store
          • Must Haves
        • WRIF Gear

        • Dave & Chuck The Freak Store

        • Must Haves

  • More
        • Connect

          • About WRIF | Contact Us
          • Ways To Rock With 101 WRIF
          • Download The Riff App
          • Join The WRIF CyberCrew
          • Dave & Chuck the Freak’s Daily Download
          • Beasley Best Community of Caring
          • Advertise
          • Careers
        • Join The Cybercrew

        • Advertise With RIFF

          image overlaid with text that reads advertise with us
        • 101 WRIF Rock Hall

Rock News

  • Home
  • About
  • Articles

Rock News

Rock News

  • Home
  • About
  • Articles

Wolfgang Van Halen Unveils Tracklisting to Debut Album

Author Erica Banas // Rock Music Reporter
February 8th, 2021 11:53 AM

Wolfgang Van Halen has unveiled the tracklisting for his debut album which is being released under the name Mammoth WVH.

Wolfgang shared the tracklisting via social media in a brief video. Currently, the 14-track LP doesn’t have a release date or a title. Included as a bonus track on the album is “Distance,” Mammoth WVH’s first single, which serves as a tribute to late father Eddie Van Halen.

Wolfgang will be making his television debut on February 11 when Mammoth WVH serves as the musical guest on Jimmy Kimmel Live!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Wolf Van Halen (@wolfvanhalen)

Mammoth WVH – Debut Album – Tracklisting

1. Mr. Ed
2. Horribly Right
3. Epiphany
4. Don’t Back Down
5. Resolve
6. You’ll Be The One
7. Mammoth
8. Circles
9. The Big Picture
10. Think It Over
11. You’re To Blame
12. Feel
13. Stone
14. Distance (Bonus Track)

 

Van Halen: Their 30 Best Songs, Ranked

  • 30. “Dirty Movies” – ‘Fair Warning’ (1981)

    Share

    One thing that doesn’t get discussed enough about Van Halen is how funky they could be. This song, about a prom-queen-turned-porn-star, features one of Van Halen’s deepest grooves, courtesy of Michael Anthony and Alex Van Halen, but it’s Eddie’s evocative leads and riffing (along with Dave being Dave) that really makes the song work.

  • 29. “Happy Trails” – ‘Diver Down’ (1982)

    Share

    A song by Roy Rogers and Dale Evans that Van Halen covered as a one minute long acapella jam for their most uneven album, this might not have ranked as one of their best songs before October 6, 2020. But if you were putting together your own Van Halen mix today, this would be a great final track, and it definitely sounds different now that Eddie is gone. It also showed that not only were the band members great instrumentalists, they were great vocalists as well.

  • 28. “Ice Cream Man” – ‘Van Halen’ (1978)

    Share

    Like all other hard rock bands from the ’60s and ‘70s, Van Halen was influenced by all forms of blues. But Van Halen had more fun with it than most, as evidenced here. Dave would play the acoustic guitar at the beginning of the song, starting it out solo, but the band kicked in and Eddie came in hot with one of his greatest solos. The end where Dave and Eddie are dueling with their instruments, is just a blast.

  • 27. “Right Now” – ‘For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge’ (1991)

    Share

    It’s difficult for a hard rock band to grow up and Van Halen were one of the few who were able to pull it off gracefully. Let’s be honest -- they wouldn’t have been able to do it without Sammy Hagar. But the band evolved as songwriters and players. This socially conscious song was built on an amazing Eddie Van Halen piano riff, but it also included one of his many incredible solos.

  • 26. “Intruder/(Oh) Pretty Woman” – ‘Diver Down’ (1982)

    Share

    Van Halen were, of course, a great songwriting team, as this list attests to. But they were also amazing song interpreters. They kicked off their career with a supercharged version of the Kinks’ “You Really Got Me,” but their unexpected take on Roy Orbison’s “(Oh) Pretty Woman” is nearly as iconic.

  • 25. “Finish What Ya Started” – OU812 (1988)

    Share

    When the Eddie Van Halen/Sammy Hagar team worked, it *really* worked. The two of them worked this song out on two guitars in the wee hours of the morning and it sounds like it. This song sounds unlike anything else VH ever did; Eddie’s playing, even without distortion, is fantastic.

  • 24. “Little Dreamer” – ‘Van Halen’ (1978)

    Share

    David Lee Roth reminds us that he can sing on this song, and his lyrics are a bit more empathetic than usual: “And then they went and they voted you/Least likely to succeed/I had to tell them baby you were armed with/All you'd need.” As flashy as Eddie could be, he knew how to let the song breathe; his playing during the verses dances around Roth’s narration. Of course, he also gets his time to shine on his wailing solo.

  • 23. “Best Of Both Worlds” – ‘5150’ (1986)

    Share

    ‘5150,’ Van Halen’s first album with Sammy Hagar, made a strong case that the band’s second iteration would be as strong as the first, and this song was a big reason why. Eddie played a monster riff during the chorus, and his playing glided through the verses. And it’s one of Sammy’s best VH performances.

  • 22. “Feel Your Love Tonight” – ‘Van Halen’ (1978)

    Share

    An ode to teenage horniness; as always, Eddie, Alex and Michael’s playing was great but the real star is the interplay of their backing vocals with Dave’s leads. As with “Happy Trails,” it makes a good case that Van Halen could have been a great doo-wop group in a different era.

  • 21. “Summer Nights” – ‘5150’ (1986)

    Share

    With the addition of Sammy Hagar, it was clear that Van Halen could do a lot more, stylistically, and they weren’t going to stick with just party jams. But they weren’t going to ditch them, either, as they pointed out with “Summer Nights.” And obviously, Eddie still had riffs for days.

  • 20. “Atomic Punk” – ‘Van Halen’ (1978)

    Share

    “I am the ruler of these nether worlds/The underground/On every wall and place my fearsome name is hear/Just look around, whoa yeee-ah!” It sounds like something Black Sabbath might have cooked up. The opening interplay between Eddie’s guitar scratching (reminiscent of “Voodoo Chile” by his idol Jimi Hendrix) and Alex’s cymbals is hair raising. Which Eddie Van Halen solo is the best one? Tough to say, but this one kind of defines “face-melting.”

  • 19. “Dreams” – ‘5150’ (1986)

    Share

    Another example of a Hagar-era classic that just wouldn’t have been possible with Van Halen’s original lineup. Here, it’s Sammy’s vocals that take center stage, but Eddie’s keyboards drive the song. Of course, Eddie steps away from the keys for a bit to blow our minds with a solo.

  • 18. “So This Is Love?” – ‘Fair Warning’ (1981)

    Share

    Give the bass player some! This is one of Michael Anthony’s funkiest performances; it almost sounds like something a jazz or blues band could have done in a prohibition-era speakeasy, and you could certainly imagine Roth performing in those snarky vocals in a dark, seedy joint. It’s Eddie’s guitar and Alex’s drums that bring it to the ‘80s; of course, it still sounds amazing today, and it always will.

  • 17. “Jamie’s Cryin’” – ‘Van Halen’ (1978)

    Share

    Roth showed empathy for the lead character in “Little Dreamer,” and he also did it on “Jamie’s Cryin’.” “Now Jamie's been in love before/And she knows what love is for/It should mean, a little, a little more/Than one-night stands.” Of course, many of his songs actually were about one-night stands, but here he shows some feeling for the person on the other end of a tryst.

  • 16. “Dance The Night Away” – ‘Van Halen II’ (1979)

    Share

    One thing that set Van Halen apart from their rivals was their ability to write a perfect pop song, and a danceable one at that. Here’s another great example of Eddie Van Halen getting out of the way of the song.

  • 15. “Panama” – ‘1984’ (1984)

    Share

    After hearing the lead single from ‘1984,’ “Jump,” fans might have worried that Van Halen was ditching hard rock. No such luck: this ode to fast cars was a guitar-driven masterpiece.

  • 14. “I’m The One” – ‘Van Halen’ (1978)

    Share

    More than forty years later, this song is still mindblowing; at parts, it’s nearly as fast as speed metal, at other parts it sounds like cabaret. And they slip into doo-wop/acapella mode for good measure, just to show you that they can do it. One of the most underrated songs in the VH catalog.

  • 13. “Somebody Get Me A Doctor” – ‘Van Halen II’ (1979)

    Share

    The “woo-woo!” at 1:24, going into Eddie’s solo is perfect, as is Eddie guitar fill at 2:09. You can hear how much fun they’re having here and it’s infectious.

  • 12. “Hot For Teacher” – ‘1984’ (1984)

    Share

    Alex Van Halen is the star here; his drumming on this song is as iconic and instantly recognizable as any of Eddie’s guitar work. Of course, Eddie’s guitar here is stellar. Even though it was their last album with David Lee Roth (for a few decades), they were firing on all cylinders And not only on the song but on the video, which was their last with Roth and certainly their best.

  • 11. “Everybody Wants Some!!” – ‘Women And Children First’ (1980)

    Share

    Now, sure...we just gushed about Alex Van Halen’s drumming in the previous entry, but we’d be remiss if we didn’t do the same on “Everybody Wants Some!!” While not as frenetic as “Hot For Teacher,” the lengthy drum intro on “Everybody Wants Some!!” is just as infectious, as is its chorus.

  • 10. “Little Guitars (Intro)/Little Guitars” – ‘Diver Down’ (1982)

    Share

    ‘Diver Down’ is generally thought of as the most uneven of the first six Van Halen albums, but most other bands would kill for an album that good. “Little Guitars” is the best original on the album; Eddie’s acoustic intro is even more intense than “Spanish Fly” (from ‘Van Halen II’) and “Little Guitars” itself is one of the band’s most joyful songs. Eddie’s riff almost seems to be bouncing around during the song.

  • 9. “1984/Jump” – ‘1984’ (1984)

    Share

    Van Halen’s lone number one hit is, of course, the synth-heavy “Jump,” because irony is just funny like that sometimes.

  • 8. “On Fire” – ‘Van Halen’ (1978)

    Share

    Closing out Van Halen’s self-titled debut, “On Fire” sends listeners out on a hard rock high note (literally) with DLR and Michael Anthony’s wails of “I’m on fire!” It’s the type of closer that immediately just makes you want to start an album from track one again and go for another ride.

  • 7. “Unchained” – ‘Fair Warning’ (1981)

    Share

    Take a look at this! Some songs are just tailor-made to be performed in massive arenas, and “Unchained” is one of them. From the chugging opening riff to the group vocal on the chorus, “what a rocker” this song is!

  • 6. “You Really Got Me” – ‘Van Halen’ (1978)

    Share

    Van Halen had a way with covers and really had a knack for putting their own spin on classics, especially a rock standard like “You Really Got Me.” It’s undoubtedly VH’s best cover and can easily stand up to the original by the Kinks. Of course, it didn’t hurt to have a lead in like “Eruption” either.

  • 5. “Mean Street” – ‘Fair Warning’ (1981)

    Share

    Serving as the opening track on Van Halen’s fourth studio album, “Mean Street” is a unique standout not just on the LP but in the band’s entire catalog. Dave, Eddie, Michael and Alex all shine on this track, and it’s a shared spotlight that’s hard to ignore.

  • 4. “Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love” – ‘Van Halen’ (1978)

    Share

    The final single from Van Halen’s stellar debut album, “Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love” remains a mainstay of rock radio over four decades after its initial release. It’s easy to understand why with its brash chorus and ridiculously memorable lines like “You know you're semi-good lookin'/And on the streets again.” Oh, and that opening riff is just killer.

  • 3. “And The Cradle Will Rock…” – ‘Women And Children First’ (1980)

    Share

    “Have you seen Junior's grades?” More than just a little tongue in cheek lyrically, “And the Cradle Will Rock…” famously gave fans the first taste of Eddie Van Halen dabbling with keyboards, without taking away from his guitar. That sure had some decent returns down the line!

  • 2. “Eruption” – ‘Van Halen’ (1978)

    Share

    In 1:42 and only the second track into Van Halen’s debut album, Eddie Van Halen cemented his status as a guitar god, and there was no turning back. “Eruption” is so ingrained in rock culture now it’s almost difficult to think of a time without it. It’s the solo that inspired countless people to pick up a guitar; it also caused thousands of six-stringers to sit dumbfounded, trying to figure out how EVH played the damn thing in the first place. Perhaps, it’s both.

  • 1. “Runnin’ With The Devil” – ‘Van Halen’ (1978)

    Share

    Out the gate, Van Halen just weren’t messing around. They were young, hungry and with a mission statement like “Runnin’ With The Devil,” they told you who they were right away. When you’re “livin' at a pace that kills,” there isn’t time for pleasantries. In a debate on the best opening track from a debut album ever, “Runnin’ With The Devil” is always part of the conversation, and it may well be the greatest. In the case of this list, we think it’s Van Halen’s best song ever. Simply put, this song is perfect, even when you isolate DLR’s vocals.

Erica Banas is a rock/classic rock news blogger who's well-versed in etiquette and extraordinarily nice. #TransRightsAreHumanRights
WRIF Rocks Detroit | Everything That Rocks

Sign me up for the 101 WRIF Cybercrew email newsletter!

Join the 101 WRIF Cybercrew to get everything that rocks sent right to your inbox from The Riff! You’ll get updates on concerts and your favorite bands, along with exclusive chances to win. Plus news and stories from all around metro Detroit!

*
*
By clicking "Subscribe" I agree to the website's terms of Service and Privacy Policy. I understand I can unsubscribe at any time.
Author Erica Banas // Rock Music Reporter
Category:
  • Music
  • Rock News
Tags:
Wolfgang Van Halen

More Music

Taika Waititi Only Directed ‘Thor’ Because He Needed Money

John Mulaney ‘Identified’ with Matthew Perry’s Addiction Struggles

John Travolta Details Near-Death Experience Piloting Plane

Gordon Ramsay Says to Never Order This at a Restaurant

Nicholas Hoult to Play Lex Luthor in ‘Superman: Legacy’

These Celebrities Have a December Birthday

Letterman Appears On ‘Late Show’ For the 1st Time Since 2015

Martin Scorsese’s Daughter ‘Tricked’ Him Into Making Viral TikToks

Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce Parents Expected To Meet Monday Night

Lisa Kudrow Honors Matthew Perry with Heartfelt Tribute

Courteney Cox on Matthew Perry: ‘I Miss You Every Day’

Matt LeBlanc Shares Touching Tribute to Matthew Perry

Taylor Swift Changes Lyrics For Travis Kelce, Kisses Him (VIDEO)

8 Celebrities You May Have Forgotten Were Veterans

Ryan Gosling’s Glow-up Over the Last 20 Years

Leonardo DiCaprio’s Best Movies, Ranked

Patrick Dempsey is This Year’s ‘Sexiest Man Alive’

Jeremy Renner: What He Learned From the Snowplow Accident

Megan Fox Discusses Past Abusive Relationships

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Slammed as ‘Eco-hypocrites’

John Travolta Stars in Capital One Ad as Tony Manero-Inspired Santa

Kourtney Kardashian Welcomes Baby Boy with Travis Barker

These Famous Redheads Are Scorchin’

Pamela Anderson Gets Candid About Not Wearing Makeup at 56

Usher Hints At Possible Super Bowl Guests

Nicolas Cage Calls AI a ‘Nightmare’

Tupac’s Alleged Killer Pleads Not Guilty To Rapper’s Murder

Jessica Simpson Celebrates 6 Years of Sobriety

Kendall Jenner: Her Most Alluring Looks of 2023

Kim Kardashian Says North West Prefers Living with Kanye

Taylor Tomlinson To Replace James Corden’s Late-Night Slot

Kim Kardashian’s Nipple Bra Praised By Breast Cancer Patients

The Hottest Celebrity Women Under 5’3″

Travis Kelce Criticized Over Resurfaced ‘Breeder’ Comments

‘Friends’ Cast Issues Statement on Death of Matthew Perry

Hottest Celebrity Halloween Costumes of 2023

Matthew Perry: Tributes from Celebrities, ‘Friends’ Creators

These Celebrities Have a November Birthday

Matthew Perry 911 Dispatch Audio Mentions ‘Drowning’

Matthew Perry Dies at 54

Arnold Schwarzenegger Says He ‘Would Make a Great President’

Jacob Elordi Only Knew About Elvis Presley From ‘Lilo & Stitch’

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce: Cute Photos Of Them Together

Heidi Klum Says Her Halloween Costume Will Be Bigger Than Last Year’s Worm

Sylvester Stallone Pays Tribute to Late ‘Rocky’ Actor Burt Young

Celebrity Sobriety Journeys

Gwyneth Paltrow to Quit Hollywood After Selling Goop

Will Smith’s Alleged Move On Jennifer Lopez Almost Led To Diddy Brawl

Load More
Beasley Media Group
Download our station app

Download the app to LISTEN LIVE wherever you are and connect with us like never before!

Download on the App Store Download on the Google Play
Newsletter sign up

Don't miss on pre-sales, member-only contests and member only events.

WRIF Rocks Detroit Newsletter
About
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • DMCA
  • EEO
  • Terms and Conditions
  • FCC Public File
  • FCC Applications
Connect
  • About WRIF | Contact Us
  • Beasley Best Community of Caring
  • General Contest Rules
  • Contest Rules Archive
  • Listen Help
  • Learn How To Advertise On Detroit Radio
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram