Van Halen News Desk

The Latest News & Info about The Mighty Van Halen

  • Home
  • News
    • All Van Halen News
    • Eddie Van Halen
    • David Lee Roth
      • The Roth Show
    • Alex Van Halen
    • Wolfgang Van Halen
    • Michael Anthony
    • Sammy Hagar
    • Gary Cherone
  • Bios
    • Eddie
    • Alex
    • Wolfgang
    • DLR
  • Music
  • Audio
    • Live Audio
  • Video
    • Live Video
  • Interviews
  • About
  • SHOP
You are here: Home / David Lee Roth / David Lee Roth’s Ten Greatest Van Halen Song Lyrics

David Lee Roth’s Ten Greatest Van Halen Song Lyrics

by Eric Senich — updated May 10, 2017 Leave a Comment

“If I should ever do a book of my lyrics it should come with a bong, a thesaurus, and a driver-side airbag.”

– David Lee Roth

Here is a list of the top ten Diamond Dave song lyrics. Some may lead you to deep thought, some may lead you to ruin, while others may lead you to utter confusion.


10)  “When was the last time you did something for the first time?”

Van Halen – The Trouble With Never (2012)

This is the most recent lyric on the list. On Van Halen’s 2012 album ‘A Different Kind Of Truth’ Roth has a different lyrical approach than on the first six classic VH albums. A lot of the songs include some lyrical mind twisters and double entendres. This is one will make you think about not what you’ve done with your life but what you haven’t done with it….yet.


9) “We came here to entertain you, leaving here we aggravate you, don’t you know it means the same to me”

Van Halen – I’m The One (1978)

This one sums up David Lee Roth in one line. You gotta love ’em or you gotta hate ’em. There’s no in between.


8) “She ain’t waiting ’till she gets older, her feet are making tracks in the winter snows. She got a rainbow that touches her shoulder. She be headed where the thunder rolls”

Van Halen – Secrets (1982)

Ballads are not for Dave, those are Sammy Hagar’s strong suit. On this song, however, Dave paint’s a pretty picture of a very pretty lady who likes to live life to the fullest.


7) “Yeah, we’re all fast breakers comin’ out of the gates takin’ chances, we’re the crash and burn”

Van Halen – Light Up The Sky (1979)

These were the first words heard from David Lee on Van Halen’s recent summer tour as they opened each set with ‘Light Up The Sky’. Nobody lights up the sky more than Van Halen on a summer night.


6) “Some goes to women, some goes to Jesus, though I’m absolutely certain both’s all right. But it takes me at least halfway to the label before I can even make it through the night”

Van Halen – Take Your Whiskey Home (1980)

Not sure what this really means but it sure sounds cool when Dave sings it.


5) “On every wall and place my fearsome name is heard”

Van Halen – Atomic Punk (1978)

Dave should see to it that this is put on his gravestone. It really is that bad ass.


4) “Hot shoe, burnin’ down the avenue. Got an on-ramp comin’ through my bedroom”

Van Halen – Panama (1984)

Would I be surprised to find out Dave actually has an on-ramp comin’ through his bedroom? Not really.


3) “See, a gun is real easy in this desperate part of town. Turns you from hunted into hunter, go and hunt somebody down. Wait a minute, somebody said ‘Fair Warning! Lord, Lord strike that poor boy down!”

Van Halen – Mean Street (1981)

Van Halen’s 1981 album ‘Fair Warning’ is considered the band’s best by many fans. It’s dark, heavy and filled with attitude. This lyric defines the entire album’s sound perfectly.


2) “I like the way the line runs up the back of those stockings. I’ve always liked those kind of high heels too. No, no, no, no! Don’t take ’em off. Leave ’em on. Yeah, that’s it, a little more to the right”

Van Halen – Everybody Wants Some!! (1980)

The top two Diamond Dave song lyrics are both off the cuff moments of improv. On this one there was a lovely looking girl hanging out in the studio during the recording of 1980’s ‘Women & Children First’ album. While the tape is rolling Dave has some fashion advice for his lady friend.


1) “Take a look at this! Hey man, that suit is you. You’ll get some leg tonight for sure! Tell us how you do! {Come on Dave, gimme a break}. Hey, hey, hey! One break…comin’ up!!”

Van Halen – Unchained (1981)
Another moment where Dave takes an opportunity, hits the ground and runs with it. Producer Ted Templeman gets frustrated with his singer to the point where he begs him to give him a break. You know the rest.

This article is by Eric Senich from Brookfield Connecticut’s Home of Rock And Roll, i95 WRKI. Thanks to Eric for sharing his article with VHND. You can listen to Eric in Brookfield CT live on Saturdays from 10am to 3pm on 95.1 FM. You can also listen online by clicking here or by downloading the radioPup app for your mobile device.

Which classic DLR lyrics do you think Eric missed? There’s countless great ones to chose from. List your favorite David Lee Roth lyrics below.


EVH_Graphic_Series_Guitar_Picks_VanHalenStore_com

The new EVH picks are in stock & shipping now at Van Halen Store!

Rate this post

Filed Under: David Lee Roth, News, Van Halen

VHND is powered by Van Halen Store

EDDIE VAN HALEN FUNKO POPS

Eddie Funko Pops at Van Halen Store

LATEST POSTS

  • Steve Lukather Clarifies Alex Van Halen’s Upcoming Project: “These Are Finished Tracks With Ed And Al”
  • When Van Halen Rocked Memorial Day Weekend 1983: The US Festival Revisited
  • Van Halen Performing ‘Mine All Mine’ Austin 1995 Video
  • A Look Back: Van Halen’s ‘OU812’ Released On This Day In 1988
  • 30 Years Of VHND: Because Too Much Van Halen Is Never Enough

EVH MINI GUITARS

EVH MINI GUITARS at Van Halen Store

LATEST COMMENTS

  • Les Bloom Les Bloom I could not stop air drumming myself through all of yyz...I'm going to stop now before I get accused of turning this site into the Rush News Desk 😉

    Steve Lukather Clarifies Alex Van Halen’s Upcoming Project: “These Are Finished Tracks With Ed And Al” ·  an hour ago

  • Matthew Matthew Thank you, and no worries.

    Steve Lukather Clarifies Alex Van Halen’s Upcoming Project: “These Are Finished Tracks With Ed And Al” ·  3 hours ago

  • GottaLoveEddie GottaLoveEddie .. and yes, that song still takes me back to high school. Very powerful song.

    Steve Lukather Clarifies Alex Van Halen’s Upcoming Project: “These Are Finished Tracks With Ed And Al” ·  4 hours ago

  • GottaLoveEddie GottaLoveEddie I didn’t realize you had commented or I wouldn’t have deleted. I felt I was being too personal. Thank you ❤️. I always love your posts, you’re very honest and right there sincere.

    Steve Lukather Clarifies Alex Van Halen’s Upcoming Project: “These Are Finished Tracks With Ed And Al” ·  4 hours ago

  • GottaLoveEddie GottaLoveEddie I deleted some comments myself. GLE is out. Love you guys.

    Steve Lukather Clarifies Alex Van Halen’s Upcoming Project: “These Are Finished Tracks With Ed And Al” ·  4 hours ago

Van Halen Sleeveless Shirt

Van Halen Sleeveless Tee at Van Halen Store

ALBUM PAGES

Van Halen I – Van Halen II – Women and Children First – Fair Warning – Diver Down – Right Here, Right Now – Balance – A Different Kind of Truth

Posts by month

Copyright © 2026 VHND.com. All Rights Reserved · Disclaimer: VHND is not affiliated with Van Halen, Edward Van Halen or ELVH, Inc.