Van Halen’s “Eruption” is a guitar solo by Eddie Van Halen. This is the only song on this list that doesn’t have lyrics. I have never heard it referred to as a great rock n roll song before, however, if you have ever shopped in a Guitar Center you would think otherwise. This is one of the top songs that people love to show off with. No one comes close.

What makes this so great? Listen to all the crazy tones that come from the one guitar. Note the non-standard methods Van Halen uses to get sound out of the guitar: the tapping. That was simply not done before. Notice how the song sounds like a cello at times as he uses the volume knob; the non-standard use of harmonics.  We feel that any sound that Eddie can imagine he can create.

“Eruption” sounds like it could have been made into three separate songs. One of the biggest problems with Van Halen was that Eddie was a huge talent but he wasn’t a lyrics guy and wasn’t a singer.  And he was also a pain in the ass to deal with.

Perhaps a solo guitar piece where Eddie doesn’t have to rely on others is the best way to represent Van Halen’s enormous contribution to rock n roll. The only downside is that David Lee Roth is a huge talent too, but alas, none of his songs made the list.