David Lee Roth Songs Ranked
David Lee Roth (born October 10, 1954) is an American musician, singer, songwriter, actor, author, artist, and former radio personality. He is best known for his wild, energetic stage persona, and as the lead singer of hard rock band Van Halen across three stints, from 1974 to 1985, in 1996, and again from 2006 onwards. He was also known as a successful solo artist, releasing numerous RIAA-certified Gold and Platinum albums. After more than two decades apart, Roth re-joined Van Halen in 2006 for a North American tour that became the highest-grossing in the band’s history and one of the highest-grossing of that year. In 2012, Roth and Van Halen released the comeback album A Different Kind of Truth. In 2007, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Van Halen. Here are all of David Lee Roth’s songs ranked.
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20. Baby’s On Fire (A Little Ain’t Enough, 1991)
“This is better than the Van Halen song “On Fire”. It’s a really good song. Dave is in top form vocally on this release and the extra production sheen from producer Bob Rock shows in terms of the amount of extra female backing vocals and extra instruments in terms of horns and even a passing harmonica or two.”
19. Ice Cream Man (Van Halen, 1978)
“An excellent song unlike the normal “rock” Mr. Roth is famous for. This is a cover of a Van Halen song, which itself was a cover. This sounds much different from the version on Van Halen’s debut. The screeching guitars have been replaced by a big band with horns. It’s interesting to hear the same song with such a different interpretation.
18. Ladies’ Nite In Buffalo? (Eat ‘Em and Smile, 1986)
“Ladies Night in Buffalo” shows a strong DLR sense of humor and Steve Vai on guitar and Billy Sheehan on bass are a lethal combination. DLR’s solo career has been pretty spotty and at times pitiful but this one is a pleasant listen though it doesn’t measure up to the better Roth-led VH albums.”
17. Loco del Calor (Eat ‘Em and Smile, 1986)
“This is a great song from the beginning to the end. It has great background music and Roth is always a master front man. It has a 1984 sound with a synth punching up the song over the top of a slick guitar riff. The chorus steals the title from his EP Crazy From The Heat and Mr. Roth gives his usual cocksure vocal performance. Great song for the beach or cruising around on a hot summer night. I highly recommend this one!
See more: David Lee Roth Albums Ranked
16. Sensible Shoes (A Little Ain’t Enough, 1991)
“The harmonica work is pretty good but the song itself just isn’t terrific. Looks like a country song, but it’s good. I like it! “Sensible Shoes” is dave as his coolest a easy going track with great harmonica DAVE at his best !!!
15. You Got the Blues, Not Me… (Diamond Dave, 2003)
“This is a mid-tempo rocker by Savoy Brown about being yourself. It has a good hook and groove. David Lee Roth explores his influences on this recording, bringing a fresh new sound to these old gems.
14. Lady Luck (A Little Ain’t Enough, 1991)
“Take “Lady Luck” – which is a truly godawful song but, on this album, it’s not lonely. The lyrics are laughable, like an old man reminiscing about his risqué past (which I’ve no doubt Roth lived in spades) it’s just childish. I can’t even lay the blame at the door of the band. Jason Becker is certainly no Steve Vai, but neither is he a slouch”
13. A Lil’ Ain’t Enough (A Little Ain’t Enough, 1991)
“Amazing song, catchy chorus, good riff and solo performed by inspiring guitarist Jason Becker, who was unable to tour for this album because of him being diagnosed with ALS shortly after recording. Anyways, listen to this song and you will realize why this is THE best David Lee Roth solo song.”
12. That’s Life (Eat ‘Em and Smile, 1986)
“Enter this 1986 single. Dave takes on the Frank Sinatra’s classic. Those are deep waters Dave is diving in to. And while Dave gives this single everything he has it still falls short. It comes off as a bad Vegas lounge act. The song also does not fit in well on the high energy rocker “Eat Em And Smile”.
11. Knucklebones (Skyscraper, 1988)
“The kind of song he did with Van Halen, pure balls rock n roll. While not as good as eat em & smile, it has its high points. Of course there’s the hit single just like paradise. Also includes great tracks like damn good & opening track knucklebones.”
10. Damn Good (Skyscraper, 1988)
“Damn Good” is great in a way that one wouldn’t expect from DLR. It’s not easy to do a nostalgic ballad that sounds sincere and doesn’t sound wimpy. He does it.”
9. Slam Dunk (DLR Band, 1998)
“(Like Yankee Rose and Knucklebones is a good album opener. Brings to mind older VH stuff like “Unchained”. The first single, very catchy Dave’s voice is great, excellent guitar work courtesy of John Lowery.”
8. Tobacco Road (Eat ‘Em and Smile, 1986)
“The blues standard of Tobacco Road is a nod to the past as was Diamond Dave’s habit. Tobacco Road is one of the great blues-rock classics. John C. Loudermilk wrote and first performed this as an acoustic folk song in 1960, and he along with most of the dozens of artists that have covered it since that I’ve heard take it on the slower and drearier side, which does fit the lyrics. But I think the song works best as a high-energy angry rocker, and this is my favorite version of this song and an *amazing* performance . David, Steve, Lee, and Gregg take no prisoners. Eat ‘Em and Smile is a very strong album generally.”
7. Somewhere over the Rainbow Bar and Grill (Somewhere over the Rainbow Bar and Grill, 2020)
“This song reminds me how great Dave can be with a tune. The lyrics obviously hold some heavy nostalgia now that Ed has passed. Although I’m sure it wasn’t originally recorded to be it serves as a perfect tribute to Ed and the band Van Halen. It’s catchy as hell, too.”
See more: Van Halen Albums Ranked
6. Shy Boy (Eat ‘Em and Smile, 1986)
“It’s a leer-y song by David Lee Roth – that’s not a surprise. What IS a surprise is how clumsy and leaden this leer-y song by David Lee Roth is. There are no catchy lines or clever turns-of-phrase to be found here. The backing music is competent without being catchy, and even the guitar noodles around excessively without once landing on a riff worth remembering.”
5. Goin’ Crazy! (Eat ‘Em and Smile, 1986)
“This one is awesome, including the video of this song! David Lee Roth returns after his dismissal from Van Halen, with a classic Rock album that is worth a listen to anyone who is a fan of his style, added bonus is the band behind Roth, the amazing Steve Vai on guitar and the excellent Billy Sheehan on bass. Recommended to fans of Van Halen and Roth alike.”
4. Just Like Paradise (Skyscraper, 1988)
“Just Like Paradise is definitely first for me, but Just A Gigolo should be second for sure! This is one of the best songs not only by Diamond Dave but one of the best songs ever! After hearing “Just Like Paradise” I was astonished by it and it started the journey that led me to still listen to Classic Van Halen today, but overall it doesn`t compare favorably with those records.
3. Yankee Rose (Eat ‘Em and Smile, 1986)
“Pure sonic theatrics and extreme emotive playing by Vai compliments Roth’s flamboyant style in this classic delivery! Wanna hear a guitar talk & laugh let alone howl with pleasure? This is your tune so CRANK IT UP! Excellent!”
2.Just a Gigolo (Skyscraper, 1988)
“Unexpectedly but curiously Diamond Dave opting for a classic old swing standard. Not rocking it hard like Van Halen, yet still making the song (it’s one song, not two) it’s own on the way, though recording a version that is a bit too long.”
1. California Girls (Down and Out in Beverly Hills, 1986)
“This is a nice song from The Beach Boys, but with David Lee Roth is much more better! Highly recommended! This is a great song that was overly played on the radio. David Lee Roth singing about all the girls in the States, what a horn dog,LOL. From the north, south, east, but he wishes they were all California Girls. If you can ever catch the video it is great, just like the song.”
