Into The Archives.

Van Halen fan site names the top VH summer songs

With no Van Halen shows to report on this summer after the band pulled the plug on its tour, the folks at the Van Halen New Desk fan site have been keeping busy by posting archival videos, photos and historical recaps. Their latest look back is a list of what they feel are the band's "Top Summertime Songs." They say, "One of their unique attributes which sets them apart from other rock bands is their almost Beach Boys backing vocals, which helped them redefine the classic Southern California sound of summer." So, instead of assigning each song a number, they have listed them in chronological order and they are:

“Feel Your Love Tonight” - "The ultimate weekend song about hittin’ the town with your honey and messing around in the back of your car and trying to score..."

“Ice Cream Man” - "As soon as David Lee Roth’s sultry voice and his bluesy guitar hits your ears you can practically smell the dizzying aroma of suntan lotion, and, of course, ice cream."

“Dance the Night Away” - "Music doesn't get much better than this timeless pop single about love in the third degree, which was the band’s first Top 20 hit. Words can’t describe how fun this song is, so we won’t even try."

“Beautiful Girls” - "This is the song where Van Halen would hit the beach with a sword in one hand and a sun umbrella in the other, seducing Southern California -- one bikini at a time."

“Could This Be Magic?”

“Secrets”

“Dancing in the Street”

“Panama”

“Summer Nights” - "Even when you hear it for the thousandth time, you want to crack open some ice-cold beers with some friends and kick back and enjoy the warm weather. Instant party!

"Cabo Wabo”

“Blood and Fire”

“Stay Frosty”

Honorable Mentions:

“California Girls” - covered by David Lee Roth on his 1985 EP, Crazy From the Heat

“Summertime Blues”