10 Best Classic Rock Intros Of The 1980s
3. Hot For Teacher - Van Halen
It is a toss-up between this and 'Panama' for the best intro in the Van Halen catalogue, and both songs come from their '1984' album. Drummer Alex Van Halen sets up a pounding drum groove that builds in complexity as guitar genius Eddie Van Halen joins in with some of his trademark tapping riffs. The moment when the whole band locks into gear and Eddie moves into crunching power chords is almost transcendent.
The rest of the song more than matches the set-up provided by the intro, with David Lee Roth on top form with the kind of vocal delivery that only he can provide, a unique mixture of classic rock 'n' roll adrenaline, and a knowing, subtle sense of self-deprecating humour.
'1984' was the last album with Roth on vocals until 'A Different Kind Of Truth' in 2012. Sammy Hagar took over for a run of albums that saw the band shift their sound towards a more mainstream rock sound which was rewarded with the biggest sales of their career.
For many fans, however, the DLR-led incarnation of the band was always the true Van Halen, and Roth's return to the fold was a dream come true.