10 Greatest Hard Rock Closing Tracks
8. On Fire - Van Halen
Van Halen's mix of glam-rock hooks and heavy metal ferocity made them overnight kings of the Sunset Strip. Across the band's landmark debut, the entire band delivers a masterclass on how to create hard rock songs that could get any party started. That being said, how to you bring the party to an end? Simple: pour gasoline on the fire.
Coming out of fantastic rockers like "Jamie's Cryin" and just after the slightly jokey standard "Ice Cream Man," the band unleashes the track "On Fire," which absolutely lives up to its title. The tempo of the track is one of the fastest on the record with drummer Alex Van Halen pummeling his kit while his brother Eddie pulls out blistering harmonic runs.
David Lee Roth's lyrics, while abstract, seem to be detailing the nature of the song's assault as he shrieks between your speakers. Each of the song's screams of the title feature amazing vocals by Roth and bassist Michael Anthony before the Van Halen brothers bring us back up into the ether across the instrumental sections. With Roth screaming the final bellows of "I'm on fire," the song is truly the best way to bring the party to a scorching conclusion.