What makes Why Can't This Be Love by Van Halen notable?

This album is notable for its commercial success, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart and solidifying Van Halen's place in rock history during the mid-1980s. The song 'Why Can't This Be Love' became a defining hit for the band, effectively launching a successful new era while also showcasing Hagar’s vocal prowess. Released on February 26, 1986, 'Why Can't This Be Love' marked the beginning of a new chapter for Van Halen, as it was the first single from their album '5150', featuring Sammy Hagar as the new lead vocalist. This album represented a significant shift in the band's identity following the departure of David Lee Roth, signaling a transition towards a more polished and radio-friendly sound.

How many songs are on Why Can't This Be Love?

Why Can't This Be Love has 2 tracks, running approximately 8 minutes.

Released 40 years ago

Why Can't This Be Love

Van Halen · 1986

8 min · 2 tracks · hard rock

A blend of hard rock riffs and melodic hooks that redefine Van Halen's sound for a new era.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Why Can't This Be Love — The title track stands out as an anthem of longing and desire, characterized by its catchy chorus and powerful instrumentation that showcases Hagar’s vocal range.
→
Get Up — With its driving beat and energetic guitar work, this track encapsulates the band's hard rock roots while embracing a more contemporary sound, making it a highlight of the album.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

45 /100

Lowland

Higher than 5% of albums we've rated

The single showcases a mix of melodic and hard rock elements but lacks strong cohesion as a two-track release.

What we noticed

The vocal delivery shifts between smooth verses and powerful choruses, emphasizing the emotional weight of the lyrics.
The second track, 'Get Up', maintains a faster tempo and introduces a more aggressive guitar sound, providing a distinct contrast to the first.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 4/10

Influence 2/10

Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — Marked the start of Van Halen's new era with Sammy Hagar, enhancing their mainstream appeal.
Themes: radio-friendly rock· mid-80s transition
Career context: Released on February 26, 1986, 'Why Can't This Be Love' marked the beginning of a new chapter for Van Halen, as it was the first single from their album '5150', featuring Sammy Hagar as the new lead vocalist. This album represented a significant shift in the band's identity following the departure of David Lee Roth, signaling a transition towards a more polished and radio-friendly sound.
Stylistic neighbors: AC/DC· Def Leppard· Guns N' Roses