Runnin' With The Devil

Hear the siren call of Van Halen's iconic 1978 hard rock anthem, "Runnin' With The Devil"! Kicking off their groundbreaking debut album with infamous car horn blasts and a heavy, pulsing riff, this track instantly established the band's raw power and rebellious attitude.

As the explosive opening statement on the self-titled 1978 album Van Halen, "Runnin' With The Devil" introduced the world to the band's signature sound. Driven by Michael Anthony's iconic bassline, Eddie Van Halen's powerful guitar, and David Lee Roth's charismatic swagger, it's a hard rock benchmark.

This 1978 hard rock classic, with its simple yet menacing groove and defiant lyrics celebrating a life lived freely, remains one of Van Halen's most enduring and recognizable songs. "Runnin' With The Devil" perfectly captured the raw energy and attitude that made Van Halen legends.

SONG MEANING: Despite the provocative title, David Lee Roth explained the song isn't about Satanism. Rather, "runnin' with the devil" is used metaphorically to describe living a simple, free, and independent life, unbound by commitments or societal expectations ("I live my life like there's no tomorrow," "Ain't got nobody waitin' at home"). It represents freedom and existing outside the norm.