One of Rock’s Greatest Bands Was No. 1 With Its Only Chart-Topper 42 Years Ago Today
One of the greatest rock bands of all time was dominating the Billboard Hot 100 on this day 42 years ago. However, their 1984 run at No. 1 turned out to be the only time they reached the top of the chart. Van Halen's 'Jump' became a pop culture phenomenon, and it remains one of the most recognizable hits of the era.
The Only Time Van Halen Reached No. 1
Released on December 21, 1983, Van Halen's 'Jump' didn't take long to become a huge hit. The track would reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 on February 25, 1984, and it would continue to be in the top spot for five consecutive weeks. That kept it dominating the music world since it was still in the top position on March 21, 1984.
After Eddie Van Halen passed away from cancer in 2020, Billboard published an article listing Van Halen's highest-charting songs ever. That list revealed something stunning: despite being an iconic band and releading beloved tracks from the '70s to the '90s, Van Halen never had another song top the Hot 100 again. The closest they came was 'Why Can't This Be Love,' which hit No. 3.
Van Halen's Highest-Charting Songs Ever:
Song: | Release Year: | Peak Chart Ranking: |
'Dream' | 1986 | No. 22 |
'Love Walks In' | 1986 | No. 22 |
'Dance the Night Away' | 1979 | No. 15 |
'Panama' | 1984 | No. 13 |
'I’ll Wait' | 1984 | No. 13 |
'Finish What Ya Started' | 1988 | No. 13 |
'(Oh) Pretty Woman' | 1982 | No. 12 |
'When It's Love' | 1988 | No. 5 |
'Why Can’t This Be Love' | 1986 | No. 3 |
'Jump' | 1984 | No. 1 (For Five Weeks) |
What Makes Van Halen One of the Greatest Rock Bands of All Time
Photo by Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
Even though Van Halen only had one No. 1 hit, the band's commercial success shouldn't be underestimated. Between having songs consistently reach the charts and touring for years, it seemed like the group could always depend on their fans' unwavering support. What truly set them apart was Eddie Van Halen's revolutionary guitar playing, which has been widely celebrated. That helped the band to survive something that would destroy most groups. When one of the most charismatic band leaders in history departed, David Lee Roth, the band replaced him with Sammy Hagar and didn't miss a beat.
Thanks to everything it accomplished, Van Halen's legacy has repeatedly been celebrated, including when it was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007. It has also been included in lists of the best rock bands ever that were published by American Songwriter and Louder Sound. Despite Van Halen only landing at No. 1 on its chart once, Billboard also named it one of the best rock bands ever in 2025.