As previously reported, a vinyl box set featuring Van Halen’s singles originally released for the Japanese market will be sold though Rhino Records on November 1st. Watch a trailer at the bottom of this story.
Two versions of The Japanese Singles 1978-1984 will be available: a black vinyl version and a limited-edition version of 750 copies on red vinyl, which is available now to pre-order at Rhino.com. Both versions have a suggested retail price of $129.98.
The Japanese Singles 1978-1984 encompasses the first six albums released by Van Halen which featured guitarist Eddie Van Halen, drummer Alex Van Halen, singer David Lee Roth, and bassist Michael Anthony. Those albums include the band’s self-titled debut and 1984, which were both certified diamond for U.S. sales in excess of 10 million. This rare feat places them on an elite short list of double RIAA-certified diamond award honorees.
The original album version of each song is featured in this set except for: Hot For Teacher which has a unique single edit that was issued exclusively in Japan; along with the single edit versions of (Oh) Pretty Woman and I’ll Wait.
The Japanese Singles 1978-1984 opens with a trio of singles from Van Halen (1978): Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love, On Fire and a blistering cover of The Kinks’ You Really Got Me, which was the band’s first single and first Top 40 hit. The band’s 1979 follow-up Van Halen II (certified 5x platinum) generated two singles on the collection: Somebody Get Me A Doctor and Dance The Night Away.
The multi-platinum albums Women And Children First (1980) and Fair Warning (1981) are represented by And The Cradle Will Rock and Unchained, respectively. The 1982 album Diver Down (certified 4x platinum) contributes two singles: (Oh) Pretty Woman and Dancing In The Street. The Japanese Singles 1978-1984 concludes with I’ll Wait, Panama, Hot For Teacher and the #1 smash Jump — all from the band’s seminal album 1984.
The Japanese Singles 1978-1984 track listing:
Disc One:
A. You Really Got Me
B. Atomic Punk
Disc Two:
A. Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love
B. Runnin’ With The Devil
Disc Three:
A. On Fire
B. Jamie’s Cryin’
Disc Four:
A. Dance The Night Away
B. Spanish Fly
Disc Five:
A. Somebody Get Me Doctor
B. Women In Love
Disc Six:
A. And The Cradle Will Rock
B. Could This Be Magic?
Disc Seven:
A. Unchained
B. So This Is Love?
Disc Eight:
A. (Oh) Pretty Woman
B. Happy Trails
Disc Nine:
A. Dancing In The Street
B. The Full Bug
Disc Ten:
A. Jump
B. House Of Pain
Disc Eleven:
A. I’ll Wait
B. Girl Gone Bad”
Disc Twelve:
A. Panama
B. Drop Dead Legs
Disc Thirteen:
A. Hot For Teacher
B. Little Dreamer