The Collection II

The Collection II
Box set by
Van Halen
ReleasedOctober 6, 2023
Recorded1985–1996, 2004
Genres
Length3:49:36
LabelWarner
Producers
Van Halen chronology
The Collection 1978–1984
(2023)		 The Collection II
(2023)		 Live in Dallas 1991
(2024)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusicStarStarStarStar

The Collection II is the fourth compilation album by American rock band Van Halen, focusing on the era when Sammy Hagar was the lead singer. It was released on October 6, 2023, by Warner Records. The collection includes remastered versions of four studio albums and a fifth disc of rarities spanning 1989–2004. It is the band's second album to be released after Eddie Van Halen died in 2020.

All the music in the set was mastered directly from the original master tapes, a process overseen by the band's longtime engineer, Donn Landee. The album debuted and peaked at No. 62 on the Billboard 200, making it their newest material to peak at the Billboard 200 since Tokyo Dome Live in Concert.

Track listings

5150 track listing

All tracks are written by Edward Van Halen, Sammy Hagar, Michael Anthony, and Alex Van Halen.

Side one
No.TitleLength
1."Good Enough"4:05
2."Why Can't This Be Love"3:48
3."Get Up"4:37
4."Dreams"4:54
5."Summer Nights"5:06
Total length:22:30
Side two
No.TitleLength
6."Best of Both Worlds"4:49
7."Love Walks In"5:11
8."5150"5:44
9."Inside"5:02
Total length:20:46

OU812 track listing

For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge track listing

Balance track listing

Studio Rarities 1989-2004

All tracks are written by Edward Van Halen, Alex Van Halen, Sammy Hagar, and Michael Anthony, except where noted.

Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."A Apolitical Blues"Lowell George3:51
2."Baluchitherium" 4:05
3."Crossing Over" 5:03
4."Respect the Wind"
  • Eddie Van Halen
  • Alex Van Halen
5:49
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
5."Humans Being" 3:57
6."It's About Time"
  • Eddie Van Halen
  • Alex Van Halen
  • Sammy Hagar
4:15
7."Up for Breakfast"
  • Eddie Van Halen
  • Alex Van Halen
  • Sammy Hagar
4:57
8."Learning to See"
  • Eddie Van Halen
  • Alex Van Halen
  • Sammy Hagar
5:15

Personnel

Van Halen

Guest musicians

  • Steve Lukather – background vocals ("Top of the World", "Not Enough")
  • The Monks of Gyuto Tantric University – chants ("The Seventh Seal")

Charts

Chart (2023) Peak
position
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)80
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)164
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)27
US Billboard 20062

References

  1. ↑ The Collection II at AllMusic
  2. ↑ "Van Halen 'The Collection II' Spanning Sammy Hagar Era". Rock Cellar Magazine. Rock Cellar Productions. August 8, 2023. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
  3. ↑ Barton, Geoff (October 6, 2023). "Van Halen – The Collection II Album Review". LouderSound. Future Publishing. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
  4. ↑ "Van Halen's 'The Collection II' Box Set Announced". Guitar Player. Future Publishing. August 9, 2023. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
  5. ↑ "Van Halen: The Collection II (Press Release)". Rhino Entertainment. August 8, 2023. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
  6. ↑ Kreps, Daniel (August 8, 2023). "Van Halen Announce New 'Collection II' Box Set Covering Sammy Hagar Era". Consequence. Consequence Media. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
  7. ↑ Kennedy, Mark (October 5, 2023). "Music Review: Van Halen's Hagar Years Get Boxed Up in 'The Collection II'". AP News. Associated Press. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
  8. ↑ DiVita, Joe (August 8, 2023). "Van Halen Announces 'The Collection II' Focusing on Studio Albums With Sammy Hagar". Blabbermouth. Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
  9. ↑ Irwin, Corey (August 8, 2023). "Van Halen Revisits Sammy Hagar Years With 'The Collection II'". Ultimate Classic Rock. Townsquare Media. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
  10. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Van Halen – The Collection II" (in Dutch). Hung Medien.
  11. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Van Halen – The Collection II" (in French). Hung Medien.
  12. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Van Halen – The Collection II" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
  13. ↑ "Album / Van Halen / The Collection II". Retrieved November 16, 2025.