OU812

Released on 05/24/88, this album (Warner Bros. 25732 [50:04]) entered the U.S. charts at #5, reaching #1 on U.S. charts and #16 on the U.K. charts. 4.4 million copies have been sold in the U.S. It was certified gold, platinum and double platinum on 07/26/88 and was certified triple platinum on 01/18/89.

Eddie suggested naming this album Rock 'n' Roll, and Source of Infection (coined by Sammy Hagar). The latter was disliked by Alex, who joked that the name sounded like a sore. It was also Ed's idea to have the band members on the album cover.

The song list on the CD, cassette and vinyl releases was in alphabetical order rather than tracking order, undoubtedly causing confusion to some fans on the first listen as to what song they were actually hearing.

OU812 was the first Van Halen album to be dedicated to someone: Alex and Eddie's father, Jan.

The monkey statue on the back of the album was a copy of the "Darwin Monkey," or more accurately Hugo Rheinhold's "Monkey with Skull." Many copies of the statue were given away as promo items and featured the Warner Brothers logo along with "OU812" written into the flat base.

The two-hand symbol in the liner notes has been a source of speculation and confusion for many years. Some contend that it is supposed to represent a vagina, others feel it is the sign language equivalent of "we love you." The symbol was originally introduced by Michael Anthony.

Toto's Jeff Porcaro and Private Life's Jennifer Blakeman helped Edward set up all the keyboard MIDI equipment for this album. Ted Templeman was brought in to sequence the tracks.

Whenever the band was stumped during the writing and recording of the album, they played a Jerky Boys-style tape of a prankster caller who complained to restaurants about becoming sick after eating at them. Some believe this is the meaning behind the title OU812.

The title OU812 was honored/mocked by Mr. Bungle who released OU818 that same year and performed Van Halen songs in concert.

Gang Green released an album titled I81B4U as a spoof of OU812's title.

Tracks:

• Mine All Mine
• When It's Love
• A.F.U. (Naturally Wired)
• Cabo Wabo
• Source of Infection
• Feels So Good
• Finish What Ya Started
• Black and Blue
• Sucker in a 3 Piece
• A Apolitical Blues

Singles/Promos:

Serial #: PRO-CD-3085
Label: WB
Tracks: Black and Blue (fade) (promo), Black and Blue (LP version)
Country: USA
Release Date: 1988
Format: CD

Serial #: 7-27891
Label: WB
Tracks: A: Black and Blue (fade), B: A Apolitical Blues
Highest Chart Position: 34 (USA)
Country: USA
Release Date: 1998
Format: 7" vinyl

Serial #: PRO-CD-3142
Label: WB
Tracks: When It's Love (edit) (promo), When It's Love (LP version)
Country: USA
Release Date: 1988
Format: CD

Serial #: 7-27827
Label: WB
Tracks: When It's Love, Cabo Wabo
Highest Chart Position: 5 (USA), 28 (UK)
Country: USA
Release Date: 1988
Format: 7" vinyl

Serial #: 966
Label: WB
Tracks: When It's Love, When It's Love (promo)
Country: Spain
Release Date: 1988
Format: 7" vinyl

Serial #: W7816
Label: WEA
Tracks: When It's Love, A Apolitical Blues, When It's Love (edit), Why Can't This Be Love?
Country: France
Release Date: 1988
Format: CD

Serial #: W7816T
Label: WEA
Tracks: When It's Love
Country: UK
Release Date: ?
Format: 12" vinyl

Serial #: ?
Label: WEA
Tracks: A: When It's Love, B: A Apolitical Blues
Country: UK
Release Date: 1988
Format: 12" vinyl

Serial #: ?
Label: WEA
Tracks: Feels So Good 
Country: UK
Release Date: 1989
Format: 7" vinyl

Serial #: PRO-CD-3422
Label: WB
Tracks: Feels So Good (remix/edit), Feels So Good (LP version)
Highest Chart Position: 35 (USA, 03/19/89)
Country: USA
Release Date: 1988
Format: CD

Serial #: 7-27565
Label: WB
Tracks: Feels So Good, Sucker in a 3-piece (promo)
Country: USA
Release Date: 1988
Format: 7" vinyl

Serial #: W7565
Label: WEA
Tracks: Feels So Good, Sucker in a 3-Piece, Best of Both Worlds (live in New Haven, CT)
Country: France
Release Date: 1988
Format: 3" CD

Serial #: ?
Label: WEA
Tracks: Feels So Good, Feels So Good (edit)
Country: Germany
Release Date: 1988
Format: 7" vinyl

Serial #: 7-27746
Label: WB
Tracks: Finish What Ya Started (remix), Sucker in a 3-Piece
Highest Chart Position: 11 (USA)
Country: USA
Release Date: 1988
Format: 7" vinyl

Serial #: 2-27746
Label: WB
Tracks: Finish What Ya Started (remix), Sucker in a 3-Piece
Country: USA
Release Date: 1988
Format: 3" CD or Cassette

Serial #: W7565
Label: WEA
Tracks:  Feels So Good, Sucker in a 3-piece
Country: UK
Release Date: 1989
Format: 7" vinyl (or Cassette) with fishnet t-shirt

Serial #: 7-21866
Label: WB
Tracks: Feels So Good, Finish What Ya Started (remix)
Country: USA
Release Date: ?
Format: 7" vinyl

Serial #: PRO-CD-3240
Label: WB
Tracks: Finish What Ya Started (promo)
Country: USA
Release Date: ?
Format: CD

Serial #: PRO-CD-3240
Label: WB
Tracks: Finish What Ya Started (remix) (promo)
Country: USA
Release Date: 1988
Format: CD