In many ways, the hair metal of the 1980s has been the proverbial Dennis Rodman of music: outrageous, one-dimensional and often times dressed in women’s clothing.

Listening to hair metal 15 years ago was thought to be a hobby only of those who had hockey hair and wore Budweiser T-shirts with pink shorts. Then a funny thing happened: the film “Old School” was released in early 2003 and reintroduced Whitesnake to a new generation of college and high school kids growing increasingly restless from the steady diet of revolving musical trends. What this new generation of listeners discovered is, despite the ridiculous behavior, hair metal has boasted some of the best musicianship and song writing in the business. To honor hair metal and its return from the dead (not to mention the $.99 bin), I listed the five best hair metal songs that lingered in obscurity for almost as long as you have been alive. Feel free to seek them out before they once again become a social faux pas.

5. Whitesnake – “Still of the Night” (1987)

Though not really an “obscure” tune, “Still of the Night” from Whitesnake’s ultra-successful “1987” album has never truly earned the acclaim its sister songs “Here I Go Again” and “Is This Love” have. Boasting an impossibly glossy production and ridiculously over-the-top guitar playing, “Still of the Night” manages to leave your speakers smoldering while simultaneously ripping off Led Zeppelin’s “Immigrant Song”, “Black Dog” and “Whole Lotta Love” in one fell swoop.

4. Tesla – “Little Suzi” (1986)

Sacramento’s Tesla is a bit of a wild card. Though members can be found on any hair genre “best of,” the image suggests they were more interested in shoveling concrete and paving roads than playing hard rock. Nevertheless, Tesla really lays it down on “Little Suzi,” combining a Zeppelin-esque acoustic intro with singer Jeff Keith’s gut-strung vocals and a raw, pile-driving chorus. Tesla would really go to town with this song-writing format on the next album: 1989’s “The Great Radio Controversy.”

3. Dokken – “Kiss of Death” (1987)

Perhaps the most “metal” song on this list, “Kiss of Death” is notable for its unshakable, pounding rhythm and spitfire guitar solos, courtesy of guitarist par excellence George Lynch. In fact, without singer Don Dokken’s completely deplorable vocals, “Kiss of Death” sounds along the lines of Iron Maiden on steroids. If you’ve never heard George Lynch, I suggest highly you check him out. His awesome guitar tone and unbelievable technical prowess completely trump the fact he had the absolute ugliest guitars of the 1980s.

2. Ratt – “You’re In Love” (1985)

In all honesty, Los Angeles’ Ratt was a very hard band to appreciate. A real case of contrasting elements, Ratt paired one of hair metal’s best guitarists, Warren DeMartini, with singer Stephen Pearcy, who was without a doubt the worst singer ever to wear cowboy boots with spandex. Ratt was on top of the game when recording the sophomore effort “Invasion of Your Privacy” in 1985, most notably on the throbbing “You’re In Love.” Combining an incendiary DeMartini guitar solo with producer Beau Hill’s signature ambience, “You’re In Love” helped define Ratt’s brand of west-coast riffing and introduced audiences to the entity known as “Ratt n’ Roll” (a creation mercifully taken out back and shot sometime around 1989).

1. Van Halen “Drop Dead Legs” (1984)

Perhaps written to serve as padding between the mega-hits “Jump”, “Panama” and “Hot for Teacher”, Van Halen’s quirky “Drop Dead Legs” was a slight return to the efforts found on 1981’s “Fair Warning.” Featuring a loosely arpeggiated guitar part and an intimidating in-the-pocket groove, “Drop Dead legs” really captured the rowdy, but somewhat contrived, spirit of Van Halen on what would be the last recording with David Lee Roth. “Drop Dead Legs” finds Eddie Van Halen’s bizarre, booze-fueled guitar flurries sounding as focused and inspired as on the band’s 1978 debut. Van Halen has not outdone the musical genius of “Drop Dead Legs” since this recording.