Women and Children First is the third studio album by American rock band Van Halen, released on March 26, 1980, on Warner Bros. Records.

Produced by Ted Templeman and engineered by Donn Landee, it was the first Van Halen album not to feature any cover songs, and is described by critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine as "[the] record where the group started to get heavier, both sonically and, to a lesser extent, thematically.

"[1] The opening track, "And the Cradle Will Rock..." begins with what sounds like a guitar, but is actually a phase shifter-effected Wurlitzer electric piano played through Eddie Van Halen's 1960s model 100-watt Marshall Plexi amplifier.

contains the only female backing vocal ever recorded for a Van Halen song; Nicolette Larson sings during some of the choruses.

While "Growth" faded out on the original vinyl LP and cassette, it was given a cold ending at full volume on the compact disc.

Several outtakes from these sessions exist, including an unreleased instrumental often referred to as "Act Like It Hurts," which was the title Eddie Van Halen originally wanted for "Tora!

[4] The vinyl LP version included a poster of a photograph by Helmut Newton featuring Roth chained to a fence.