Roth's follow-up work, called 'Skyscraper', came out on January 26, 1988, dividing his fans due to its synthesizer-heavy, pop-fueled style yet having an iconic hit in the upbeat tune "Just Like Paradise". After his solo group's line-up shifted, guitar prodigy Jason Becker (formerly of Cacophony) came into the fold in 1989. Sadly, Becker contracted Lou Gehrig's Disease, and before too long he could no longer play, having only performed on one album (1991's 'A Little Ain't Enough').
Since then, Roth has employed a revolving line-up of musicians in his band. As the 90s went on, the shuffling of performers around him and changing musical tides, styles such as alternative rock becoming far more popular, found Roth's mainstream commercial fortunes diminishing. Still, he kept on touring to his own wild fan-base, and rumors of a reunion between him and his old Van Halen buddies bubbled up again and again.
In 2007, David Lee Roth rejoined Van Halen for a semi-reunion with the Van Halen brothers, along with Eddie Van Halen's son (Wolfgang Van Halen) on bass (replacing Michael Anthony from the original lineup), which lasted into 2008. On December 26, 2011, Van Halen (again with Roth) announced a tour for 2012. In what felt like no time, the rejuvenated outfit released their first album in fourteen years, titled 'A Different Kind of Truth', on February 7, 2012.
Just a Gigolo
David Lee Roth Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
People know the part I'm playing
Paid for every dance, selling each romance
Ooh, what they're sayin'
There will come a day when youth will pass away
What will they say about me?
When the end comes, I know
Life goes on without me
I'm just a gigolo and everywhere I go
People know the part Dave's playing
Paid for every dance, selling each romance
Ooh, what they're sayin'
But there will come a day when youth will pass away
What will they say about me?
When the end comes, I know
It was just a gigolo
Life goes on without me, 'cause
I ain't got nobody
Nobody cares for me, nobody
Nobody cares for me
I'm so sad and lonely
Sad and lonely, sad and lonely
Won't some sweet mama come and take a chance with me?
'Cause I ain't so bad
Better love me, babe
Sad and lonesome, all of the time
Even on the beat, on the, on the, on the beat
Bop, boze-de-boze-de-bop, se-de-bop
I ain't got nobody
Nobody cares for me, nobody
Nobody, hey, say
Singin' bout that soul
Singin' bout you Lord
Baby
You heard it
Feeling kind of good, babe
Little soul
Little love song
Ow, singin' 'bout
Feeling I ain't got nobody
Woohoo, sad and lonesome baby
Need love
Humala bebuhla zeebuhla boobuhla
Humala bebuhla zeebuhla bop
I ain't got nobody
Nobody, nobody cares for me, nobody, nobody
I'm so sad and lonely
Sad and lonely, sad and lonely
Won't some sweet mama come and take a chance with me?
'Cause I ain't so bad
Been a lonely soul
Been lonesome all of the time
Even on the beat
Johnny, Johnny on the beat
Need a long tall darling, mama
David said he got nobody I loves
Ain't got nobody (nobody), nobody (nobody)
Nobody (nobody), nobody (nobody)
No one (no one), no one (no one)
Loop-de-loop (loop-de-loop)
Darling, darling (darling, darling)
Getting serious (getting serious)
Got to see the walls (got to see the walls)
Over there (over there)
Nobody (nobody), not no one (not no one)
Nobody (nobody), nobody (nobody)
Nobody (nobody), nobody (nobody)
Nobody (nobody)
Nobody cares for me
The song "Just A Gigolo / I Ain't Got Nobody" by David Lee Roth is a melancholic ode to the life of a gigolo, a man who sells his company and affection to women for profit. The lyrics describe the fleeting nature of youth and how the gigolo's life is ultimately empty and unfulfilling. The character sings about his loneliness and desires for someone to love him, even if he is not deserving of it. The chorus of "I ain't got nobody" is a refrain that reinforces this sense of abandonment and loneliness.
The opening verse of the song describes the life of a gigolo, as it is a person's job to entertain and sell themselves to other people. David Lee Roth's character sings about how people know the part he plays and how he has sold his company and affection, but that it is all a faรงade. Roth uses the metaphor of a gigolo to comment on the ephemeral nature of youth and how people are willing to pay for the illusion of love and companionship, even when it is not real. The chorus is a reminder that even though the gigolo may be paid for his company, he is ultimately alone.
The second verse continues the theme of mortality and the inevitability of death. Roth's character wonders what people will say about him when he is gone, knowing that all he was known for was being a gigolo. The repetition of the chorus emphasizes the singer's loneliness and desperation for someone to care for him, even if he feels he doesn't deserve it.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm just a gigolo and everywhere I go
David Lee Roth is a gigolo and everyone he meets knows the role he plays.
People know the part I'm playing
People are aware of David Lee Roth's gigolo status.
Paid for every dance, selling each romance
David Lee Roth earns his living by selling romantic experiences.
Ooh, what they're sayin'
David Lee Roth is aware of what people say about him.
There will come a day when youth will pass away
David Lee Roth knows that his youth and attractiveness won't last forever.
What will they say about me?
David Lee Roth worries about how people will remember him.
When the end comes, I know
David Lee Roth is aware of his inevitable fate.
They were just the gigolos
David Lee Roth sees himself and others like him as mere gigolos with no real meaning.
Life goes on without me
David Lee Roth believes that when he's gone, life will continue.
But there will come a day when youth will pass away
David Lee Roth repeats that his youthful attractiveness won't last forever.
It was just a gigolo
David Lee Roth accepts that being a gigolo is all he is.
I ain't got nobody
David Lee Roth is lacking love and companionship.
Nobody cares for me, nobody
David Lee Roth feels unwanted and unloved.
I'm so sad and lonely
David Lee Roth is feeling depressed and alone.
Sad and lonely, sad and lonely
David Lee Roth emphasizes his loneliness.
Won't some sweet mama come and take a chance with me?
David Lee Roth is appealing for someone to love him.
'Cause I ain't so bad
David Lee Roth thinks he's deserving of love despite his gigolo status.
Better love me, babe
David Lee Roth is asking someone to love him.
Even on the beat, on the, on the, on the beat
David Lee Roth's loneliness extends to his professional endeavors as well.
Bop, boze-de-boze-de-bop, se-de-bop
This might be a nonsense refrain, perhaps meant to evoke the sound of music or dancing.
Singin' bout that soul
David Lee Roth starts to sing about his soul.
Singin' bout you Lord
David Lee Roth seems to be singing to God.
Baby
A term of endearment, which doesn't carry any specific meaning in the context of the song.
You heard it
David Lee Roth believes that God has heard his plea for love.
Feeling kind of good, babe
David Lee Roth is starting to feel better.
Little soul
David Lee Roth is talking about his soul again.
Little love song
This song is a love song, even if David Lee Roth is a gigolo.
Ow, singin' 'bout
David Lee Roth is exclaiming in delight.
Feeling I ain't got nobody
David Lee Roth is reiterating his loneliness.
Woohoo, sad and lonesome baby
David Lee Roth is feeling sad and lonely.
Need love
David Lee Roth needs someone to love him.
Humala bebuhla zeebuhla boobuhla
This is another nonsense refrain.
Humala bebuhla zeebuhla bop
Another nonsensical line.
Johnny, Johnny on the beat
David Lee Roth is invoking the image of someone dancing to the beat.
Need a long tall darling, mama
David Lee Roth is asking for a tall woman who loves him.
David said he got nobody I loves
David Lee Roth is talking about himself in the third person, and emphasizing his loneliness.
No one (no one), no one (no one)
A repetition of the word 'no one', underscoring David Lee Roth's loneliness.
Loop-de-loop (loop-de-loop)
A nonsensical phrase.
Darling, darling (darling, darling)
David Lee Roth is calling for someone to love him, and using the term of endearment 'darling' to address them.
Getting serious (getting serious)
David Lee Roth is switching to a more serious tone.
Got to see the walls (got to see the walls)
This line is open to interpretation, and doesn't seem to have a clear meaning.
Over there (over there)
Perhaps David Lee Roth is pointing to a specific location where he wants to find love.
Nobody (nobody), not no one (not no one)
David Lee Roth is repeating the idea that he is entirely alone and unloved.
Nobody (nobody), nobody (nobody)
Another repetition underscoring David Lee Roth's loneliness and isolation.
Nobody cares for me
David Lee Roth is concluding the song with a sad statement about his lack of companionship.
Lyrics ยฉ BMG Rights Management
Written by: Leonello Casucci, Julius Brammer, Irving Caesar
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@r6854
God, I miss the 80's. The music was fun, the 80's women of glamour were beautiful, TV shows were entertaining and I was blissfully unaware that any of it would ever change.
@michelleroberts6597
beautiful words
@zachariahlloyd6043
Ah the 80s a simpler time, a better time, a dream gone!!
@moserfugger6363
I feel you, Roy. I feel you. In 2022 your comment hits even harder.
Let's never forget those great times. And let's never lose hope, that it will get better again some day. We did it once, we can do it again.
Greetings from Germany :)
@jameselvis1393
innocent times, an times were good around then
@Brad2meetU
If this doesn't brighten your day there is no help for you.
Dave Lee Roth, what a guy!
Been singing this for years & years but watching the vid. brings back those great times.
@moserfugger6363
Beautiful comment! :) Exactly what I was thinking when watching this great vid.
Thanks & all the best!
Greetings from Germany
@billhamilton7383
Too bad Dave NOT the Original singer of this. Is actually, and I'm sure ya won't believe it but, Bing Crosby 1931. Check it out. Dave STOLE IT
@joettadays6192
Totally agree with you. I miss this era. I am a 47 yr old black woman & I love this music back in the day I loved the rock bands & soul there was something back then in music that was so magical that I literally loved a lot of music from all genre. I cannot name a top 10 hit in the last 10 years if my life depended on it.
@komododrag5232
Yelp a very special time.