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.
Sensible Shoes
David Lee Roth Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A corvette stingray, I do it my way
Got a good job, makin' lots of money
I look good and I'm funny, so why'm I lonesome honey
The gypsy said the problem with you
You need some sensible shoes
Potential lovers, new worlds to discover
You would think I really have it made now
New rayban shades but I'm a heartache on parade now
I walk around with the blues
I need some sensible shoes
Sensible shoes, ones that will lead me back to you
Sensible shoes, 'cause you're the only lover who was ever true
I need some sensible shoes
All my friends now, they look up to me
They wish they could be a lot more like me
But they don't know and they can't see
How I'm hurtin', how I'm empty
Lost my soul when I walked out on you
I need some sensible shoes
Sensible shoes, ones that will lead me back to you
Sensible shoes, 'cause you're the only lover who was ever true
I need some sensible shoes
I got a fast car, go cruisin' down the highway
A corvette stingray, I do it my way
Got a good job, makin' lots of money
I look good and I'm funny, so why'm I lonesome honey
The gypsy said the problem with you
Ah, you know
Sensible shoes, ones that will lead me back to you
Sensible shoes, 'cause you're the only lover who was ever true
Sensible shoes, ones that will lead me back to you
Sensible shoes, 'cause you're the only lover that was ever true
I need some sensible shoes
In David Lee Roth's song "Sensible Shoes," the singer describes his seemingly perfect life, filled with a fast car, a good job, and plenty of potential lovers. However, he admits that despite his success, he feels empty and lonesome, and a gypsy tells him that he needs "some sensible shoes" to lead him back to the one true lover he ever had.
The song is a commentary on the idea that material success, like a fast car or a good job, does not necessarily bring happiness or fulfillment. The singer appears to have everything he could want on the surface, but deep down, he knows that these things cannot replace the love he lost. The gypsy's advice, to wear sensible shoes that will lead him back to his true love, is a metaphor for the idea that we need to focus on what really matters in life, rather than chasing superficial pleasures.
By the end of the song, the singer seems to have realized this, as he repeats the chorus about needing sensible shoes to lead him back to his true love. The song's catchy melody and relatable lyrics make it a classic from the '80s, and it continues to resonate with listeners today.
Line by Line Meaning
I got a fast car, go cruisin' down the highway
I have a speedy car and I like to drive it down the highway
A corvette stingray, I do it my way
My car is a corvette stingray, and I like to drive it in my own unique style
Got a good job, makin' lots of money
I have a well-paying job that earns me a lot of money
I look good and I'm funny, so why'm I lonesome honey
Even though I am good-looking and humorous, I still feel lonely, my dear
The gypsy said the problem with you
According to the gypsy, there is a problem with me
You need some sensible shoes
The solution to my problem is to get sensible shoes
Look at this black book, it's loaded with phone numbers
I have a black book with many phone numbers of potential romantic interests
Potential lovers, new worlds to discover
These are possible partners for me to explore and discover new things with
You would think I really have it made now
From an outside perspective, it might seem like I have everything I need to be happy
New rayban shades but I'm a heartache on parade now
I may have new Rayban sunglasses, but I am just showcasing my sadness to everyone else
I walk around with the blues
I am constantly feeling sad and depressed
Sensible shoes, ones that will lead me back to you
These shoes will help guide me back to you
Sensible shoes, 'cause you're the only lover who was ever true
I need these sensible shoes because you were the only true lover I have ever had
All my friends now, they look up to me
My current friends admire and respect me
They wish they could be a lot more like me
They want to emulate my life and my personality traits
But they don't know and they can't see
They do not understand or realize something that I do
How I'm hurtin', how I'm empty
I am suffering emotionally and feeling unfulfilled
Lost my soul when I walked out on you
I have lost a part of my essence when I walked away from you
Sensible shoes, ones that will lead me back to you
I need these shoes to find my way back to you
Sensible shoes, 'cause you're the only lover who was ever true
These shoes are vital because you were the only true lover I have ever had
Ah, you know
You know what the gypsy means and what I need
Sensible shoes, ones that will lead me back to you
These shoes are essential to find my way back to you
Sensible shoes, 'cause you're the only lover that was ever true
Only these sensible shoes can lead me to the only true lover I have ever had, you.
I need some sensible shoes
I desperately need these sensible shoes to guide me back to the one true love I have ever had.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DENNIS MORGAN, PRESTON STURGES, DAVID LEE ROTH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@davewhiting9730
Jason Becker struggled to complete the guitars on this album as he was suffering the initial effects of ALS. He was given 3 - 5 years to live. I'm happy too say that 30 years later Jason is still with us and has given so much hope for others suffering with ALS
@Dastardly_X
🙏🏻 🌟 🙏
@wordgirl6267
That is wonderful ! I believe in miracles . Thank you for more proof 😊
@The_Macaroon
@wordgirl6267 it's hardly a miracle. He has been entombed in a paralysed state for over 20 years unable to do anything for himself and only able to move his eyes. It's truly awful what happened to the guy.
@davewhiting9730
@@The_Macaroon Sure it's terrible but Jason has given some hope to others with the disease. His father and him created a method of communicating using an eye chart. Jason has used his eyes to create an album of music and a biography called "Jason Becker, not dead yet". He has the ability to enjoy life given the situation he was dealt. He has a huge support system and is loved by many, including fans who visit him. Yes, what he has done is nothing short of a miracle.
@joshdance9959
Cool song alert!
@jdenney79
A Little ain't Enough is a masterpiece. Sensible Shoes has been one of my favorites for ever and a day.
@cpirazzo
I love this song! This album deserves to be re-released on vinyl again!
@canary_in_a_coalmine
Yes A Little Ain’t Enough is a great album back to front. And it has been re-released on vinyl a few yrs ago, I own it as a prized part of my collection:)
@starblind6663
still got all my original vinyls.. now, if only i had a record player!