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.
Skyscraper
David Lee Roth Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Of the North Star calling
Put your high beams on
Stay on my wing
I'm falling
And spinning and turning
This is ultra-glide
The beginnings of great things
By your naked eye
Can you see me know crack the skies like lightnin'
Mama's little sonic boom
Is simply frightening
I'm a skyscraper
Float like a buttuerfly
Acrobatic
Sting like a B-52
Dramatic
And the radar locks on you
No static
Can I reach it now
I'm not up here often
God only knows
And he ain't talkin'
I'm a skyscraper.
The lyrics of David Lee Roth's "Skyscraper" reflect on the themes of soaring to new heights, and the feelings and sensations of being in the sky. The opening lines suggest that the North Star is calling and the singer is in flight, urging whoever is listening to put on their high beams and stay on his wing. He admits to falling and spinning, but the ultra-glide feels like the beginning of something great, almost otherworldly, that is invisible to the human eye.
The chorus is a celebration of the singer's achievements in the sky, as he metaphorically describes himself as a skyscraper. He says that he can crack the skies like lightning and create sonic booms that are simply frightening. The verse then describes how he moves, comparing himself to a butterfly in terms of gracefulness and an acrobat, while also having the force of a military aircraft like the B-52 bomber. He is locked onto his target, targeted by radar, and there is no static.
The final lines suggest that the singer is not sure he can reach the top, but he is willing to try anyway, even though he feels like he is not there very often. He wonders whether it is possible, but even if it is not, he is still a skyscraper.
Line by Line Meaning
I can hear the sound
I am able to perceive it audibly
Of the North Star calling
The North Star is beckoning me
Put your high beams on
Activate your headlights to illuminate the path
Stay on my wing
Fly near me for protection and guidance
I'm falling
I'm descending from a high place
And spinning and turning
I'm rotating in the air
This is ultra-glide
I'm experiencing smooth and efficient movement
The beginnings of great things
The initial stages of something significant
Cannot be seen
They're not apparent visually
By your naked eye
With unaided vision alone
Can you see me now crack the skies like lightnin'
Observe me as I appear to split the clouds rapidly
Mama's little sonic boom
A small and sudden explosion of sound
Is simply frightening
It's causing fear or apprehension
I'm a skyscraper
I'm a towering and impressive structure
Float like a butterfly
Move gently and gracefully
Acrobatic
Performing gymnastic feats
Sting like a B-52
Cause severe damage or discomfort like a military aircraft
Dramatic
Impressive and forceful
And the radar locks on you
Detection system tracks your movements
No static
No interference or disruption of reception
Can I reach it now
Am I able to attain it currently
I'm not up here often
It's uncommon for me to be at this altitude
God only knows
Only the divine beings have knowledge
And he ain't talkin'
And they're not communicating with me
I'm a skyscraper
I'm an immense and impressive edifice
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVID LEE ROTH, STEVE S. VAI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
MacGyver at large
When this song came out, the F117 was just made known.
They had not named it, yet.
I thought this was the perfect song to go with the aircraft.
You can hear the hangar doors open, the nose landing light go on, the doors close...
Then, she lifts, the gear retracts, light is out, and.....
You're on mission, buddy.
The rest is imagination and night vision footage....
F117, the Skyscraper.
Donald Salkovick
Dave is a legend. We grew up together, not literally but through his music. Love the guy
Donald Salkovick
@Xi Tran Lu not really because it doesn't matter what other people think I know what the song does for me
Xi Tran Lu
@Jh but you're right, i'll re-examine my insanity for that word. have a wonderful week.
Xi Tran Lu
@Jh I just think it's overrated. lol.
Jh
@Xi Tran Lu you really don't like that word do you?
Xi Tran Lu
Come on, say it.. I know you want to. "UNDERRATED"
Craig McMillan
i have always thought that this song will be fully appreciated far in the future. totally underrated Dave.
Xi Tran Lu
Is it... UNDERRATED?
Steve Herb
It was quite a departure for DLR for sure. I love Vai's guitar work, pretty sick
MrAlcsilva
i tottaly agree with you