During the last Record Show I went to in May 2022 here is Charlotte, as usual, I found a handful of singles. First up to discuss is the 7″ Single for the David Lee Roth song “Just Like Paradise” off his 1988 album ‘Skyscraper’. The song was written by David and Brett Tuggle (keyboardist for his band) while produced by Mr. Steve Vai along with Dave. The single was released on December 30, 1987 and was the first single from the album. Dave’s success continued as it went to #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and helped the album go Platinum.
Tuggle came up with the song after the ‘Eat ‘Em & Smile Tour’. He composed on the keyboard and he roughed out the drums. Vai added the guitar parts and then Tuggle took it to Dave who composed the lyrics before the band’s next rehearsal. The song is basically about the excitement and joy of young romance.
A-SIDE:
The song is pure fun. It is upbeat and has this whole Beach Boy surfer vibe to it. It is light and airy and David sings it only the way Dave knows how. Vai’s solo wasn’t overly involved. It was simple and kept to the song still having that fun, sunny vibe. If you are looking for a good time song, this would fit the bill.
B-SIDE:
The bottom line is with the heavy double kick drum from Gregg Bissonette, a great bass line and bass solo from Billy Sheehan and we also get a slick solo from Vai. It is solid rocker with a great rhythm section which might be the highlight. It does get a little deflated with the keyboard sound and would probably be better without it but I still like it. David does his sort of speak/sing vocals with a deeper tone this time around, however, it is still classic Dave. Easily could’ve fit on the debut album.
And there you have it. I hope you enjoyed it. Still a handful more to go. See you next time and thanks for stopping by.
2 Loud 2 Old Music 
It seems like it would have made more thematic sense to have him abseiling off a skyscraper, doing window cleaning.
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Dang! Where you back then to help them! Much better!!
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I may have been too young to be taken seriously then! Plus my mum made me wear short shorts.
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Funny, I was just listening to “Just Like Paradise” yesterday. Both songs are good.
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Great minds!!
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Loved the earlier Roth solo stuff and the videos. Saw that Skyscraper tour. Have the tour t-shirt somewhere, not that it fits me anymore…
Was sad to hear about Tuggle earlier in the summer.
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Those first couple albums were great and then down hill fast.
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“How can we stop this video looking like an obvious rip off of Livin’ On A Prayer?”
“Get Cubic Zirconia to jump around on some rocks?”
“Nice!”
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Ha!! Problem solved.
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Nice score. Always liked both these tracks and still do but Hina is the one for me off of Skyscraper. Too bad nothing was ever issued live by Roth from this era…
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It is a crying shame!! Missed opportunity.
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Did they actually take that picture on a mountain or is that just a cheap set?
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Probably, but most likely the picked an angle that makes him look like he is high up and yet he is probably only 5′ off the ground.
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It looks like he’s only 5′ off the ground, to be honest.
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Some really good stuff. That was quite the band he had going at the time too.
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Too bad no live stuff from this era.
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I guess Billy has some footage he’s been holding on to
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I thought I read that. Why they don’t cash in on that I have no idea.
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Hey that’s my single. I purchased this one back in the day. I don’t know why as I had the album and didn’t really need this.
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I thought that was your name I rubbed out!! LOL!!
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Love this song. I think that the first time I saw/heard DLR was seeing the video for this on TV.
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I got in with video for Yankee Rose…that was an album…damn.
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Oh yeah, what a great introduction!
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This just blows my mind. Gotta love the guy:
David Lee Roth Worked as an EMT | Joe Rogan
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I think I knew that already. And he is awesome!
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