Just Like Paradise

Zoo Freaks, get ready to crank up the volume as the Zoo Crew spins Just Like Paradise by David Lee Roth from his 1988 album Skyscraper. This track, a high-energy anthem of living the good life, was co-written with keyboardist Brett Tuggle, who crafted the music on a keyboard after Roth encouraged his band to pitch song ideas post-Eat 'Em and Smile tour. Tuggle shared in a Rolling Stone interview that he demoed the track, and by the next rehearsal, Roth had the lyrics ready, transforming it into the album’s lead single that soared to #6 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song’s infectious chorus, described by critic Charles Bottomley as “a polished ode to decadence,” is perfect for air-punching, making it a staple for our Zoo Crew playlist.

The music video for Just Like Paradise is as wild as the song itself, featuring Roth rock climbing Yosemite’s Half Dome, captured by Emmy Award-winning photographer David Breashears. Roth, who started climbing at age 11 in the Boy Scouts, told Noisecreep the experience was fueled by his love for adventure, inspired by books, comics, and movies. The shoot wasn’t without drama—climber Werner Braun recalled on the Supertopo forum that Roth was visibly shaking when clipped to a precarious piton, with only an inch embedded in the rock. The video also showcases Roth crowd-surfing on a 28-foot surfboard, a stunt he likened to “contour-flying over a hostile landing zone,” according to his driver, a Vietnam vet named Cowboy. This gonzo energy earned the video a #10 spot on Noisecreep’s list of Roth’s best.

Behind the scenes, Just Like Paradise stirred some tension. Guitarist Steve Vai, who co-produced the track, admitted to the Van Halen News Desk that its pop sheen felt “too ‘Glee’” for his taste, though he gave it his all. Fans were also divided, with some on r/hairmetal calling it “too polished” compared to Roth’s rawer Eat 'Em and Smile, while others praised the creative freedom Vai and drummer Gregg Bissonette enjoyed, as noted in their interviews. Interestingly, an uncited Wikipedia claim suggests Roth’s management turned down a request to use the song as the theme for Beverly Hills 90210 without consulting him, a missed opportunity Zoo Freaks might ponder while grooving to this tune.

David Lee Roth, born October 10, 1954, in Bloomington, Indiana, kicked off his musical journey thanks to his father’s love for icons like Al Jolson and Frank Sinatra. After his family moved to California, a teenage Roth dove into the rock scene, idolizing bands like Led Zeppelin and Alice Cooper. He started singing in local outfits like the Red Ball Jets, crossing paths with Pasadena’s Mammoth—later Van Halen. Roth joined the Van Halen brothers and bassist Michael Anthony, suggesting the band’s name change to Van Halen. By 1978, their debut album exploded, blending Roth’s flamboyant stage presence—think spandex, acrobatic leaps, and a surfer-dude vibe—with Eddie Van Halen’s guitar wizardry, cementing their rise to global fame.

After leaving Van Halen in 1985 amid creative clashes, Roth launched his solo career with the EP Crazy from the Heat, followed by Eat 'Em and Smile and Skyscraper. His larger-than-life persona shone in videos like Just Like Paradise and Yankee Rose, earning him a rep as rock’s ultimate frontman. Beyond music, Roth’s a rock climber, adventurer, and former radio host, sharing his exploits on Facebook, Instagram, and X. Fans can dive deeper at Van Halen’s official site or join discussions on r/vanhalen and Van Halen fan groups on Facebook. Zoo Freaks, keep the party going with Roth’s paradise vibes!