Skyscraper (album)

Skyscraper
Studio album by David Lee Roth
Released January 26, 1988
Recorded Spring - Autumn 1987
Genre Hard rock
Length 41:12
Label Warner Bros.
Producer David Lee Roth, Steve Vai
David Lee Roth chronology
Eat 'Em and Smile
(1986)
Skyscraper
(1988)
A Little Ain't Enough
(1991)

Skyscraper is the second full-length album by David Lee Roth (of Van Halen), released in 1988. It was the last to feature guitarist Steve Vai, who left the group in 1989 to join Whitesnake and continue his solo career. Bassist Billy Sheehan would also leave the group before the tour to eventually form Mr. Big. This album contained the US hit single, "Just Like Paradise", which reached #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Skyscraper was not a critical success at the time of release, but has since been labeled a 'classic rock/hard rock' album with a sunny 'California' feel, typical of Roth's positive outlook.

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
Allmusic link
Robert Christgau link
Rolling Stone

Contents

Track listing

All songs written by Roth/Vai unless otherwise noted.

  1. "Knucklebones" (Bissonette/Roth) – 3:18
  2. "Just Like Paradise" (Roth/Tuggle) – 4:03
  3. "The Bottom Line" – 3:37
  4. "Skyscraper" – 3:38
  5. "Damn Good" – 5:49
  6. "Hot Dog and a Shake" – 3:19
  7. "Stand Up" (Roth/Tuggle) – 4:39
  8. "Hina" – 4:40
  9. "Perfect Timing" (Roth/Tuggle) – 3:41
  10. "Two Fools a Minute" – 4:28

CD reissue

All songs written by Roth/Vai unless otherwise noted.

  1. "California Girls" (Brian Wilson/Mike Love) – 2:51
  2. "Knucklebones" (Bissonette/Roth) – 3:18
  3. "Just Like Paradise" (Roth/Tuggle) – 4:03
  4. "The Bottom Line" – 3:37
  5. "Skyscraper" – 3:38
  6. "Damn Good" – 5:49
  7. "Just a Gigolo/I Ain't Got Nobody" (Casucci/Caesar/Williams/Graham) – 4:41
  8. "Hot Dog and a Shake" – 3:19
  9. "Stand Up" (Roth/Tuggle) – 4:39
  10. "Hina" – 4:40
  11. "Perfect Timing" (Roth/Tuggle) – 3:41
  12. "Two Fools a Minute" – 4:28

Notes

Personnel

The Band:

Guest Musicians:

Production:

Charts

Album

Year Chart Position
1988 The Billboard 200 6

Singles

Year Single Chart Position
1988 "Damn Good" Mainstream Rock Tracks 2
1988 "Just Like Paradise" Mainstream Rock Tracks 1
1988 "Just Like Paradise" The Billboard Hot 100 6
1988 "Stand Up" Mainstream Rock Tracks 5
1988 "Stand Up" The Billboard Hot 100 64