In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
What?
Well, let me roll up on to the sidewalk and take a look
Yes, whoa! She's beautiful
I'm talking about a Yankee Rose
And she looks wild, wild, wild, wild!
Are you ready for the new sensation
Well here's a shot heard 'round the world
All you back room boys salute
When her flag unfurls
Well guess who's back in circulation
Now I don't know what you may have heard
But what I need right now's
The original good time girl
She's a vision from coast to coast (coast to coast)
Sea to shining sea (sea to shining sea)
Hey, sister you're the perfect host
(Make a toast)
Show me your bright lights
And your city lights, all right
I'm talking 'bout the Yankee Rose
Bright lights
And your city lights, all right
I'm talking 'bout it
When she walks
Watch, the sparks will fly
Fire cracking on the Fourth of July
No sad songs tonight
Something's in the air
Yeah, the feeling gets you
A real state of independence
So pretty when her rockets flare
Still proving every night
That her flag's still there
She's a vision from coast to coast (coast to coast)
Sea to shining sea (sea to shining sea)
Hey, sister you're the perfect host
(Make a toast)
Show me your bright lights
And your city lights, all right
I'm talking 'bout the Yankee Rose
(Your) bright lights
And your city lights, all right
I'm in love with a Yankee Rose
Oh she's beautiful, all right
Nothing like her in the whole world
Yeah she's right on time
I'm on the case
Pick up the phone
No time to waste
She's got the beat
And there's a little bit
Coming your way
Oh raise 'em up there
Let's see who salutes baby
Little bit, little bit, little bit higher
Here's the national anthem
A wanna get a little bit of apple pie, man
Bright lights, city lights
Bright lights, city lights
Bright lights, city lights
Well, let me roll up on to the sidewalk and take a look
Yes, whoa! She's beautiful
I'm talking about a Yankee Rose
And she looks wild, wild, wild, wild!
Are you ready for the new sensation
Well here's a shot heard 'round the world
All you back room boys salute
When her flag unfurls
Well guess who's back in circulation
Now I don't know what you may have heard
But what I need right now's
The original good time girl
She's a vision from coast to coast (coast to coast)
Sea to shining sea (sea to shining sea)
Hey, sister you're the perfect host
(Make a toast)
Show me your bright lights
And your city lights, all right
I'm talking 'bout the Yankee Rose
Bright lights
And your city lights, all right
I'm talking 'bout it
When she walks
Watch, the sparks will fly
Fire cracking on the Fourth of July
No sad songs tonight
Something's in the air
Yeah, the feeling gets you
A real state of independence
So pretty when her rockets flare
Still proving every night
That her flag's still there
She's a vision from coast to coast (coast to coast)
Sea to shining sea (sea to shining sea)
Hey, sister you're the perfect host
(Make a toast)
Show me your bright lights
And your city lights, all right
I'm talking 'bout the Yankee Rose
(Your) bright lights
And your city lights, all right
I'm in love with a Yankee Rose
Oh she's beautiful, all right
Nothing like her in the whole world
Yeah she's right on time
I'm on the case
Pick up the phone
No time to waste
She's got the beat
And there's a little bit
Coming your way
Oh raise 'em up there
Let's see who salutes baby
Little bit, little bit, little bit higher
Here's the national anthem
A wanna get a little bit of apple pie, man
Bright lights, city lights
Bright lights, city lights
Bright lights, city lights
Lyrics submitted by UseYourIllusion
Yankee Rose Lyrics as written by Steve S. Vai David Lee Roth
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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A tribute to the Statue Of Liberty in New York. It was released around the time the statue was being renovated.
I'm pretty sure the words: 'Yankee Rose' are the final words in the Satanic Bible.
Statue of Liberty. Its that simple.
I think it could very well be both about simply seeing a hot chick walking down the street, as well as a tribute to the Statue of Liberty. Clever if Dave did that intentionally, using a hot chick as a metaphor for the beauty of the Statue of Liberty, and vice versa.
David Lee Roth states that the "Yankee Rose" in this song is a personification of NYC's Statue of Liberty, which was being renovated during 85-86, (while this lyric was written.)
In the song, Roth sings about Lady Liberty as though she was an actual girl, personifying her - in Robert Christgau's words, "makes Miss Liberty a burlesque queen and neither lady a whore."
This was one of the two completed lyrics that David Lee Roth had written for Van Halen's follow-up to "1984." These lyrics, originally, were written to the song that became "Good Enough" on Van Halen's "5150."
it
s about satan!!! dont you see it..america is cursed!!! the end is close.
I have to concede to the fact that this is about the Statue of Liberty, but for years I was sure that this was a song about Vanna White, who was at the peak of her popularity when this song was released. The TV references (bright lights, vision from Coast to Coast, hey Sister you're the perfect host). The "when she walks, watch the sparks will fly," line sounded like a reference to the sequin Dresses she typically wore. As well the patriotic references fit in with all-American Girl image.
Also interesting is a 1920's song called Yankee Rose, published by Irving Berlin, lyrics by Sidney Holden. The song also references the Statue of Liberty. I wonder if this song influenced DLR. After all, "Just a Gigolo" was a cover version of a 1929 tune.
Google "yankee rose sidney holden" and click the first result
"Give me a glazed doughnut, and a bottle of anything...(looks around) to go!"
Statue of Liberty, Satan, wtf where do u get that from its about a girl DLR sees walking on the sunset strip................. Idiots Kaneda ur a fucking moron