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


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

Yankee Rose song meanings
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12 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment

    A tribute to the Statue Of Liberty in New York. It was released around the time the statue was being renovated.

    Boonechic_21on March 18, 2003   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I'm pretty sure the words: 'Yankee Rose' are the final words in the Satanic Bible.

    jokingkongon February 21, 2005   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Statue of Liberty. Its that simple.

    cmdrnmartinon October 02, 2005   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    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.

    Justintimeon August 01, 2006   Link
  • +1
    Song Meaning

    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."

    JuJuVon July 26, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    its about satan!!! dont you see it..

    america is cursed!!! the end is close.

    kanedaon June 03, 2006   Link
  • 0
    My Interpretation

    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.

    JonnyBPon March 28, 2014   Link
  • 0
    Song Comparison

    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

    JonnyBPon March 28, 2014   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    "Give me a glazed doughnut, and a bottle of anything...(looks around) to go!"

    Monkey Brainzon March 29, 2023   Link
  • -1
    General Comment

    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

    Kissfreak811on July 04, 2006   Link

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