'80s Legend Reveals the Audience He Really Had in Mind for Van Halen's No. 1 Rock Hit

David Lee Rothof Van Halen recently revealed that their hit song "Jump" was written with one specific audience in mind.

Sitting down with Billboard, Roth revealed that the iconic song, which Rolling Stone has named as one of the greatest songs of all time, was set at 126 BPM so girls could dance to it.

"I purposely licensed only to contact sports, girl-friendly commercials and movies that were really physical, but girl-friendly," Roth said of the anthem that hit number #1 Billboard Hot 100 in 1984, the only Van Halen song to ever achieve the feat.

"Jump," which was released in 1983, is one of those "girl-friendly" tracks.

"Most rock and roll is meant for fellas," Roth continued. "It's all what we call tits and pits."

However, most Van Halen music is set at 126 BPM. During the interview, Roth got up and demonstrated what a dance at that tempo looks like. "See? That's not for fellas," he said.

@billboard

David Lee Roth talks to Billboard News about "Jump" and confirms that Van Halen is for the girls at Stagecoach 2026. ✨ #vanhalen#stagecoach#forthegirls#ozzyosbourne

♬ original sound - billboard

On April 25, Roth joined Teddy Swims for a high-energy performance of "Jump" at Stagecoach in Indio, California. This was their third collaboration in April, having performed together twice during Coachella. The 71-year-old rocker surprised the crowd, walking out in a leather vest with black and white pants.

"Classic Van Halen is probably 30 percent cowboy hat and boot," Roth said to Rolling Stone. "[‘Jump' is] a song about ascending, taking a shot, testing the deep end. It's about leading with your forehead, and I've been places with mine you wouldn't go with a pistol - which is cowboy humor."

Roth is currently on a solo tour and will perform at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium on May 6. He'll also perform in cities like Sioux Falls, Milwaukee and more this summer. Find his full touring schedule here.

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This story was originally published May 3, 2026 at 4:33 PM.