Roxanne
¾¯²ìÀÖ¶ÓThe Police Lyrics


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Roxanne you don't have to put on the red light
Those days are over you don't have to sell your body to the night
Roxanne you don't have to wear that dress tonight
Walk the streets for money you don't care if it's wrong or if it's right

Roxanne You don't have to put on the red light
Roxanne You don't have to put on the red light
Roxanne (put on the red light)
Roxanne (put on the red light)
Roxanne (put on the red light)
Roxanne (put on the red light)
Roxanne (put on the red light) Oh

I loved you since I knew ya
I wouldn't talk down to ya
I have to tell you just how I feel
I won't share you with another boy
I know my mind is made up so put away your make-up
I told you once I won't tell you again it's a bad way

Roxanne you don't have to put on the red light
Roxanne you don't have to put on the red light
Roxanne (you don't have to put on the red light)
Roxanne (put on the red light)
Roxanne (put on the red light)
Roxanne (put on the red light)
Roxanne (put on the red light)

Roxanne (put on the red light)
Roxanne (put on the red light)
Roxanne (put on the red light)
Roxanne (put on the red light)
Roxanne (put on the red light)
Roxanne (you don't have to put on the red light)
Roxanne (put on the red light)
Roxanne (put on the red light)




Roxanne (put on the red light)
Roxanne (put on the red light)

Overall Meaning

The song "Roxanne" by The Police is a powerful plea to a sex worker named Roxanne to leave her profession and turn her life around. The song's catchy melody and upbeat tempo contrast with the serious subject matter of the lyrics, which address the dangers and moral failings of prostitution. Sting, the lead singer of The Police, takes on the role of a concerned friend who urges Roxanne to abandon her work as a prostitute and to stop "putting on the red light."


The lyrics to "Roxanne" make it clear that the song is not intended as an attack on sex workers themselves, but rather a condemnation of the forces that drive people into prostitution. Sting recognizes that many sex workers are forced into this work due to poverty or other dire circumstances, and he urges Roxanne to break free of those constraints and embrace a better life. He tells her that she doesn't need to "sell her body to the night" or "walk the streets for money," reminding her that these avenues of income are degrading and dangerous.


Overall, "Roxanne" is a song that pulls no punches in its criticism of prostitution and its effects on society. The song's lyrics demand that we take a stand against the exploitation of vulnerable people and work to build a more just and equitable society for all.


Line by Line Meaning

Roxanne you don't have to put on the red light
Don't feel like you have to continue selling your body for money, Roxanne.


Those days are over you don't have to sell your body to the night
You no longer have to resort to prostitution to make money, Roxanne.


Roxanne you don't have to wear that dress tonight
You don't have to dress up in revealing clothing and sell yourself tonight, Roxanne.


Walk the streets for money you don't care if it's wrong or if it's right
You don't have to continue walking the streets and disregarding morality for financial gain, Roxanne.


I loved you since I knew ya
I've loved you from the moment I met you, Roxanne.


I wouldn't talk down to ya
I would never speak down to you, Roxanne.


I have to tell you just how I feel
I must express my true feelings to you, Roxanne.


I won't share you with another boy
I refuse to share your affections with another man, Roxanne.


I know my mind is made up so put away your make-up
I've made my decision, so you don't have to put on a façade anymore, Roxanne.


I told you once I won't tell you again it's a bad way
I've already said it before, but I won't hesitate to tell you that selling your body is a negative way to make money, Roxanne.


Roxanne (put on the red light)
Don't resort to prostitution, Roxanne.


Roxanne (you don't have to put on the red light)
You have a choice to not sell your body, Roxanne.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Gordon Sumner

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@McDonald_trump

People who watch this in 2024 cuz they just remembered this song after 3 years

@Julianapresley

I was spinning around in my living room singing this almost every single day and I was like 8 😭

@ppwithaweewee9403

@@Julianapresley being 11 aint older either dumbass

@McDonald_trump

@@Julianapresley I scroll to an old YouTube short and remember the song

@PlayygamesFunnygworl

Frr😭😂

@Dragonszs

Bro, you're absolutely right 👍👍

137 More Replies...

@stormy3758

It’s crazy that this song would play everyday on the radio during quarantine brings back nostalgic😭😭

@Mira_94

yes

@bye.5198

Omd yes

@Faisay834

Hell yeah 🤣

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