ROXANNE
Ê·Í¡Sting Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

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
Put on the red light, put on the red light
Put on the red light, put on the red light
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
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




You don't have to put on the red light
Put on the red light, put on the red light

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "Roxanne" by Sting tell the story of a man trying to convince a prostitute to stop selling her body and leave her current lifestyle behind. The song starts off with the singer, singing to Roxanne, telling her that she shouldn't have to put on the "red light" anymore, meaning she doesn't have to work as a prostitute. He reminds her that those days are over and she doesn't have to sell her body to the night. The second verse continues with Roxanne being told that she doesn't have to wear a dress and walk the streets for money, indicating she can leave her current life behind. The singer also notes that Roxanne doesn't care if what she is doing is wrong or right.


Towards the end of the song, the singer confesses his love for Roxanne, assuring her that he wouldn't talk down to her. He also tells her that he won't share her with another boy and that his mind is made up. The last repeated lines seemingly beg for Roxanne to change her ways and put on a different kind of light - one that represents a life free from the constraints of prostitution.


The song can be seen as a cry for help or a plea for a woman to leave behind a life of selling her body. However, it can also be interpreted as a larger commentary on the societal issue of prostitution and how women are forced into it due to various societal and economic factors.


Line by Line Meaning

Roxanne, you don't have to put on the red light
You don't need to engage in prostitution anymore.


Those days are over
The era of selling your body is in the past now.


You don't have to sell your body to the night
You no longer have to resort to sex work to make ends meet.


Roxanne, you don't have to wear that dress tonight
You have the freedom to wear whatever you want tonight.


Walk the streets for money
You used to have to walk the streets to earn a living.


You don't care if it's wrong or if it's right
You used to be willing to do whatever it takes to survive, even if it's unethical or dangerous.


Put on the red light, put on the red light
This phrase represents the sex industry and the exploitation that comes with it.


I loved you since I knew ya
I've been in love with you for as long as I can remember.


I wouldn't talk down to ya
I would treat you with respect and dignity.


I have to tell you just how I feel
I need to express my feelings towards you.


I won't share you with another boy
I am committed to you and won't let anyone else come between us.


I know my mind is made up
I am certain about my decision and my feelings for you.


So put away your make up
You don't need to hide behind makeup and pretense anymore.


Told you once I won't tell you again it's a bad way
I warned you once, and won't repeat myself. Engaging in prostitution is not a healthy or sustainable way of life.


You don't have to put on the red light
You have the freedom to choose a different path for your life.


Put on the red light, put on the red light
This phrase still represents the sex industry and the exploitation that comes with it, but the repetition is a nod to the fact that the practice is still present in society.




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

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@user-ut7ch1dh8x

【lyrics】
I don't drink coffee I take tea, my dear
I like my toast done on one side
And you can hear it in my accent when I talk
I'm an Englishman in New York

You see me walking down Fifth Avenue
A walking cane here at my side
I take it everywhere I walk
I'm an Englishman in New York

Whoa, I'm an alien
I'm a legal alien
I'm an Englishman in New York

Whoa, I'm an alien
I'm a legal alien
I'm an Englishman in New York

If manners maketh man as someone said
He's the hero of the day
It takes a man to suffer ignorance and smile
Be yourself no matter what they say

Whoa. I'm an alien
I'm a legal alien
I'm an Englishman in New York

Whoa. I'm an alien
I'm a legal alien
I'm an Englishman in New York

Modesty, propriety can lead to notoriety
But you could end up as the only one
Gentleness, sobriety are rare in this society
At night a candle's brighter than the sun

Takes more than combat gear to make a man
Takes more than a license for a gun
Confront your enemies, avoid them when you can
A gentleman will walk but never run
If manners maketh man as someone said
He's the hero of the day
It takes a man to suffer ignorance and smile
Be yourself no matter what they say



@kjeldm.3722

I don't take coffee, I take tea, my dear
I like my toast done on one side
And you can hear it in my accent when I talk
I'm an Englishman in New York
See me walking down Fifth Avenue
A walking cane here at my side
I take it everywhere I walk
I'm an Englishman in New York
Oh, I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien
I'm an Englishman in New York
Oh, I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien
I'm an Englishman in New York
If "manners maketh man" as someone said
He's the hero of the day
It takes a man to suffer ignorance and smile
Be yourself no matter what they say
Oh, I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien
I'm an Englishman in New York
Oh, I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien
I'm an Englishman in New York
Modesty, propriety can lead to notoriety
You could end up as the only one
Gentleness, sobriety are rare in this society
At night a candle's brighter than the sun
Takes more than combat gear to make a man
Takes more than a license for a gun
Confront your enemies, avoid them when you can
A gentleman will walk but never run
If "manners maketh man" as someone said
He's the hero of the day
It takes a man to suffer ignorance and smile
Be yourself no matter what they say
Be yourself no matter what they say
Be yourself no matter what they say
Be yourself no matter what they say (oh, I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien)
Be yourself no matter what they say (I'm an Englishman in New York)
Be yourself no matter what they say (oh, I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien)
Be yourself no matter what they say (I'm an Englishman in New York)
Be yourself no matter what they say (oh, I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien)
Be yourself no matter what they say (I'm an Englishman in New York)
Be yourself no matter what they say (oh, I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien)
Be yourself no matter what they say (I'm an Englishman in New York)
Be yourself no matter what they say



@naviesbasysya4120

Lyrics :

I don't drink coffee, I take tea, my dear
I like my toast done on one side
And you can hear it in my accent when I talk
I'm an Englishman in New York
See me walking down Fifth Avenue
A walking cane here at my side
I take it everywhere I walk
I'm an Englishman in New York
Oh, I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien
I'm an Englishman in New York
Oh, I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien
I'm an Englishman in New York
If "manners maketh man" as someone said
He's the hero of the day
It takes a man to suffer ignorance and smile
Be yourself no matter what they say
Oh, I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien
I'm an Englishman in New York
Oh, I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien
I'm an Englishman in New York
Modesty, propriety can lead to notoriety
You could end up as the only one
Gentleness, sobriety are rare in this society
At night a candle's brighter than the sun
Takes more than combat gear to make a man
Takes more than a license for a gun
Confront your enemies, avoid them when you can
A gentleman will walk but never run
If "manners maketh man" as someone said
He's the hero of the day
It takes a man to suffer ignorance and smile
Be yourself no matter what they say
Be yourself no matter what they say
Be yourself no matter what they say
Be yourself no matter what they say (oh, I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien)
Be yourself no matter what they say (I'm an Englishman in New York)
Be yourself no matter what they say (oh, I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien)
Be yourself no matter what they say (I'm an Englishman in New York)
Be yourself no matter what they say (oh, I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien)
Be yourself no matter what they say (I'm an Englishman in New York)
Be yourself no matter what they say (oh, I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien)
Be yourself no matter what they say (I'm an Englishman in New York)
Be yourself no matter what they say



@antoniettatomatis5544

Today I read again VERY CAREFULLY THE STING SONG AND SUDDENLY IT SEEMS TO ME LIKE A PRAYER FOR EVERIBODY,
FOR WHITE PEOPLE AND COLOURED PEOPLE, FOR ILL PEOPLE AND NO ILL PEOPLE
(I can't remember what we can say
In English: NO ILL PEOPLE)
Aniwei I'm sure y
YOU'VE UNDERSTAND WHAT'S I MEANS.
IN ITALY NOW ARE ABOUT
3 OCLOC IN THE AFTERNOONS.
IN USA PEOPLE ARE SLEEPING,
I THINK.
I SAY YOU: HAVE A GOOD NIGHT AND "SOGNI D'ORO" TRANSLATED MEANS about "YOUR DREAMS COULD BE GOLD". NO BADLY.
ARE YOU AGRI WHIT ME?????
NOW I'M GOING TO THE BAR
JUST FOR TO TAKES A COFFEE
AND TO READ A NEWSPAPER.
THIS MORNING I WAS VERY BUSY
ON SHOPPING TO MILANO.
I BUY A HAT CALLED "BORSALINO" BEIGE COLOR, AND I WAS WEARING IT VERY APPROPRIATELY WHIT MY TRUSSARDY PIUMINO (IN ENGLISH I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU SAID NO I CAN'T REMEMBER HOW ITS THE NAME.

TO BE CONTINUED
MAYBE YES MAYBE NOT
IT DEPENDS
IF YOU'RE INTERESTING ON ITALIAN STILE
(ARMANI, TRUSSARDI,
TRU-TRUSSARDI, VALENTINO,
VALENTINO GARAVANI,
MAXMARA, ASPESI, LUCIANA ZUFFI, LORO PIANA, ....AND SO ON
LUISA SPAGNOLI, PAOLO TONALI,



All comments from YouTube:

@danbull

Every instrument in this track was chosen for maximum SMOOTHNESS

@xenoq1945

Waow

@robertconrad410

cant beat some good sex, sax too, lol

@DirtBikeDaryl

Yeah… That soprano sax is killer..😎

@bhud1972

Including Sting’s voice which itself is a musical instrument.

@gaexdj.9824

Hi Dan, what are you doing here? but,
the instruments are awesome combined.

55 More Replies...

@woltersworld

I remember listening to this song when I used to live in Finland. All my friends had it memorized and would ask me what he meant with each line. And all I could think was... "I only remember the chorus" :) but after a year of people asking i had the whole song down. Such a good song.

@ydp_ramen0122

Yes this song is a good song…..

@nigaz1637

spurgt

@arifm5805

i only remember the instrument sounds😆

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