Individually, Ewan has sung on other film soundtracks before and since, while Alessandro is an Italian opera singer known for blending pop and opera in his performances, including those with Sarah Brightman.
El Tango de Roxanne
Alessandro Safina; Ewan McGregor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mad
Roxanne
You don't have to put on that red light
Walk the streets for money
You don't care if it's wrong or if it is right
You don't have to wear that dress tonight
Roxanne
You don't have to sell your body to the night
His eyes upon your face
His hand upon your hand
His lips caress your skin
It's more than I can stand
(Roxanne) Why does my heart cry?
(Roxanne) Feelings I can't fight
You're free to leave me, but just don't deceive me
And please, believe me when I say I love you
Yo que te quiero tanto, qué voy ha hacer
Me dejaste, me dejaste en un tango
En el alma se me fue
Se me fue el corazon
Ya no tengo ganas de vivir
Porque no te puedo convencer
Que no te vendas Roxanne
Roxanne (Why does my heart cry?)
You don't have to put on that red light
Feelings I can't fight (You don't have to wear that dress tonight)
(Roxanne)
You don't have to put on that red light
Roxanne
You don't have to wear that dress tonight
Roxanne
Roxanne
The lyrics to "El Tango de Roxanne" by Alessandro Safina/Ewan McGregor are an emotional plea to a woman named Roxanne to reconsider her path in life. The song begins with a warning that her actions will drive the singer mad - implying that Roxanne is engaging in dangerous behavior. The chorus repeats the message that Roxanne doesn't have to sell her body for money; she doesn't have to put on the red light and wear a dress to make a living. The singer's heart is breaking as he sees her selling herself and being with another man. It's clear that he loves her deeply and is desperate for her to stop.
In the second half of the song, the lyrics switch to Spanish as the singer laments that Roxanne has left him in a tango - a reference to the passionate dance that is often used as a metaphor for life's struggles. He is heartbroken and has lost the desire to live because he cannot convince her to stop selling herself. The chorus repeats, solidifying the message that Roxanne doesn't need to continue with this lifestyle, and the song ends with her name being repeated three times, perhaps as a final plea for her to listen.
Line by Line Meaning
Will drive you
Mad
The actions you take will consume and torture you mentally.
Roxanne
You don't have to put on that red light
Walk the streets for money
You don't care if it's wrong or if it is right
Roxanne, being a prostitute is not your only option. You can choose to quit this business if you want and not be bothered about society's norms.
Roxanne
You don't have to wear that dress tonight
Roxanne
You don't have to sell your body to the night
You don't have to dress up and satisfy your clients to earn money. There is an option to lead an honorable life.
His eyes upon your face
His hand upon your hand
His lips caress your skin
It's more than I can stand
Seeing someone else touch you, feel you, and kiss you is breaking me from inside.
(Roxanne) Why does my heart cry?
(Roxanne) Feelings I can't fight
You're free to leave me, but just don't deceive me
And please, believe me when I say I love you
Roxanne, I can't stop my heart from feeling hurt and betrayed even if you leave me. I just hope you wouldn't lie to me and know that I truly love you.
Yo que te quiero tanto, qué voy ha hacer
Me dejaste, me dejaste en un tango
En el alma se me fue
Se me fue el corazon
Ya no tengo ganas de vivir
Porque no te puedo convencer
Que no te vendas Roxanne
I loved you so much, what should I do now? You left me in a tango, but it feels like you took away my soul and heart along with you. My desire to live is gone because I can't convince you to stop selling yourself, Roxanne.
Roxanne (Why does my heart cry?)
You don't have to put on that red light
Feelings I can't fight (You don't have to wear that dress tonight)
(Roxanne)
You don't have to put on that red light
Roxanne
You don't have to wear that dress tonight
Roxanne
Roxanne, I can't help but feel emotional and anguished. But, you have options to leave this life behind and not be controlled by it. You don't have to sell your body or dress in a way that profits your clients. There is a better life for you.
Lyrics © FOX MUSIC, INC., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Baz Luhrmann, Mariano Alberto Martinez, Marianito Mores, Craig Pearce, Gordon Matthew Sumner
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind