After a brief spell in the US Army, Vinton was signed to Epic Records in 1960 as a bandleader: "A Young Man With a Big Band." Two albums and several singles were not successful however, and with Epic ready to pull the plug, Vinton found his first hit single literally sitting in a reject pile. The song was titled "Roses Are Red (My Love)." It spent four weeks at No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Arguably, his most famous song is 1963's "Blue Velvet" that also went to No.1. 23 years later, David Lynch named his movie Blue Velvet after the song. In 1964, Vinton had two #1 hits, "There! I've Said It Again" and "Mr. Lonely", the latter now being the basis for Akon's hit "Lonely."
In the 1970s, the "Polish Prince" continued to hit the Top 40, notably with "Ev'ry Day of My Life" and "Sealed With a Kiss" in 1972. That same year, Epic Records decided to end its relationship with Vinton and ended his recording contract. Undeterred, Vinton spent $50,000 of his own money on a self-written song sung partially in Polish: "My Melody of Love." After Vinton was turned down by 7 major labels, ABC Records bought Vinton's idea, and the result was a multi-million selling single that hit #1 on the AC charts in 1974. A gold album, Melodies of Love, followed as well as a successful half-hour variety show "The Bobby Vinton Show" (which aired from 1975 to 1978). He also starred in two John Wayne movies: Big Jake and The Train Robbers.
In the course of his career, Vinton has sold over 75 million records (singles, albums, compilation inclusions, etc) and is still performing on tour and at the Bobby Vinton Blue Velvet Theatre in Branson, Missouri.
Roses Are Red
Bobby Vinton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A long, long time ago
On graduation day
You handed me your book
I signed this way
"Roses are red, my love
Sugar is sweet, my love
But not as sweet as you"
We dated through high school
And when the big day came
I wrote into your book
Next to my name
"Roses are red, my love
Violets are blue
Sugar is sweet, my love
But not as sweet as you" (as sweet as you)
Then I went far away
And you found someone new
I read your letter, dear
And I wrote back to you
"Roses are red, my love
Violets are blue
Sugar is sweet, my love
Good luck, may god bless you" (may god bless you)
Is that your little girl?
She looks a lot like you
Someday some boy will write
In her book, too
"Roses are red, my love
Violets are blue
Sugar is sweet, my love
But not as sweet as you" (roses are red)
The lyrics to Bobby Vinton’s song "Roses Are Red" are about the bittersweet memories and reflections of a past relationship. The song tells a story about a couple who have just graduated from high school and who are in love. During this happy time, he signs her book with words of love that will resonate with her for the rest of her life. The chorus repeats the sentiments of the message in the book ("Roses are red, my love, violets are blue, sugar is sweet, my love, but not as sweet as you"). The song then skips ahead to when they had parted ways, and he has received a letter from her after she has found someone else.
In his reply, he acknowledges her new relationship and wishes her well. The last verse of the song is a reflection on the future. He sees a young girl who looks like her and is reminded that someone, someday, might write similar words in the girl’s yearbook. The repetition of the chorus at the end of the song emphasizes the idea that love and memories endure over time.
Line by Line Meaning
Roses are red, my love, doo-doo-da-doo
Introduction to the song
A long, long time ago
Referring to the past, specifically to the day of graduation
On graduation day
Pointing out the specific day which the lyrics refer to
You handed me your book
Talking about the book that was handed over to the singer
I signed this way
Implying that the signer of the book left a message
"Roses are red, my love
Violets are blue
Sugar is sweet, my love
But not as sweet as you"
The words left by the signer of the book, expressing that the love interest is the sweetest thing on earth
We dated through high school
Recalling the time they spent together in high school
And when the big day came
Referring to the graduation day
I wrote into your book
Next to my name
The singer leaving his message next to his name in the book
Then I went far away
The singer moved away from his love interest
And you found someone new
The love interest found new love
I read your letter, dear
And I wrote back to you
Recalling the exchange of letters between the two lovers
"Roses are red, my love
Violets are blue
Sugar is sweet, my love
Good luck, may god bless you"
The singer parting ways with his love interest by wishing them good luck, expressing his love one last time
Is that your little girl?
She looks a lot like you
Expressing surprise at how the love interest's daughter resembles them
Someday some boy will write
In her book, too
Imagining the love interest's daughter finding love and someone leaving a message in her book
"Roses are red, my love
Violets are blue
Sugar is sweet, my love
But not as sweet as you" (roses are red)
Repeating the same message he left for his love interest, acknowledging it was a part of him and his own history
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: AL BYRON, PAUL EVANS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dunhillan8360
(Roses are red, my love, doo, doo, da, doooo)
A long, long time ago, on graduation day
You handed me your book, I signed this way
“Roses are red, my love”
“Violets are blue”
“Sugar is sweet, my love”
“But not as sweet as you”
We dated through high school
And when the big day came
I wrote into your book
Next to my name
"Roses are red, my love”
“Violets are blue”
“Sugar is sweet, my love”
“But not as sweet as you”
(As sweet as you)
Then I went far away
And you found someone new
I read your letter dear
And I wrote back to you
"Roses are red, my love”
“Violets are blue”
“Sugar is sweet, my love”
“Good Luck, may God bless you”
(May God bless you)
Is that your little girl?
She looks a lot like you
Someday some boy will write
In her book, too
"Roses are red, my love”
“Violets are blue”
“Sugar is sweet, my love”
“But not as sweet as you”
(Roses are Red)
@Gbproductions8
Dude, literally every single scene in Goodfellas is iconic. Martin Scorsese is a genius
@theallmightychocolate4586
facts
@erainmartinez8175
I'm running out of options playing older songs like this 1
@erainmartinez8175
60th anniversary today for this song!
@johnconway9882
Many of the musical choices were advised to Scorsese by Robbie Robertson, lead guitarist of The Band -- the subject of a Scorsese documentary, "The Last Waltz"
@samsen2954
My Favorite Movie and the Song Itself
@kimhunter2
I just woke from a nap, dreaming I was hugging my mom while she sang me this song.
My mom passed last year and had the most beautiful singing voice.
:'(
@gianfrancopellegri6757
So sorry. May God bless her
@mythorganizer4222
😢🫂
@chitown1995
Sorry for your lost she's in a better place.