Rose
Cynthia Alexander Lyrics

The lyrics to Cynthia Alexander's "Rose" are a powerful depiction of a person feeling lost and alone in a society that doesn't understand them. The first verse sets the scene for the rest of the song, with the singer walking the streets alone at night because they have no life at home. They are searching for something, and in this case, that something is the "pretty Ones," who they want to watch. However, the singer wants to talk to these people, to communicate with them, but they don't understand. This is a theme that is reflected throughout the song, with the singer wanting to live and love, but feeling like they can't because they don't fit into the mold of what society expects.

The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "You are a Rose," which is a powerful metaphor. A rose is a beautiful flower, but it is also a symbol of fragility and vulnerability, with its thorns meant to protect it from harm. The stormy sea represents the turbulent and unpredictable nature of life, while the uncaring society represents the people who don't understand the singer. The final line of the chorus, "You must be what you must be," is a call to arms, urging the singer to embrace their true self, no matter how society perceives them.

The second verse continues this theme, with the singer hunting the streets, hormones high, looking for something to fill the void they feel inside. However, they are a "forgotten rose," alone and crying. The repetition of the phrase "You want to live, want to love" serves as a reminder that the singer is just like everyone else, with the same desires and needs, but they are held back by the constraints of society.

Overall, the lyrics to "Rose" are a powerful commentary on the struggle to be oneself in a world that doesn't always accept difference. The metaphor of the rose is particularly effective, conveying both the beauty and vulnerability of the human experience.