Dilana placed 2nd on the series, to Canadian punk/goth vocalist Lukas Rossi. Dilana was known for her strong, smokey vocals, as well as her intensive yet energetic stage presence, while usually receiving high praise from the band members and show judge Dave Narvarro. Dilana drew attention with controversial comments about her fellow contestants during week 8 of the competition, which lost her some fans from the Rock Star community. However, by the end of the competition, she had apologized and won back much of the viewer's respect. While on the show, she performed:
"Lithium" by Nirvana
"Ring Of Fire" by Johnny Cash
"Zombie" by The Cranberries
"Time After Time" by Cyndi Lauper
"Can't Get Enough" by Bad Company
"Won't Get Fooled Again" by The Who
"Cat's In The Cradle" by Harry Chapin
"Every Breath You Take" by The Police
"Mother Mother" by Tracy Bonham
"Psycho Killer" by Talking Heads
"Behind Blue Eyes" by The Who
"I Want You To Want Me" by Cheap Trick
"Roxanne" by The Police
She also performed her original song, "Supersoul". Supersoul is to be her first single and "Zombie" is often thought of as her signature performance.
Dilana was previously known as Dilana Smith, under which she released one album, "Wonderfool", who's single, also called "Wonderfool", recieved some recognition.
Her arrangement of "Ring of Fire" inspired Adam Lambert's version on American Idol, and his fellow contestant Allison Iraheta covered Dilana's song "Holiday" on her debut album.
Roxanne
Dilana Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
You walk the streets for money
Roxanne
You don't have to put on the red light
Roxanne
You don't have to put on the red light
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
(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 the bad way
Roxanne
You don't have to put on the red light
Roxanne, yeah
You don't have to put on the red light
Put on the red light
You don't have to put on the red light
Put on the red light
hmm
(Roxanne) Put on the red light
(Roxanne) You don't have to put on the red light
(Roxanne) Oh, Put on the red light
(Roxanne) You don't have to put on the red light
Roxanne (Roxanne)
Roxanne, Roxanne, Roxanne
The lyrics of Dilana's song Roxanne present a story of a man who loves a prostitute and is trying to convince her to stop selling her body to the night. The song opens with a plea to Roxanne to stop putting on the red light and selling her body, which is a reference to prostitution. The lyrics acknowledge that such practices were common in the past, but the days of selling oneself to the night have passed, and Roxanne does not have to keep on this path. The song also includes a line suggesting that Roxanne is so used to her routine that she does not even care whether it is right or wrong.
The second verse of the song continues with the man's approach to Roxanne, advising her not to wear the dress that night and instead to put away the makeup. He plants the seed of the idea that he loves Roxanne and wants to be with her, and she does not have to sell herself to other men. He ends with a warning that he won't share her with another man, and Roxanne no longer has to put on the red light.
Line by Line Meaning
You don't have to put on the red light
You don't have to be a prostitute anymore
Those days are over
The days of being a prostitute are gone
You don't have to sell your body to the night
You don't have to trade sex for money anymore
You don't have to wear that dress tonight
You don't have to dress up to attract clients
You walk the streets for money
You used to sell your body to earn money
You don't care if it's wrong or if it's right
You don't consider whether the act of prostitution is moral or not
I loved you since I knew ya
I have been in love with you since I met you
I wouldn't talk down to ya
I will treat you with respect and not judge you for your past
I have to tell you just how I feel
I need to express my feelings to you
I won't share you with another boy
I don't want to see you with any other man
I know my mind is made up
I am certain about my decision
(I know my mind is made up)
So put away your make up
You don't need to wear makeup to impress me
I told you once, I won't tell you again
I have already explained how I feel, I won't repeat it
It's the bad way
It's a bad lifestyle to be a prostitute
hmm
Mysterious sound effect
(Roxanne) Put on the red light
(Roxanne) You don't have to put on the red light
(Roxanne) Oh, Put on the red light
(Roxanne) You don't have to put on the red light
Roxanne (Roxanne)
Repeating her name to convey her importance and perhaps to grab her attention
Roxanne, Roxanne, Roxanne
Repeating her name again for emphasis
Contributed by Zoe V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@patriciaaiken2781
Still today after so many years it upsets me that Dilana didn't win!! Unbelievably amazing performance.
@jayanti2371
they were too stupid to see the insanely interesting possibilities in having a female lead
@gonzo3954
@Jayanti Ramiah I thought she was awesome! I'm thinking they were not fond of playing behind a woman.
@michidorok
She's a real rock star. Who was emo wana? Sings like a sparrow?? Dunno ... doesn't matter. Egos, entitlement and a distorted perception of themselves as aging rock stars have faded. Having a sparrow (unless he's called JACK) did nothing. Audience voted years on. The Women Won
@MmeInformaticienne
She didn't win because she would have overshadowed them
@rock696900
https://youtu.be/adg0Ktjxtd8
@Metfan722
Performances like this prove why this show was far superior to American Idol. Not only better songs, but allowed to do much more with them.
@spudmacspud
I watched this last wednesday, today is sunday and i still have chills just thinking about this, Dilana was by far the best singer on the show and supernova obviusly thought that too, because they obviously thought she'd be held back by the restraints of the band. From Night 1 she was the best performer and just cause she didn't win doesn't mean she wasn't the best at the end, it just means she's not right for supernova
@RedroomStudios
geezus this was just superb! when the 3 guys come in to join her it just gives me the chills every time I watch it. so much love for this!
@LitZena
MOST underrated person man or woman in history!! SHE IS ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT IN ALL SHE DOES INCLUDING THIS HOT SONG!!