Roxanne
Dilana 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
You 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

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

Overall Meaning

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.
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

@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!!

More Comments

More Versions