A professional singer since she was fifteen, Brooks' début, a cover of Etta James's "Something's Got A Hold On Me", was released on Decca in 1964. Later she became the vocalist with a British 12-piece Stax-influenced, jazz-rock fusion band called Dada that released one, eponymous, album in 1970.
Brooks, along with guitarist Pete Gage, singer Robert Palmer and bassist Steve York formed Vinegar Joe in 1971, adding keyboard player Dave Thompson. The band was without a drummer; Conrad Isidore and Rob Tait drummed on the first album, released in 1972.
In 1974, after three albums Vinegar Joe split and Brooks went solo. After a time in the US as backing singer with the American southern boogie band Wet Willie, she returned to England. Her first solo album on A&M records was Rich Man's Woman (1975).
The rose
Elkie Brooks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That drowns the tender reed
Some say love it is a razor
That leaves your soul to bleed
Some say love it is a hunger
An endless, aching need
I say love it is a flower
It's the heart afraid of breaking
That never learns to dance
It's the dream afraid of waking
That never takes the chance
It's the one who won't be taken
Who cannot seem to give
And the soul afraid of dying
That never learns to live
When the night has been too lonely
And the road has been too long
And you think that love is only
For the lucky and the strong
Just remember in the winter
Far beneath the bitter snows
Lies the seed that with the sun's love
In the spring, becomes the rose
The song "The Rose" by Elkie Brooks is a ballad about love and its complexities. The first verse presents various perspectives on what love is – some believe that it is a river that can drown the tender reed, while others believe it is a razor that leaves the soul to bleed. However, the chorus takes a contrasting view to these metaphors and suggests that love is a flower, and the person is simply the seed that it grows from.
The second verse delves deeper into the fears that come with love. The heart afraid of breaking cannot learn to dance or love freely, while the dream afraid of waking never takes the chance that love presents. Some individuals cannot bear the thought of being vulnerable enough to give themselves to love, while others are too afraid to die and hence do not learn to live.
The last verse is a message of hope that love can bloom even in the harshest of circumstances. It suggests that even when things seem tough, such as "the road has been too long," love can still find a way. The metaphor of a seed buried beneath the snow represents the potential for love to grow despite adverse conditions. The imagery is centered on the promise of renewal and life that comes in the spring when the sun warms the earth and allows new growth to emerge.
Line by Line Meaning
Some say love it is a river
Love is often compared to a river that can be overwhelming and destroy fragile things such as a tender reed.
Some say love it is a razor
Love can also be compared to a razor, which can hurt and leave the soul bleeding.
Some say love it is a hunger
Love can be a deep feeling of hunger that is never satisfied and always aches.
I say love it is a flower
The singer believes that love is beautiful like a flower and that the person being loved is just like the seed that grows into it.
And you, it's only seed
The person being loved is just starting out on the journey of love and has the potential to grow into something wonderful, just like a seed has the potential to become a beautiful flower.
It's the heart afraid of breaking
People who are afraid of getting hurt will never experience the joy of love and intimacy.
That never learns to dance
Those who are too afraid to take a risk will miss out on the wonderful experience of dancing and being able to connect with another person.
It's the dream afraid of waking
People who are afraid of having their dreams crushed are often too scared to take a chance and make them a reality.
That never takes the chance
Those who do not take chances never experience the joy and fulfillment that come with success or with love.
It's the one who won't be taken
People who do not allow themselves to be vulnerable and open to love often isolate themselves from others and miss out on the amazing connections that love can bring.
Who cannot seem to give
Those who are closed off and do not give themselves to others may find that they have a hard time finding love and connection.
And the soul afraid of dying
People who are afraid of death may miss out on living their lives to the fullest and taking the necessary risks that lead to growth and fulfillment.
That never learns to live
Those who do not take risks and seek fulfillment will never truly experience what it means to be alive.
When the night has been too lonely
In times of loneliness and isolation, it can seem that love is unattainable and only for the lucky and strong.
And the road has been too long
When the journey to find love has been difficult and trying, it can be tempting to give up and believe that love is only for certain people.
And you think that love is only
In moments of despair, it can seem like love is all but lost and that it is only for the fortunate and strong.
For the lucky and the strong
The misconception that love is only for those who are lucky and strong can be a common one for those who have been hurt and feel hopeless in their search for love.
Just remember in the winter
Even in the darkest and coldest of times, there is still hope for love and connection.
Far beneath the bitter snows
The hope for love and growth may be hidden deep within us, even when it seems buried by harsh or bitter experiences.
Lies the seed that with the sun's love
Just like a seed that needs the sun's warmth and love to grow, so too does our hope for love need warmth and positivity to flourish.
In the spring, becomes the rose
With time and nurturing, our hope for love and connection can grow into something beautiful and fulfilling, just like a seed blossoms into a rose in the spring.
Lyrics © DistroKid, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Capitol CMG Publishing, Iricom US Ltd, Broma 16, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Amanda McBroom
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jake1995
The UKs finest
Simon Bairstow
agree. wont be appreciated until shes gone.