Haroula Rose (full name Haroula Rose Spyropoulos) is an American singer-son… Read Full Bio ↴Haroula Rose (full name Haroula Rose Spyropoulos) is an American singer-songwriter and actor who grew up in Lincolnwood, Illinois.

"Haroula Rose sings with the spirit of a gypsy soul, always searching for meaning or a seed of truth in each fleeting moment. Her voice is at once intimate and solacing, its gentle inflections betraying a subtle, plaintive sway that enriches moments of guitar-driven folk with the pathos of classic country."
--No Depression

"Chicago-bred, L.A.-based singer-songwriter Haroula Rose's self-released "These Open Roads" is a deceptively easy-on-the-ears debut that launches Rose as a triple threat: a deft and resourceful melodicist, a subtly superb acoustic guitar crafter and a distinctly winsome vocal presence."
--LA Weekly

"Highly textured, melodic, lovely, graceful. Rose picked the right company to realize this highly textured collection that explores a few different moods, though always at a tender remove."
--LA Times

"Each song on the album is a journey, be it big or small, and demonstrates a finely honed skill for telling stories. There’s a joy to be found here, one that leaves an anticipation of what direction Rose will take next. Whichever road she travels from here, her future looks rosy."
--Wears the Trousers Magazine

"These Open Roads displays one small wonder after another"
--Big Takeover

Haroula Rose grew up in Lincolnwood, Illinois, just outside of Chicago. She got her first instrument, the violin, at age 8. She could always sing and was involved in musical theater, choirs, a capella groups and bands. As a teenager she was drawn to the music of, among others, Cat Stevens, Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen and Joan Baez, inspiring her to pick up the guitar and start writing her own songs. After graduating from the University of Chicago, an acquaintance heard her and asked if she would be interested in singing on commercials. Rose then spent nearly the next two years working at a recording studio.

Restless with staying in the city she was born and raised in, Rose packed up her car and drove to Los Angeles to pursue her dreams in the world of music and film. However, she was soon awarded a Fulbright grant and packed up again, this time to Madrid, Spain to live and work. For the following two years, she was involved in various creative projects, from teaching music and drama to children to collaborating with other artists and musicians. As well, Rose managed to travel throughout Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, these journeys and observations forming the basis for a sizeable body of writing.

Upon returning to the United States, she moved back to Los Angeles, began playing open mics, then booking shows all around the city before finally touring nationally. A title from her first release, the Someday EP, showed in the hit CBS TV comedy series, "How I Met your Mother." Her friend, Orenda Fink (of Azure Ray, Art in Manila, O+S) introduced her to Andy Lemaster (Bright Eyes, The Good Life, Now It’s Overhead, REM, Azure Ray). They recorded in Athens, GA at Chase Park Transduction Studio and in Andy’s living room.

"These Open Roads" has been receiving critical acclaim, and Rose is playing a five-week residency at the Hotel Cafe in January in support of its release. Each week will bring different special guests, set lists, and bills. An EP for this year is already in the works, as well as a tour.

Walk Away
Haroula Rose Lyrics

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When the night comes
I pray for the dawn
When the daylight shines
I long to bathe in the moonlight
What would you do if all I needed was you?
What would you say? Or would you then...
Walk away
All these things unsaid

Stay in letters I'll never send
But I hold them close to me
Hope someday you might see
What would you do if all I needed was you?
What would you say? Or would you then...
Walk away
We were given
Some chances at Heaven
But all we could do
Was look for something better
Now there's nowhere to go
We can find a new way home
It's time to leave our fear behind
What would you do if all I needed was you?
What would you say? Or would you then...
Walk away
Where would we go,
If we could be free from what we know?

What would I lose if I would say these words,
Then walk away?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Haroula Rose's song "Walk Away" are about unspoken feelings and missed opportunities in a relationship. The singer expresses a desire for their love interest to stay with them, but wonders if they would simply walk away instead. The first verse sets the scene with a contrast between night and daylight, showing the singer's internal turmoil. The questions in the chorus reflect the singer's uncertainty about their partner's commitment: "What would you do if all I needed was you? What would you say? Or would you then... Walk away?"

The second verse takes a more reflective tone, looking back on past chances for happiness that were missed. The singer acknowledges that they were looking for something better, but now there is "nowhere to go" and it's time to face their fear and uncertainty. The final verse sees the singer contemplating what might happen if they were to be free from their past patterns and truly commit to their relationship. They wonder what they might lose, but the implication is that they would gain something more meaningful.

Overall, the lyrics of "Walk Away" are poignant and introspective, with a sense of longing and regret that will resonate with anyone who has experienced the complicated emotions of love and relationships.

Line by Line Meaning

When the night comes
I hope for a new beginning when the day ends

I pray for the dawn
I wish for an optimistic outlook for tomorrow

When the daylight shines
I yearn for the solemnity of darkness

I long to bathe in the moonlight
I desire peace in the absence of light

What would you do if all I needed was you?
Would you stick around when I need you the most?

What would you say? Or would you then...
Would you help me or turn a blind eye?

Walk away
Leaving me alone in this time of need

All these things unsaid
There are feelings I can't convey

Stay in letters I'll never send
I pen them down for self-comfort

But I hold them close to me
These emotions are still very real to me

Hope someday you might see
I wish you could understand my thoughts