Roxanne
Juliet Simms (#TeamCeeLo) Lyrics


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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
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

Roxanne put on the red light
Roxanne put on the red light
Roxanne put on the red light
Roxanne put on the red light
Roxanne put on the red light

I loved you since I knew you
I wouldn't talk down to you
I have to tell you just how I feel
I won't share you with another boy
I know my mind is made up
So put away your makeup
Told you once I won't tell you again
It's a bad way

Roxanne
You don't have to put on the red light
Roxanne
You don't have to put on the red light

You don't have to put on the red light
Roxanne put on the red light
Roxanne put on the red light
Roxanne put on the red light
Roxanne put on the red light
Roxanne put on the red light
Roxanne put on the red light
Roxanne put on the red light
Roxanne put on the red light
Roxanne put on the red light
You don't have to put on the red light
Roxanne put on the red light
You don't have to put on the red light
Roxanne put on the red light




Roxanne put on the red light
Roxanne put on the red light

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Juliet Simms’ song “Roxanne” are a powerful message to a woman, possibly a prostitute named Roxanne. The opening lyrics of the song suggest that Roxanne does not have to sell her body anymore or walk the streets for money. This line is followed by, “you don’t care if it’s wrong or if it’s right,” which suggests that Roxanne is indifferent towards her actions. The chorus repeats several times, emphasizing the message that Roxanne no longer needs to put on the red light, which is likely a reference to street prostitution.


The second verse is sung from the perspective of a man who loves Roxanne and would not talk down to her. He tells her that he won’t share her with another boy and that he knows his mind is made up. The final line of the verse, “It’s a bad way,” could be interpreted as a way of referring to Roxanne’s lifestyle as a prostitute. The chorus is repeated several times before the song ends. Overall, the song seems to be a message of hope and encouragement to someone who is struggling and may not realize that there is a better way of life available to them.


Line by Line Meaning

You don't have to put on the red light
You don't have to engage in prostitution and sell your body for sex work.


Those days are over
The time where women were forced into sex work and prostitution is gone and new, better opportunities are available.


You don't have to sell your body to the night
You don't have to prostitute yourself in order to make a living or survive.


You don't have to wear that dress tonight
You don't have to dress in a revealing or provocative way that promotes unrealistic standards of beauty and sexualization.


Walk the streets for money
Walking the streets as a sex worker should not be the only way for someone to earn a living and should not be encouraged or forced upon anyone.


You don't care if it's wrong or if it's right
Engaging in sex work or prostitution may cause harm to oneself or others and should be avoided regardless of financial gain.


I loved you since I knew you
I've been fond of you since before we even met and my admiration still remains.


I wouldn't talk down to you
I wouldn't condescend you or treat you with disrespect even if I disagree with your choices.


I have to tell you just how I feel
I need to express my thoughts and emotions to you honestly and openly.


I won't share you with another boy
I am not willing to share you romantically or sexually with anyone else.


I know my mind is made up
I am firm and confident in my decision and emotions about you.


So put away your makeup
You don't need to hide behind makeup or beauty standards to impress or please me.


Told you once I won't tell you again
I've made my stance clear and won't repeat it again.


It's a bad way
Engaging in prostitution or sex work is not a healthy, sustainable or ethical way to live or earn a living.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: GORDON SUMNER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Anthony Coca

Still listening in 2020. Still pissed that she didn’t win.

Gabriel Carvalho

@Rachael Stovall 2023

Mel b

@Rachael Stovall I go back and pull all her performances to watch over and over!!!!!❤

Rachael Stovall

Here in 2022

Robert Smale

She absolutely SLAYED it. I still go back and watch that.

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Google User

The best performance on The Voice EVER!!!!!

Wilburn Hutcheson

In my top 3 performances ever on the voice.

Mr.Wood787

Curious to know what the other top two are.

CannMan

Me too. Still listening in 2020. One of the best performances EVER! How the F doesn't she have 40,000+ views????

Richard Petzoldt

53K now, but not enough.

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