Lee Dewyze attended an alternative high school but states that music and his teachers were his inspiration to go back to his studies. Before Idol, DeWyze worked as a paint salesclerk. His musical influences include Cat Stevens, Eric Clapton, Ben Harper, and Simon & Garfunkel.
DeWyze's career began when he was 16 or 17, after he met Louis Svitek, owner of WuLi Records, and Ryan McGuire of the Virginia Gentlemen. Lee DeWyze auditioned in Chicago for the ninth season of American Idol with the song "Ain't No Sunshine", which was also covered by Kris Allen. During Hollywood week, his group included Aaron Kelly and Crystal Bowersox, who all made it into the Top 24. During the first week, he performed "Chasing Cars" by Snow Patrol, which was praised by Simon Cowell. The next week he sang "Lips of an Angel", which did not get the same response as his first performance but was good enough to get him into the top 16. His third song, "Fireflies", came as a surprise and was generally liked by the viewers, critics, and the judges.
After making it to the Top 12, DeWyze performed Beast of Burden during The Rolling Stones week. For the Top 11's theme, Billboard #1 Hits, DeWyze performed The Letter by the The Box Tops. The following week DeWyze performed Treat Her Like a Lady impressing mentor Usher and all four judges including Cowell who said that "This is the night that your life may have changed forever." For the Top 9 week Lee performed Hey Jude by The Beatles. His closest friend is his fellow roomate, Andrew Garcia.
Kiss from a Rose
Lee DeWyze Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There used to be a greying tower alone on the sea
You became the light on the dark side of me
Love remained a drug that's the high and not the pill
But did you know
That when it snows
The light that you shine can be seen
Baby,
And I compare you to a kiss from a rose on the grey
Ooh, the more I get of you
The stranger it feels, yeah
And now that your rose is in bloom
The light hits the gloom on the grey
Ba da da da rad da ran da da
Ba da da da rad da ran da da
And there is so much a man can tell you
So much he can say
You remain my power, my pleasure, my pain, baby
To me you're like a growin' addiction that I can't deny
Won't you tell me is that healthy, babe
Did you know
When it snows
My eyes become large and
The light that you shine can be seen
Baby,
And I compare you to a kiss from a rose on the grey
Ooh, the more I get of you
The stranger it feels, yeah
And now that your rose is in bloom
The light hits the gloom on the grey
Ba da da da rad da ran da da
Ba da da da rad da ra da da
I've been kissed by a rose on the grey
I've been kissed by a rose on the grey
If I should fall
I've been kissed by a rose on the grey
There is so much a man can tell you
So much he can say
You remain my power, my pleasure, my pain
To me you're like a growin' addiction that I can't deny
Won't you tell me is it healthy, babe
Did you know
When it snows
My eyes become large and
The light that you shine can be seen
Baby,
And I compare you to a kiss from a rose on the grey
Ooh, the more I get of you
The stranger it feels, yeah
And now that your rose is in bloom
The light hits the gloom on the grey
The more I get of you
The stranger it feels, yeah
And now that your rose is in bloom
The light hits the gloom on the grey
Ba da da da rad da ran da da
Ba da da da rad da ra da da
Now that your rose is in bloom
The light hits the gloom on the grey
The lyrics of "Kiss From a Rose" by Lee DeWyze express the idea that love can be both a healing and addicting force. The first verse refers to a "greying tower alone on the sea," which could represent a person who is feeling lost and hopeless, alone in the world. However, the second line brings hope, as the singer says that the recipient of the love becomes the light on the dark side of him. The next line, "Love remained a drug that's the high and not the pill," suggests that love can provide a natural high and healing that cannot necessarily be found in medication.
The chorus references the singer's eyes becoming large when it snows, which may indicate a sense of wonder and awe at the beauty of the world, as well as the idea that the light of love can be seen more clearly when surrounded by darkness. The comparison to a "kiss from a rose on the grey" is a powerful metaphor for the transforming power of love. The more the singer gets of this person, the stranger it feels, perhaps suggesting that they are feeling overwhelmed by their emotions.
The second verse repeats the idea that there is only so much a man can say or tell you about love, and that it remains a powerful force that can be both pleasure and pain. The final lines of the song repeat the ideas presented in the chorus, suggesting that love can bring light to even the darkest of circumstances.
Overall, the song presents a complex view of love as both healing and perhaps even intoxicating, and as a force that can bring wonder and awe to the recipient.
Line by Line Meaning
There used to be a greying tower alone on the sea
There once was emptiness and sadness in my life
You became the light on the dark side of me
You brought light into my life and helped me through tough times
Love remained a drug that's the high and not the pill
Love is all-encompassing and powerful, providing a natural high
But did you know
May I tell you a secret?
That when it snows
During winter weather
My eyes become large and
My pupils dilate and
The light that you shine can be seen
I can clearly see your influence and presence around me
And I compare you to a kiss from a rose on the grey
You bring me unique and wonderful joy, like a rose's kiss
Ooh, the more I get of you
The deeper I fall into your world
The stranger it feels, yeah
The more unique and unconventional our love becomes
And now that your rose is in bloom
Now that our love has blossomed
The light hits the gloom on the grey
Our love lifts the darkness from our lives and surroundings
There is so much a man can tell you
There's only so much I can communicate to express my feelings towards you
So much he can say
Words can't always convey the depth of my love for you
You remain my power, my pleasure, my pain, baby
You have a hold on me in so many of life's facets
To me you're like a growin' addiction that I can't deny
My love for you is strong and ever-growing, like a powerful addiction
Won't you tell me is that healthy, babe
I'm wondering if my feelings for you are healthy and normal
I've been kissed by a rose on the grey
I've experienced your unique and powerful love in the midst of a difficult time
If I should fall
If I should falter or fail
Now that your rose is in bloom
Now that our love has fully blossomed
The light hits the gloom on the grey
Our love brings light and beauty to an otherwise dark world
Contributed by Colin Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@bradleysedeman8905
This is just the best version of this song FOR ME!!
Country.ish tone with slight raspy voice ...just perfrect!!!
@joseandresmantillacarbajal4078
Creo que le das un matiz distinto al de Seal. Estoy convencido que tu voz tiene potencia armonía y Sentimiento. Sigue así compadre.
@phillipmorgantv
La Mejor Version ❤
@jangnams7080
Definitely No.1 performance of this song I've ever heard.
@xenngonzales
Keep coming back to this masterpiece. So good
@imedkhelifa9777
Great performance Mr Dewze
@Danielle-ze6fq
Still listen to this, love it
@Krisricky100
Lee, you are amazing!! :D-3
@mikutome6532
Mil Veces Mejor Que lA oRIGINAL!!
@LordSlayxz
Better than the Live version :)