The video heavily references the stage musical "West Side Story" and the musical "Grease" and features cameo appearances from Paula Abdul, Lukas Haas, Kevin McDonald, Fonzworth Bentley, members of the Dungeon Family, Katt Williams, Faizon Love, and DeRay Davis.
An unknown person is flipping through a Stankonia yearbook and comes on the photo of Caroline Jones (played by April Clark), "Biggest Flirt". After Caroline leaves the bathroom with her girls, Big Boi is shown with his crew, appearing as stereotypical jocks. He opens a response to the note he gave to Caroline, asking if she'd be his valentine. Rather than checking off the Yes or No boxes Big Boi put on the paper, she adds her own 'Maybe' option. Upset, Big Boi calls his crew to ride with him to the school.
André 3000 is shown to be heading a musical on stage, where he sings the song and parodies Caroline, though Caroline herself is oblivious to the parody. During this time, Big Boi's crew, "Speakerboxxx", drives to the school, performing acts of vandalism such as knocking mailboxes off. This is when Andre 3000 sings boo boo boo. When Big Boi crashes the auditorium where the play is being held, "Speakerboxxx" announces their arrival, which is followed by the men on the stage announcing themselves as "The Love Below".
Despite the pleas of the principal for no fighting, the two groups confront each other in the middle of the auditorium and start a large fight. Most of the students wind up in the fight, including the principal himself (played by Kevin McDonald). Big Boi moves away from the fight and directs his rap to an uncaring Caroline. In the end, an effeminate man (played by Katt Williams) hands Caroline a red rose and says, "Alright, now you can be here with the Speakerboxes and Lover's head, or you can get with the cat with some bread. Huh, what do you think? Shall we go? Moving... Let's go." As they leave together, he tells her to "take one final look at the past" as they pause, take a look at the chaos behind them, and depart. André 3000 himself is carried off, and the scene goes back to the yearbook, where the reader (presumably director Bryan Barber) falls asleep after getting to "The End".
Roses
OutKast Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
See Caroline
All the guys would say she's mighty fine (mighty fine)
But mighty fine only got you somewhere half the time
And the other half either got you cussed out, or coming up short
Yeah, now dig this, now, even though (even though)
You'd need a golden calculator to divide (to divide)
The time it took to look inside and realize that
I know you'd like to think your shit don't stink
But lean a little bit closer
See roses really smell like poo-poo-ooh
Yeah, roses really smell like poo-poo-ooh
I know you'd like to think your shit don't stink
But lean a little bit closer
See roses really smell like poo-poo-ooh
Yeah, roses really smell like poo-poo-ooh
Caroline (Caroline)
See, she's the reason for the word "bitch" (bitch)
I hope she's speeding on the way to the club
Trying to hurry up to get to a baller
Or singer or somebody like that
And try to put on her makeup in the mirror
And crash, crash, crash into a ditch (just playing)
She needs a golden calculator to divide (to divide)
The time it takes to look inside and realize
That real guys go for real down to Mars girls, yeah
I know you'd like to think your shit don't stink
But lean a little bit closer
See roses really smell like poo-poo-ooh
Yeah, roses really smell like poo-poo-ooh, yeah I
I know you'd like to think your shit don't stink
But lean a little bit closer
See roses really smell like poo-poo-ooh
Yeah, roses really smell like poo-poo-ooh
Aye, aye, yeah, yeah, yeah
Well she's got a hotty's body, but her attitude is potty
When I met her at a party she was hardly acting naughty
I said, "Shawty, would you call me?"
She said, "Pardon me, are you ballin'?"
I said, "Darling, you sound like a prostitute pausing"
Oh so you're one them freaks? Get geeked at the sight of an ATM receipt
But game, been peeped, dropping names she's weak
Trickin' off this bitch is lost
Must take me for a geek, ah, quick way to eat, ah
Neat place sleep, ah, rent-a-car for a week, ah, trick for a treat, no
Go, on the raw sex, my AIDS test is flawless
Regardless, we don't want to get involved without them lawyers
And judges, just to hold grudges in the courtroom
I want to see ya support bra not support you
I know you'd like to think your shit don't stink
But lean a little bit closer
See roses really smell like poo-poo-ooh
Yeah, roses really smell like poo-poo-ooh, yeah I
I know you'd like to think your shit don't stink
But lean a little bit closer
See roses really smell like poo-poo-ooh
Yeah, roses really smell like poo-poo-ooh, I, I, yeah
I know you'd like to think, (I know) your shit don't stink (stink but)
But lean a little bit closer (closer)
See roses really smell like poo-poo-ooh (smell like poo-ooh)
Yeah, roses really smell like poo-poo-ooh (like, ohh)
I know you'd like to think your shit don't stink (ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh)
But lean a little bit closer (yeah, eh-yeah)
See roses really smell like poo-poo-ooh
Yeah, roses really smell like poo-poo-ooh
Better come back down to Mars
Girl, quit chasin' cars
What happens when the dough gets low?
Bitch, you ain't that fine
No way, no way, no way
Better come back down to Mars
Girl, quit chasin' cars
What happens when the dough gets low?
Bitch, you ain't that fine
No way, no way, no way
Crazy bitch, crazy bitch, crazy bitch
Crazy bitch, crazy bitch, crazy bitch
Crazy bitch
Bitch (crazy bitch)
Stupid ass bitch (crazy bitch)
Ol' punk ass bitch (crazy bitch)
Ol' dumbass bitch (crazy bitch)
A bitch's bitch (crazy (bitch)
Just a bitch (crazy bitch)
Stupid ass bitch (crazy bitch)
Ol' punk ass bitch (crazy bitch)
Ol' dumbass bitch (crazy bitch)
A bitch's bitch (crazy (bitch)
Just a bitch
The song "Roses" by OutKast is a critique of materialism and superficiality in society, particularly in relationships. It tells the story of a woman named Caroline who is obsessed with money and status and uses her looks to pursue wealthy men. However, the lyrics suggest that this lifestyle is not sustainable and that true relationships are based on more than just appearance and wealth. The chorus of the song repeats the line "roses really smell like poo-poo-ooh," emphasizing the idea that something that appears beautiful on the surface may not be so pleasant when one looks closer.
The verses of the song focus on Caroline's behavior and the attitudes of the men who are drawn to her. The first verse describes how many men are attracted to Caroline because of her physical appearance, but that this is not enough for a meaningful relationship. The second verse portrays Caroline as cynical and devious, using her looks to get what she wants without regard for others. The third verse features a spoken-word bridge where the singer challenges Caroline's behavior and tries to convince her that there is more to life than the pursuit of wealth and status.
Overall, "Roses" is a commentary on the shallowness and excess of modern society, and the need to focus on deeper, more meaningful relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Caroline (Caroline)
The person named Caroline
See Caroline
Observing Caroline
All the guys would say she's mighty fine (mighty fine)
Caroline is considered attractive by men
But mighty fine only got you somewhere half the time
Being just attractive is not enough for success
And the other half either got you cussed out, or coming up short
Being only attractive will lead to negative outcomes or unfulfillment
Yeah, now dig this, now, even though (even though)
Despite that
You'd need a golden calculator to divide (to divide)
It would take a complicated formula
The time it took to look inside and realize that
The effort to reflect and comprehend
Real guys go for real down to Mars girls, ha yeah
Authentic men prefer genuine, down-to-earth women
I know you'd like to think your shit don't stink
You aspire to be perfect
But lean a little bit closer
Pay attention
See roses really smell like poo-poo-ooh
The reality is much different from what you believe
Yeah, roses really smell like poo-poo-ooh
Reinforcement of the previous statement
See, she's the reason for the word "bitch" (bitch)
Caroline is a negative influence or stereotype for women
I hope she's speeding on the way to the club
Wishing negative consequences on Caroline
Trying to hurry up to get to a baller
Attempting to attract a wealthy man
Or singer or somebody like that
Another type of desirable man
And try to put on her makeup in the mirror
Focusing on superficial appearance
And crash, crash, crash into a ditch (just playing)
Exaggeration for comedic effect
She needs a golden calculator to divide (to divide)
A difficult formula is needed
The time it takes to look inside and realize
Reflecting is necessary for understanding
That real guys go for real down to Mars girls, yeah
True men prefer authentic, grounded women
Well she's got a hotty's body, but her attitude is potty
Although attractive, her personality is negative
When I met her at a party she was hardly acting naughty
She was not acting promiscuous when I met her
I said, "Shawty, would you call me?"
I asked her to contact me
She said, "Pardon me, are you ballin'?"
She asked if I am wealthy
I said, "Darling, you sound like a prostitute pausing"
I called her out for sounding like a sex worker
Oh so you're one them freaks? Get geeked at the sight of an ATM receipt
She is excited by wealth and materialism
But game, been peeped, dropping names she's weak
Her tactics are transparent and ineffective
Trickin' off this bitch is lost
Spending money on her is a waste
Must take me for a geek, ah, quick way to eat, ah
She thinks I'm gullible, and using men is an easy way for her to make money
Neat place sleep, ah, rent-a-car for a week, ah, trick for a treat, no
She expects luxurious treatment without earning it
Go, on the raw sex, my AIDS test is flawless
She expects unsafe sex despite the risks
Regardless, we don't want to get involved without them lawyers
She expects legal protection in sexual relationships
And judges, just to hold grudges in the courtroom
She expects litigation to solve problems
I want to see ya support bra not support you
I would rather see her be independent than rely on a man
Better come back down to Mars
Return to reality
Girl, quit chasin' cars
Stop pursuing unattainable goals or outcomes
What happens when the dough gets low?
What will happen when the money runs out?
Bitch, you ain't that fine
You're not as attractive as you think you are
No way, no way, no way
Absolutely not
Crazy bitch, crazy bitch, crazy bitch
Insane, irrational woman
Bitch (crazy bitch)
Derogatory term for a woman
Stupid ass bitch (crazy bitch)
Dim-witted and irrational woman
Ol' punk ass bitch (crazy bitch)
Weak and irrational woman
Ol' dumbass bitch (crazy bitch)
Unintelligent and irrational woman
A bitch's bitch (crazy (bitch)
A woman subservient to another woman
Just a bitch (crazy bitch)
Simply an irrational woman
Stupid ass bitch (crazy bitch)
Dim-witted and irrational woman
Ol' punk ass bitch (crazy bitch)
Weak and irrational woman
Ol' dumbass bitch (crazy bitch)
Unintelligent and irrational woman
A bitch's bitch (crazy (bitch)
A woman subservient to another woman
Just a bitch
Simply an irrational woman
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Andre Benjamin, Matthew Roy Boykin, Antwan Patton
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@flyaprilfly
I still get called Caroline! 🌹 it truly is timeless and was a lot of fun to film. One of my all time favorite videos I’ve been in. Glad you all still enjoy it so much:)
@fidelgarcia2224
Oh damn so that was you? Nice thats pretty cool glad you had fun
@frecklesrcool2009
But your name is Caroline...
@witchingbrew3
This really was my generations thriller as a music video.
@minanoch7613
You're gorgeous!
@justinmraap
Your appearance with Outkast was one of my favorite musical performances on Letterman.
@browsertab
These guys were once booed off stage for winning a rap award then went on to absolutely dominate the early '00s.
@iamlibrastars
Really?
@icetray69
They put ATL on the map boy.
@JJF1973
@@icetray69 not just ATL, but the Dirty South!