Police lead singer Sting wrote the song, inspired by the prostitutes he saw near the band's seedy hotel while in Paris, France in October 1977 to perform at the Nashville Club. The title of the song comes from the name of the character in the play Cyrano de Bergerac, an old poster of which was hanging in the hotel foyer.
Sting had originally conceived the song as a bossa nova, although he credits Police drummer Stewart Copeland for suggesting its final rhythmic form as a tango. During recording, Sting accidentally sat down on a piano keyboard in the studio, resulting in the atonal piano chord and laughter preserved at the beginning of the track. The Police were initially diffident about the song, but Miles Copeland III was immediately enthusiastic after hearing it, becoming their manager and getting them their first record deal with A&M Records. The single did not chart at first, but it was re-released in April 1979 and reached #12 in the UK and #32 in the U.S., and went on to become one of the classic Police songs as well as a staple of Sting's performances during his solo career. "Roxanne" has appeared on every single one of The Police's Greatest hits albums.
Rolling Stone ranked it #388 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
This was also the appropriately first song the band performed live (at the 2007 Grammy Awards) to kick off their 30th Anniversary Reunion Tour.
Roxanne
Police Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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) Oh
I loved you since I knew ya
I wouldn't talk down to ya
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 make-up
I 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
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)
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 (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)
The song "Roxanne" by the Police, released in 1978, is about a man trying to convince a prostitute named Roxanne to leave her life of selling her body for money. The lyrics address Roxanne directly, telling her she no longer needs to put on the "red light," which was a signal used by prostitutes to indicate they were available for hire. The singer acknowledges that Roxanne may have needed to sell her body in the past, but reminds her that those days are over and she no longer needs to do so. He begs her not to wear a dress that night and not to walk the streets for money, important advice that could save her from the dangers of the job.
Despite the man's sincere plea, Roxanne appears to be uninterested in leaving her life of prostitution. The singer tells Roxanne that he loves her, but he cannot share her with another man, showing that he understands that her profession is transactional and temporary. The song ends with the repeated plea for Roxanne to stop putting on the red light, indicating that the singer hopes she will eventually leave her life of prostitution behind and live a happier life.
Line by Line Meaning
Roxanne you don't have to put on the red light
You don't have to engage in prostitution anymore, Roxanne.
Those days are over you don't have to sell your body to the night
You don't have to work as a prostitute anymore. Those days are over.
Roxanne you don't have to wear that dress tonight
You don't have to dress up in revealing clothing if you don't want to, Roxanne.
Walk the streets for money you don't care if it's wrong or if it's right
You used to walk the streets as a prostitute, not caring whether it was right or wrong, but you don't have to anymore.
I loved you since I knew ya
I have loved you ever since we met.
I wouldn't talk down to ya
I wouldn't belittle or patronize you, Roxanne.
I have to tell you just how I feel
I need to express my feelings to you, Roxanne.
I won't share you with another boy
I don't want you to be with anyone else but me, Roxanne.
I know my mind is made up so put away your make-up
I have made up my mind about us, so you don't have to wear make-up to impress me, Roxanne.
I told you once I won't tell you again it's a bad way
I have already warned you that prostitution is not a good way to make a living, Roxanne.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Gordon Sumner
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@redrickschuhart3836
My old man named me after this song :D!!
My name is Youdon'thavetoputontheredlight
@souhung69
Underrated comment
@trapboyjohn9306
I’m dead😭
@littlelamb2112
This. This is why I still look at the comments. Thank you youdon’thavetoputontheredlight.
@meganmerrells2942
Omg lol
@crazytime9773
XD
@usedtampon_
Can we just have a moment of silence for the ones that searched “Rock Sand”
@josecarlosalbarracinsato9504
its a horse btw
@lansalotmailys6495
Omg do people really do that🤦
@meisuke9026
this me 6 years ago