In the 1990s Thomas met Trey Many through mutual friends and began playing shows with Velour 100. They recorded one EP together in 1999 and played a few short tours, during which time she met Damien Jurado and Pedro the Lion. She then moved to Seattle to attend Cornish College briefly before deciding to focus on a solo recording career. Her appearance on the song "Parking Lot", from Damien Jurado's album Ghost of David, brought her to the attention of famed record label Sub Pop who signed her in 2000.
Her debut album When We Were Small was released on 22 January 2001. The album featured Eric Fisher (who Thomas met at performance art school in Seattle) on guitar and keyboards and Andy Myers on drums.
Fisher and Myers returned for 2003's follow-up Only With Laughter Can You Win.
Thomas released her third album, If Songs Could Be Held, in 2005.
Her fourth album These Friends of Mine, was recorded in collaboration with Sufjan Stevens who plays guitar and banjo as well as providing some vocals, and Denison Witmer.
She released a holiday album called A Very Rosie Christmas in November 2008 through her own record label.
Her 2012 album is entitled "With Love". The same year she relocated to New York City from Seattle.
www.rosiethomas.com
Pretty Dress
Rosie Thomas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's time for you to go to the dance
Tie your hair in red buns and lace
And wear pearls around your neck
And all the pretty princes will see you
All the pretty princes will see you
Someday, someday
Put your red boots on
It's time for you to walk home from school
Everyone will laugh, pointing fingers at you
They'll be cruel
But cover up your ears and don't say anything
'Cause you're much better than them
Someday, someday
And they'll wave to you
And they'll wave to you
Put your red coat on and walk with the light in the woods
If it gets dark don't get scared
There's so much waiting for you
Cover up your ears and don't show them
'Cause you're much better than them
Someday, someday
And they'll wave to you
And they'll wave to you
And we'll wave to you
'Cause they don't see you like I see you
If they did they'd see that nice little girls grow up
To become homecoming queens
Put your red dress on
Put your red boots on
And they'll wave to you
And they'll wave to you
And we'll wave to you
And we'll wave to you
Put your pretty dress on
Put your red boots on
Put your red coat on
"Pretty Dress" by Rosie Thomas is a song that encourages and empowers girls to be confident and brave in the face of bullying and challenges. The song is written in three parts, each addressing different situations where the singer is faced with adversity. The first part, "Put your pretty dress on/It's time for you to go to the dance/Tie your hair in red buns and lace/And wear pearls around your neck," encourages the singer to put on her best outfit and show up at the dance despite potential rejection or judgment. The second part, "Put your red boots on/It's time for you to walk home from school/Everyone will laugh, pointing fingers at you/They'll be cruel/But cover up your ears and don't say anything/'Cause you're much better than them," addresses bullying and the importance of self-love and self-worth. The third part, "Put your red coat on and walk with the light in the woods/If it gets dark, don't get scared/There's so much waiting for you/Cover up your ears and don't show them/'Cause you're much better than them," speaks to the fear of the unknown and the importance of courage and perseverance. The repeated line "Someday, someday/And they'll wave to you/And they'll wave to you," suggests that eventually, the singer will be recognized and validated for who she is.
Overall, "Pretty Dress" is a song about empowerment and the importance of self-confidence and self-love. It suggests that its listeners can overcome challenges and bullying through an unapologetic display of individuality and bravery. The song encourages listeners to embrace their unique qualities and talents, and to have faith that their worth will eventually be recognized.
Line by Line Meaning
Put your pretty dress on
Get dressed up and look beautiful.
It's time for you to go to the dance
It's time to experience new things and to have fun.
Tie your hair in red buns and lace
Fix your hair in a way that makes you feel good about yourself.
And wear pearls around your neck
Wear something that makes you feel special and confident.
And all the pretty princes will see you
By looking and feeling your best, others will take notice of you.
Someday, someday
There is hope for the future and things will get better.
Put your red boots on
Get ready to walk home proudly.
It's time for you to walk home from school
It's time to face the bullies and stand tall.
Everyone will laugh, pointing fingers at you
People will try to bring you down and hurt you.
They'll be cruel
They'll try to make you feel bad about yourself, but don't let them.
But cover up your ears and don't say anything
Ignore their negativity and don't let it get to you.
'Cause you're much better than them
Don't let their words affect your confidence and self-worth.
And they'll wave to you
One day, those who mistreated you will regret it and try to make amends.
Put your red coat on and walk with the light in the woods
Go out into the world with confidence and self-assurance.
If it gets dark don't get scared
Don't be afraid of the unknown and the challenges that may arise.
There's so much waiting for you
There are endless possibilities and opportunities for you.
Someday, someday
Things will get better and brighter.
And we'll wave to you
Your loved ones will support you and cheer you on.
'Cause they don't see you like I see you
Others may judge you unfairly and not see your true worth.
If they did they'd see that nice little girls grow up
If others saw your true potential, they would know that you are capable of great things.
To become homecoming queens
You are destined for greatness and to achieve great things in life.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: MICHAEL BUSBEE, ROSIE THOMAS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Michelle5451
Rosie Thomas is way too underrated.
Michael Foley
An awesome talent. Her music never fails to touch the heart, mind and soul.
Wandering Wizard
To me, this song is about the sweet nothings that a parent or adult tells to a child who is being bullied or going through a rough times. Things will get better. You're better than them.
But listen to the music. It's sad-- a dirge, not a triumph. Because adults know that the sweet nothings are never quite good enough or true enough. The world can be a cruel place and sometimes there is no redeeming it. We hope the words end up being true, but we know they may not be.
Wandering Wizard
Too true
CellarDoorEssentials
I actually met her and her brother in Seattle. They are the most humble and charming people in the world. Rosie is so talented and has so many fans, but she is not in the least bit prideful... She is wonderful.
raiaan123
I have always loved you Rosie Thomas. This is just another excellent song XD
Kenni Mcphee
such a great singer! and sucha powerful message!
Caroline Deane
She's so luminous. But it also makes me feel I'm in an Etsyworld nightmare
Yraunaj De Vera
i <3 her voice... thanks for sharing Ü
Jeannine Wetzel
Love this. My dad loves music like this and has played a big part of my love of music... Now this, this is real music. Not that stupid dance music and nae nae stuff.