Black Rose
Sad Café Lyrics
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She held the answer in her hand
But on this auspicious occasion
She didn't really understand
I went to meet her at the station
Her famous hat was pulled down low
A crowd of people stood there laughing at her
Rose was a shadow of before
That's all I ever heard her say
Don't take no for an answer
Yet she slowly slid away
Keep taking those back roads
That's all I ever heard her say
Don't take no for an answer
Oh that's all she would say
Back roads, black rose, blues again
Now Rose was getting down forever
She never really ever stood a chance
I watched her life that's pilling out before her
Just like wine, just like wine
Spilling over the side
And every time I reach a crossroads
In my life and I don't know which way to go
A voice is stirring deep inside of me
It is the voice of old black Rose
She said
Keep taking those back roads
That's all I ever heard her say
Don't take no for an answer
Yet she slowly slipped away, yeah
Keep taking those back roads
That's all I ever heard her say
Don't take no for an answer
Hey, black rose slipped away
Back roads, black rose, you got the blues again
Back roads, black rose
Black rose, black rose
The lyrics to "Black Rose" by Sad Café tells the story of a woman named Rose who has a problem and holds the answer in her hand, but doesn't really understand what to do. The singer goes to meet her at the station and sees that she is a shadow of her former self, with a crowd of people laughing at her. Throughout the song, the singer recalls Rose's words of wisdom to "Keep taking those back roads" and "Don't take no for an answer", but it seems that she slowly slips away, and "spills over the side" like wine. Every time the singer reaches a crossroads in his life, he hears the voice of old black Rose reminding him of her advice.
The song is about a woman who is lost and struggling in life, and the singer is trying to follow her example to keep going and not give up. The lyrics suggest that sometimes the answers to our problems are right in front of us, but we need to understand how to use them. The "back roads" mentioned in the song could be a metaphor for taking a different path or finding a different perspective on life.
Line by Line Meaning
Rose was having a problem
Something was troubling Rose.
She held the answer in her hand
Rose had the solution to her problem, but didn't recognize it.
But on this auspicious occasion
Despite the significance of the moment, Rose failed to understand.
She didn't really understand
Rose was confused and lacked clarity.
I went to meet her at the station
The artist had arranged to meet Rose at a specific location.
Her famous hat was pulled down low
Rose was attempting to hide and remain incognito.
A crowd of people stood there laughing at her
Others were mocking or ridiculing Rose.
Rose was a shadow of before
Rose had changed, and not for the better.
Keep taking those back roads
Rose believed that avoiding the main roads was key to success.
That's all I ever heard her say
Rose often repeated this advice.
Don't take no for an answer
Rose encouraged persistence and determination.
Yet she slowly slid away
Despite her positive message, Rose herself was slipping away.
Now Rose was getting down forever
Rose was spiraling downwards and possibly beyond recovery.
She never really ever stood a chance
Rose suffered from unfortunate circumstances and possibly lacked the support necessary to overcome them.
I watched her life that's pilling out before her
The singer observed Rose's life unraveling.
Just like wine, just like wine
This simile suggests Rose's troubles were worsening with time, like wine spilling from a glass.
Spilling over the side
Further emphasizing the idea that Rose's problems were overflowing and difficult to contain.
And every time I reach a crossroads
The singer encounters a point of decision, reminiscent of Rose's advice to take the back roads.
In my life and I don't know which way to go
The singer is struggling to make a choice or decision.
A voice is stirring deep inside of me
The artist feels influenced or guided by an internal force or intuition.
It is the voice of old black Rose
The artist feels that Rose's message and spirit continue to influence them.
Hey, black rose slipped away
Rose has passed away or been lost.
Back roads, black rose, you got the blues again
This phrase summarizes the themes and images of the song.
Back roads, black rose
These two ideas represent the struggle against mainstream expectations and the influence of Rose.
Black rose, black rose
The repetition of this phrase emphasizes the importance of Rose to the singer.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOHN STIMPSON, PAUL YOUNG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind