ROXANNE
Sting & The Police Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You don't have to put on the red light
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
(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
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
You don't (Roxanne) 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
You don't (Roxanne) have to put on the red light
(Roxanne) Put on the red light
You don't (Roxanne) have to put on the red light
(Roxanne) Put on the red light
(Roxanne) Put on the red light
The song Roxanne by Sting and The Police talks about a prostitute who goes by the name Roxanne. The singer tries to convince her that she doesn't need to put on the red light for her customers, meaning she doesn't have to work as a prostitute anymore. He acknowledges that in the past, she may have had to resort to selling her body to make a living, but urges her to move past that life and choose a different path. The lyrics suggest that the singer has feelings for her and doesn't want to share her with anyone else. He tells her that his mind is made up and that he won't change his stance on her continuing to work as a prostitute.
The lyrics of the song show Sting's sensitivity towards the plight of prostitutes in society. He acknowledges the difficult circumstances that can lead someone to resort to prostitution and urges them to choose a different path. The song has become a classic and is often played in pop culture, which has helped to spread this message to millions of people.
Line by Line Meaning
Roxanne
The name of the woman being addressed in the song.
You don't have to put on the red light
You don't have to become a prostitute.
Those days are over
Prostitution should be a thing of the past.
You don't have to sell your body to the night
You don't have to offer yourself to strangers for sex.
You don't have to wear that dress tonight
You don't have to dress provocatively.
Walk the streets for money
Go out to seek financial gain by selling your body.
You don't care if it's wrong or if it's right
You are not concerned with the morality of your actions.
I loved you since I knew ya
I have had a strong affection for you from the very beginning.
I wouldn't talk down to ya
I would not judge or belittle you.
I have to tell you just how I feel
I am compelled to express my emotions to you.
I won't share you with another boy
I am not willing to watch you be with someone else.
I know my mind is made up
I am certain of my decision.
So put away your make-up
I encourage you to stop doing things to make yourself more appealing to others.
Told you once, I won't tell you again it's a bad way
I have already said that prostituting yourself is not a good path to take.
(Roxanne) Put on the red light
The repetition of this line underlines the message that the person should not become a prostitute.
Oh
A simple exclamation at the end of the song.
Lyrics © DistroKid, Universal Music Publishing Group
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