ROXANNE
Sting and Aswad Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Roxanne, 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
Put on the red light, put on the red light
Put on the red light, put on the red light
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 have to put on the red light
Put on the red light, put on the red light

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "Roxanne" by Sting and Aswad are a plea to a woman named Roxanne who may be a prostitute. The singer is telling her that she doesn't have to sell her body or wear revealing clothing to make money. He expresses his love for her and refuses to share her with another man. He also insists that he won't judge her for her past actions, but wants her to change her ways for her own benefit. The repetition of "put on the red light" refers to a common signal in the sex industry that a woman is available for hire.

The song's message is a call for empowerment, encouraging Roxanne to take control of her own life and not rely on sex work to get by. It also highlights the unfair societal expectations and pressures placed on women, specifically in relation to their sexuality. The lyrics provide a nuanced and sympathetic portrayal of a difficult situation, while also advocating for change.

Line by Line Meaning

Roxanne, you don't have to put on the red light
You don't need to continue working as a prostitute.

Those days are over
Those times of selling your body are gone.

You don't have to sell your body to the night
You don't need to work as a prostitute anymore.

Roxanne, you don't have to wear that dress tonight
You don't need to dress like a prostitute tonight.

Walk the streets for money
To earn money, you don't need to work on the streets as a prostitute.

You don't care if it's wrong or if it's right
You may not be concerned whether it's right or wrong to work as a prostitute.

I loved you since I knew ya
I have loved you since the moment I met you.

I wouldn't talk down to ya
I would not patronize or belittle you.

I have to tell you just how I feel
I need to express my feelings to you.

I won't share you with another boy
I won't let another guy take my place in your heart.

I know my mind is made up
I am certain of my decision.

So put away your make up
You don't need to put on makeup anymore.

Told you once I won't tell you again it's a bad way
I already told you once that it's a bad way to live, and I won't repeat myself.

Put on the red light, put on the red light
This line is repeated multiple times to reinforce the idea that Roxanne no longer needs to continue working as a prostitute.

Lyrics © DistroKid, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Gordon Sumner

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS

Genre not found

Artist not found

Album not found

Search results not found

Song not found

Comments from YouTube:

Mili_uwu 58

5y↑1

Me encantó la versión de Drummie

Basia S

10y↑2

This is fantasticoooo. Aswad thank you for this beautiful cover xxx

Peter 'mash' Morgan

U gotta remember that in them days its was multitrack harmonies,, so we do multitrack takes ..gang up 8+ tracks of harminies BV,,, then mix the bv's onto a 1/4 inch tape at 30ips and "f;y it in".,. to a steroe track...

Peter 'mash' Morgan

I remember it at matrix.... drummer done a couple of run through in booth.. and then "the take" cos mash record everything that move on 3rd track.. rastaffi.boyo+and tony hands in air ..STOP >>come in and listen <<.. Aswad band were the only ones capable of self criticise.. and zeb.singer and zeb.producer were two characters.simeoultenously imho..