ROXANNE
Sting and Gil Evans Lyrics


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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
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
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)

Overall Meaning

The song "Roxanne" by Sting and Gil Evans is a plea to a prostitute named Roxanne to change her life and move on from her current situation. The lyrics start with Sting telling Roxanne that she doesn’t need to engage in prostitution anymore and “put on the red light”. He thinks those days are over, and she has the possibility to change her life for the better. However, the next line is perhaps even more poignant, as he realizes that Roxanne doesn’t care if it’s wrong or right. He then repeats his request for her to stop selling her body for money throughout the song.


The tone of the song is melancholy, as if Sting believes their future together is doomed, yet still he persists in his pleas to Roxanne. This is reflected in the chorus where he repeats her name over and over again, as if it's a mantra. In the second verse, he admits his love for her since he knew her, and how he won't share her with any other man. He implores her to put away her make-up and embrace a new life with him. Overall, the song is a powerful message of hope and love, albeit tinged with a sense of sadness.


Line by Line Meaning

Roxanne you don't have to put on the red light
You don't need to advertise your services by standing under the red light


Those days are over you don't have to sell your body to the night
Gone are the days when you had to sell your body to make money at night


Roxanne you don't have to wear that dress tonight
You don't need to wear that dress tonight as it may attract unwanted attention


Walk the streets for money you don't care if it's wrong or if it's right
You shouldn't walk the streets for money and not care whether it's right or not


I loved you since I knew ya
I have loved you since the day I met you


I wouldn't talk down to ya
I will never disrespect or belittle you


I have to tell you just how I feel
I need to tell you how strongly I feel about you


I won't share you with another boy
I won't share you with anyone else


I know my mind is made up so put away your make-up
I am sure of my decision so you don't need to put on makeup to influence me


I told you once I won't tell you again it's a bad way
I don't want to repeat myself, but you know it's not a good way to make money


Roxanne (put on the red light)
You are putting yourself in harm's way by standing under the red light


Roxanne (you don't have to put on the red light)
Please don't put yourself in harm's way by advertising your services


Roxanne (you don't have to put on the red light)
You have other talents to make a living, you don't need to stand under the red light


Roxanne (put on the red light)
Standing under the red light won't lead you to a better life


Roxanne (put on the red light)
Don't put yourself in danger by standing under the red light




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Gordon Sumner

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

bara922

I think this is my favorite version of Roxanne, if only for the band sections.

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