The Kooks formed at the Brighton Institute of Modern Music, where they were all students. Lead singer and rhythm guitarist Luke Pritchard, got bassist Max Rafferty involved in a college project, which formed the base of the band. After getting lead guitarist Hugh Harris and drummer Paul Garred involved, they took their name from the song Kooks on the 1971 David Bowie album Hunky Dory. When they tried to trademark the name, they found that in the late/mid 1990s a Swedish band by the same name released an album in Sweden called Too Much is Not Enough.
The Kooks released a debut EP and played gigs around Brighton, where they were based at the time. They were signed to Virgin Records.
2. Swedish indie rock/alternative band - It consisted of members Henrik Berglund, Leo Dahlin, Michael Lohse and Josef Zackrisson, and was active between 1998 and the early 2000's. Micke Lohse and Henrik Berglund are currently members of the band Atomic Swing.
ROXANNE
The Kooks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You don't have to put on the red light
Roxanne
You don't have to sell your body to the night
Roxanne
You don't have to put on the red light
Roxanne
You don't have to sell your body to the night
Put on the red light
Roxanne
Roxanne
I loved you since I knew ya
And I wouldn't talk down to ya
I have to tell you 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 won't tell you again
Oh it's a bad way
Roxanne
Put on the red light
Roxanne
Oh put on the red light
Roxanne
Roxanne
So put on the red light
Oh put on the red light
Put on the red light
Put on the put on the red light
Put on the red light
Put on the red light
Put on the red light
Put on the put on the red light
The Kooks' song "Roxanne" is a plea to a woman, asking her not to sell her body to the night by putting on the red light for prostitution. The singer of the song professes his love for her and assures her that he will not talk down to her. He makes it clear that he does not want to share her with another man and wants her to put away her make-up. He tells her that his mind is made up and pleads with her not to sell herself. The chorus repeatedly emphasizes this message, urging Roxanne not to put on the red light and sell her body to the night.
This song represents the classic trope of a romantic narrative in which a man tries to save a woman from a life that he perceives as worse than the one he can offer. It can be interpreted as either an altruistic or possessive gesture. It could be seen as the singer trying to help Roxanne out of a difficult situation or him trying to control her. Nonetheless, the song is an expression of concern for Roxanne's well-being.
Line by Line Meaning
Roxanne
Addressing the titular character by name, repeating it for emphasis
You don't have to put on the red light
You don't need to resort to sex work to make a living
Roxanne
Repeating the name for emphasis
You don't have to sell your body to the night
You don't need to sell your body to make a living
Roxanne
Repeating the name for emphasis
You don't have to put on the red light
You don't need to resort to sex work to make a living
Roxanne
Repeating the name for emphasis
You don't have to sell your body to the night
You don't need to sell your body to make a living
Roxanne
Repeating the name for emphasis
Put on the red light
A reference to the red lights outside of brothels
Roxanne
Repeating the name for emphasis
Roxanne
Repeating the name for emphasis
I loved you since I knew ya
Expressing longstanding feelings for Roxanne
And I wouldn't talk down to ya
Promising to show respect and not belittle Roxanne
I have to tell you how I feel
Expressing a need to share emotions with Roxanne
I won't share you with another boy
Expressing possessiveness and a desire for exclusivity
I know my mind is made up
Feeling certain of one's feelings and intentions
So put away your make up
Encouraging Roxanne to be herself and not use makeup to hide her true self
I told you once won't tell you again
Asserting oneself and not wanting to repeat oneself
Oh it's a bad way
Admitting that the situation is not ideal or healthy
Roxanne
Repeating the name for emphasis
Put on the red light
A reference to the red lights outside of brothels
Roxanne
Repeating the name for emphasis
Oh put on the red light
Encouraging Roxanne to engage in sex work
Roxanne
Repeating the name for emphasis
Roxanne
Repeating the name for emphasis
So put on the red light
A reference to the red lights outside of brothels
Put on the red light
A reference to the red lights outside of brothels
Put on the red light
A reference to the red lights outside of brothels
Put on the put on the red light
Repeating the reference to red lights for emphasis
Put on the red light
A reference to the red lights outside of brothels
Put on the red light
A reference to the red lights outside of brothels
Put on the red light
A reference to the red lights outside of brothels
Put on the put on the red light
Repeating the reference to red lights for emphasis
Contributed by Eli N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.