Roxanne
The Police Ft. Nadia Ali Lyrics
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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
"Roxanne" by The Police is a classic song about a man pleading with a prostitute to leave her difficult lifestyle and embrace a better life with him. It encourages her to stop putting on the red light, to stop walking the streets for money and selling her body for sex. The first verse focuses on the idea that the days of prostitution are over, and she does not have to sell herself in that way. The second verse is the man professing his love for Roxanne, saying he knows his mind is made up, and she does not have to share herself with other men.
The song conveys the message that prostitution is not a good way to live one's life and that anyone in that lifestyle can choose to leave it and pursue something better. The lyrics suggest that Roxanne is trapped in this lifestyle that she may not want to be in, and this man loves her enough to want her to leave it behind.
"Roxanne" was inspired by Sting, the band's lead singer, seeing a Parisian prostitute in 1977 who was soliciting outside the band's hotel. Sting later referred to the song as more complicated than just an anti-prostitution song, with the second verse being about either the jealousy of a lover or Satan’s obsession with a woman's soul.
Line by Line Meaning
Roxanne
Directly addressing a woman named Roxanne
You don't have to put on the red light
You don't need to engage in sex work and advertise with a red light
Those days are over
The past era of needing to do sex work to survive is no longer necessary
You don't have to sell your body to the night
You don't have to engage in prostitution and give up your physical body to the night
You don't have to wear that dress tonight
You don't have to wear revealing clothing to attract clients tonight
Walk the streets for money
You don't have to walk the streets and solicit clients for money
You don't care if it's wrong or if it's right
You don't care about the moral implications of engaging in sex work
(Roxanne) Put on the red light
Repeatedly questioning why Roxanne continues to advertise her services with a red light
Oh
Expression of frustration or sadness
I loved you since I knew ya
Expressing long-lasting romantic feelings for Roxanne
I wouldn't talk down to ya
Asserting that he wouldn't treat Roxanne with condescension or disrespect
I have to tell you just how I feel
Expressing the need to be honest about feelings towards Roxanne
I won't share you with another boy
Asserting the desire to have exclusive romantic relations with Roxanne
I know my mind is made up
Confident that the decision to pursue Roxanne romantically is final
So put away your make-up
Not wanting Roxanne to have to advertise her services anymore
Told you once, I won't tell you again it's a bad way
Stating that he has expressed his opinion on sex work and won't repeat himself
Lyrics © DistroKid, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Gordon Sumner
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Foreign Sounds
Thanks for inspiring myself and others Revillz - Music is so good right now!
storm delight
agree, lately in the last one month Ive found so nice music, but not in the last four years before that. <3
Kastegia
It always was. It's those completely unique genres of music that effect not just your ears but you soul also. It's been a few months now that Mr.Revillz is uploading some amazing songs on his channel. I just wish more people were into this style just to feel their soul effected though I guess thats what makes those styles unique to us :)
Tyler Smith
Absolutely love your channel mr revillz, I check my youtube everyday to see what you have uploaded
Jackpet7
I absolutely LOVE IT!
A K
Absolutely love this track!
mary moreno
police version is a classic, but this is the best damn remix of it i have heard
Captain Athens
Amen! Thats what Im sayin' !!
John Steinberg
After a perfectly sunny day, this is the absolut enjoyment :)
Tyler Smith
Absolutely love your channel mr revillz, I check my youtube everyday to see what you have uploaded