Roxanne
The Rocker Covers 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
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)
Rox—
I loved you since I knew you
I wouldn't talk down to you
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
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 (you don't have to 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)
The Rocker Covers's song Roxanne is a cover of the originally controversial song by The Police. The lyrics are telling Roxanne that she doesn't have to sell her body or walk the streets for money, as those days are over. She also doesn't have to put on the red light, which is a reference to the red light districts where prostitutes work. The singer declares his love for Roxanne and that he wouldn't talk down to her, but he also won't share her with another boy.
The lyrics are a powerful message to women trapped in the sex trade. The singer is telling Roxanne that she is worth more than selling her body, that she has options and that she doesn't have to put on the red light. The phrase "put on the red light" is a reference to a prostitute turning on a red light outside her door to signal that she is open for business.
The song was controversial when it was first released in 1978, with some critics calling it misogynistic for telling a woman what to do with her body. However, many people saw it as a powerful call to action for women in the sex trade to know their worth and that they have a choice. The Rocker Covers's version of the song brings a modern, rock twist to this classic message.
Line by Line Meaning
Roxanne
Addressing Roxanne
You don't have to put on the red light
You don't have to engage in prostitution anymore
Those days are over
The time of living like that is in the past
You don't have to sell your body to the night
You don't have to trade your body for money or favor anymore
You don't have to wear that dress tonight
You should not dress up to work on the streets tonight
Walk the streets for money
You shouldn't be walking the streets to earn a living
You don't care if it's wrong or if it's right
Your actions don't revolve around whether it is ethical or not
I loved you since I knew you
I have been in love with you for as long as I can remember
I wouldn't talk down to you
I won't belittle you for your line of work
I have to tell you just how I feel
I have to express my emotions openly
I won't share you with another boy
I don't want to compete for your affection with another man
I know my mind is made up
My decision is final and firm
So put away your make-up
Don't dress up or put on makeup for me
Told you once, I won't tell you again
I have already warned you not to do it again
It's a bad way
Engaging in prostitution is not a good lifestyle choice
Roxanne (you don't have to put on the red light)
Addressing Roxanne again
Roxanne (put on the red light)
Encouraging Roxanne not to engage in prostitution
Roxanne (put on the red light)
Repeatedly reminding Roxanne not to sell her body
Contributed by Isabelle H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@user-rn2nt9cd1x
With love from Belarus, Mensk !!!!!!!!!!
@pieceofcake3460
I'm in love with this version!!! Marvelous!!!
@jasminnemcdonald94A
Whoa! That is some combo between two songs.
@elcanaldepato6563
Stray Cat Strut
Excelente adaptación !
@sebintheblackparade1
decouvert à la convention de tatouage de Saint Brieuc (fr)! en live une merveille!!!! superbe
@thegreatbungholio4025
This is the riff from Stray Cat Strut, it even has the Bluesy oo-ing
@garystackhouse5787
REALLY?! Bet they didn't even notice!! 🙄
@jasminnemcdonald94A
I noticed. And this is my first time listening to this song.
@Phantom-ph6xg
Roxanne meets Stray Cat strut. Not bad
@wesleyhudson7920
This is genius lol