Roxanne

Song meaning of Roxanne by The Police

Little did The Police know when they dropped "Roxanne," the lead single from their debut album "Outlandos d'Amour," in April 1978 that it would go on to become a timeless classic that would impact countless musicians and music lovers over the years.

The Police's lead singer and bassist Sting wrote "Roxanne" on a trip to Paris, where the group had gone to play. The plot and title of the song were inspired by the prostitutes he observed in a sleazy part of the city, close to the hotel where the band was staying. The character of Cyrano de Bergerac's unreachable love interest in Edmond Rostand's play of the same name served as the inspiration for the name "Roxanne".

Sting envisioned a character who develops feelings for one of these women, confronting the stigma attached to her line of work and urging her not to sell her body. The song deviates from the popular rock paradigm of the day by presenting a story of empathy and understanding rather than condemnation.

On the UK Singles Chart, the song reached at number 12.

Lyrics of the song Roxanne by The Police

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)

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)

(Roxanne) Put on the red light

(Roxanne) Put on the red light

(Roxanne) Put on the red light