Kiss From A Rose by Seal Lyrics Meaning – Unveiling the Enigmatic Love Anthem
Lyrics
Ba-ya-ya, ba-da, ba-da-da-da, ba-ya-ya
Ba-ya-ya, ba-da, ba-da-da-da, ba-ya-ya
Ba-ya-ya, ba-da, ba-da-da-da, ba-ya-ya
There used to be a greying tower alone on the sea
You became the light on the dark side of me
Love remained a drug that’s the high and not the pill
But did you know that when it snows
My eyes become large and
The light that you shine can’t be seen?
Baby, I compare you to a kiss from a rose on the grey
Ooh, the more I get of you, the stranger it feels, yeah
And now that your rose is in bloom
A light hits the gloom on the grey
Ba-ya-ya, ba-da, ba-da-da-da, ba-ya-ya
Ba-ya-ya, ba-da, ba-da-da-da, ba-ya-ya
There is so much a man can tell you, so much he can say
You remain my power, my pleasure, my pain
Baby, to me, you’re like a growing addiction that I can’t deny
Won’t you tell me, is that healthy, baby?
But did you know that when it snows
My eyes become large and
The light that you shine can’t be seen?
Baby, I compare you to a kiss from a rose on the grey
Ooh, the more I get of you, the stranger it feels, yeah (yeah)
Now that your rose is in bloom
A light hits the gloom on the grey
I’ve been kissed by a rose on the grey
I’ve been kissed by a rose on the grey
And if I should fall, will it all go away? (I’ve been kissed by a rose on the grey)
I’ve been kissed by a rose on the grey
There is so much a man can tell you, so much he can say
You remain my power, my pleasure, my pain
To me, you’re like a growing addiction that I can’t deny (yeah)
No won’t you tell me, is that healthy, baby?
But did you know that when it snows
My eyes become large and
The light that you shine can’t be seen?
Baby, I compare you to a kiss from a rose on the grey
Ooh, the more I get of you, the stranger it feels, yeah
Now that your rose is in bloom
A light hits the gloom on the grey
Yes, I compare you to a kiss from a rose on the grey
Ooh, the more I get of you, the stranger it feels, yeah (yeah)
And now that your rose is in bloom
A light hits the gloom on the grey
Ba-ya-ya, ba-da, ba-da-da-da, ba-ya-ya
Now that your rose is in bloom
A light hits the gloom on the grey
Seal’s ‘Kiss From A Rose’ remains an enigmatic masterpiece of the 90s, a lush ballad that blooms perennially in the gardens of music afficionados’ hearts. Released in 1994, the song resurfaced a year later as a part of the ‘Batman Forever’ soundtrack, catapulting it into the limelight, and cementing its place in the cultural zeitgeist.
But far beneath the spellbinding melody and Seal’s hauntingly beautiful vocals lies a labyrinth of metaphors and poetic imagery. Through its lyrics, the song has tantalized listeners for decades with interpretations ranging from tales of romance to journeys of personal healing. Let’s delve into the petals of this musical rose, and uncover the meanings that have been hugged so tightly to its thorns.
The Tower of Solitude and Light in Darkness
Symbolism engulfs the opening lines as they paint a picture of a greying tower alone on the sea – an emblem of isolation and perhaps inner turmoil. It’s in this desolate setting that the subject becomes the light on the ‘dark side’ of the singer – a beacon of hope and clarity in otherwise shadowy circumstances.
This interplay of light and darkness is a testament to love’s transformative power. Just as daybreak chases away night, love’s glow illuminates the parts of ourselves we’ve kept hidden, suggesting an awakening, a revelation catalyzed by affection.
An Enigmatic Metaphor: The Rose’s Kiss
At the heart of the song is its most potent symbol – the rose. Traditionally, roses connote deep affection and passion, yet their association with pain through thorns is unmistakable. To be kissed by a rose, then, is to experience a love that is exquisitely beautiful yet profoundly complex.
Moreover, the rose is not just any rose – it’s on the grey, indicating once more the interplay of vibrance against a backdrop of mundanity or sorrow. The ‘kiss’ evokes an awakening of senses, an influx of emotion so intense and unfamiliar that it feels strange – an exploration of love’s ability to both enchant and bewilder.
Power, Pleasure, Pain: A Triptych of Emotion
Seal’s lyrics do not shy away from diving into emotion’s murky depths, presenting love as a triad of power, pleasure, and pain. This trifecta captures the complexity of relationships, hinting at a certain dependency that challenges our notions of healthiness in love.
Through these swinging dichotomies, the song underscores a universal truth about love’s duel nature: it can empower and uplift as much as it can addict and hurt, suggesting a deep vulnerability inherent to giving oneself over to another’s care.
The Song’s Hidden Mystery: A Personal Awakening
Beyond its immediate love story implications, ‘Kiss From A Rose’ may also read as a narrative of self-discovery and healing. The recurring reference to blooming under the influence of a significant other might symbolize personal growth and rebirth.
Lines such as ‘the light that you shine can’t be seen’ could allude to a blossoming that is not visible to the external world but deeply felt within. It’s about the internal evolution prompted by love’s touch – a spiritual or emotional awakening that is profoundly personal and transformative.
Melodic Resonance: Why Seal’s Ballad Endures
The allure of ‘Kiss From A Rose’ is not solely attributed to its cryptic lyrics. The song’s structure, Seal’s commanding vocal performance, and the dramatic infusion of gothic elements contribute to its lingering presence in our collective consciousness.
Memorable lines such as ‘Ooh, the more I get of you, the stranger it feels, yeah’ echo in the chambers of our minds because of their relatable depiction of love’s unpredictable nature. They strike a chord, not just as segments of a greater narrative, but as standalone fragments of truth about human emotion.
