Roses by SAINt JHN Lyrics Meaning – Decoding the Petals of a Modern Anthem

You can view the lyrics, alternate interprations and sheet music for SAINt JHN's Roses at Lyrics.org.

Lyrics

Roses, I walked in the corner with the body screaming dolo
Never sold a bag but look like Pablo in a photo
This gon’ make ’em feel the way like Tony killed Manolo
You already know though, you already know though
I walk in the corner with the money, on my finger
She might get it popping, I might wife her for the winter
I already know, already know, nigga roses
All I need is roses

Turn up baby, turn up, when I turn it on
You know how I get too lit when I turn it on
Can’t handle my behavior when I turn it on
Too fast, never ask, if the life don’t last
Done been through it all
Fuck with a nigga raw, this who you wanna be
And I know you won’t tell nobody nothing
And I know you won’t tell nobody no

Roses
I might pull up flexing on these niggas like aerobics
I might tell your girl you cute but balling
That shit gorgeous
Standing on the table, Rosé, Rosé, fuck the waters
You know who the god is

Turn up baby, turn up, when I turn it on
You know how I get too lit when I turn it on
Can’t handle my behavior when I turn it on
Too fast, never ask, the life don’t last
Done been through it all
Fuck with a nigga raw
Show you what I mean
I might bring them Brooklyn niggas out, oh lord it’s overs
I might bring them strippers out and tell ’em do it pole-less
You already know, already know, nigga roses
Kill ’em, make it

Turn up baby, turn up, when I turn it on
You know how I get too lit when I turn it on
Can’t handle my behavior when I turn it on
Too fast, never ask, if the life don’t last
Done been through it all
Fuck with a nigga raw, this who you wanna be
And I know you won’t tell nobody nothing
And I know you won’t tell nobody no

Roses
Roses

At first blush, SAINt JHN’s ‘Roses’ appears to be your standard club hit, a pulsating track that’s as intoxicating as the nightlife it evokes. However, beneath the thumping bass and slick production, there’s a layered narrative waiting to be unraveled. Through a blend of braggadocio and fragile introspection, SAINt JHN weaves a complex examination of success, longing, and the ephemeral nature of life.

As we peel away the velvet layers of ‘Roses,’ what emerges is not just a picture of a man at the height of his powers but also a meditation on the cost of those powers. From its lyrical dexterity to its hauntingly catchy hooks, ‘Roses’ is a multifaceted exploration of humanity set against the hedonistic backdrop of modern society.

Echoing Narcissus: A Reflection on Self-Identity and Success

The opening lines plunge us into a space where SAINt JHN struts into the proverbial corner with a presence that screams individuality and defiance (‘with the body screaming dolo’). The reference to Pablo—undoubtedly alluding to Pablo Escobar—and the iconic scene from ‘Scarface’ where Tony kills Manolo, serves as a metaphor for the song’s brash confidence and dangerous allure.

Yet, this isn’t a simple ode to wealth and power. It’s a careful construction of personal identity, one that balances the glamour with an understanding of the perils that such a lifestyle entails. When SAINt JHN sings ‘you already know though,’ there’s a sense that what follows is a foregone conclusion, an echo of familiarity to the listener, and a testament to shared cultural storylines.

The Fragrant Allure of ‘Roses’ and Its Hidden Meaning

While the recurring symbol of roses might be read as a stand-in for traditional success — money, fame, and beauty — there’s a deeper resonance to the image. Roses are not only beautiful and desirable; they are also fragile and thorned. When SAINt JHN repeats ‘All I need is roses,’ he’s alluding to a desire for the beautiful aspects of life, while acknowledging the potential for pain.

Moreover, roses wilt; they’re a stark reminder of the transient nature of life and success. In asking for roses, SAINt JHN seems to be asking for the moment, for the zenith of experience, well aware of its fleeting lifespan.

A Lyrical Dance: Juxta-Positioning the Sacred and the Profane

SAINt JHN’s lyrics in ‘Roses’ are a dance of dichotomy; the sacred intertwining with the profane. When he says he might ‘pull up flexing on these n***** like aerobics,’ there’s a palpable swagger to his words. The performer becomes the deity of his narrative (‘You know who the god is’), an avatar of excess and celebration.

This isn’t just bravado; it’s also a clever nod to the duality of man, mixing the mundane (aerobics) with the grandiose (flexing on peers). It’s the human condition to want to be revered, mixed with the understanding that even gods are man-made.

Cinematic Echoes: The Most Memorable Lines and Their Backstories

SAINt JHN’s choice references to pop culture heavyweights like ‘Tony killed Manolo’ instantly recall visceral scenes from cinema that mirror the song’s themes. These lines aren’t just memorable; they’re windows into the soul of the track. They evoke a visual storytelling element that’s both bleak and intoxicating.

When ‘standing on the table, Rosé, Rosé, fuck the waters’ the imagery is vivid, one of celebration and excess. Yet again, SAINt JHN bridges the gap between the raw, material world and the elevated, almost sacrilegious mockery of it.

The Intoxication of Rhythm: How ‘Roses’ Grips the Body and Soul

It’s one thing for lyrics to tell a story; it’s another for the music to seize your very core. The pulsating beat of ‘Roses,’ the undeniably catchy hook, encapsulates the listener in a sensory experience that transcends the cerebral.

When the hooks roll in — ‘Turn up baby, turn up, when I turn it on’ — it’s a siren song, a hypnotic call to the dance floor but also a metaphor for life. SAINt JHN presents the beat of life as an uncontrollable, enigmatic force, one that’s both alluring and overwhelming.