Roses by OutKast Lyrics Meaning – Unraveling the Intricate Layers Within the Classic Hit
Lyrics
See Caroline
All the guys would say she’s mighty fine (mighty fine)
But mighty fine only got you somewhere half the time
And the other half either got you cussed out, or coming up short
Yeah, now dig this, now, even though (even though)
You’d need a golden calculator to divide (to divide)
The time it took to look inside and realize that
Real guys go for real down to Mars girls, ha yeah
I know you’d like to think your shit don’t stink
But lean a little bit closer
See roses really smell like poo-poo-ooh
Yeah, roses really smell like poo-poo-ooh
I know you’d like to think your shit don’t stink
But lean a little bit closer
See roses really smell like poo-poo-ooh
Yeah, roses really smell like poo-poo-ooh
Caroline (Caroline)
See, she’s the reason for the word “bitch” (bitch)
I hope she’s speeding on the way to the club
Trying to hurry up to get to a baller
Or singer or somebody like that
And try to put on her makeup in the mirror
And crash, crash, crash into a ditch (just playing)
She needs a golden calculator to divide (to divide)
The time it takes to look inside and realize
That real guys go for real down to Mars girls, yeah
I know you’d like to think your shit don’t stink
But lean a little bit closer
See roses really smell like poo-poo-ooh
Yeah, roses really smell like poo-poo-ooh, yeah I
I know you’d like to think your shit don’t stink
But lean a little bit closer
See roses really smell like poo-poo-ooh
Yeah, roses really smell like poo-poo-ooh
Aye, aye, yeah, yeah, yeah
Well she’s got a hotty’s body, but her attitude is potty
When I met her at a party she was hardly acting naughty
I said, “Shawty, would you call me?”
She said, “Pardon me, are you ballin’?”
I said, “Darling, you sound like a prostitute pausing”
Oh so you’re one them freaks? Get geeked at the sight of an ATM receipt
But game, been peeped, dropping names she’s weak
Trickin’ off this bitch is lost
Must take me for a geek, ah, quick way to eat, ah
Neat place sleep, ah, rent-a-car for a week, ah, trick for a treat, no
Go, on the raw sex, my AIDS test is flawless
Regardless, we don’t want to get involved without them lawyers
And judges, just to hold grudges in the courtroom
I want to see ya support bra not support you
I know you’d like to think your shit don’t stink
But lean a little bit closer
See roses really smell like poo-poo-ooh
Yeah, roses really smell like poo-poo-ooh, yeah I
I know you’d like to think your shit don’t stink
But lean a little bit closer
See roses really smell like poo-poo-ooh
Yeah, roses really smell like poo-poo-ooh, I, I, yeah
I know you’d like to think, (I know) your shit don’t stink (stink but)
But lean a little bit closer (closer)
See roses really smell like poo-poo-ooh (smell like poo-ooh)
Yeah, roses really smell like poo-poo-ooh (like, ohh)
I know you’d like to think your shit don’t stink (ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh)
But lean a little bit closer (yeah, eh-yeah)
See roses really smell like poo-poo-ooh
Yeah, roses really smell like poo-poo-ooh
Better come back down to Mars
Girl, quit chasin’ cars
What happens when the dough gets low?
Bitch, you ain’t that fine
No way, no way, no way
Better come back down to Mars
Girl, quit chasin’ cars
What happens when the dough gets low?
Bitch, you ain’t that fine
No way, no way, no way
Crazy bitch, crazy bitch, crazy bitch
Crazy bitch, crazy bitch, crazy bitch
Crazy bitch
Bitch (crazy bitch)
Stupid ass bitch (crazy bitch)
Ol’ punk ass bitch (crazy bitch)
Ol’ dumbass bitch (crazy bitch)
A bitch’s bitch (crazy (bitch)
Just a bitch (crazy bitch)
Stupid ass bitch (crazy bitch)
Ol’ punk ass bitch (crazy bitch)
Ol’ dumbass bitch (crazy bitch)
A bitch’s bitch (crazy (bitch)
Just a bitch
At the heart of hip-hop’s most enigmatic duos, OutKast, lies a gem of a track named ‘Roses’ that unfolds layers of lyrical complexity beneath its catchy exterior. Released in 2003 as a part of the double album, ‘Speakerboxxx/The Love Below’, the song managed to resonate with audiences worldwide, climbing charts and earning a spot in the cultural musical zeitgeist.
The brilliance of ‘Roses’ by OutKast is not just in its groovy beats or the catchy chorus that seizes your attention, but rather in its intricate storytelling and the vibrant satire ensconced within the verses. It’s a musical parable on ego, superficiality, and the genuine human connection, manifesting through the peculiar character of Caroline.
The Enigmatic Caroline: An Archetype of Vanity
Caroline, the central figure in ‘Roses’, isn’t merely a character woven into a song, but a representation of superficial allure and hollow esteem. The duality in her depiction — ‘mighty fine’ yet only halfway successful — sings a universal truth about the pitfalls of equating physical appearance with worthiness. Does her attention to her outer beauty have a trade-off with the inner value?
Listeners are invited into a narration that juxtaposes visual splendor with moral vacuity. The repeated invocation of her need for a ‘golden calculator’ to divide sharply critiques society’s fixation on the material as a false currency for human depth, advancing a conversation on the true calculus of character assessment.
Odoriferous Allegory: Understanding the Chorus
The satirical chorus, with its unexpected and less than pleasant olfactory comparison, ties the song together with a playful tackle on arrogance. The phrase ‘roses really smell like poo-poo-ooh’ is a poetic device to contrast Caroline’s alluring facade with an unappealing reality — reinforcing that appearances can be deceiving.
The chorus serves as an irresistible hook that also doubles as a reminder that no matter how pristine or faultless one might seem, human flaws exist inherently. The provocatively juvenile metaphor plants a smirk on our faces while lodging a deeper understanding of humility into our minds.
Beneath the Surface: The Song’s Hidden Meaning
Venture beneath the surface, and ‘Roses’ unfolds as a commentary on the cultural obsession with the external. It challenges conventional notions by postulating that the ‘real guys go for real down to Mars girls,’ suggesting a preference for authenticity over facade; alluding that those grounded in reality are valued more than the Carlines of the world.
Andre 3000 and Big Boi of OutKast embed in ‘Roses’ a critique of the societal chase after status and material wealth. The ‘baller or singer’ that Caroline seeks symbolizes the chase after a lifestyle that may be glamorous but is ultimately transient and unfulfilling. The crash awaiting Caroline is the inevitable end for those who speed toward superficial goals.
Layers in Lyrics: The Art of Storytelling in Rap
‘Roses’ lends a spotlight to OutKast’s profound ability to weave narratives within their music. The verses navigate through Caroline’s life, presenting vignettes that showcase the consequences of her choices. The storytelling is adept and purposeful, delivering a potent message without sacrificing the song’s energetic vibe.
The dual perspectives offered in the song reflect the duo’s unique storytelling approaches, each layering depth into Caroline’s character. With every verse and refrain, listeners discover a little more about her—or perhaps about the universal ‘Caroline’ in society — drawing us into a deeper engagement with the narrative.
Memorable Lines and Pop Culture Footprints
Certain lines in ‘Roses’ reverberate beyond the confines of the song, creating ripples through popular culture and securing the track’s immortality. ‘I know you’d like to think your shit don’t stink’ is not just a memorable line but a humbling proverb for the modern age, echoing in the corridors of pop culture.
The song’s lyrics encapsulate a specific era yet remain relevant, a testament to OutKast’s timeless genius. As ‘Roses’ endures, appreciated by new generations, its hooks and verses endure as anthem-like declarations for those discerning the difference between the gloss of surface-level beauty and the elegance of depth and substance.
