About the song
Background
- Late-Career Hit: The title track from her 1998 album, this empowering song marked a major comeback for the Queen of Soul, becoming a significant hit in her later career.
- Lauryn Hill Collaboration: The song was written and produced by singer Lauryn Hill for Aretha Franklin. Hill also sings backing vocals throughout the song.
- Video: The music video features appearances by younger R&B stars like Faith Evans, Changing Faces, and Amel Larrieux, symbolizing a passing of the torch.
Lyrics
Here’s a look at a crucial verse and its significance:
“A rose is still a rose Yeah, regardless of the name that is given In the concrete or in the garden it grows In spite of the thorns or how it’s driven”
- The Metaphor: The song centers on the rose as a metaphor for a woman maintaining her self-worth and strength despite life’s difficulties.
- Resilience: The emphasis is on persistence and the enduring beauty of one’s true self, no matter the circumstances.
Themes
- Self-Worth and Resilience: The song is a powerful affirmation of a woman’s inner strength and intrinsic value, even after facing hurt or adversity.
- Mentorship and Sisterhood: The song can be interpreted as an older woman passing down wisdom to a younger generation, with Aretha as the wise figure and Lauryn Hill as the inheritor.
- Defiance and Hope: There’s a sense of defying expectations and refusing to be defeated by life’s challenges. The rose, even in a harsh environment, still blooms.
Legacy
“A Rose Is Still A Rose” remains a beloved Aretha Franklin song and an anthem of female empowerment.
Video
Lyrics
Doo doo doo doo doo doo mmmDooby dooby doo doo doo dooDoo doo doo doo doo doo mmm
There was a rose I knew, I met her once or twice before (once or twice before)She was a pretty sweet thing, not the least bit insecure (insecure)Then you came with your slick game and played with her youth (her youth)unashamed of the way you lied, played with the truth, hey, hey
Mmm, she never knew what hit her (what hit her)Steal her honey, then forget her (forget her, forget her, forget her)And the rose (is gone)and she wears a flowershe tryin’ to forget about you
‘Cause a rose is still a rose (still a rose)Baby, girl, you’re still a flower (still a flower)He can’t lead you and then take youMake you and then break youDarlin’, you hold the power (you hold the power)
Now believe me when I tell you that I’ve been hurt myself (been hurt myself)When he tells you that he loves you and sees nobody else (nobody else)And now you’re so tough tryin’ to wear tight clothes and thingsTossin’ and flossin’, tryin’ to fill the void heartbreak brings
Oh, oh, yeahWhen she faces the mirror, yeahShe’s cryin’, and you can’t hear herNow the rose is gone (rose is gone)She wears a flower, tryin’ to forget about you
‘Cause a rose is still a rose (still a rose)Baby, girl, you’re still a flower (you’re still a flower)He can’t lead you and then take youMake you and then break you (break you)Baby, girl, you hold the power
See a rose is still a rose (still a rose)Baby, girl, you’re still a flowerHe can’t lead you and then take youMake you and then break you (break you)Darlin’ (oh darlin’), you hold the power
Let your life be in the sunshineNot the darkness of your sorrowYou may see your all todayWhen you know it’ll come tomorrow
Tough to be, but life ain’t overJust because your man is goneGirl, love yourself and love to love‘Cause without him your life goes onWithout him your life goes onWithout him your life goes on
‘Cause a rose is still a roseBaby, girl, you’re still a flowerHe can’t lead you and then take youMake you and then break youBaby, girl, you hold the power
See the rose is still a roseBaby, girl, you’re still a flower