The Rose by Bette Midler: Lyrics Meaning and Interpretation
The Rose by Bette Midler is a poem about how to approach and experience life. Amanda’s song The Rose was recorded by Bette Midler. In 1971, the song reached number one. Bette Midler is a Grammy-winning singer, novelist, actress, and comedienne. She was nominated for two Academy Awards. She stunned everyone with her outstanding performance as a rock and roll vocalist in The Rose (1979).
Amanda McBroom composed the song. She was a cabaret performer and an urban poet. She has a beautiful voice. Amanda’s performance of the song The Rose at the Golden Globes and Grammys established her singing career. On the request of her manager, she penned this poem in 45 minutes.
“The Rose” charted at number one on the Cashbox Top 100 and number three on the Billboard Hot 100. It spent 5 weeks at the top of the Adult Contemporary chart. The Grammy Award for best female pop vocal performance went to Bette Midler. The Golden Globe for best original song went to McBroom. Song received RIAA gold certification as well.
Amanda did not compose this song for the film. As a result, it was excluded from consideration for the Academy Award for Best Original Song. Paul Rothchild, the music supervisor sent this song to the creators of the film “The Rose”. They turned down the song. Then, Paul resent the song to Bette. She liked the song and decided to record it for the film.
Bette Midler was the first vocalist to release a version of “The Rose.” She did this officially on March 10, 1980, thanks to Atlantic Records. Well, she used this song as the title tune for the film “The Rose.” Bette Midler and Amanda were behind this wonderful song “The Rose.” Understanding The Rose lyrics meaning will help you to enjoy the song better.
What does the title mean
The title “The Rose” is a reference to love. It is Amanda’s perspective on Love. She created this poem after hearing a song about love and razors. That lyric did not sit well with her. She compared love to the flower ‘Rose.’ The lovely flower Rose is a romantic emblem. As Rose requires constant nurturing and love to bloom, so does a relationship.
According to the song, your perspective on love can change depending on your experiences. You may be hesitant to foster a relationship if you had poor experience. Still, it inspires us to be hopeful and to develop in love. The lyrics are incredibly important, and Betty brings them to life. And the song’s overarching concept hides beneath those two wonderful words “The Rose.”
Let us understand the rose lyrics meaning verse by verse.
Verse 1 – What does it mean
Some say love, it is a river
That drowns the tender reed
Some say love, it is a razor
That leaves your soul to bleed
Some say love, it is a hunger
An endless aching need
I say love, it is a flower
And you, its only seed
The Rose lyrics meaning is deeper than it appear. The song isn’t about romantic love. It discusses how we should approach life with love. In the first few words, she compares love to a river, a razor, and hunger. People, according to the poet, regard love as destructive or harmful. She used metaphors such as a drowning river, a blade, and hunger as an eternal longing. These have no good effect on the listener. That’s when she penned “love, it’s a flower” and “you” are only seeds. She likens “love” to this lovely blossom.
The rose is the loveliest flower. We gave the flower “Rose” to demonstrate our affection. Roses of various colors can elicit a variety of emotions in us. The poet then states that you are seed.“ That means you have the authority to decide whether to nurture this blossom. You may choose whether to retain love in your life. Simple lines that deliver a powerful message.
Verse 2 – What does it mean
It’s the heart, afraid of breaking
That never learns to dance
It’s the dream, afraid of waking
That never takes the chance
It’s the one who won’t be taken
Who cannot seem to give
And the soul, afraid of dying
That never learns to live
The songwriter mentions numerous hurdles that prevent us from bringing love into our lives in verse 2. She claims that the heart stops dancing because of the fear of shattering. A person who is terrified of broken relationships would never allow love to flourish in his or her heart. “Dream terrified of waking”- If you believe that genuine love is simply a dream that becomes a fantasy you will not risk it by waking up.
The Rose lyrics meaning for verse 2 show that love is all about taking chances. You cannot succeed in life if you are terrified.
These phrases show you that suffering does not preclude us from having love in our lives. Suffering, adversity, and not obtaining what we desire teach us the value of life. “A dying soul never learns to live.” We cannot enjoy life if we are constantly afraid of death. We must accept our lives, with all their difficulties. Then our lives will be filled with love.
In other words, it is preferable to love, lose, and learn from the experience than to avoid walking onto the field of love. In verse 2, we witness a shift from an elegiac to a hortatory tone. The poet exhorts us to accept life’s truths and go on.
Verse 3- What does it mean
When the night has been too lonely
And the road has been too long
And you think that love is only
For the lucky and the strong
Just remember in the winter
Far beneath the bitter snows
Lies the seed that with the sun’s love
In the spring becomes the rose
Bette Midler sings the song louder and with more intense instrumental accompaniment. Amanda, the lyricist, talks about dismal occurrences in a person’s life figuratively in the first four words. A lonely night, a lengthy drive, all these elements reflect the misery of the scenario. Difficulties in a person’s life can make them believe that “love” is for the “fortunate and strong.”
Bette then advises the listener to plant the seed of love that will blossom into a lovely “Rose.” Because with the love of the Sun, even a seed deep beneath the bitter snows can bloom into a lovely flower. This suggests that even in the midst of adversity, a person may bring love into his or her life and make it beautiful.
During the harsh winter, a “Rose” seed lays buried in the snow. It receives no sunshine. However, once spring arrives, it blooms into one of the most gorgeous flowers on the planet.
The Rose lyrics meaning for Verse 3 causes the listener to fall in love all over again.
Conclusion
This lovely romantic rose represents a relationship in need of nurturing. Despite our heartbreaking previous experiences, the song emphasizes that we should have the strength to develop love.
