13 Marvelous Songs About Roses 🌹 | Playlist 🎧

1. Ro James, “Rose”

MANTIC • RCA • 2020 

“Leave a purple rose outside your door / Just to let you know that I’m feeling you…” How romantic… and sexy. Underrated, Grammy-nominated R&B artist Ro James delivers an enjoyable, ultra-sensual, and well-rounded sophomore album on MANTIC.  Let me make it crystal clear, there is no reason this talented individual should ever be underrated.  Moving on, MANTIC arrived four years after his 2016 debut, Eldorado, which received a lift by the superb single, “Permission”. As the title suggests, MANTIC is definitely romantic, filled with sensual numbers, including the song at hand, “Rose.” 

“Leave a pink rose just to let you know / That I appreciate the way your body flows / Every curve of your design / Is engraved in my mind.” Again, MANTIC and sexy AF! In the context of the album, Tricky Stewart returns to the boards, alongside Twnty47 on the winning, flowery cut. Featuring uncredited vocals by Cynthia Harrell on the chorus, Ro James continues to paint a potent, desirable sexual experience.

“There’s no, rose petals falling
As long as it’s yours and mine
This love ain’t dying.”

“Rose” is a prime example of balancing old-school and new school seamlessly.  The record takes you back, yet certainly doesn’t sound like an anachronism in 2020.

2. Hayley Williams, “Roses/Lotus/Violet/Iris”

Petals for Armor • Atlantic • 2020

“I have seen your body / And I have seen your beauty / They are separate things / Pretty, pretty, pretty things…” Hayley Williams is best known as the front woman of Paramore, a band that has had ample success critically and commercially. Paramore even did something only few bands can tout – a Grammy win! In January 2020 it was revealed that Williams had a solo project in the works, Petals for Armor.  Petals for Armor was released gradually (EP and single style) with the eventual three-disc, full-length project arriving on May 8, 2020.  Ultimately, Petals for Armor is nothing short of a superb debut LP.  Also, the track that appears on this list, “Roses/Lotus/Violet/Iris,” is pretty, well, ROSY.

“Roses, roses, roses, roses / Show no concern for colors of a violet / Lotus… / Hope it won’t spark envy in your irises…” Brilliant chorus! Anyways, “Roses/Lotus/Violet/Iris” features an enigmatic intro that eventually settles into another Grade-A groove and unshakable stability on Petals for Armor. The magnificent backdrop never crowds Williams’ vocals, always making her the focal point. Furthermore, there are many instrumental highlights: the rhythm and prominence of the bass line, impressive drumming, subtleness of the guitar, and various spare synths and ‘accoutrements.’ That doesn’t even shout out great background vocals from boygenius (Julien Baker, Lucy Daucus, and Phoebe Bridgers).

Maybe most important is how lit the girl power is on “Roses/Lotus/Violet/Iris.” A prime example comes on the second verse:

“Think of all the wilted women
Who crane their necks to reach a window
Ripping all their petals off just ‘cause
‘He loves me now, he loves me not’
I myself was a wilted woman
Drowsy in a dark room
Forgot my roots
Now watch me bloom.”

3. Adam Lambert, “Roses”

Ft. Nile Rodgers

Velvet • More is More • 2020 

On “Roses”, a highlight from his electrifying, ‘funked-out,’ gem-of-a fourth studio album, Velvet, Adam Lambert collaborates with musical royalty – Nile Rodgers of Chic notoriety.  The resulting “Roses” is among the grooviest, most LIT records appearing on Velvet.  I love the restraint that Lambert shows on the verses and pre-chorus, bringing more punch on yet another spot-on chorus.

Lambert is a bit upset on “Roses” though.  Why? Well, he received ROSES but sans emotion –matters of the heart!

“And all that I got was roses
Don’t mean a thing without emotions
Baby, just do it right, focus
‘Cause I just needed your love tonight, tonight, tonight.”

Basically, Lambert wants more of an emotional connection, so much so that on the second verse he asks, “Is it love or are we just fuckin’? / Tell me, baby, you can’t keep me waiting.”

4. SAINT JHN, “Roses Remix”

Ft. Future

“Roses Remix” • Godd Complexx / HITCO • 2020

Rapper/singer SAINt JHN released his debut album, Collection One, back in 2018. My first experience with the musician was his single, “I Heard You Got Too Litt Last Night”.  Also, worth noting, “Surf Club” from the same album was recently featured on the club-driven playlist, 11 Compelling Songs That Reference Da Club. That’s all fine and good, but the biggest attraction from Collection One is “Roses”, which dates back to 2016. Amazingly, four years later, there is a new remix of SAINt JHN’s ‘ace in the hole,’ featuring the ever-ubiquitous, Grammy-winning rapper, Future.

“Roses Remix” features banging production courtesy of Quay Global and fallen.  Hey, a banger should possess a banging backdrop, right? RIGHT!  For much of the remix, SAINT JHN’s original remains intact.  Sure, an intro is added at the beginning, but all three of the verses are retained as is the chorus (with some Future ad-libs). The chorus is a big selling point, of course, even if SAINT JHN isn’t transcendent in the least:

“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 n***a raw, this who you wanna be
And I know you won’t tell nobody nothing
And I know you won’t tell nobody, no.”

Of course, you can’t just waste an opportunity when Future is on the track, so, he gets his own verse.  It’s definitely finds the rapper being true to self, referencing drip and women, which are referred to as bitches, hoes, exotics… the usual.

5. Greyson Chance, “White Roses”

Portraits • GCM / AWAL • 2019

Eight years after releasing his debut full-length album (Hold On ‘Til the Night, 2011), Greyson Chance returned in 2019, as a grown-ass man, with his sophomore LP, Portraits. Yes, Chance has come a long way from being that cute freckled-faced kid who appeared on Ellen, now living ‘out and proud’ – definitely no more “Cheyenne” (“I know every girl’s searchin’ for romance / And I’m wonderin’ if you’d take a chance / On a guy like me with a girl like you”). Enough small talk, let’s move on to the song at hand, “White Roses.”

In the context of Portraits, “White Roses” moves away from long distance friendships and life in West Texas back to matters of the heart.  Greyson Chance sounds terrific from a vocal perspective, incorporating ample nuance and expression into his performance.  For as much fanfare as his falsetto creates at moments throughout Portraits, the richness of his chest voice can’t be understated. It’s particularly effective on a yearning, vulnerable cut like this one – “‘Cause you cut me wide open / Left teardrops on all my white roses.” “White Roses” previously appeared on the flowery playlist, 13 Amazing Songs About Flowers.

6. Rick Ross, “Gold Roses”

Ft. Drake

Port of Miami 2 • Epic • 2019

Back  in 2018, it looked like Grammy-nominated rapper Rick Ross was in serious trouble – the fight for his life.  Thankfully, Ross pulled through and returned in 2019 with his tenth studio album, Port of Miami 2.  Port of Miami 2 follows the original, Port of Miami, released in 2006. The most memorable song from the original is “Hustlin’”,  a trunk-rattling banger for the ages. Refocusing on the enjoyable Port of Miami 2, the song that fits the criteria for this rosy list is “Gold Roses” featuring Drake, who appears later, all by himself, on this list (“Sandra’s Rose”).

“Before I’m gone outta this place, yeah / Put some flowers in my face, won’t you / Let me know that I did okay, yeah / Don’t wait ‘til some other day, no, no.” Those lyrics, sung by Drake, based upon the saying “Give me my flowers while I’m can still smell them,” serve as the centerpiece of the album closer.  Drizzy gets the honors of the most important, pivotal lyrics of the record, but he’s made for the role.

No worries, though.  With no shortage of song (it approaches six minutes in duration in its standard form), there’s still plenty of Rick Ross. Ross asserts his ‘boss status,’ commencing the second verse with the memorable lyrics, “I was nominated, never won a Grammy / But I understand, they’ll never understand me.”  That’s key because it complements the ‘flower’ sentiment.  Throughout much of the rest of the verse, he raps about drip but also about that special lady in his life – “Money come and go, I’ma keep you forever / Slip-on glass slippers and tickle with feathers…”  Also, Ross drops a second verse, the third overall on the record.

7. Teyana Taylor, “Rose in Harlem”

K.T.S.E. • G.O.O.D. / Def Jam • 2018

R&B singer and actress Teyana Taylor was part of the summer of Kanye West.  During the summer of 2018, Mr. West was busy producing for himself as well as others, specifically in June.  Keeping ‘G.O.O.D.’ new music coming, he released K.T.S.E., the sophomore album by Taylor.  Prior to K.T.S.E., Taylor quietly released a solid debut album in 2014, VII.  Anyways, focusing on the return of Taylor, K.T.S.E. gets one electrifying hit in “Rose in Harlem.”

Simply put, “Rose in Harlem” is the crème de la crème of K.T.S.E – truly a radiant flower to say the least. A marvelous sample, “Because I Love You, Girl”, courtesy of The Stylistics, fuels the fire.  Vocally, Teyana is in her zone, particularly on the gritty refrain:

“It be the ones who say they ride for you
It be the one, the one you love, them too
It be the ones who swear they real, not true
It be them ones, it be them ones
Don’t get caught up.” 

Rewind back, Taylor thrives off of a fierce attitude that exemplifies the rough-and-tumble Harlem.  On the first verse, she focuses on her perceived lukewarm success at best – “Oh no, what a shame / 10 years in the game / N***as like ‘You ain’t hot? You ain’t pop yet? / What’s up wit’ you and Ye?’” There’s even more fire on the second verse.  Call it what it is – Teyana ‘talks her 💩,’ for lack of a better word… rather emoji…  “Rose in Harlem” previously appeared on the flowery playlist, 13 Amazing Songs About Flowers.

8. Benny Blanco & Juice WRLD, “Roses”

Ft. Brendon Urie

FRIENDS KEEP SECRETS • Friends Keep Secrets/Interscope • 2018

Near the tail-end of 2018, producer and songwriter Benny Blanco released a seven-song, 21-minute album entitled Friends Keep Secrets.  The project is a star-studded affair, featuring collaborations with the likes of Halsey/Khalid (“Eastside”) and Ty Dolla $ign/6LACK (“More/Diamond Ring”) among others.  After “More/Diamond Ring” provided 11 Songs Focused on Diamonds a lift, Blanco does the same on 13 Marvelous Songs About Roses.  Collaborating with rapper Juice WRLD (R.I.P.), and also bringing in Brendon Urie of Panic! At the Disco, and listeners are bestowed with the rosy “Roses.”

Juice WRLD, who handles the heavyweight duties on “Roses” is definitely set up for success.  Benny Blanco, alongside Cashmere Cat and Happy Perez concoct a sick, slick, minor-key backdrop that’s tailor made to Juice’s emo/pop-rap sensibilities.  The rapper’s first order of business following the brief intro is to perform the chorus:

“Roses are red, violets are blue (Check)
My heart is dead, I’m such a fool
Why did I fall for you?
II gave it all for you.”

Yep, that sounds like Juice WRLD.  Lyrically, it’s not deep, but we know where he’s going with the song.  On the first verse, he copes with heartbreak through empty, meaningless sexual experiences, but ultimately, even with “So many hoes in [his] face,” he’s fallen in love with her in particular.  Yep, that’s how it usually works.  Brendon Urie joins the picture on the second verse, reflecting how he’s invisible to this particular girl, yet he needs her.  He takes over the following chorus, with a few ad-libs from Juice WRLD, before Juice closes out with an outro, which, again, focuses on matters of the heart.  I guess the roses reek in this case.

9. Drake, “Sandra’s Rose”

Scorpion • Cash Money • 2018

“Sandra knows I pulled us out of a living hell / I’m the chosen one, flowers never pick themselves.” Question: who is Sandra?  So glad you asked! Sandra is the mother of Grammy-winning hip-hop superstar Drake. The aforementioned lyrics hail from “Sandra’s Rose,” one of the gems from his fifth studio album, Scorpion, released in 2018. A juggernaut, Scorpion is comprised 25 songs, split into two sides.  Side A focuses on rap, while Side B focuses on R&B.

“Sandra’s Rose” finds Drake blessing a soulful backdrop with his signature, relaxed, yet punchy rhymes.  Revisiting the excerpted lyrics, that particularly line signifies his come-up. Moving on within this rosy number, for college basketball enthusiasts, he references the University of Louisville and Rick Pitino, raising some eyebrows:

“Louisville hush money for my young gunners
Rick Pitino, I take ‘em to strip clubs and casinos.”

Sure, the Louisville Cardinals are hated rivals to my University of Kentucky Wildcats, but, even I’ll admit that was a low blow Drake. Later on, Sandra and specifically her rose appear once more:

“Sandra’s rose, no wonder they tryna pick me off
I guess you gotta show these n***as who you really are.”

“Sandra’s Rose” previously appeared on the flowery playlist, 13 Amazing Songs About Flowers. Given its rosiness, it’s only fitting it reappears on 13 MARVELOUS SONGS ABOUT ROSES, right? Right!

10. Daniel Caesar, “Neu Roses (Transgressor’s Song)”

Freudian • Golden Child Recordings • 2017

“There are times I think about that fateful day / I threw your love away / Every time I see that look upon your face / The same one that you made.” Grammy-winning, Canadian R&B singer/songwriter Daniel Caesar showed incredible potential on his 2017 debut album, Freudian, which seamlessly fused love and spirituality.  In the context of Freudian, the tempo remains slow on “Neu Roses (Transgressor’s Song),” a prime example of spirituality at play.

Initially, “Neu Roses” is comprised of choral vocals (lyrics excerpted above), before the groove kicks in, giving “Neu Roses” a newfound toughness – more aggression from Caesar. This toughness includes the n-word (“Should’ve left you a long time ago / All my n***as done told me so…”) as well as the f-bomb (“Babe, I know I fucked up / Fucked with some empty cups…”). It’s a clear contrast to what that precedes it. #Damn, Daniel, did Daniel Caesar have to drop the bomb? Ha ha! For most of Freudian, Daniel Caesar keeps it respectable, sans f-bombs.  This is an album that balances romance and spirituality, so there’s not tons of profanity.  BUT, when he’s not “Blessed”, like “Neu Roses (Transgressor’s Song),” he grows more profane. “Neu Roses (Transgressor’s Song)” previously appeared on the flowery playlist, 13 Amazing Songs About Flowers.

11. The Chainsmokers, “Roses”

Ft. ROZES

Bouquet (EP) • Disruptor / Columbia • 2015

The Chainsmokers were definitely on an upward trajectory with hits like “#SELFIE” from 2014, and the song at hand, “Roses” from 2015.  “Roses” would eventually end up on one of many EPs released by Andrew Taggart and Alex Pall, Bouquet (2015).  Additionally, this gem received numerous remixes, which definitely ‘goes with the territory’ with dance/electronic music.  Listening to “Roses,” featuring ROZES, it reminds you of some of the great moments The Chainsmokers have had during their career even if their full-length debut album, Memories… Do Not Open was mediocre at best.

So, why does “Roses” deserve its flowers, better yet, its roses? Well, ROZES gives a pretty sweet vocal performance. Maybe it’s not ‘game changing’ per se but it’s certainly well-rounded and idiomatic of the style.  Lyrically, the topic conveyed is universal (love) so, that’s another box easily checked off.  Adding to it, we get add a catchy pre-chorus, chorus, and post-chorus.  Taggert assists on the chorus, which goes a little something like this:

“Deep in my bones, I can feel you
Take me back to a time only we knew
Hideaway
We could waste the night with an old film
Smoke a little weed on my couch in the backroom
Hideaway
Say you’ll never let me go
Say you’ll never let me go.”

Basically, all of that works.  So does the production by The Chainsmokers.  This crowd pleaser is even more pleasing with its bright, rhythmic synths, punchy beat, and the various vocal effects.  Give Alex, Andrew, and ROZES their ‘roses’ for mid-10s gem.

12. OutKast, “Roses”

Speakerboxxx/The Love Below • Arista • 2003

The critically acclaimed, Grammy-winning double album Speakerboxxx/The Love Below was a product of the aughts. Even so, it seems like forever ago that OutKast dropped one of the true classics of the 21^st century.  While both sides are fantastic, I was always drawn to The Love Below side because André 3000 truly outdid himself, experimenting with a multitude of styles. It’s eccentric, but, absolutely brilliant.  Yes, “Hey Ya!” is the crowning achievement, in all its infectious quirkiness, but the song at hand, “Roses” kicks some serious ass as well.

Where does one begin with the glory that is “Roses?” How about the chorus, which is infectious as hell?

“I know you’d like to think your shit don’t stank, but
Lean a little bit closer, see
Roses really smell like poo-poo-ooh
Yeah, roses really smell like poo-boo-ooh.”

I mean, nearly two decades after its arrival, that hook is still potent.  So are the verses, which have plenty of that André 3000 personality working in their favor.  The standout lyrics are simply endless, such as “You’d need a golden calculator to divide / … That real guys go for down to Mars girls, haha, yeah” or perhaps my favorite, “Caroline (Caroline), see / She’s the reason for the word ‘bitch’ (bitch).” And those are only 3000’s contributions.  Big Boi shines on the third verse, providing a welcome contrast with his fast-paced bars, beginning with, “Well, she’s got a hottie’s body but her attitude is potty…” Holy 💩 … seemed appropriate.

And what about the production? There’s nothing ‘💩ty’ about that… yeah, I’ve lost all control… This is going down the toilet… Just know, this is one of the best songs north of six minutes you’ll ever hear.  I 💩 you not… sorry, again…

13. Seal, “Kiss from a Rose”

Seal [1994] • Warner • 1994

“Ba-ya-ya, ba-da-da-da-da-da, ba-ya-ya.” Ah… These young ones are missing out on some awesome music from the past! That’s why I’m here to school them, or at least, share some of my favorite songs every now and then.  One of my very favorites fits perfectly on this playlist – “Kiss from a Rose” by Grammy-winning pop singer, Seal.  Once upon a time, Seal was definitely a big deal in pop music, particularly in the 90s and even with the well-rounded Seal IV (2003).  No moment was bigger for the British musician than “Kiss from a Rose,” which earned him three of his four Grammys (Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Male Pop Vocal Performance).

So much stands out about “Kiss from a Rose”; it truly is that ‘once in a lifetime’ song.  Perfect songs are hard to come by, but this is definitely one of them.  As far as genre, the safest bet is pop, yet, “Kiss from a Rose” dabbles in folk, rock, R&B – it’s very much crossover to the nth degree.  As far as the musicianship, it’s elite, including the unique harmonic progression, with plenty of less predictable moments, the vocal performance, ranging from tender to more overt, and the arrangement, orchestration, and the production.  The songwriting (lyrics) are absolutely stunning as well, further accentuated by the nuanced vocal performance served up by Seal.  The centerpiece, of course, is that epic chorus:

“Baby, I compare you to a kiss from a rose on the gray
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 gray.”

I’m so envious – why couldn’t I have written and performed this song? I haven’t even mentioned the verses, with so many lyrical highlights.  “There used to be a graying tower alone on the sea,” Seal sings quietly but expressively on the first verse, continuing, “You became thee light of the dark side of me.” On the second verse, he asserts, “To me, you’re like a growing addiction that I can’t deny / Won’t you tell me is that healthy, baby?” No, but I tell you what, there’s nothing unhealthy about absolutely loving this classic, which approaches 30 years old.  Yeah, they just don’t make ‘em like this anymore, sigh.