“Kiss From A Rose” Lyrics & Meaning (Seal)

Seal’s Kiss From A Rose is one of those songs.

The type of song few admit to liking, but to which most of us know the lyrics.

And if it comes on when we are alone, we can’t help but sing along.

But even if you know every single line, you probably don’t know the exact Kiss from a Rose lyrics meaning.

It is a bit cryptic and Seal has done his best to ensure it stays that way.

But he has offered some clues. And others are contained in the lyrics themselves. So let’s take a look and find out what this song is actually about.

 

Kiss From A Rose Lyrics & Meaning

Seal released Kiss From a Rose in 1994. He wrote the song for his second album, Seal II. He was actually very close to leaving it off the album and only added it on at the last minute.

Good decision. Kiss From a Rose was a huge hit and it gained even more popularity when it was featured on the movie soundtrack for Batman Forever. The song has since become a classic thanks to its beautiful melody and lyrics.

It topped the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and also the Australian charts. The song also featured on the UK singles charts. The song was so loved it that it won three grammy awards in 1996 for Song of the Year, Best Male Pop Vocal Performance and Record of the Year. In 2020, Rolling Stone added the song to their list of the 500 greatest songs of all time.

Since its release, the song has been covered by different artists and featured in many films and TV shows. Artists that have covered the song include Hank Martin, Katherine Jenkins, Jack Black (on American Idol) in an iconic performance and Idina Menzel.

This just goes to show how timeless the song is and how it connects with such a wide audience.

The song’s music video features Seal against a white background. Since the video’s release, it has become a memorable association to the song, taking a firm spot in pop culture. The simplicity of the music video helps to give the song an element of rawness that makes it appear more intense and emotional.

 

Kiss From A Rose Lyrics

 

Verse 1

There used to be a greying tower alone on the sea
And you became the light on the dark side of me
Love remained a drug that’s the high and not the pill

Pre-Chorus

But did you know that when it snows
My eyes become large and
The light that you shine can’t be seen?

Chorus

Baby, I compare you to a kiss from a rose on the grey
Ooh, the more I get of you, stranger it feels, yeah
And now that your rose is in bloom
A light hits the gloom on the grey

Verse 2

There is so much a man can tell you
So much he can say
You remain my power, my pleasure, my pain, baby
To me, you’re like a growing addiction that I can’t deny
Won’t you tell me, is that healthy, baby?

Pre-Chorus

But did you know that when it snows
My eyes become large and
The light that you shine can’t be seen?

Chorus

Baby, I compare you to a kiss from a rose on the grey
Ooh, the more I get of you, stranger it feels, yeah
Now that your rose is in bloom
A light hits the gloom on the grey

Bridge

I’ve been kissed by a rose on the grey
I, I’ve been kissed by a rose on the grey
I’ve (And if I should fall, will it all go away?) been kissed by a rose on the grey
I, I’ve been kissed by a rose on the grey

Verse 2

There is so much a man can tell you
So much he can say
You remain my power, my pleasure, my pain
To me you’re like a growing addiction that I can’t deny, yeah
Won’t you tell me, is that healthy, baby?

Pre-Chorus

But did you know that when it snows
My eyes become large and
The light that you shine can’t be seen?

Chorus

Baby, I compare you to a kiss from a rose on the grey
Ooh, the more I get of you, the stranger it feels, yeah
Now that your rose is in bloom
A light hits the gloom on the grey
Yes, I compare you to a kiss from a rose on the grey
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 grey

Now that your rose is in bloom
A light hits the gloom on the grey

 

Kiss From A Rose Meaning

The song has a somewhat cryptic meaning and can be interpreted in many different ways. Seal himself has avoided explaining the meaning behind the song, because he wants fans to listen to it without any preconceived ideas.

The only clue he has given about the song is that it’s about “some kind of relationship or other.” Many people have suggested that it’s a love song, while others have said it centers around drug addiction or mystical themes.

The opening line of “There used to be a greying tower alone on the sea” gives us a sense of isolation. As the song continues, I begins to tell about a person who has been transformed by love. This gives the song more romance and allure.

In an interview, Seal did say that the song was inspired by a Bloody Mary cocktail. A Bloody Mary is made from tomato juice and vodka. Seal said the red from the cocktail was what inspired the rose part of the song.

He compared the song to the feeling of being consumed by love and how it can make you feel drunk.

Others have interpreted the song as being about love and the complexity that comes with a relationship. Lines such as “You became the light on the dark side of me” and “I’m in your power” can illustrate both good and bad sides of a relationship.

The music from Kiss From a Rose is just as great as the lyrics. It has an orchestral element to it that adds an intensity to the song.

Instruments used in the song include the harp, strings and horns. The melody is both haunting and beautiful. This contrast is hard to pull off, but very appealing when done right.

It is a big reason this song has become one of the most iconic pop songs ever. Both the lyrics and melody take us on a journey from beginning to end.

 

Kiss From A Rose Lyrics Meaning: Final Thoughts

Seal has given us small hints, but he has never come right out and explained the Kiss From A Rose lyrics meaning. He feels it is better enjoyed without knowing what he had in mind when he wrote the lyrics.

And perhaps he is right. It lets us assign our own meaning to the song, which will always result in something more personal. The above is what I take from it and what I think it probably meant to Seal based on some of his clues and the lyrics themselves. What do you think?

If you take the song to be about love, you should also check out our breakdown of the lyrics to Sweet Caroline and their meaning. Neil Diamond wrote this song about his wife, although her name was not Caroline.