Roses (Outkast song)

2004 single by OutKast From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"Roses" is a song by American hip hop duo OutKast. It was released on March 1, 2004, as the fourth single from their 2003 double album, Speakerboxxx/The Love Below. It appears on André 3000's The Love Below disc and is the only track on his disc to feature Big Boi. The track was largely popular in the United Kingdom and the United States, peaking at number four on the UK Singles Chart and number nine on the Billboard Hot 100. It also found popularity in Australia, reaching number two on the Australian Singles Chart. It was their fourth and final top-10 song in the United States.

B-side"Church"
ReleasedMarch 1, 2004 (2004-03-01)
Length6:09
Quick facts Single by OutKast, from the album Speakerboxxx/The Love Below ...
"Roses"
Single by OutKast
from the album Speakerboxxx/The Love Below
B-side"Church"
ReleasedMarch 1, 2004 (2004-03-01)
Length6:09
Label
Songwriters
ProducerAndré 3000
OutKast singles chronology
"The Way You Move"
(2003)
"Roses"
(2004)
"Prototype"
(2004)
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Background

Lyrically, "Roses" is a diss song aimed at superficial women—personified in the song as "Caroline". It is the only song on The Love Below (André 3000's half of the double album) to feature a guest verse from Big Boi.[1]

Music video

The video references the stage musicals West Side Story and Grease, and features cameo appearances from Paula Abdul, Lukas Haas, Kevin McDonald, Fonzworth Bentley, members of the Dungeon Family, Katt Williams, Faizon Love, and DeRay Davis.

A man is flipping through a Stankonia yearbook and sees the photo of Caroline Jones represented as the school's "Biggest Flirt". After Caroline leaves the bathroom with her girls, Big Boi is shown with his crew, appearing as stereotypical jocks. He opens a response to the note he gave to Caroline, asking if she'd be his valentine. Rather than checking off the Yes or No boxes, she writes "Maybe". Upset, Big Boi calls his crew to ride with him to school.

André 3000 is shown to be heading a musical on stage, where he sings the song and parodies Caroline, though Caroline is oblivious. During this time, Big Boi's crew, Speakerboxxx, drives to the school, performing acts of vandalism such as knocking down mailboxes. When Big Boi crashes the auditorium where the play is under way, Speakerboxxx announces their arrival, which is followed by the men on the stage announcing themselves as the Love Below.

Despite the pleas of the principal for no fighting, the two groups confront each other in the middle of the auditorium. Most of the students wind up in the fight, including the principal himself. Big Boi moves away from the fight and directs his rap to an uncaring Caroline. In the end, an effeminate man hands Caroline a red rose and pleads with her to leave. They pause, take a look at the chaos behind them, and depart. André 3000 is carried off. The yearbook reader falls asleep after finishing the story.

Track listings

Charts

More information Chart (2004), Peak position ...
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Certifications

More information Region, Certification ...
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[36] 2× Platinum 140,000
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[37] Gold 45,000
Germany (BVMI)[38] Gold 150,000
New Zealand (RMNZ)[39] 2× Platinum 60,000
United Kingdom (BPI)[40] Platinum 600,000
United States (RIAA)[41] 3× Platinum 3,000,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

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Release history

More information Region, Date ...
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States March 1, 2004 [42]
Australia May 31, 2004 CD LaFace [43]
Denmark June 14, 2004
  • LaFace
  • Arista
  • BMG
[44]
United Kingdom June 21, 2004
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
[45]
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References

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