‘La Vie en Rose’ and other flower songs
Many songs have been written about flowers — whose appeal is universal. Giving flowers is an expression of love or fondness.
The most popular of flower varieties mentioned in songs are roses.
In 1962, Bobby Vinton recorded “Roses Are Red (My Love),” which became his first hit single.
In the same year, the movie Days of Wine and Roses featured the soundtrack of the same name, composed by Henry Mancini with lyrics by Johnny Mercer. The song has been recorded by the likes of Billy Eckstine, Andy Williams, Frank Sinatra, Shirley Bassey, Perry Como, Tony Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald and Joe Pass.
Earlier, in 1947, French singer Edith Piaf’s single, “La Vie en Rose,” was released. Other artists went on to cover the song, with at least seven versions entering the Billboard charts.
More rosy tunes: Lynn Anderson’s “(I Never Promised You A) Rose Garden”; Tony Orlando & Dawn’s “Say, Has Anybody Seen My Sweet Gypsy Rose”; Bette Midler’s “The Rose.”
Noteworthy as well are Seal’s “Kiss from a Rose,” Dan Fogelberg’s Run for the Roses,” Marie Osmond’s “Paper Roses,”
Sting’s “Desert Rose” and A1’s “Like a Rose.”
Likewise, rock artists mention the flower in their songs, such as Bon Jovi’s “Bed of Roses” and Poison’s “Every Rose Has Its Thorn.”
David Lee Roth sang about a “Yankee Rose” after leaving Van Halen in 1985.
The Eagles didn’t exactly sing about it, but the band’s classic hit “Hotel California” had the “warm smell of colitas rising up in the air.”
Varieties
What about other floral varieties? There’s the endearing “Build Me Up, Buttercup” (The Foundations), also “Blue Orchid” (White Stripes) and “Forget Me Nots” (Patrice Rushen).
Like America’s ‘Daisy Jane,’ Skylark’s ‘Wildflower’ isn’t about a particular plant variety, although the lyrics are pretty intriguing.
America’s “Daisy Jane” is about a woman, though she probably has qualities comparable to daisies common in Europe.
Speaking of which, the
UK band Colourfield morbidly sang about “Pushing Up the Daisies,” much like the Rolling Stones’ “Dead Flowers.”
Like “Daisy Jane,” Skylark’s “Wildflower” isn’t about a particular plant variety, although the lyrics are pretty intriguing.
But The
Cult has a more exciting, similarly titled tune with a rock edge.
Hippie folks will remember Scott McKenzie’s “San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair),” released at the height of the counterculture revolution in 1967, while Paul McCartney had his 1989 album Flowers in the Dirt.
On the other hand, there are songs about falling out of love, like the Barbra Streisand and Neil Diamond duet, “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers,” as well as Roxette’s “Fading Like a Flower.”
Which is the opposite of what Toto’s “You Are the Flower” or Kuh Ledesma’s “Bulaklak” profess. Flowers bloom and wither, but the songs that reference them live on forever.