Just realised how much this song resembles "Call it a loan" by Jackson Browne. I prefer this one, but it's fair to say that the other one was released before.
It seems to me it's about young men brainwashed by society to rush into war, believing they are serving their country when they are only serving the interests of the "military/industrial complex". It contrasts youthful idealism and perceived courage going in and the actual realities of war, and a young man's belief in his own bravery as opposed to his innate fear and cowardice which is much more common: "Hot potato, drop it and run... He'd die if he ever found out we knew."
It's about a deserter- the singer knows he had to make a choice after his mother had already given her son up to the war in horror and now he has run away, and now he is alive years later, guilty. but alive. No hero, but alive...
I'm assuming you mean this one? That was kind of a pop song, too, of its time: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rose_of_England It claims Vera Lynn also covered it but way into the mid 1960s, and not during WWII. I don't know that song but I will investigate. I do, however, adore the Nick Lowe song and was just playing along on my 12-string finally learning it tonight. As with most great songs, it's not nearly as simple as it sounds. Easily one of the finest songs of the 1980s, and criminally underrated and underheard at the time.
Oh, you mean Nick Lowe wasn't the first person to use the image of a rose to symbolize England or Englishness? Wow, that's amazing, I thought he had invented that concept
"How loud the mouth when the heart don't care". What a brilliant line.
One of Nick's finest. Great harmony vox and piano work by Paul Carrack. Especially love Paul's piano work during the fade.
To be sure, one of Nick’s masterpieces. Thank you!
Maybe my favorite Nick Lowe song.
Perfect song start to finish.
Pure pop dopamine.
Yes, Nick Lowe is brilliant. Rose of England is a particular favourite. xx
just saw him at wolftrap in vienna virginia....dude's a genius and a marvelous entertainer....articulates every syllable of every song, ie Sinatra ...
Another in a long line of brilliantly crafted songs by Nick.
The songs wıll lıve on and on! Magıcal!
Look for Rose Of England, sung by Vera Lynn. This song title was STOLEN from a much better song.
@@annemariefleming That song sucks
Lowe is a genius and it might be a crime to suggest that I prefer Oysterband's cover of this.
This track is epic
i like this song
Yes go England!
Just realised how much this song resembles "Call it a loan" by Jackson Browne. I prefer this one, but it's fair to say that the other one was released before.
I love this song; but when I play it in my head, some lyrics from "I Fought the Law" get in.
I will make that a medly--totally works for me
I hear it as "I Knew the Bride When She Used to Rock and Roll". Except in my version, it's "I Knew the Bride When She Used to Shit Her Pants".
Preciosa canción!!
If you play this song right next to Zevon's "Excitable Boy", it'd be a super concert.
I agree
I just did that on FB without knowing your comment.
wow .....early 80s young dumb and pretty happy
I love this song, but can anyone tell me what the lyrics are about?
It seems to me it's about young men brainwashed by society to rush into war, believing they are serving their country when they are only serving the interests of the "military/industrial complex". It contrasts youthful idealism and perceived courage going in and the actual realities of war, and a young man's belief in his own bravery as opposed to his innate fear and cowardice which is much more common: "Hot potato, drop it and run... He'd die if he ever found out we knew."
about a good boy gone bad!!
...Still get shivers listening...Classic... Thanks Nick
It's about a deserter- the singer knows he had to make a choice after his mother had already given her son up to the war in horror and now he has run away, and now he is alive years later, guilty. but alive. No hero, but alive...
@@t.burkeedwards3519 ..very good, but more concisely put, "false bravado", which would be a great name for a Punk band.
Raise muster gainst the foreign hand ......but, DON'T JOIN
Taters out in it
Feckless. Oh no, I don't mean this song.
Rose Of England is a song from many years ago. THIS is a pop song, and bears NO resemblance to the REAL Rose Of England.
I'm assuming you mean this one? That was kind of a pop song, too, of its time:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rose_of_England
It claims Vera Lynn also covered it but way into the mid 1960s, and not during WWII.
I don't know that song but I will investigate. I do, however, adore the Nick Lowe song
and was just playing along on my 12-string finally learning it tonight. As with most great songs,
it's not nearly as simple as it sounds. Easily one of the finest songs of the 1980s, and
criminally underrated and underheard at the time.
Oh, you mean Nick Lowe wasn't the first person to use the image of a rose to symbolize England or Englishness? Wow, that's amazing, I thought he had invented that concept
as did HP Lovecraft @@TheToughBaby
@@TheToughBaby TH-cam is replete with stupid comments. It's amusing.