Redlight Lyrics - Sting

Song Facts:

• Genre: Rock/Pop


• Featured Artist: None


• Lyricist: Sting


• Composers: Sting


• Awards/Nominations: Not specified


• Soundtrack: Featured in the soundtrack for the TV series "Monkey Man"

Annotations and Meaning:

"Redlight" by Sting, reminiscent of his iconic song "Roxanne," revisits themes of liberation from the desperation of prostitution. The lyrics serve as a powerful message of change and redemption, emphasizing that the person addressed no longer needs to engage in such a life.
The repetition of "You don't have to put on the red light" throughout the song acts as a refrain against the backdrop of a person's past life where they felt compelled to engage in sex work under the glare of a 'red light.' The phrase "Those days are over" reinforces this message, providing a comforting assurance that the circumstances that once dictated such choices have changed.
Sting uses the line "You don't have to sell your body to the night" to starkly highlight the harsh realities of prostitution. By addressing this directly, the song speaks to breaking away from the night's anonymity and exploitation, suggesting a newfound autonomy and perhaps safety from such a lifestyle.

The lyric "You don't have to wear that dress tonight" further personalizes the song, pointing to the specific changes in the person's life. It's a direct reference to no longer needing to dress a certain way to attract clients, symbolizing a broader reclaiming of self-worth and identity.