Roses

SAINt JHN's "Roses," particularly in the context of the original version, is a multifaceted track that delves into themes of confidence, loneliness, and the complexities of modern relationships. The lyrics paint a picture of a man who is self-assured and navigates the world with a certain swagger, evidenced by references to figures like Pablo Escobar. This isn't a literal comparison to a drug lord but a metaphor for his own sense of power and influence. However, beneath this confident exterior lies a feeling of solitude, as expressed in the line "screaming dolo," with "dolo" being slang for alone. The song explores a carefree and perhaps fleeting approach to romance, as seen in the line, "She might get it popping, I might wife her for the weekend." This suggests a desire for connection that is intense but not necessarily permanent. Despite a lifestyle that seems to afford him anything, the protagonist states that a simple rose is all he needs, indicating a yearning for genuine affection over material possessions. The Imanbek remix, while retaining these lyrics, transforms the song's emotional landscape from a dark and brooding hip-hop track to an upbeat, energetic dance anthem. This shift in mood, driven by the increased tempo and high-pitched vocals, makes the lyrical content almost secondary to the infectious beat, allowing for a more celebratory and less introspective interpretation.

The song's narrative plunges the listener into a scene of confident, almost arrogant, self-assurance. The protagonist enters a space, feeling solitary yet powerful, comparing his image to the infamous Pablo Escobar. This isn't a boast about criminal activity, but rather a projection of a certain iconic, untouchable aura. He carries an air of someone who has navigated treacherous paths and emerged with a hardened, yet alluring, demeanor. The reference to Tony Montana's demise in 'Scarface' further deepens this sense of living on the edge, a life filled with high stakes and dramatic turns. The core of the song revolves around a fleeting, intense connection with a woman. He contemplates a spontaneous, temporary commitment, suggesting a relationship for the weekend. This highlights a lifestyle that is fast-paced and perhaps emotionally guarded, where deep connections are sampled rather than fully embraced. Despite his apparent wealth and success, he claims that all he needs is a simple gesture of affection, symbolized by a rose, suggesting a desire for genuine connection amidst a materialistic world. However, this sentiment is juxtaposed with lyrics about calling up strippers and indulging in a hedonistic lifestyle, creating a complex and somewhat contradictory character portrait. The recurring chorus acts as an internal monologue, a moment of reflection amidst the chaos. He seems to be in a constant state of flux, acknowledging that he's been through a lot and is perhaps moving too fast. There's a sense of caution, a check-in with his partner to ensure she's truly on board with his world, a world where boundaries might be blurred. The phrase 'I know you won't tell nobody no' is ambiguous; it could imply she is either incredibly loyal and discreet or that she is a pushover, easily swayed. This ambiguity adds to the song's layered meaning, leaving the listener to ponder the true nature of their dynamic. The protagonist sees himself as a larger-than-life figure, even a god, yet this bravado is tinged with a palpable sense of loneliness and a search for something real, even if it's just for a moment.

The original version of "Roses" was written by Guyanese-American artist SAINt JHN and released on July 22, 2016. He initially composed the song in 2015 with the intention of pitching it to Beyoncé, but she ultimately passed on the track. Feeling the song was too good to be shelved, SAINt JHN decided to record and release it himself. The song was inspired by the dark, atmospheric visuals of the 2000 Hungarian film 'Werckmeister Harmonies,' which he was watching on mute in the studio while creating the track. For three years, the song enjoyed moderate success, building a devoted following, particularly in Russia and Eastern Europe.

In 2019, the song's trajectory changed dramatically. Imanbek Zeikenov, a 19-year-old railway worker from Aksu, Kazakhstan, who made music as a hobby, discovered the track. Using a 10-year-old laptop and a copy of FL Studio, he created an unofficial remix in just a couple of hours. He pitched up SAINt JHN's vocals, increased the tempo from 102 to 122 BPM, and added a thick, catchy bassline, transforming the moody original into a vibrant dance track. Imanbek had tried to contact SAINt JHN for permission via Instagram but received no reply, so he posted his "illegal" remix to Russian social media in May 2019 and largely forgot about it. A few months later, the remix had gone viral. A Russian label, Effective Records, noticed the buzz, signed Imanbek, and officially cleared the remix with SAINt JHN's label, Hitco. The official Imanbek Remix of "Roses" was released on September 18, 2019, catapulting both artists to international fame.

SAINt JHN's original lyrics in "Roses" utilize a relatively free verse structure, focusing more on flow and conversational delivery than a strict, consistent rhyme scheme. The rhythm of the vocal performance is characteristic of trap and mumble rap, with phrases often trailing off and a delivery that prioritizes mood over perfect enunciation. The song's original tempo is a slow, brooding 102 BPM, which contributes to its dark, atmospheric feel.

Imanbek's remix fundamentally alters the song's rhythmic identity. By increasing the tempo to 122 BPM, he repositions the track squarely in the dance music category. The rhythmic foundation is a classic house music four-on-the-floor kick drum pattern, providing a steady, danceable pulse. He adds off-beat hi-hats and claps, which further drive the energy. The most significant rhythmic change is the interplay between the pitched-up vocals and the new Slap House bassline. The bouncy, rhythmic bassline often plays in call-and-response with the vocal phrases, creating a groove that is both simple and highly effective. The vocal rhythm itself is sped up along with the track, and its melodic contour becomes more pronounced due to the pitch shift, turning it into a catchy, rhythmic hook that is central to the remix's appeal.

The Imanbek remix of "Roses" is a masterclass in musical transformation, employing specific techniques to change the song's genre and mood entirely. Musically, Imanbek's primary technique was to significantly increase the tempo from the original's 102 BPM to a dance-friendly 122 BPM. The most defining characteristic is the pitching up of SAINt JHN's vocals, creating a distinctive, high-pitched "chipmunk" effect that makes the vocal melody infectious and memorable. This also had the effect of making the lyrics harder to decipher, shifting the focus to the rhythm and overall vibe. He layered a prominent, rubbery bassline, characteristic of the Slap House genre, and a straightforward four-on-the-floor kick drum pattern, hi-hats, and claps to create an irresistible dance beat. The structure was also altered to fit a typical EDM format, featuring buildups and drops to create tension and release for a club audience.

Lyrically, the original song by SAINt JHN uses a mumble-rap vocal delivery style, which creates a dark, brooding, and introspective atmosphere. The narrative is built through a series of vivid, almost cinematic images and cultural references (e.g., Pablo Escobar, 'Scarface'). The repetition of the chorus, "I might pull up, flexing, you know, roses," serves as a lyrical hook that encapsulates the song's central themes of bravado and a paradoxical desire for simple romance.

The cultural influence of the "SAINt JHN - Roses - Imanbek Remix" was colossal and truly a product of the internet age. Initially an unauthorized remix by a then-unknown Kazakh producer, the track's journey to global domination was fueled by the video-sharing app TikTok. In 2020, the song went viral on the platform, soundtracking millions of videos, from dance challenges to memes, and amassing billions of plays. This grassroots popularity propelled the song onto mainstream charts worldwide. It topped the charts in numerous countries, including the UK, Australia, Canada, and Ireland, and peaked at number four on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming SAINt JHN's first top-ten hit. The song's success was so significant that it earned Imanbek a Grammy Award for Best Remixed Recording in 2021, a historic win as he became the first person from Kazakhstan to receive the honor. The remix not only launched Imanbek's international career but also brought SAINt JHN's original 2016 song to a massive new audience, demonstrating the immense power of remixes and social media platforms in shaping modern music consumption. The success also led to further remixes, including one featuring the rapper Future.

The lyrics of "Roses" employ several key symbols and metaphors to build its narrative of confident loneliness and fleeting romance.

• Roses: The central symbol of the song, the rose, traditionally represents love and romance. Here, it is used with a degree of irony. The protagonist claims a single rose is all he needs, suggesting a desire for simple, genuine affection amidst a life of excess. However, this is contrasted with his fast-paced, non-committal lifestyle, making the rose a symbol of a desired but perhaps unattainable purity and simplicity.
• Pablo Escobar & Manolo from 'Scarface': The references to "Pablo in a photo" and "Tony killed Manolo" are not literal but serve as metaphors for a certain lifestyle and persona. Looking like Pablo Escobar suggests an image of power, wealth, and being untouchable. The 'Scarface' reference evokes a sense of danger, drama, and living on the edge, where relationships can be as volatile and tragic as the film's narrative. These allusions create a self-portrait of a man who is both a powerful figure and aware of the inherent risks of his world.
• "Screaming dolo": This phrase is a powerful metaphor for feeling alone in a crowd. "Dolo" is slang for solo or alone. Despite being in a social setting like a club, the protagonist feels an internal sense of isolation, a theme that contrasts with his outward display of confidence.

The most significant recurring lyrical motif in the song is the word "Roses." It appears in the chorus, "I might pull up, flexing, you know, roses," and serves as the song's title. This repetition anchors the track's central, albeit complex, theme. The rose symbolizes a desire for something genuine and romantic, a stark contrast to the flexing, wealth, and hedonistic lifestyle described in the verses. Its recurrence emphasizes the internal conflict of the narrator, who projects an image of a hardened player but simultaneously hints at a softer, more vulnerable side.

Musically, the Imanbek remix introduces its own powerful recurring motif: the pitched-up vocal hook. The sound of SAINt JHN's voice, altered to be high and almost childlike, becomes the track's signature element. This specific timbre is repeated with the main lyrical phrases and is instantly recognizable. Another key musical motif is the bouncy, rhythmic Slap House bassline that underpins the track. This bass pattern is highly repetitive and hypnotic, forming the core of the remix's infectious groove and making it instantly memorable for club-goers and TikTok users alike.