A Rose Is Still a Rose (song)


"A Rose Is Still a Rose" is a 1998 single written and produced by Lauryn Hill and recorded and released by singer Aretha Franklin off the album of the same name. Written by Hill for Franklin, the song focused on a motherly figure giving advice to a younger woman who keeps getting into bad relationships. Throughout the song, Franklin advises that in spite of everything and despite the woman's "scorned roses and thorn crowns" that the woman is "still a rose". Elements of the song "What I Am" by Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians were sung throughout the song by Hill herself. The video, directed by Hill and designed by Ron Norsworthy, features Franklin, Hill and other female R&B singers such as Faith Evans, Changing Faces, Amel Larrieux and featured actress Elise Neal in the video as the protagonist along with A Tribe Called Quest rapper, Q-Tip. Released in 1998, the song became a surprise hit for Franklin, 40-plus years into her career, reaching number 26 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number-five on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart while also reaching the UK top 40. The song helped its parent album reach gold status and remains one of Franklin's most played songs from her later years. The song was Aretha Franklin's last Top 40 hit.

Critical reception

from Billboard described the song as "a sleek, jeep-styled cruiser that matches her with Lauryn Hill of the Fugees." He noted that "it's an absolutely electric union that results in Franklin's strongest, most instantly pop-viable single in eons. Hills dresses the track in fashionable shuffle-funk beats, a snaky bassline, and jiggly wah-wah guitars, leaving the legendary singer plenty of room to flex and vamp to maximum effect." He also added that "kids will dig the contemporary vibe of the track, while more mature listeners will bond with the sage, almost motherly tone of the lyrics. A li'l something for everyone." Alexis Petridis from The Guardian wrote, "The late 90s attempt to give Franklin a hip-hop/neo soul-influenced makeover didn’t really work, except on the album’s Lauryn Hill-penned title track. The beat and the lyrical references to “flossin’” are contemporary, but the singer sounds unfazed, delivering a coolly controlled performance."

Formats and track listings

U.S. CD single
  1. "A Rose Is Still a Rose" - 3:56
  2. "Snippets from the album 'A Rose Is Still a Rose'" - 5:30
U.S. promo single
  1. "A Rose Is Still a Rose " - 3:56
  2. "A Rose Is Still a Rose " -4:25
U.S. maxi single
  1. "A Rose Is Still a Rose " - 3:58
  2. "A Rose Is Still a Rose " - 8:55
  3. "A Rose Is Still a Rose " - 6:56
  4. "A Rose Is Still a Rose " - 4:27
  5. "A Rose Is Still a Rose " - 4:27
UK CD 1
  1. "A Rose Is Still a Rose " - 3:56
  2. "A Rose Is Still a Rose " - 4:51
  3. "A Rose Is Still a Rose " - 7:42
  4. "A Rose Is Still a Rose " - 6:26
  5. "A Rose Is Still a Rose " - 4:27
UK CD 2
  1. "A Rose Is Still a Rose " - 3:56
  2. "A Rose Is Still a Rose " - 3:58
  3. "A Rose Is Still a Rose " - 7:10
  4. "A Rose Is Still a Rose " - 10:47
  5. "A Rose Is Still a Rose " - 8:55
Hip Hop Mixes promo CD single
  1. "A Rose Is Still a Rose " - 4:03
  2. "A Rose Is Still a Rose " - 4:26
Hip Hop Mixes promo 12" single
  1. "A Rose Is Still a Rose " - 4:03
  2. "A Rose Is Still a Rose " - 4:51
  3. "A Rose Is Still a Rose " - 4:40
  4. "A Rose Is Still a Rose " - 4:26
  5. "A Rose Is Still a Rose " - 4:27
  6. "A Rose Is Still a Rose " - 4:00
The Remixes"
  1. "A Rose Is Still a Rose " - 8:55
  2. "A Rose Is Still a Rose " - 4:29
  3. "A Rose Is Still a Rose " - 9:28
  4. "A Rose Is Still a Rose " - 7:11
  5. "A Rose Is Still a Rose " - 10:44
  6. "A Rose Is Still a Rose " - 3:50
  7. "A Rose Is Still a Rose " - 6:56
  8. "A Rose Is Still a Rose " - 3:58
  9. "A Rose Is Still a Rose " - 5:25

    Charts and certifications

Weekly charts

Certifications

Credits

Information is based on the album’s liner notes
;Performance
;Production