“Kiss from a Rose” by Seal: Lyrics, meaning, video, cover and other facts revealed

July 10, 2024, 12:06 | Updated: July 10, 2024, 12:30

Seal made a big impression in 1990 after singing vocals on the Adamski dance track “Killer,” but a few years later he became the king of ’90s power ballads with his classic “Kiss from a Rose.”

Released in 1994, it became a huge success, especially after his role in the film Batman forever the following year.

The song’s haunting melody and Seal’s distinctive voice ensure that it is still instantly recognizable 30 years later.

But who wrote the song, what was it about and why did Seal hate it at first?

1. Who wrote “Kiss from a Rose”?

   

   The song was written in 1987, several years before the release of Seal’s eponymous debut album in 1991.

   However, it was not published until 1994.

2. Seal actually hated the song… and somehow still does

   After writing the song, Seal was “embarrassed” and “threw the tape in the corner.”

   Seal only showed it to producer Trevor Horn during the recording sessions for Seal II.

   In 2015, Seal said, “To be honest, I was never really proud of it, although I like what Trevor did with the record.

   “He turned that tape from my corner into another 8 million record sales and my name became a household name.”

3. Meaning of “Kiss from a Rose”: What is the song about?

   

   A rather mysterious song – many fans have wondered if it is about drug use, while others say it is an expression of love or even a journey to the afterlife.

   Seal never fully explained what the song was about, only saying there was “some kind of relationship that inspired the lyrics.”

   Seal has previously stated that his songs often deal with more than one topic, so attributing a single meaning to them would be too simplistic.

   Instead of printed lyrics, Seal wrote a speech on the subject, which was included with the album:

   “I think it’s the general mood of what I’m saying that’s important, rather than the exact literal translation. The song always has greater meaning in the listener’s mind because they associate images with it that relate to their own personal experience. So the key is in your perception of what I’m saying, rather than what I actually mean.”

4. It was used in the soundtrack of Batman Forever

   

   Seal – Kiss From A Rose (Official Music Video 720p HD) + Lyrics

   
   
   

   Originally released in 1994, the song was later the second single from the Batman forever film soundtrack and topped the US charts for one week in August 1995.

   It also reached number 4 in the UK charts, where it had already reached number 20 the year before.

   Director Joel Schumacher called Seal and asked if he could play the song during a love scene between Nicole Kidman and Val Kilmer’s Batman.

   Although the song was ultimately not used in this scene, it was instead used in the end credits.

5. Who reported on this?

   

   Jack Black – A Kiss from a Rose

   
   
   

   Several artists including:

   -Hank Marvin

   – Irish singing trio Triniti

   – Katherine Jenkins

   – Jack Black about American Idol (see above)

   – Idina Menzel

   – Lee DeWyze

6. When was it used in television and movies?

   

   Community – Kiss from a Rose

   
   
   

   The song has received a number of pop culture homages, including:

   -In season 2, episode 7 of ShamelessThe song turns out to be Jody’s favorite love song.

   – In season 5, episode 7 of it’s always sunny in PhiladelphiaDee plans to use the song to welcome a returning US soldier she chatted with online.

   – In season 3, episode 7 of CommunityJeff Winger (Joel McHale) and Craig Pelton (Jim Rash) sing the track together.

   – In season 5, episode 17 of Bonesthe song is heard at Temperance’s reunion, where she and Booth slow dance to the song. At the beginning of the song, Brennan asks Booth to dance with her, saying, “Can we dance, Booth? I’m Seal!”

   

   Bad Parenting – Mac Attack! – BBC Three

   
   
   

   – In the 2015 film Vacation, The song is a favorite of Rusty Griswold (played by Ed Helms).

   – In season 1, episode 6 of American crime historyThe song is played when Marcia Clark (Sarah Paulson) gets her hair cut at a hair salon and again when she enters the courtroom with her new look.

   – In Poor trainingStudent Stephen (Layton Williams) uses the song to muster the energy to defeat a bully in slow motion with a dance kick.