Jimmy Ruffin – He Who Picks a Rose

Jimmy Ruffin – He Who Picks a Rose: A Soulful Exploration of Love’s Thorns

In the landscape of soul music, Jimmy Ruffin stands tall, his rich baritone voice and poignant lyrics leaving an indelible mark on the genre. Among his vast collection of hits, “He Who Picks a Rose” stands out as a soulful ballad, a timeless exploration of love’s complexities and the inevitable challenges that accompany it.

Background

Released in 1969, “He Who Picks a Rose” arrived amidst a period of immense creative output for Ruffin.

The song charted moderately on the Billboard Hot 100, reaching number 63, but found a dedicated following among soul music enthusiasts, appreciating its nuanced portrayal of love’s bittersweet nature.

The song’s narrative unfolds as a cautionary tale, delivered by a man reflecting on the realities of love. The lyrics, penned by the legendary songwriting trio of Norman Whitfield, Eddie Holland, and Earl Van Dyke, weave a tapestry of metaphors that resonate deeply.

He Who Picks a Rose serves as the central metaphor, reminding listeners that beauty and pleasure often come hand-in-hand with challenges and potential pain.

Video

Lyrics

🎵 Let’s sing along with the lyrics! 🎤

A rose is a beautiful flower
To me the prettiest in the world
And that goes double for a girl
‘Cause she’s like no other flower in the world

Remember that they’re not perfect you see
But you got to take the bitter with sweet
And remember that he who picks a rose, now baby
He who picks a rose must accept the thorns it bear
Oh, yeah, the thorns it bears

A rose remains to be pretty
If you handle it with care
And that goes double for a girl
Treat her right and her love she’ll truly share

But you’ve got to take the bitter with sweet
Happy times alone with moment of despair
And remember that he who picks a rose, now baby
He who picks a rose must accept the thorns it bear
Oh, yeah, the thorns it bears