The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
She's quite the mediator
A smoother operator you will never see
She'll see you later
And no one dares, dares debate her openly
She knows music, I know music too you see
She's got the power, the teen queen Rosalie
Rosalie, Rosalie
She's got the plastic
Comes from all the corners, corners of the world
So fantastic
She's everybody's favorite little record girl
She knows music, I know music too you see
She's got the power, she's got the tower
Rosalie, Rosalie
From Chattanooga, to good old Bogalusa
You can hear her fine
She makes her choices
And babe, you best be smilin' when it's choosin' time
Knows music
I know music too, you see
She's got the power, got the tower, Rosalie, Rosalie, Rosalie
Knows music, she knows music, she knows music
Rosalie, Rosalie
A smoother operator you will never see
She'll see you later
And no one dares, dares debate her openly
She knows music, I know music too you see
She's got the power, the teen queen Rosalie
Rosalie, Rosalie
She's got the plastic
Comes from all the corners, corners of the world
So fantastic
She's everybody's favorite little record girl
She knows music, I know music too you see
She's got the power, she's got the tower
Rosalie, Rosalie
From Chattanooga, to good old Bogalusa
You can hear her fine
She makes her choices
And babe, you best be smilin' when it's choosin' time
Knows music
I know music too, you see
She's got the power, got the tower, Rosalie, Rosalie, Rosalie
Knows music, she knows music, she knows music
Rosalie, Rosalie
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This is an ode to Rosalie Trombley, and hugely popular DJ at the time who was known for her good ear for finding hits.
Not many people realize that Seger was actually quite annoyed with Trombley at the time he wrote this, though there are some "odd" lines in the song that very much hint at it, such as "she knows music...I know music too, y'see." Trombley had been unimpressed by Seger's last few releases, and had passed on playing any songs from them, despite being a being a fan of some of his other material. Hence the line "she makes the choices, and then you best be smiling when it's choosing time."
@Kateness you're mostly right on, however she was not a DJ. At that time, there were no female DJs in this market. She was program director at CKLW in Windsor Ontario, where most Detroit teens got their music before FM radio. Bob was frustrated at his lack of success, still playing high schools (I saw him at a few of those gigs). Rumor is Rosaile actually loved this song but feared to play it since everyone knew it was about her
@Kateness Thanks for the info. I was intrigued by the lyrics and your explanation makes sense!