This was released shortly after the Labour party won the 1997 election in Britain. Traditionally, Labour had been a left-wing, moderately socialist party, however, for years they had been losing out to the Conservatives, and during the mid 90s they moved more toward the political centre, and started being known as 'New Labour'. After they won, so many people were overjoyed that the Conservatives were out, not realising that New Labour was really just a more acceptable version of the Conservatives now. This song is about that, and offers a more pessimistic view of the Labour victory. Interestingly, New Labour's symbol is a rose, which is what I assume gives the song it's title and chorus.
This was released shortly after the Labour party won the 1997 election in Britain. Traditionally, Labour had been a left-wing, moderately socialist party, however, for years they had been losing out to the Conservatives, and during the mid 90s they moved more toward the political centre, and started being known as 'New Labour'. After they won, so many people were overjoyed that the Conservatives were out, not realising that New Labour was really just a more acceptable version of the Conservatives now. This song is about that, and offers a more pessimistic view of the Labour victory. Interestingly, New Labour's symbol is a rose, which is what I assume gives the song it's title and chorus.