“Life ain’t always a bed of roses,” the old saying goes. It’s a sentiment that resonates because it speaks to a universal truth – life has its thorns alongside its blooms. But what if we could create a space, even if just in song, where those thorns are absent, replaced by the comforting softness of roses? This is the intriguing premise behind “Bed of Roses,” a song born from the creative partnership of Rex Benson and Steve Gillette, and one that has blossomed into a timeless piece in the landscape of popular music.
The genesis of “Bed of Roses” was rooted in a deliberate ambition. As songwriters, Benson and Gillette aimed for commercial success, seeking to craft songs with broad appeal. The cliché “bed of roses” presented itself as fertile ground – familiar, evocative, and rich with potential for nuanced interpretation. Gillette, in retrospect, even jests about the need for a “dictionary of clichés,” a testament to their conscious effort to tap into well-worn phrases that held cultural currency. This wasn’t about being unoriginal; it was about leveraging the power of familiar language to create something new and resonant. Their catalog, peppered with titles like “Glass Houses,” “Healing Hands,” and “The Restless Wind,” underscores this approach – mining the depths of common expressions for songwriting gold.
Navigating the Tightrope: Artistry vs. Commercial Appeal
The pursuit of writing a hit song inevitably brings up the age-old question for artists: “selling out?” Gillette confronts this directly, recalling his own tongue-in-cheek sentiment about failing to even get an offer for his soul. His perspective has evolved, shifting from concern over commercialism to a focus on authentic communication. He introduces the concept of “spiritual materialism,” borrowed from Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, to describe the pitfall of prioritizing material success within a creative or spiritual endeavor. In the context of songwriting, this translates to questioning whether the drive for a hit might overshadow the deeper purpose of connecting with the listener on an emotional and meaningful level.
Gillette reflects on the temptation to employ songwriting “tricks” – manipulative lyrics or calculated moves designed to appeal to a broad audience. He shares an anecdote of a songwriter friend who crafted a love song with interchangeable names, highlighting the kind of formulaic approach that can undermine genuine artistry. However, Gillette also defends “Bed of Roses” against accusations of being overly saccharine or manipulative. He acknowledges the song’s flattering and perhaps even patronizing undertones in its opening lines, but argues for the intent behind the “blarney.” He posits that listeners, particularly in the context of a romantic song, might appreciate and even forgive flattery if it’s delivered with a sense of playful poetics and genuine effort at connection. It’s about striking a balance between crafting a commercially viable song and maintaining artistic integrity.
Unveiling the Layers: Lyrical and Symbolic Depth
While the literal language of “Bed of Roses” might not be its most groundbreaking aspect, the song operates effectively on a symbolic level. Gillette emphasizes this, noting that the symbolic language at play was not entirely conscious during the songwriting process. This speaks to the often-mysterious nature of creativity, where deeper meanings can emerge organically, even beyond the songwriter’s explicit intent. Words carry layers of meaning – literal, figurative, and associative – and these layers contribute to the overall impact of the song. The phrase “bed of roses” itself is a powerful metaphor, instantly conjuring images of comfort, luxury, and romance. However, the song subtly subverts the cliché by presenting this idyllic space not as a constant state, but as a refuge, a “peaceful shelter only love can provide,” suggesting that such havens are precious and perhaps fleeting.
Harmonic Language: The Musical Bed
Beyond the lyrics, the musical arrangement of “Bed of Roses” plays a crucial role in its emotional resonance. Gillette delves into the harmonic structure, highlighting the use of a “secondary dominant chord” as a key element in creating musical tension and release. He explains how dominant chords naturally “resolve” to the tonic, creating a sense of completion. The secondary dominant, in this case, introduces a moment of harmonic yearning for a chord other than the tonic, adding depth and complexity to the musical phrase. Specifically, Gillette points to the line “one of these nights when we’re sharing a dream,” where an F# major chord (the secondary dominant) is used to create tension that resolves to a B chord (the dominant), ultimately leading back to the home key of E. This sophisticated harmonic movement underpins the emotional arc of the lyrics, adding a layer of musical storytelling. He also praises the band Chesapeake’s creative arrangement, which subtly shifts the chords and bass line, demonstrating the song’s adaptability and potential for reinterpretation.
From Page to Performance: A Song’s Journey
The metaphor of a “bed of roses,” while potentially “unforgivable” in its idealized romanticism (no thorns mentioned!), is ultimately rendered acceptable, even compelling, through the song’s overall effect. Gillette points to the power of melody as a crucial factor, capable of elevating even humble lyrics and conveying profound emotional messages. The success of “Bed of Roses” is a testament to this alchemy of lyric, melody, and arrangement.
The song’s journey from songwriting session to hit record is a fascinating one. Mel Tillis was the first artist to take a chance on “Bed of Roses,” paving the way for others. Mickey Gilley and The Oak Ridge Boys followed, and Jerry Jeff Walker and Chuck Pyle also embraced the song. However, it was Kenny Rogers’ rendition, a duet with Linda Davis, that catapulted “Bed of Roses” to widespread recognition. Gillette reveals that Rogers was the artist they had envisioned singing the song from its inception, highlighting the often-unconscious process of imagining a song’s ideal interpreter during its creation. The phenomenal success of Kenny Rogers’ version, amassing over three million plays online, underscores the song’s broad appeal and enduring quality.
The Enduring Bloom: Why “Bed of Roses” Resonates
Looking through comments on Kenny Rogers’ recording, Gillette was deeply moved by the personal stories and interpretations shared by listeners. He discovered a dimension of the song that transcended the songwriters’ original intentions – its capacity to offer comfort in loneliness and loss. He connects this to Elizabeth Cady Stanton’s concept of “the solitude of self” and Guy Clark’s metaphor of music as “a coat from the cold,” suggesting that “Bed of Roses” provides a similar kind of solace and emotional warmth. The symbolism of roses themselves, with their varied meanings from passionate love (red) to delicate affection (pink), adds another layer of richness to the song’s interpretation. While Gillette and Benson may not have consciously intended to tap into this complex symbolism, the song’s enduring appeal lies, in part, in its ability to resonate with these deeper, often unspoken, emotions.
“Bed of Roses,” therefore, is more than just a romantic ballad. It’s a testament to the power of simple language, skillful musicality, and perhaps a touch of serendipity in creating a song that connects with listeners on multiple levels. From its cliché-inspired origins to its global reach, “Bed of Roses” continues to bloom in the hearts of listeners, offering a metaphorical sanctuary of love and comfort in a world that isn’t always so rosy. Explore the song, listen to the different interpretations, and discover your own meaning within its enduring melody and heartfelt lyrics.
