About The Song
“Love Is a Rose” was released by Linda Ronstadt as a single on August 19, 1975, via Asylum Records. It serves as the opening track on her album Prisoner in Disguise, issued on September 15, 1975. Produced by Peter Asher, the song runs 2:44 and features a bright, accessible country-rock arrangement. Herb Pedersen’s crisp banjo picking leads the way, supported by acoustic guitar from Andrew Gold, handclaps from Asher and Gold, Russell Kunkel’s understated drums, and a delicate harp solo by Jim Connor. Backing vocals from Pedersen and Kenny Edwards add warm layers that keep the focus on Ronstadt’s clear, inviting lead vocal.
Written by Neil Young, the track originated from a 1974 demo he recorded at Broken Arrow Ranch for his then-unreleased album Homegrown (finally issued in 2020). Young passed the song directly to Ronstadt, who instantly connected with its metaphor and placed it as the album’s lead-off cut.
The lyrics deliver a gentle but firm warning about possessive love through a floral image: “Love is a rose but you better not pick it / Only grows when it’s on the vine / Handful of thorns and you know you’ve missed it / Lose your love when you say the word ‘mine.’” The verses expand on the idea that trying to own love destroys its beauty, while the repeating chorus—“Love is a rose”—carries a deceptively upbeat melody that softens the cautionary message. The song urges freedom and patience rather than control, turning a simple botanical truth into a universal relationship lesson.
The single climbed to No. 5 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart and reached No. 63 on the Hot 100, giving Ronstadt strong country radio momentum. Prisoner in Disguise peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 and No. 2 on Top Country Albums, with the track helping anchor the record’s blend of rock, country, and pop.
Ronstadt performed it regularly in 1975–1976 concerts, where the banjo-driven groove and sing-along chorus made it a live favorite. It has appeared on compilations including Greatest Hits and various anthologies, remaining a staple in playlists of her mid-1970s era.
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Lyric
Love is a rose but you better not pick it
Only grows when it’s on the vine
Handful of thorns and you’ll know you’ve missed it
Lose your love when you say the word mine
I want to see what’s never been seen
I want to live that age-old dream
Come on boy let’s go together
Let’s take the best right now
Love is a rose but you better not pick it
Only grows when it’s on the vine
Handful of thorns and you’ll know you’ve missed it
Lose your love when you say the word mine
I want to go to an old hoedown
Long ago in a western town
Pick me up ’cause my feet are dragging
Give me a lift and I’ll hay your wagon
Love is a rose but you better not pick it
Only grows when it’s on the vine
Handful of thorns and you’ll know you’ve missed it
Lose your love when you say the word mine
Love is a rose but you better not pick it
Only grows when it’s on the vine
Handful of thorns and you’ll know you’ve missed it
Lose your love when you say the word mine
Mine
Love is a rose
Love is a rose
Love is a rose
Love is a rose
Love is a rose
Love is a rose
Love is a rose
Love is a rose
Love is a rose
Love is a rose
Love is a rose
Love is a rose
Love is a rose
Love is a rose