You’ve probably heard it. That fuzzy, warm bassline that sounds like it was recorded in a wood-paneled room in 1971. It hits you like a soft velvet blanket. We’re talking about the Can I Call You Rose song by Thee Sacred Souls, a track that basically rewrote the rules for modern lowrider soul. It’s rare for a song to feel both brand new and fifty years old at the same time, yet here we are.
Honestly, the first time I heard it, I thought it was a lost B-side from a Motown vault. It isn't. It was released in 2020.
Thee Sacred Souls—a trio out of San Diego consisting of Josh Lane, Sal Samano, and Alex Amendola—tapped into something primal with this one. It’s not just "retro" for the sake of being trendy. It's authentic. It’s what happens when musicians stop trying to over-produce everything and just let the groove breathe.
The Story Behind the Can I Call You Rose Song
It started with a groove. Sal and Alex were messing around with a rhythm track before Josh Lane even stepped into the picture. When Josh finally heard the instrumental, the lyrics supposedly flowed out almost instantly. He has this silky, sweet tenor that evokes the spirit of Smokey Robinson or maybe even a hint of Marvin Gaye, but with a California coolness that belongs entirely to him.
The song was released via Daptone Records’ subsidiary, Penrose Records. If you know anything about Daptone, you know they don't do digital shortcuts. They use analog tape. They use vintage mics. They want that hiss. They want the imperfections. That’s why the Can I Call You Rose song sounds so heavy and grounded. It’s not "clean." It’s real.
The lyrics are deceptively simple. It’s a classic "boy meets girl" scenario, but framed through the metaphor of a flower. "Can I call you Rose? 'Cause you're as sweet as the flower in bloom." It’s almost innocent. In an era where most R&B is hyper-sexualized or drenched in trap beats, this felt like a radical act of sweetness. People were starving for it.
Why TikTok Made It a Monster
Let's be real for a second. Great songs don't always become hits on their own anymore. The Can I Call You Rose song became a global phenomenon largely because of social media. It became the de facto soundtrack for "aesthetic" videos. You’ve seen them: people making coffee in slow motion, vintage car cruises through East LA, or just couples showing off their thrift store finds.
The song has a "vibe" that is impossible to hate. It’s the ultimate "mellow out" track.
💡 You might also like: Why Love Island Season 7 Episode 23 Still Feels Like a Fever Dream
But it’s more than just a background jingle for influencers. It connected with the Chicano soul community in a massive way. San Diego and Los Angeles have this deep-rooted history with "Oldies but Goodies"—the kind of music played at swap meets and car shows. Thee Sacred Souls stepped right into that lineage. They weren't outsiders mimicking the style; they were part of the culture.
Dissecting the Sound: Analog Heat and Slow Tempos
What makes it work? Basically, it’s the "pocket." In drumming terms, the pocket is that sweet spot where the beat feels relaxed but steady. The drums on the Can I Call You Rose song are incredibly dry. There’s no massive reverb on the snare. It’s tight.
Then you have the guitar. It’s clean, slightly chirpy, and plays these little melodic stabs that dance around Josh’s vocals.
- The Bass: It’s the heartbeat. It’s melodic, almost like a lead instrument, which is a staple of 60s soul.
- The Vocals: Josh Lane’s falsetto is effortless. He’s not screaming. He’s whispering in your ear.
- The Arrangement: There are no unnecessary layers. No EDM drops. No synth pads. It’s just human beings playing instruments in a room.
It’s actually quite hard to record something this simple and make it sound this good. When you have fewer instruments, every mistake is magnified. You can't hide behind a wall of sound. This track is a masterclass in restraint.
The Penrose Records Influence
Gabe Roth (also known as Bosco Mann) is the guy behind Penrose. He’s a co-founder of Daptone and a legend in the soul revival scene. He saw something in these guys. He helped them capture that "Souldies" sound that resonates so deeply with folks who grew up on Art Laboe’s radio shows.
The "Penrose Sound" is specifically a tribute to the mid-century soul coming out of places like Chicago, Philadelphia, and San Antonio. It’s soulful, but it has a specific "sweetness" to it. It’s not as gritty as Memphis soul, and not as polished as late-70s disco-soul. It sits right in that golden era of 1966 to 1971.
Why Does a Song From 2020 Feel Like a Classic?
Nostalgia is a hell of a drug. But the Can I Call You Rose song isn't just a nostalgia trip. It feels contemporary because of its sincerity. We live in a world of AI-generated melodies and ghostwritten verses. When you hear a guy singing about calling a girl a rose because she’s beautiful, it feels refreshing. It’s vulnerable.
📖 Related: When Was Kai Cenat Born? What You Didn't Know About His Early Life
There’s also the "Slow and Low" culture. If you’ve ever been to a lowrider show, you know the music is half the experience. You need songs that match the pace of a car crawling down the street at five miles per hour. This song is the perfect tempo for that. It’s built for cruising.
I've talked to people who say this song helped them get through the isolation of the early 2020s. It has a healing quality. It’s peaceful. In a chaotic world, three minutes of pure, unadulterated soul is a sanctuary.
Misconceptions About the Band
Some people think Thee Sacred Souls are just a "cover band" or a "tribute act." That’s a mistake. While they clearly love the past, their songwriting is original. They aren't just rehashing old hits; they’re writing new standards.
Another misconception? That they’re "overnight successes." Hardly. They spent years honing their craft in the San Diego scene. The chemistry between Josh, Sal, and Alex is the result of countless hours of rehearsals and a shared obsession with record collecting. You can't fake the kind of musical telepathy they have on the Can I Call You Rose song.
How to Truly Appreciate the Track
If you’ve only heard the song through your phone speakers, you’re missing out. Seriously. This is music that demands better.
- Listen on Vinyl: If you can find the 45rpm or the self-titled LP, buy it. The analog warmth is literally built into the grooves. It sounds wider, deeper, and more "alive" on a turntable.
- Watch the Live Sessions: Check out their live performances on YouTube, specifically their Tiny Desk concert or their sessions at Riverside. You’ll see that Josh Lane’s voice isn't studio magic—he actually sounds that good in person.
- Explore the Roots: If you like this, go back and listen to The Delfonics, The Moments, and Sunny & The Sunliners. You’ll hear the DNA of the Can I Call You Rose song in those records.
The song has now surpassed hundreds of millions of streams. That’s insane for a soul track on an independent label. It proves that there is still a massive audience for music that has a soul—pun intended.
What's Next for the Sound?
The success of this track has opened doors for a whole new wave of "Souldies" artists. We’re seeing a massive resurgence in the genre, with bands like The Altons, Los Yesterdays, and Joey Quinones gaining traction. The Can I Call You Rose song was the spearhead. It proved to the industry that "old" sounds can be "new" hits.
👉 See also: Anjelica Huston in The Addams Family: What You Didn't Know About Morticia
It’s also influenced fashion and film. The aesthetic of the band—sharp suits, vintage equipment, 70s typography—is being mirrored across pop culture. We are moving away from the "neon future" look and back toward something more tactile and organic.
Actionable Steps for Music Lovers
If you want to dive deeper into this world, don't just stop at one song. Use the Can I Call You Rose song as your gateway drug.
Start by building a playlist that mixes Thee Sacred Souls with the legends they admire. Put "Can I Call You Rose" right next to "La-La Means I Love You" by The Delfonics. The transition is seamless.
Support independent venues. Bands like this thrive on live energy. If they’re coming to your city, go see them. The crowd at a Sacred Souls show is one of the most diverse you’ll ever see—young kids, old soul-heads, lowriders, and indie rockers all sharing the same space.
Lastly, pay attention to the labels. Follow Penrose and Daptone Records. They are doing the hard work of keeping analog recording techniques alive in a digital world. When you buy their records, you’re voting for craftsmanship over convenience.
The Can I Call You Rose song isn't just a flash in the pan. It’s a modern classic that will likely be played at weddings, car shows, and late-night parties for the next fifty years. It’s timeless because it doesn't try to be anything other than what it is: a beautiful, simple love song.
Go put it on. Turn it up. Let that bassline wash over you. There’s nothing else quite like it.
Next Steps for Your Soul Journey:
- Search for "Souldies" playlists on your preferred streaming service to find contemporary artists with a similar vibe.
- Check out the Penrose Records catalog specifically to find the "San Diego Sound" that birthed this track.
- Invest in a mid-range turntable if you want to experience the true analog depth of the band's recordings.