Dreamin' In Color Livin' In Black & White
Billy Ray Cyrus Lyrics

Well there's a cruel sun beating
The sun is scorching, making life miserable

Where there once was a river
The river has dried up due to the harsh sun

Crops are bending in the heat
The crops are wilting and bending due to the heat

But still her dark skin shivers
Although she is hot, the coldness within her remains due to tough circumstances

When you move to the beat of hungry
Life is a struggle and one has to keep moving to survive

It's a slow aching journey
Life is difficult and full of pain that persists over time

She'd hide but there ain't no shelter
Although she wishes to escape from hardships, there is nowhere to go

Yet the cool of the night
Even though the days are hot, the cool of the night brings some relief

Reveals the spark of the sweeter life
At night, there is hope for a better future and it keeps her going

So she dreamin' in color and livin' in black and white
She imagines a brighter future while living in harsh realities

[Chorus] Dreamin' in color livin' in stone cold black and white
The contrast between the hopeful dreams and bleak reality

Sittin' a grey day leanin' on a bright new tomorrow
On dull, uneventful days, one can still hope for a better future

Where some rainbow rules will make everything all right
Imagining a future where there is happiness and prosperity

She ain't about to let the blues over come her
She won't let difficulties drag her down emotionally

She'll contend with this day to day life
She will face each day as it comes

She's just dreamin' in color and livin' in black and white
She is hopeful of dramatic improvements while living tough realities

Well it's a gunshot down
The environment is dangerous with gunshots frequently heard

Here in the heart of the city
This is the city center or a dense urban area with many people

He slides closer to his mama
He seeks comfort and safety close to his mother

It's months since they've seen daddy
The father, possibly working elsewhere, has not been present for months

There's a pale light shinin'
The lighting in the house is poor and dim

From a bare refrigerator
There is little to eat as the refrigerator is empty

By the stained cracked plaster
The walls are not well-maintained and are dirty and cracked

By the cold radiator
The radiator is cold, and there is no warmth in the house

But he's sure out beyond these mean streets
He has dreams of a better life outside of this dangerous part of town

There lies paradise
This idealized place beyond the mean streets is paradise

So he's dreamin' in color and livin' in black and white
He imagines a better future while bearing harsh realities

[Chorus]
The contrasts and aspirations of harsh realities with hopeful dreams

He ain't about to let the blues over come him
He won't let the hardships defeat him emotionally

He'll contend with this day to day life
He will take each day as it comes

He's just dreamin' in color and livin' in black and white
He dreams of a better future while living troubles

They ain't about to let the blues over come them
They won't let the harsh realities defeat them emotionally

They'll contend with this day life
They'll face each day as it comes

They're just dreamin' in color and livin' in black and white
Their lives are bleak, but they dream of a bright future

Dreamin' in color livin' in stone cold black and white [Repeat: x4]
Reiterating the primary message on dreams and harsh realities