Red
Chris Rea Lyrics


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Put your hand in the paintbox and choose
Which one says the most about you
I would have to pick the deepest shade
The saddest shade of blue
But red is colour I'd choose
Red is colour I'd choose

I set my soul long ago and far away
Oh it's written down so deep it can never fade away
Though so many years have come and gone
Through my life one thing has stayed
An eternal light that shines clean through the grey

Red is colour I'd choose
Deepest red on a sky of deepest blue
It don't matter now if I should win
If I should win or lose
'cause red is colour I'd choose
If I waste my time away waiting just for you
I don't care what others say
'cause baby I just love, love what you do

Red is colour I'd choose
Deepest red on a sky of deepest blue
It don't matter now if I should win




If I should win or lose
'cause red is colour I'd choose

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Chris Rea's song "Red" are all about choice and the importance of making choices that reflect who you are as a person. The first verse encourages the listener to "put your hand in the paintbox and choose" which color "says the most about you". Chris Rea admits that he would choose the "saddest shade of blue", but then declares that "red is color I'd choose". This may suggest that he is drawn to passion and intensity over sadness, perhaps indicating a desire to live life to the fullest.


In the second verse, Rea makes a more personal statement about the choice he made long ago to "set his soul" in a particular direction. He claims that no matter how many years pass, there is an "eternal light that shines clean through the grey" and that this is the reason he continues to choose the color red. To him, it symbolizes passion, intensity, and a commitment to living life on his own terms.


Overall, the song is a celebration of individuality and the importance of staying true to oneself, even when the world around you may try to convince you otherwise. The color red is a symbol of passion and strength, and Rea suggests that it's a color worth choosing, no matter what the consequences may be.


Line by Line Meaning

Put your hand in the paintbox and choose
Pick a color from the paintbox that truly represents who you are.


Which one says the most about you
Choose a color from the paintbox that reflects your personality and character traits the most.


I would have to pick the deepest shade
Personally, I prefer the darkest hue available in the paintbox.


The saddest shade of blue
I believe the darkest shade of blue represents sadness and despair.


But red is colour I'd choose
Despite my preference for blue, I would ultimately choose the color red.


I set my soul long ago and far away
My soul has been set on a particular path and purpose for a long time, in a place far removed from where I am now.


Oh it's written down so deep it can never fade away
This purpose is ingrained so deeply in my being that it can never be forgotten or erased.


Though so many years have come and gone
Even after the passage of countless years, this purpose remains true and unwavering.


Through my life one thing has stayed
Despite changes that have occurred throughout my life, this singular purpose has remained constant and true.


An eternal light that shines clean through the grey
This purpose is like an ever-present light that cuts through the darkness and uncertainty of life.


If I waste my time away waiting just for you
Rather than pursuing my personal goals and needs, I may find myself waiting for someone else.


I don't care what others say
Despite the opinions of others, I will pursue whatever brings me joy and fulfillment.


'cause baby I just love, love what you do
Because I have such a strong emotional connection to this person, their wishes and desires hold much greater importance for me.


Deepest red on a sky of deepest blue
If I were to choose a color, it would be a deep shade of red set against a backdrop of dark blue.


It don't matter now if I should win
Ultimately, achieving some sort of victory or success may not matter as much as following my true desires and passions.


If I should win or lose
Whether I end up succeeding or failing does not matter as much as following my heart and being true to myself.


'cause red is colour I'd choose
Regardless of any other considerations, I would ultimately choose the color red as the one that best represents who I am.




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHRISTOPHER ANTON REA

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Cheyenne Agnes

Mettez votre main dans la boîte de peinture et choisissez
Lequel dit le plus à propos de vous
Je devrais choisir l'ombre la plus profonde
L'ombre la plus triste de bleu
Mais le rouge est la couleur que je choisirais
Le rouge est la couleur que je choisirais

J'ai mis mon âme depuis longtemps et loin
Oh, il est écrit si profond qu'il ne peut jamais disparaître
Bien que tant d'années soient venues et disparues
Au fil de ma vie, une chose est restée
Une lumière éternelle qui brille à travers le gris

Le rouge est la couleur que je choisirais
Rouge le plus profond sur un ciel bleu le plus profond
Peu importe maintenant si je devais gagner
Si je devais gagner ou perdre
'Cos rouge est la couleur que je choisirais
Si je perds mon temps d'attente, je vous attends
Je m'en fiche de ce que les autres disent
'Cos baby J'adore, aime ce que tu fais

Le rouge est la couleur que je choisirais
Rouge le plus profond sur un ciel bleu le plus profond
Peu importe maintenant si je devais gagner
Si je devais gagner ou perdre
'Cos rouge est la couleur que je choisirais



All comments from YouTube:

Steven Marshall

The greateat of many great CHRIS REA songs.
IT SOARS & TAKES ALL
ALONG FOR THE RIDE.

Ricardo Gordón

Rojo como el vino rojo como la sangre que bien suena ❤️🌹

Marie Thiers

Another masterpiece by Chris Rea!!!

JimPanse0612

that song is really a masterpiece, a real gem. from the very first note to the last tone it has such an increasing and thrilling Tension, especially the great solos, that I get a gooseskin, really rare!

Eddie Chilvers

Brings back memories of lying on a beach in the South of France. This is the song that opened me up to Chris Rea moved me so much then and continues to do so.

Gizelle Arnott

Your voice makes me happy great song love it just want to listen to you all day...quite often do 😊🎼🎤🎸❤⚘

Helena Hillström

Wonderfull song , masterly done I love itChris Rea 1

Rayany Sander

Amo a música a voz, tinha que ter tradução.

John Mikles

I have loved this one for a while!

Mario Andreano

Chris Rea one of the best slide guitarists ever. Vocals and everything else amazing. The west had the chance to sign him . They said change your name to Benny Santini . He basically said Fuck you . Im Me Cris Rea. My hats off to you for your integrity Chris. Love you. Way to stand your ground.

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