The line between inspiration and imitation blurred when Hazard's song "Ponytail Girl" spread like wildfire on Napster, mislabeled as a Depeche Mode b-side. Despite both parties' efforts to set the record straight (depechemode.com went so far as to address the mix-up in their FAQ), bootleg versions of Depeche Mode's Exciter album were sold around the world with "Ponytail Girl" included as a so-called bonus track. Hazard used the incident as the basis for a tribute album to the band, Color Theory presents Depeche Mode.
Since then, Hazard has emerged from the shadow of his childhood heroes to become an artist in his own right. The Orange County Register acclaimed, "Hazard writes songs that are intensely personal and uses technology to enhance material that is as emotive as the best folk." Highlights include winning the Grand Prize in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest, two songs in the hit video game Rock Band, and several song placements on MTV's The Real World.
The offical website is at www.colortheory.com.
My Gift To You
Color Theory Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Grandma is on her way
A stocking stuffed
For each of us
Shying from the mistletoe
Gathered around the tree
Singing of Christmas dreams
That end in rhyme
Dreams far from mine
It never snows here in L.A.
And our family's not that way
Still I hold a hope inside me
That brings me here today
This is my gift to you
Open it Christmas Day
Maybe my only chance to say
Something I never had the strength to say
This is my gift to you
Father I have one wish
No endless Christmas list
No fairy tales
No verbal veils
To hide behind on Christmas Day
Certain words are hard to say
Still I have the chance
To open my heart another way
I can open my heart another way
The song "My Gift to You" by Color Theory captures the essence of a typical American Christmas celebration and narrates the experiences of the persona during the festive season. The song is centered around the persona's feelings as they spend time with their family and the adverse weather conditions in L.A. that is different from what the persona may consider a typical Christmas environment. The song opens with the arrival of an uncle and the anticipated arrival of the grandmother. The persona then mentions the snow falling and the mistletoe, to illustrate the seasonal feeling and atmosphere, which is evident amongst family members gathered around the tree.
The persona seems to feel detached and different as they are unfamiliar with their family's traditions, hence, feeling out of place. However, all the same, they hold on to a ray of hope inside of them, which brings them to join their family on this beautiful celebration. As the song progresses, the persona sings about wishing only for one thing, and that is to open their heart to their father, representing a personal message to a loved one, which the persona may not have had the strength to say until now. The persona is a true representation of every individual who feels different or apprehensive about the festive season. Yet they find the courage to place the kindest gesture of all, giving their hearts to save what's left of the Christmas spirit.
In conclusion, the song "My Gift to You" by Color Theory is a ballad that represents the beauty of Christmas, which is the families that come together as one and the heartfelt conversations that take place during the festive seasons. The song portrays the emotions that come with the Christmas season, and it is relatable to anyone who has gone through feelings of detachment or unfamiliar with their family traditions during Christmas.
Line by Line Meaning
Uncle flew in today
My uncle came to visit today
Grandma is on her way
My grandma is coming to visit soon
A stocking stuffed
A stocking filled with goodies
For each of us
Each of us got a stocking filled with goodies
Dizzy from the falling snow
Feeling dizzy from the snowfall
Shying from the mistletoe
Feeling shy during the Christmas season
Gathered around the tree
We are all sitting near the Christmas tree
Singing of Christmas dreams
We are singing about our Christmas dreams
That end in rhyme
Our Christmas dreams end with words that rhyme
Dreams far from mine
My Christmas dreams are different from the others
It never snows here in L.A.
It does not snow in Los Angeles
And our family's not that way
Our family is not like other families
Still I hold a hope inside me
I still have hope within me
That brings me here today
That's why I am here today
This is my gift to you
This is my present for you
Open it Christmas day
Unwrap it on Christmas day
Maybe my only chance to say
This might be my only chance to say
Something I never had the strength to say
Something I never had the courage to say
Father, I have one wish
Dad, I have one desire
No endless Christmas list
Not asking for too much this Christmas
No fairy tales
No unrealistic stories
No verbal veils
No hidden meanings behind my words
To hide behind on Christmas Day
To conceal myself on Christmas day
Certain words are hard to say
Some words are difficult to say
Still I have the chance
I still have an opportunity
To open my heart another way
To reveal my feelings in a different way
Contributed by Lincoln V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
mitvoid
This is so good in so many ways! Your voice, the composition, the sound is so crisp and clear. It deserves so much more attention! All the best for you!
Color Theory
Thanks!
Angela B
So Sweet 💝!!! Loving it✨
Color Theory
Thanks Angela!
Shrekfull
U followed me on twitter thanks
Color Theory
My pleasure!