The Frankfurt/Germany based five-piece COLOURFUL GREY was founded in 2001 a… Read Full Bio ↴The Frankfurt/Germany based five-piece COLOURFUL GREY was founded in 2001 and split up in May 2007.

COLOURFUL GREY have been well known for their energetic live shows even beyond the German borders. After selling out two EPs, they released their debut album "It’s so o.k." via Triple Eggs Records in 2003, followed up by several tours in Germany and another one, which lead them to the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, where the staff of Lockjaw Records visited one of their shows and signed them right away. With the support of this experienced label they have released their second album worldwide in October 2005. They played with numerous national and international Bands, from Tribute to Nothing, over Brandtson to Boy Sets Fire. But instead of a third Album they self-released an EP called "The very last CD" in 2007. The sold out record release show in Frankfurt was also their last show as a Band. Members went on to play in The Water Safety and Sometimes Go.

The sound of COLOURFUL GREY can be classified as melancholic and up-tempo indie punk rock, whereas influences from the Post-Punk/Wave era can be heard as well as from the American College-/Emo wave of the 90s. Philipp Lemhöfer’s conspicuous voice underlines the music with poetic and humorous lyrics about love, desperation and overcoming.

Sleeping Beauty
Colourful Grey Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Look at my hands
They are tightened by the fear of doing wrong
My mouth is shut
Weakened by the fear of being misunderstood

We're strangers on the phone
Safe when we're alone
Hang up and say goodnight

Give in without a fight

Awake in me
Sleeping Beauty
The comfort of leaving and letting go
The passion of walking away
And I will do it

A pocket full of hope
Destination anywhere
Where do I have to get off?
Watched the trees passing by

At the moment when a sillhouette
Stepped right into the door

Overall Meaning

In Colourful Grey's song Sleeping Beauty, the singer is describing their fear of failure and their fear of not being heard. The first verse describes the tightness of their hands due to fear of doing something wrong, and the weakness of their voice as a result of fear of being misunderstood. In the second verse, the singer talks about the ease of communication over the phone as opposed to in person, and the decision to give in to the other person's demands without a fight. The chorus then introduces the concept of the "Sleeping Beauty", which represents the comfort of leaving and letting go, as well as the passion of walking away. The singer ends the chorus with a declaration that they will do it.

Overall, the song seems to be about the conflicts and fears that arise when trying to communicate or make decisions, and the importance of finding the courage to do what you know is right for yourself.

Line by Line Meaning

Look at my hands
I am anxious and fearful of making a mistake

They are tightened by the fear of doing wrong
My hands are tense due to my fear of making a wrong decision

My mouth is shut
I feel silenced in expressing myself

Weakened by the fear of being misunderstood
I am afraid of being judged and misinterpreted by others

We're strangers on the phone
Our communication is distant and impersonal

Safe when we're alone
We feel secure only in our isolation

Hang up and say goodnight
We part ways without truly connecting

Give in without a fight
We surrender without standing up for what we truly believe in

Awake in me
I am filled with newfound energy and inspiration

Sleeping Beauty
I am ready to awaken from my slumber and take action

The comfort of leaving and letting go
I find peace and solace in moving on from what once held me back