With their smooth three part harmonies, collegiate appeal, and trademark striped shirts The Kingston Trio single-handedly revolutionized folk and pop music in America. Between the years of 1957-1967, Bob Shane, Nick Reynolds, and Dave Guard (who in 1961 was replaced by John Stewart), created a musical legacy that no other folk group has equalled or surpassed. The Kingston Trio has never failed to leave audiences energized and begging for more.
Until the advent of the Beatles in 1964, The Kingston Trio ruled the pop charts. They were the first act to sell more LP records than singles, placing 14 of their LP records in the "Top 10." One of those top ten made it to #1, redefining the group forever. The song that earned the Trio their first Grammy and catapulted them into the spotlight, was the legendary folk tune, "Tom Dooley." With the American public's desire to hear more music of the same kind, the folk era had been ushered into the limelight, leaving label exec's scrambling to imitate the Trio's distinct sound. Before long, the world was itching to hear the Trio live and be a part of their unparalled success.
Despite the Trio's immense popularity, today most of the Kingston Trio albums available on CD are compilations of the group's greatest hits. However, Folk Era Records has released one never before heard Kingston Trio album -"An Evening With The Kingston Trio," and re-issued two of the Trio's last three studio albums, "Stay Awhile" and "Children Of The Morning," to which eight of the twelve songs found on the third original LP "Something Else" have been added.
Colours
Kingston Trio Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the morning when we rise, in the morning when we rise
That's the time. That's the time I love the best
Blue is the color of the sky in the morning
When we rise, in the morning when we rise
That's the time. That's the time I love the best
Mellow is the feeling that I get when I'm with her
Uh huh, when I'm with her, uh huh
Freedom is a word I rarely use without thinking
Uh huh, without thinking, uh huh
'Bout the time ('bout the time), hey, 'bout the time
(Hey, 'bout the time) when I've been lost
Yellow is the color of my true love's hair
In the morning when we rise, in the morning when we rise
That's the time. That's the time I love the best
That's the time. Yeah, that's the time I love the best
The lyrics of the Kingston Trio's song, "Colours" can be interpreted as an ode to the simple pleasures in life that bring happiness and contentment. The opening line of the song, "Yellow is the color of my true love's hair," not only describes the physical appearance of the singer's love interest but also suggests the brightness and warmth that their presence brings to his life. The line "In the morning when we rise" is repeated throughout the song, emphasizing that the quiet moments spent together in the early hours of the day are the most cherished.
The next stanza begins with "Blue is the color of the sky in the morning," creating a peaceful atmosphere that is reinforced by the repetition of the phrase, "That's the time. That's the time I love the best." The word "mellow" is used to describe the feeling the singer gets when he is with his love interest. This line highlights the calming effect that being with someone who brings joy and contentment can have on a person. The final stanza brings in the concept of freedom, and how it is a word that is not used lightly. The line "when I've been lost" suggests that the moments when we have strayed from our path are the ones that make us appreciate the feeling of being free the most. The song ends as it began, with the repetition of the line "Yellow is the color of my true love's hair" and the affirmation that the morning is the time that the singer loves the best.
Line by Line Meaning
Yellow is the color of my true love's hair
Every morning when we wake up, the first thing I see is the beautiful color of my true love's hair which is yellow.
In the morning when we rise, in the morning when we rise
It is in the morning time when my true love and I start our day together.
That's the time. That's the time I love the best
The early hours of the day when we are together are the most cherished moments for me.
Blue is the color of the sky in the morning
The sky turns blue in the morning and it reminds me of the beginning of a new day with new opportunities and possibilities.
Mellow is the feeling that I get when I'm with her
Whenever I am with my true love, I feel calm, relaxed and content which is a mellow feeling.
Uh huh, when I'm with her, uh huh
I completely agree that I feel so at peace when I am with her.
Freedom is a word I rarely use without thinking
The term 'freedom' holds a lot of significance for me and I carefully think it through before using it casually in my speech.
Uh huh, without thinking, uh huh
However, sometimes I may use the term 'freedom' without completely contemplating the weight of its significance.
'Bout the time ('bout the time), hey, 'bout the time
I often ponder about the period in my past when I was unsure in life and the time when I discovered true love and companionship.
(Hey, 'bout the time) when I've been lost
I acknowledge the times when I felt unanchored and uncertain in my life journey.
That's the time. Yeah, that's the time I love the best
However, now that I have found my true love, I recognize that the early hours of the day with her are the most fulfilling and prized moments of my life.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Donovan Leitch
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
PRR5406
Nick Reynolds was a wonderful personality. The Kingston Trio is largely overlooked today, yet as much as Dylan, they influenced the shape of music from 1957 through the 1980's. If you found music with harmony as the vehicle, it was K3 influence coming through. I hope their body of work is rediscovered someday, in my lifetime.
Lars-Åke Hansson
I really liked this group thought it was just unsurpassed. I sadly remember the news of their end in
1966. I studied in Uddevalla, Sweden
at sixth form college ( High School) at the time. Since then I managed to obtain all their recordings on CD. It
really is a treasure of folk music in the late fifties and sixties.
L.Hansson
Sweden
August 26,2020
3Pitous
That's what is called" appropriation of a song".Interesting arrangement.Thanks for posting