Colourless Colour
La Roux畯 Lyrics
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But I can't see it at all
You know me well, but I don't know you at all
No, I don't know you at all
It's always just on the horizon
So my hopes rise and fall
You know me well, but I don't know you at all
No, I don't know you at all
Early '90s decor
It was the day for
We wanted to play
But we had nothing left to play for
Colourless color
Once in fashion, soon to be scene
Once in fashion, soon to be scene
Been dreaming of blue skies
New horizon and sides from my eyes
The discovery of the unknown
Is something to tell the folks back home
I want to get away
To feel the sun on my skin
To feel it really
Sinking in
Early '90s decor
It was the day for
We wanted to play
But we had nothing left to play for
Colourless color
Once in fashion, soon to be scene
Once in fashion, soon to be scene
Early '90s decor
It was the day for
We wanted to play
But we had nothing left to play for
Colourless color
Once in fashion, soon to be scene
Early '90s decor
It was the day for
We wanted to play
But we had nothing left to play for
Colourless color
Once in fashion, soon to be rediscovered
"Colourless Colour" by La Roux is a song that explores the idea of unfulfilled promises and lack of direction. The song opens with the singer acknowledging that someone has told her that change is coming, but she cannot see it. The person knows her well, but she doesn't know them at all, capturing the sense of detachment and disconnection. The lyrics then describe the frustration of constantly waiting for something that appears to be just out of reach, causing her hopes to rise and fall. The repetition of "You know me well, but I don't know you at all" suggests a sense of confusion and lack of control.
The song continues with a description of early 90s decor, creating an image of nostalgia for a time that has passed. The singer remembers wanting to play, but having nothing left to play for, emphasizing a lack of direction and purpose. The use of "Colourless Colour" as a hook captures this emptiness and lack of substance. The song takes a positive turn in the final verse as the singer dreams of blue skies and new horizons. She wants to get away and feel the sun on her skin truly. However, the uncertainty and lack of control remain, as the discovery of the unknown is merely something to tell the folks back home.
The song is a poignant reflection on the constant pursuit of change, and the sense of emptiness that can result when it doesn't come. The shifting tone from melancholy to hopeful captures the rollercoaster of emotions that comes with this uncertainty.
Line by Line Meaning
You say it's coming
Someone tells the singer that something is coming, but she cannot see any evidence of it yet.
But I can't see it at all
Despite being told that something is coming, the singer cannot perceive it.
You know me well, but I don't know you at all
The singer's connection to the person who told her about the coming thing is strained; she feels that they know her better than she knows them.
No, I don't know you at all
Reiterated uncertainty regarding the aforementioned person.
It's always just on the horizon
The thing that is coming—an opportunity, perhaps—is never quite within reach; it always seems to be just out of grasp.
So my hopes rise and fall
The singer's emotions follow the ups and downs of the prospect of the coming thing.
Early '90s decor
A reference to a specific aesthetic style from the 1990s.
It was the day for
An understated sense of nostalgia for a time when the aesthetic was more in vogue.
We wanted to play
A general sense of youthful desire to engage in something enjoyable.
But we had nothing left to play for
Despite the desire to engage in something satisfying, there was no meaningful opportunity to do so.
Colourless color
The singer notes the paradoxical nature of a color that is devoid of hue.
Once in fashion, soon to be scene
An acknowledgement of the transience of trends and preferences. What was previously fashionable will soon be rejected, and vice versa.
Been dreaming of blue skies
The singer expresses a longing for better times, literally and metaphorically (blue skies being a ubiquitous symbol of hope).
New horizon and sides from my eyes
The singer anticipates an opportunity to experience a new perspective, or to gain new insight.
The discovery of the unknown
The prospect of uncovering something new or unfamiliar is a motivating force for the singer.
Is something to tell the folks back home
Whatever the artist discovers, it is something that she would be eager to share with others upon returning home.
I want to get away
The singer feels a strong desire to escape from her current circumstances.
To feel the sun on my skin
A physical sensation that evokes emotions of joy and freedom in the singer.
To feel it really
The singer wants to experience the sensation intensely and deeply.
Sinking in
The desirable state of fully immersing oneself in an experience or feeling.
Once in fashion, soon to be scene
Reiterated commentary on the fickle nature of trends and preferences, and the inevitability of change over time.
Once in fashion, soon to be rediscovered
An optimistic perspective on the cyclical nature of popular culture: what was once popular may become popular again in the future.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., BMG Rights Management
Written by: ELLY JACKSON, BEN HIRST
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind