Living Colour rose to fame with their debut album Vivid in 1988. Although the band scored a number of hits, they are best remembered for their signature anthem "Cult of Personality", which won a Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance in 1990. They were also named Best New Artist at the 1989 MTV Video Music Awards and won their second Grammy Award for their follow-up album Time's Up. After disbanding in 1995, Living Colour reunited in late 2000.
Bi
Living Colour Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But you'd rather relax, kick back, enjoy the ride
There's a category if you're straight or gay
You're a wild card gambler and you like it both ways
Everybody wants you when you're bi
Looking at the girls and eyeing all the guys
Everybody loves you when you're bi
My lover told me, well, that she's bi
I wanted to scream, there were tears in my eyes
She said baby, baby, don't you cry
'Cause the one I am with, you've been seeing on the side
Everybody wants you when you're bi
Eating with the girls and laughing with the guys
Everybody loves you when you're bi
But the tension and the passion's double amplified
Everybody wants you when you're bi
Feeling all the girls and touching all the guys
Well, everybody loves you when you're bi
Well a friend of a friend of a friend told me
Everybody's messed up with their sexuality
Well a friend of a friend of a friend told me
I need a closet big enough to live in
A closet for the whole world to live in
I want a closet big enough to live in
A closet for the whole world to live in
Everybody wants you when you're bi
Loving all the girls and loving all the guys
Everybody needs you when you're bi
But the tension and the passion's double amplified
Everybody wants you
That's right
Everybody needs you
Um-hum
Everybody likes you
I'll bet
Everybody loves you
Everybody, yeah
Everybody
Everybody, come on now
Everybody, not me
Everybody, who
Everybody, yeah
Everybody, come on now
Everybody
Well everybody loves you
Bi
Licking all the girls
Licking all the guys
Everybody's fucked up with their sexuality
You like it both ways
Like it both ways
Bi
Living Colour's song Bi tackles the subject of bisexuality in a society that is quick to label and judge people based on their sexual orientation. The song highlights the pressure that bisexual individuals face from society to pick a side, whether straight or gay, while they simply want to enjoy their life and love who they want. The lyrics describe the double standard faced by bisexual people who are both desired and ostracized, often making it difficult to fully embrace their identity.
The song further touches on the complexities of relationships when one partner comes out as bisexual. The singer's lover tells him she is bi, and he initially struggles with it, feeling threatened and betrayed. However, she reassures him that her love for him has not changed, and she can love both men and women. The lyrics showcase the importance of communication and acceptance in relationships while also challenging the preconceived notions society has about bisexuality.
Living Colour's song Bi is a powerful statement that challenges society's narrow-minded views on sexuality and celebrates individuality. The song challenges the idea of labeling people based on their sexual orientation and encourages people to embrace their identity, regardless of societal expectations.
Line by Line Meaning
People, if they choose you, then they want you to decide
People often want you to make decisions for them, but you'd rather just take it as it comes
But you'd rather relax, kick back, enjoy the ride
You don't want to get caught up in the drama or stress of decision making
There's a category if you're straight or gay
Society likes to put people into categories such as straight or gay
You're a wild card gambler and you like it both ways
But you don't fit neatly into either category, you're a risk taker who likes both men and women
Everybody wants you when you're bi
People are attracted to you because you like both men and women
Looking at the girls and eyeing all the guys
You find both men and women to be equally attractive
But the tension and the passion's double amplified
Your attraction to both men and women is intense and passionate
My lover told me, well, that she's bi
Your partner reveals to you that she also likes men and women
I wanted to scream, there were tears in my eyes
You feel overwhelmed with emotion and uncertainty
She said baby, baby, don't you cry
Your partner tries to reassure you and comfort you
'Cause the one I am with, you've been seeing on the side
Your partner admits to being involved with someone else you've been seeing
Eating with the girls and laughing with the guys
You enjoy the company of both men and women equally
Feeling all the girls and touching all the guys
You enjoy physical relationships with both men and women
Well a friend of a friend of a friend told me
You've heard rumors about other people who are also attracted to both men and women
Everybody's messed up with their sexuality
People struggle with understanding and accepting their own sexuality
I need a closet big enough to live in
You feel the need to hide your true identity from others
A closet for the whole world to live in
You feel like the entire world wants you to hide your true self
Everybody needs you when you're bi
People want to be close to you because of your unique perspective
Loving all the girls and loving all the guys
You have the capability to love and be attracted to people of any gender
Everybody likes you
People enjoy being around you and find you interesting
Everybody loves you
People care deeply for you and value your presence in their lives
Bi
You embrace your identity as a person who likes both men and women
Licking all the girls
You enjoy intimate relationships with women
Licking all the guys
You enjoy intimate relationships with men
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: VERNON REID, WILL CALHOUN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Soul74
David Bowie mentioned this song in an interview and called it “brilliant.”
@leannamacfarlane4288
... *HA*! #cheeky Placebo'd like it. I guess. 🙄 😉 👍
@PJIFKDRuMs
Because it’s really brilliant!
@PJIFKDRuMs
Hi, David! Maybe some collaboration?
@Rensra
Song was WAAAAY ahead of its time; much like Living Colour: telling us the tales of the unheard and the unrecognized in such a hardcore and artistic matter 😘🤌
@whitetransgirlwithdreads
Living Colour never really got the notice they deserved.
@johnIZaUWL
You'd think opening for THE ROLLING STONES would've made WAY MORE people notice😳😳😳
@nicolerh1975
I saw them open for the Stone back in '89 in LA. I was already a fan, but the Stones fans around me were not to interested. Too bad. Been a fan since Vivid, one of the first CDs I ever bought.
@crieverytim
um, they were a black hardrock band signing about being BI in 93... most people wouldn't touch them.
@TRANZEURO
I agree,but they certainly got a lot more notice than Fishbone....