Living Colour is an American rock band from New York City, formed in 1984. … Read Full Bio ↴Living Colour is an American rock band from New York City, formed in 1984. Stylistically, the band's music is a creative fusion influenced by heavy metal, funk, jazz, hip-hop, punk, and alternative rock. Their lyrics range from the personal to the political, including social commentary on racism in America.

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.

The Ocean
Living Colour Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Singing in the sunshine, laughing in the rain
Hitting on the moonshine, rocking in the grain
Got no time to pack my bags, my foots outside the door
Got a date, I can't be late, for the high hopes hailla ball.

Singing to an ocean, I can hear the ocean's roar
Play for free, play for me and play a whole lot more, more!
Singing about good things and the sun that lights the day

I used to sing on the mountains, has the ocean lost it's way.

Sitting round singing songs 'til the night turns into day
Used to sing on the mountains but the mountains washed away

Now I'm singing all my songs to the girl who won my heart
She is only three years old and it's a real fine way to start.

Overall Meaning

Living Colour’s “The Ocean” has lyrics that seem to be about pursuing high hopes, enjoying nature, making music, and passing on values to a younger generation. The opening lines juxtapose the enjoyment of different weather conditions, suggesting a carefree attitude towards life. The singer then expresses the urgency of leaving in order to make a commitment to a social event. The following lines demonstrate a love of music, as the singer claims to hear the ocean’s roar and requests more music to be played, hinting at a desire for greater emotional intensity. The ocean is also a metaphor for a lost way of life, one in which the singer used to sing on the mountains. The third and final verse is perhaps the most poignant; the singer admits to spending time singing through the night and mentions the disappearance of the mountains, implying the passage of time and the inevitability of change. Nevertheless, the singer finds meaning in passing on his values to his child, who is three years old, thereby entrusting the future to the next generation.

Line by Line Meaning

Singing in the sunshine, laughing in the rain
Enjoying life's ups and downs

Hitting on the moonshine, rocking in the grain
Partying and having a good time

Got no time to pack my bags, my foots outside the door
Ready to go on an adventure at a moment's notice

Got a date, I can't be late, for the high hopes hailla ball.
Excited for a special event

Singing to an ocean, I can hear the ocean's roar
Feeling connected to nature

Play for free, play for me and play a whole lot more, more!
Enjoying music and wanting more of it

Singing about good things and the sun that lights the day
Being optimistic and positive

I used to sing on the mountains, has the ocean lost it's way.
Questioning the current state of things and searching for answers

Sitting round singing songs 'til the night turns into day
Appreciating the power of music to bring people closer

Used to sing on the mountains but the mountains washed away
Reflecting on past experiences and how things change

Now I'm singing all my songs to the girl who won my heart
Finding joy in love and family