Napalm Death is an English grindcore band that was formed in Meriden, West … Read Full Bio ↴Napalm Death is an English grindcore band that was formed in Meriden, West Midlands in 1981. Since 1986, none of the band's original members have remained in the group. However, starting from their album "Utopia Banished" (1992), the lineup of bassist Shane Embury, guitarist Mitch Harris, drummer Danny Herrera, and lead vocalist Mark "Barney" Greenway has remained consistent for most of the band's career. From 1989 to 2004, Napalm Death briefly expanded to a five-piece band when Jesse Pintado joined as a replacement for former guitarist Bill Steer. Following Pintado's departure, the band reverted to being a four-piece.

The band is recognized as pioneers of the grindcore genre, blending elements of crust punk and death metal. They are known for their noise-filled sound, characterized by distorted, down-tuned guitars, grinding overdrive bass, high-speed tempo, blast beats, and vocals consisting of incomprehensible growls or high-pitched shrieks. Their songs are exceptionally short, often featuring sociopolitical lyrics. Napalm Death gained substantial influence in the global metal community with the release of their debut album "Scum" in 1987, which was issued by Earache Records. Notably, their track "You Suffer" holds the Guinness World Record for the shortest recorded song, lasting a mere 1.316 seconds.

Over the years, Napalm Death has released sixteen studio albums and is recognized by Nielsen SoundScan as the seventh-best-selling death metal band in the United States.

Studio albums
Scum (1987)
From Enslavement to Obliteration (1988)
Harmony Corruption (1990)
Utopia Banished (1992)
Fear, Emptiness, Despair (1994)
Diatribes (1996)
Inside the Torn Apart (1997)
Words from the Exit Wound (1998)
Enemy of the Music Business (2000)
Order of the Leech (2002)
The Code Is Red...Long Live the Code (2005)
Smear Campaign (2006)
Time Waits for No Slave (2009)
Utilitarian (2012)
Apex Predator - Easy Meat (2015)
Throes of Joy in the Jaws of Defeatism (2020)

Changing Colours
Napalm Death Lyrics

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Adapting to different surroundings,
Changing your views day by day,
Too critical of others
When you too are at fault.
Several sets of opinions
Like colours to camouflage yourself.
Like a fox sly in your manúuvres,
Too soon you'll get caught unawares.

Sometimes I feel pity,
Sometimes I feel hatred...
Sometimes you're my friend,
Sometimes you're my enemy.

I'll never give you the satisfaction
Of knowing how I feel.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Napalm Death's song "Changing Colours" touch upon the idea of one's persona being malleable enough to adapt to their surroundings. The lyrics suggest that the person has an ever-changing set of opinions that they use like a camouflage to hide their true selves. The song talks about the person’s constant need to criticize others while turning a blind eye to their own flaws.

The lyrics also talk about the person being like a fox that hides in plain sight with its sly maneuvers. The song touches upon the idea that the person may get caught one day because they won't be able to keep up with their constantly changing personas. Ultimately, the song suggests that the person may not be trustworthy and that they are both a friend and an enemy to others.

Overall, "Changing Colours" seems to be a commentary on the human condition and our propensity to adapt and change ourselves to fit in with others. The song suggests that this desire to please others and to camouflage ourselves can sometimes cause us to lose sight of our true selves and not own up to our mistakes.

Line by Line Meaning

Adapting to different surroundings,
Adjusting yourself to fit into different environments.

Changing your views day by day,
Alteration in your perspective with the changing circumstances.

Too critical of others
Being unfairly harsh towards others.

When you too are at fault.
Despite your own imperfections, you still judge others.

Several sets of opinions
Holding different beliefs at different times.

Like colours to camouflage yourself.
Changing your views often to blend in with different groups of people.

Like a fox sly in your manúuvres,
Being sneaky and cunning in your actions.

Too soon you'll get caught unawares.
Your dishonest behavior will eventually catch up to you.

Sometimes I feel pity,
Occasionally, I feel sympathy for your flaws.

Sometimes I feel hatred...
Occasionally, I feel anger towards your negative behavior.

Sometimes you're my friend,
Sometimes, we share a good relationship.