Grammy winner and 7 time Grammy nominee Paula Cole has released six solo albums spanning an eighteen year career. She has sold approximately three million albums and has performed with icons in many genres of music from Peter Gabriel to Dolly Parton (and many more.) Cole’s emotionally deep and thrilling performances are a trademark. Poetic and fiercely touching, intelligent writing makes Cole stand apart. Her compositions have been covered by Herbie Hancock, Annie Lennox, Katherine McPhee to name a few. From a small town in Massachusetts Paula Cole was raised in a musical family with whom she and her daughter remain close. Cole is a scholarship alumna from Berklee College of Music with a background in jazz, received her first record deal with a jazz label (which she declined), and has collaborated with many jazz artists. Paula teaches and gives clinics in a spirit of giving back to the circle of music. With a loving allegiance to her fans, she maintains loyal communication online and after her live shows. As the first woman in history to solely produce and receive the best Producer Grammy nomination for her work, “This Fire”, Cole has broken boundaries with a searcher’s spirit. From her top ten hits of the 1990’s to her more recent critically acclaimed albums, Paula Cole continues to write, produce, record and perform heartfelt, meaningful, lasting music that defies categorization.
Black Boots
Paula Cole Lyrics
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Why do you think she dyes her hair black...
She's awfully insecure
She's trying to be cool
She's hoping to be more in those,
black boots.
Why do I wear three pairs of black boots...
I feel a little stronger
I feel a little taller
I identify with the color
I like myself in these
black boots.
The lyrics to Paula Cole's Black Boots delve into the psychology of self-image and how our personal style contributes to our insecurities and self-confidence. The repetition of the questions "Why do you think she wears those black boots?" and "Why do I think I wear those black boots?" suggests a deep sense of introspection and self-doubt. The image of the black boots and dyed black hair is often associated with rebellion and nonconformity, but in this song, it represents a quest for self-discovery and validation.
The lyrics suggest that the woman wearing the black boots is awfully insecure, and she's trying to be cool to fit in with society's expectations. The act of wearing black boots and dying her hair black is an attempt to create a tough exterior that hides her vulnerabilities. The lyrics express the hope that she will find an identity in the black boots that will elevate her social standing and make her feel more confident. The last line, "I like myself in these black boots," reveals that even though she may be seeking approval from others, ultimately, the only validation that truly matters is self-acceptance.
Line by Line Meaning
Why do you think she wears those black boots...
She's awfully insecure and trying to be cool, hoping to feel more confident in those black boots.
Why do you think she dyes her hair black...
She's insecure and trying to be edgy, hoping to feel more confident with black hair.
Why do I think I wear those black boots...
Wearing black boots makes me feel stronger and taller, and I identify with the color, which boosts my self-esteem.
Why do I wear three pairs of black boots...
I love how I feel in black boots so much that I have multiple pairs to wear on different occasions.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: COLE
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