Born in Oakland, California, McKuen ran away from home at the age of eleven to escape an alcoholic stepfather and to send what money he could to his mother. After a series of jobs, from lumberjack, ranch hand, railroad worker to rodeo cowboy, throughout the west, McKuen began in the 1950s to excite audiences with his poetry readings, appearing with such well-known poets as Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg; during this time, he often used the pseudonym "Dor". He moved to New York City in 1959 to compose and conduct for the TV show "The CBS Workshop." By the 1960s he had achieved fame, far surpassing in sales the works of the Beat poets who preceded him. During the early 1960s he spent most of his time in France. This began his project to translate the work of legendary singer/songwriter Jacques Brel, into English.
He became an icon across college campuses for his ability to capture in verse the feelings of anxiety, love, confusion, and hope that were common during the Vietnam era. His public readings had the drawing power of a rock concert.
McKuen’s commercial success was unparalleled in the field of modern poetry. His poetic works have been translated into a dozen languages and sold over 65 million copies. Throughout his career he continued to enjoy sell-out concerts around the world and appeared regularly at New York’s famed Carnegie Hall.
As a songwriter, he contributed to the sale of over 100 million records. His material has been recorded by such artists as Love's Been Good To Me (1969), Waylon Jennings, The London Philharmonic, Greta Keller, Perry Como, and Madonna. Perhaps his most well-known song is Jean (1969).
McKuen proved to be a prolific songwriter, penning over 1,500 songs. He collaborated with a variety of internationally renowned composers, including Henry Mancini and John Williams, and a highly successful series of albums with Anita Kerr. His symphonies, concertos, and other classical works have been performed by orchestras around the globe. His suite for narrator and orchestra, "The City", was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize in Music. His work as a composer in the film industry garnered him two Academy Award nominations.
Throughout his multi-award-winning career, McKuen paired his artistic endeavors with a spirit for social reform. Before a tour of South Africa in the 1970s, McKuen demanded “mixed seating” among white and black concert-goers, opening the doors for successful tours by a variety of African-American performers, including Sammy Davis, Jr. and Ella Fitzgerald. He also spearheaded efforts to raise AIDS awareness and fund charities for children and senior citizens. His humanitarian efforts twice won him the prestigious Freedoms Foundation Award.
Kaleidoscope
Rod McKuen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The ducks on the millpond that swim in the mind
Come with me, together we’ll go
Where buttercups shoot through the roof of the snow.
And many the sights that we’ll see
I’ll look in your eyes and see me
K, I, Kaleidoscope
Pain is a separate color from joy
How many colors there are to enjoy
Come with me, through valleys of green
We’ll live like the mudlark deep down in a dream,
Come with me, take hold of my hand
I’ll walk you past panthers asleep in the sand,
How lucky some people will be
To look in our eyes and see we.
K, I, Kaleidoscope
Love is another color from hope.
Pain is a separate color from joy,
How many colors there are to enjoy.
Come with me, stay close by my side
The road is so rocky, the world is so wide,
Come with me, and we will go far
Far is forever, wherever we are
How wise is our world and how new,
You’ll look in my eyes and see you.
K, I, Kaleidoscope
Love is another color from hope.
Pain is a separate color from joy,
How many colors there are to enjoy.
The lyrics to Rod McKuen's song "Kaleidoscope" depict a journey of exploration and wonder, both in the physical and emotional sense. The singer invites the listener to join him on an adventure, promising to show them sights and experiences that are both beautiful and unexpected. They will see ducks swimming on a millpond that exists only in their minds and buttercups growing through the snow. Through it all, the singer emphasizes the importance of the connection between them, as they share in the wonders of the world.
The chorus of the song reaffirms this sense of connectedness and hope, referencing a kaleidoscope as a metaphor for the beauty and variety of life. Love, pain, joy, and hope are all separate colors in this kaleidoscope, each one distinct but equally important. The singer seems to suggest that, despite the challenges of life, there is always something to appreciate and enjoy if you look closely enough.
Line by Line Meaning
Come with me, what wonders we’ll find
Let's embark on a journey together to explore and discover amazing things
The ducks on the millpond that swim in the mind
Our imaginations are full of delightful and playful thoughts like ducks swimming in a pond
Come with me, together we’ll go
Let's travel together on this exciting adventure
Where buttercups shoot through the roof of the snow.
Even in the cold and bleak winter, there is unexpected beauty in the form of flowers piercing through the snow
And many the sights that we’ll see
We'll witness a multitude of remarkable things
I’ll look in your eyes and see me
When I look into your eyes, I see myself reflected in you
K, I, Kaleidoscope
Kaleidoscope is represented by its initials, highlighting its significance to the song
Love is another color for hope
Love is like a different shade of hope, adding depth and richness to our lives
Pain is a separate color from joy
While joy and pain are both colors in the kaleidoscope of life, they are distinct and do not blend together
How many colors there are to enjoy
There are countless colors, experiences and emotions that we can savor and take pleasure in
Come with me, through valleys of green
Let's journey through lush and vibrant valleys together
We’ll live like the mudlark deep down in a dream
We'll enjoy the simple pleasures of life, like a mudlark living peacefully in a dreamlike state
Come with me, take hold of my hand
Take my hand, and I'll guide you on this adventure
I’ll walk you past panthers asleep in the sand
I'll protect you and lead you past fierce and dangerous creatures, like panthers sleeping in the sand
How lucky some people will be
Some people will be fortunate enough to observe our journey and witness the love between us
To look in our eyes and see we.
They will see the reflection of our happiness and love in our eyes
The road is so rocky, the world is so wide
The journey we are embarking on won't be easy, but the world is vast and full of possibilities
Come with me, and we will go far
If we're together, we can endure any obstacle that comes our way and go very far in life
Far is forever, wherever we are
Distance is not a barrier when we are connected by love, and we'll always be together no matter where we are
How wise is our world and how new
The world is full of ancient wisdom and knowledge, and yet it remains ever-changing and new
You’ll look in my eyes and see you.
When you look into my eyes, you'll see yourself reflected in me
K, I, Kaleidoscope
Reiteration of the significance of the kaleidoscope to the song, and its diverse and beautiful shades of colors
Love is another color from hope.
Love and hope are not the same, but each adds its own unique hue to the kaleidoscope of life
Pain is a separate color from joy,
The colors of pain and joy do not blend together, but each stands on its own as a distinct and important experience
How many colors there are to enjoy.
There is an almost infinite variety of colors and experiences that we can appreciate and relish
Contributed by Gabriella Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Albert Wong
on The Women (Les Biches)
Where can I find the lyrics of "The Women"