New Colors
The Crane Wives Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's all the same to me
I've seen them all a million times before
And I have half a mind
To climb up to the sky
And steal new colors away from the sun
Don't tell me that I can't
I need this
Don't tell me that I can't
Oh Lord don't tell me that I can't
I need this so damn bad
Folks 'round here are mean
Spit fire and gasoline
But all I want is solitude
And I have half a mind
To climb up to the sky
And hide myself inside the moon
Don't tell me that I can't
Don't tell me that I can't
I need this
Don't tell me that I can't
Oh Lord don't tell me that I can't
I need this so damn bad
I'd give up my sight to see
I'd give up my air to breathe
Don't tell me that I can't
Oh Lord don't tell me that I can't
I need this
Don't tell me that I can't
Oh Lord don't tell me that I can't
I need this so damn bad
I'd give up my sight to see
I'd give up my air to breathe
I'd give up my sight to see
I'd give up my air to breathe
I'd give up my sight to see
I'd give up my air to breathe
The Crane Wives' song "New Colors" expresses feelings of restlessness and dissatisfaction with the mundane world. The singer is tired of seeing the same old colors and wants to climb up to the sky to steal new ones from the sun. The repetition of "don't tell me that I can't" underscores the singer's determination to pursue their desires and not be hindered by anyone's doubts or limitations. The motif of escape is further developed as the singer muses about hiding inside the moon, seeking solace from the cruelty of the surrounding world.
The chorus takes on a desperate tone, with the singer pleading with a higher power not to deny them the experience they crave. The repeated line "I need this so damn bad" is a raw and emotional declaration of the singer's longing for something more than the world has offered them thus far. The closing lines of the song, where the singer says they would give up their sight and air to see and breathe new colors, respectively, are symbolic of the depths of their yearning for something different and transformative.
Line by Line Meaning
Orange, yellow, green
I've grown tired of the same old colors and want something new
It's all the same to me
None of the current colors bring excitement or joy anymore
I've seen them all a million times before
I'm bored and craving new experiences
And I have half a mind
I'm feeling impulsive and ready to take action
To climb up to the sky
I'm willing to go to great lengths for something new and exciting
And steal new colors away from the sun
I want to take something from the source of life and energy in order to create a new and unique experience
Folks 'round here are mean
My surroundings are filled with negativity and conflict
Spit fire and gasoline
People are hostile and aggressive towards each other
But all I want is solitude
I crave peace and quiet in order to explore new possibilities
And hide myself inside the moon
I'm willing to retreat to a place that others can't reach in order to find what I'm looking for
Don't tell me that I can't
I refuse to limit myself, and will not let anyone else limit me either
I need this
This is something I deeply desire and am willing to fight for
Oh Lord don't tell me that I can't
I'm particularly resistant to authority and threats to my autonomy
I'd give up my sight to see
The reward I seek is so great that I would make serious sacrifices in order to achieve it
I'd give up my air to breathe
The desire to find something new and exciting is so strong that I would put myself in extreme danger to pursue it
I need this so damn bad
My desire for something new and exciting is so intense that it hurts
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Emiless Petersmark, Kate Pillsbury, Dan Rickabus, Ben Zito
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Gryffin
on Canary in a Coal Mine
help you, keep you safe
me
on Metaphor
i can't believe how creative this is wow--