The group was founded as The Roosters by Chattanooga, Tennessee natives Sam Gooden, Richard Brooks, and Arthur Brooks, who moved to Chicago, Illinois and added Jerry Butler and Curtis Mayfield to their lineup to become Jerry Butler & the Impressions. By 1962, Butler and the Brookses had departed, and after switching to ABC-Paramount Records, Mayfield, Gooden, and new Impression Fred Cash collectively became a top-selling soul act. Mayfield left the group for a solo career in 1970; Leroy Hutson, Ralph Johnson, Reggie Torian, and Nate Evans were among the replacements who joined Gooden and Cash before the group's demise in 1983.
Inductees into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame, The Impressions are best known for their 1960s string of hits, many of which were heavily influenced by gospel music and served as inspirational anthems for the Civil Rights Movement.
Personnel:
Jerry Butler (1958 - 1960)
Curtis Mayfield (1958 - 1970)
Sam Gooden (1958 - 1983)
Arthur Brooks (1958 - 1962)
Richard Brooks (1958 - 1962)
Fred Cash (1960 - 1983)
Leroy Hutson (1970 - 1973)
Ralph Johnson (1973 - 1976)
Nate Evans (1976 - 1979)
Reggie Torian (1973 - 1983)
Discography
Albums
1963: The Impressions
1964: Keep on Pushing
1964: The Never Ending Impressions
1965: One by One
1965: People Get Ready
1966: Ridin' High
1967: The Fabulous Impressions
1968: We're a Winner
1968: This Is My Country
1969: The Young Mods' Forgotten Story
1969: The Versatile Impressions
1969: Amen
1970: Check out Your Mind!
1972: Times Have Changed
1973: Preacher Man
1974: Finally Got Myself Together
1974: Three the Hard Way
1975: First Impressions
1975: Sooner or Later
1976: It's About Time
1976: Originals
1976: Loving Power
1979: Come to My Party
1981: Fan the Fire
Choice Of Colors
The Impressions Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Which one would you choose my brothers
If there was no day or night
Which would you prefer to be right
How long have you hated your white teacher
Who told you, you love your black preacher
Do you respect your brother's woman friend
People must prove to the people
A better day is coming, for you and for me
With just a little bit more education
And love for our nation
Would make a better society
Now some of us would rather cuss and make a fuss
Than to bring about a little trust
But we shall overcome our beliefs someday
If you'll only listen to what I have to say
And how long have you hated your white teacher
Who told you, you love your black preacher
Can you respect your brother's woman friend
And share with black folks not of kin
I say now people must prove to the people
A better day is coming for you and for me
With just a little bit more education
And love for our nation
Would make a better society
And if you had a choice of colors
Which one would you choose my brothers
If there was no day or night
Which would you prefer to be right
And if you had a choice of colors
Which one would you choose my brothers
If there was no day or night
Which would you prefer to be right
If you had a choice of colors
Which one would you choose my brothers
The Impressions’ song “Choice Of Colors” was written by Curtis Mayfield and released in 1969. The song is a powerful social and political commentary that urges the black community to unite and work together towards a better world. Through the lyrics, Mayfield challenges the listener to consider important questions about race, identity, and community. The song begins with the question: “If you had a choice of colors, which one would you choose my brothers?” This simple question is a powerful metaphor for the inherent biases and prejudices that exist within society. By asking this question, Mayfield invites the listener to consider why they might prefer one color over another and what that choice says about them.
The song goes on to tackle issues of racial division and inequality. Mayfield asks, “How long have you hated your white teacher, who told you, you love your black preacher?” This line addresses the tension between black and white communities and the impact that education and religion have on shaping our beliefs about ourselves and others. Mayfield also encourages listeners to show respect for all people, regardless of their race or gender, “Do you respect your brother’s woman friend and share with black folks not of kin?”
In the final verse, Mayfield offers a message of hope and liberation, “But we shall overcome our beliefs someday, if you’ll only listen to what I have to say.” He reminds us that change is possible, but it requires effort and a willingness to learn from one another.
Line by Line Meaning
If you had a choice of colors
If you were free to pick your own way of living
Which one would you choose my brothers
What would you pick, my fellow people?
If there was no day or night
If there were no time boundaries or differences
Which would you prefer to be right
What would be your way of dealing with life if you could choose?
How long have you hated your white teacher
How much have you harbored hatred towards your teacher of a different race?
Who told you, you love your black preacher
Who said that you were incapable of appreciating and admiring a black person who is a religious leader?
Do you respect your brother's woman friend
Do you hold admiration and esteem towards your friend's female friend?
And share with black folks not of kin
Do you believe in equal and fair treatment of all, regardless of their ethnicity and lineage?
People must prove to the people
Individuals have to show their fellow beings
A better day is coming, for you and for me
A brighter tomorrow is on the horizon for all of us.
With just a little bit more education
By adding a touch of additional learning
And love for our nation
And by exhibiting patriotism towards our country,
Would make a better society
We can step up and make a more livable and equitable community.
Now some of us would rather cuss and make a fuss
However, some people prefer to engage in angry or violent behavior
Than to bring about a little trust
Instead of building mutual trust and understanding.
But we shall overcome our beliefs someday
But, at some stage, we will hopefully surpass our prejudices
If you'll only listen to what I have to say
If we can pause for a moment and listen to what others have to say.
And how long have you hated your white teacher
To reiterate, how much have you harbored hatred towards your white teacher?
Who told you, you love your black preacher
Who would explain this to you that you love your black preacher?
Can you respect your brother's woman friend
Are you capable of holding respect for your friend's female friend?
And share with black folks not of kin
Do you believe in sharing with black people who are not related to you?
I say now people must prove to the people
I say that humans should exhibit to other humans.
A better day is coming for you and for me
A more promising tomorrow is coming for all of us.
With just a little bit more education
With only a little extra knowledge.
And love for our nation
And with more patriotism for our country.
Would make a better society
We can create a better and more harmonious society.
And if you had a choice of colors
If you had free will to choose the way you live,
Which one would you choose my brothers
Which way would you go, fellow humans?
If there was no day or night
If time did not exist as a limitation,
Which would you prefer to be right
What would be your preferred way of life?
And if you had a choice of colors
Once more, if you had the liberty to choose the shade of life you want to lead,
Which one would you choose my brothers
Which path would you take my fellow humans?
If there was no day or night
If time was not a restricting factor,
Which would you prefer to be right
What would be your preferred way of living?
Lyrics © Iricom US Ltd, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CURTIS MAYFIELD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@marcustrice3246
I'm 33 years old and I absolutely LOVE songs like this. I may be a young man but i have i a ear and love for real music like this one. So true and relevant. Long live soul music!
@damonwheeler1983
Timeless music
@tay-basswalker3964
Bro same here!
@judahlion2067
Always a classic
@lusciouspinkk9160
I’m 26 😩 I grew up under my granddad
@wymellwilliams1543
Marcus sometimes I'm just too passionate about the music that I play if you digest something wait to the next cut
@vrobinson5100
I was a little girl when this song came out. I still love this song and it is so relevant for what is happening now in the USA! We are tired and a change is coming! I AM BLACK and I Am PROUD to be BLACK!
@adriennerobinson1180
Oh Yes
@dalepainter7462
You better, peace
@tracyjohnson3394
I was a little boy tryn to figure out what was burning all the time on television. It looked like the same fires blazing in our neighborhood. That's all my understanding could yield at 6yrs old. The music helped to explain, and to perservere...