In July 2019, 'Better in Blak' was nominated for Film Clip of the Year at the National Indigenous Music Awards.
At the ARIA Music Awards of 2019, "Better in Blak" was nominated for Best Video.
At the APRA Music Awards of 2020, "Better in Blak" was nominated for Song of the Year.
Better in Blak
Thelma Plum Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To get calls in the middle of the night?
Saying you're not worth it, you deserve it
Go on, have another drink
Do you know what it feels like?
To get stuck in the middle of a fight?
Screaming you're not worth it, you deserve it
Go on, have another drink
But if I just keep quiet
I'll be the one who's lying too
Why should I keep hiding, always crying?
Tell me what did I do?
You took the colour from me, darling, I'll get it back
You took the colour from me, but I look better in black
If I knew what I know now, maybe I would take it back
But fuck that, I look better in black
Do you know what it feels like?
To be told that you are never right?
If I had a lighter skin maybe I would win
Does it make you want to think?
Do you know what it feels like?
'Cause I know what it feels like!
If I had a lighter skin maybe I would win
Does it make you want to think?
But if I just keep quiet
I'll be the one whose lying too
Why should I keep hiding, always crying?
Tell me what did I do?
You took the colour from me, darling, I'll get it back
I'll get it back, I'll get it back, I'll get it back, I'll get it back
You took the colour from me, but I look better in black
If I knew what I know now, maybe I would take it back
But fuck that, I look better in black
Hey! I look better in black
Hey! I look better in black
If I knew what I know now, maybe I would take it back
But fuck that (fuck that!) I look better in black
Thelma Plum’s “Better in Blak” is a song that addresses issues of racism, identity, and self-acceptance. In the first verse, she sings about the emotional pain caused by constant criticism and belittlement of her worth, which translates to needing a drink to numb the hurt. The second verse highlights the racial discrimination she faces and how it leaves her feeling inadequate and defeated. She reveals a sense of powerlessness and the fear of being silenced, yet also the courage to stand up for herself and confront the injustices done against her.
The chorus suggests that despite the pain and trauma she's gone through, Thelma is still strong and resilient. She indicates that she'll take back the color that has been taken from her and that she is still beautiful, even though she looks better in black. The phrase “you look better in black” might be a metaphor for finding strength in darkness, or it may be a reference to the color black being a symbol of protest and rebellion.
In summary, Thelma Plum's "Better in Blak" is a powerful song with a clear message about finding empowerment in the face of systemic racism and prejudice.
Line by Line Meaning
Do you know what it feels like?
Have you experienced the feeling of...
To get calls in the middle of the night?
Receiving unwanted phone calls during odd hours...
Saying you're not worth it, you deserve it
Being told that you are undeserving of something you want...
Go on, have another drink
Encouraged to engage in harmful behavior...
To get stuck in the middle of a fight?
Trapped in a conflict...
Screaming you're not worth it, you deserve it
Being yelled at that you are unworthy of something you want...
But if I just keep quiet
If I remain silent...
I'll be the one who's lying too
I will also be hiding the truth...
Why should I keep hiding, always crying?
Questioning the need to keep suffering in silence...
Tell me what did I do?
Asking for an explanation...
You took the colour from me, darling, I'll get it back
You drained the vibrancy from my life, but I'll reclaim it...
But fuck that, I look better in black
Rejecting the idea of conforming to society's standards and embracing individuality...
To be told that you are never right?
Being constantly made to believe that you are wrong...
If I had a lighter skin maybe I would win
Feeling like you would be more accepted if you looked different...
Does it make you want to think?
Challenging others to question their biases...
You took the colour from me, but I look better in black
You drained the vibrancy from my life, but I choose to look powerful...
Hey! I look better in black
Affirming one's confidence...
If I knew what I know now, maybe I would take it back
Reflecting on past actions and considering their implications...
But fuck that (fuck that!) I look better in black
Choosing self-expression over conformity, no matter the consequences.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Alexander Burnett, Oli Gorton, Thelma Plumbe
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@natsoares
Do you know what it feels like?
To get calls in the middle of the night?
Saying you're not worth it, you deserve it
Go on, have another drink
Do you know what it feels like?
To get stuck in the middle of a fight?
Screaming you're not worth it, you deserve it
Go on, have another drink
But if I just keep quiet
I'll be the one who's lying too
Why should I keep hiding, always crying?
Tell me what did I do?
You took the colour from me, darling, I'll get it back
You took the colour from me, but I look better in black
If I knew what I know now, maybe I would take it back
But fuck that, I look better in black
Do you know what it feels like?
To be told that you are never right?
If I had a lighter skin maybe I would win
Does it make you want to think?
Do you know what it feels like?
'Cause I know what it feels like!
If I had a lighter skin maybe I would win
Does it make you want to think?
But if I just keep quiet
I'll be the one whose lying too
Why should I keep hiding, always crying?
Tell me what did I do?
You took the colour from me, darling, I'll get it back
I'll get it back, I'll get it back, I'll get it back, I'll get it back
You took the colour from me, but I look better in black
If I knew what I know now, maybe I would take it back
But fuck that, I look better in black
Hey! I look better in black
Hey! I look better in black
If I knew what I know now, maybe I would take it back
But fuck that (fuck that!) I look better in black
@EasyPianohits
It's not fair that artist like Thelma don't get more commercial success. Thelma you look amazing in blak <3
@Bluecollar-ig2go
Thats why paul McCartneys collaborating with her? And local legends like paul kelly
Shes just capitalizing off a movement
Dont fuel ignorance
It dont matter if your black, or white
@hannahthorpe2160
Blue collar 1991 shut up
@charlixcxlesbian
Blue collar 1991 shut up
@sustainablegardening8158
Huge air play on 4zzz, 102.1fm in Brisbane
@benfuller259
She doesn't fit their mould bruv
@alimurphy-oates4731
Properly bawling me eyes out to this. Deadly women, deadly song.
@vJiinxz
Alison Murphy-Oates deadly
@20172017
Same ♥️🖤💛😭
@mauiyaoi2081
mii cuzzin