The song was posted during Pride Month at the time in support of LGBTQ+ people, whom she identifies with as well.
On December 11, 2020, the official version of “Rainbow” was released as a single for dodie’s debut album "Build A Problem", and as the first of a series of songs on the album that were all connected by a 13 piece string section.
"I wrote this two or three years ago. I’d come out as bi, and I still wasn’t feeling entirely sure about myself. I still don’t. It was tough because the world was telling me that it was absolutely fine, and yet I still felt such an internal struggle with it. It’s a very sweet song, but there’s a sadness to it."
—via Apple Music
In the description of its video, Dodie shared:
"This is a song I wrote around the shame LGBTQ+ people go through, and therefore the importance of “pride” and the rainbow and flags etc and just how needed and helpful it all is to combat that feeling."
Rainbow
dodie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I seem to walk in circles
It's getting hard to navigate
When every map was never made for me
And I thought it would feel good
To understand why I was different
But my title just talks over me
I never even asked to be this way
But to say that I'm a rainbow
To tell me that I'm bright
When I'm so used to feeling wrong
Well, it makes me feel alright
I didn't think it fair
I was not to be trusted
Well, how can I be proud
Of what a million people shout at me I'm not
So please step inside my soul
I'd love to watch you gasp
You'd understand in minutes
And I'd like to think you'd miss it
'Cause so would I
So say that I'm a rainbow
And tell me that I'm bright
When I'm so used to feeling wrong
Well, it makes me feel alright
Oh
So say that I'm a rainbow
And tell me that I'm bright
When I'm so used to feeling wrong
Well, it makes me feel alright
In "Rainbow," dodie explores the struggles of feeling different and not fitting in with society's expectations. The first stanza describes the feeling of being brought up in a specific way, but feeling lost when trying to navigate a world that doesn't cater to their individual needs. They express a desire to understand why they are different, but are constantly overshadowed by their title or label. The chorus provides a comforting message, however, when they compare themselves to a rainbow, a symbol of brightness and positivity. The line "when I'm so used to feeling wrong, well, it makes me feel alright" shows that even though they feel like outsiders, they can still find solace in their uniqueness.
In the second stanza, the songwriter sings about the difficulty of being proud of oneself when there are so many negative voices shouting at them. They wish for others to step inside their soul and understand their perspective, hoping that it would lead to a greater sense of empathy and connectedness. The final repetition of the chorus reinforces the idea that being a rainbow, despite its inherent difference, is something to be celebrated and embraced.
Overall, "Rainbow" is a deeply personal and introspective song that tackles themes of identity, acceptance, and self-love.
Line by Line Meaning
I was brought up in a line
I was raised according to societal norms
But I seem to walk in circles
But I can't seem to fit in
It's getting hard to navigate
It's difficult to find my way
When every map was never made for me
As the maps were never designed for someone like me
And I thought it would feel good
I hoped it would feel validating
To understand why I was different
To know why I felt out of place
But my title just talks over me
But the labels the world places on me drown out my voice
I never even asked to be this way
I had no choice in who I am
But to say that I'm a rainbow
But to call me unique
To tell me that I'm bright
To acknowledge my worth
When I'm so used to feeling wrong
Even though I'm accustomed to feeling like I don't belong
Well, it makes me feel alright
It brings me comfort
I didn't think it fair
I thought it was unjust
I was not to be trusted
People assumed the worst of me
Well, how can I be proud
So how can I feel a sense of pride
Of what a million people shout at me I'm not
When so many people deny my identity
So please step inside my soul
So please try to understand my perspective
I'd love to watch you gasp
I would enjoy seeing your reaction
You'd understand in minutes
You would quickly grasp the truth of my experiences
And I'd like to think you'd miss it
And I would hope you would regret not having known earlier
'Cause so would I
Because I also wish that I could have been understood earlier
Oh
So say that I'm a rainbow
So just call me unique
And tell me that I'm bright
And acknowledge my worth
When I'm so used to feeling wrong
Even though I'm accustomed to feeling like I don't belong
Well, it makes me feel alright
It brings me comfort
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Dorothy Clark
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kiarra May
I’m non-binary.
My parents know. I told them in June. I had my first pride month without having to hide who I was.
And yet - they treat me as if I said nothing at all. I’m still a girl to them. My fear in coming out has been useless so far.
My friends call me Kiarra, they use the correct pronouns. What would happen if I asked my parents to do the same? Would I be ignored again?
I know who I am, like dodie says she does in the song. But “how can I be proud of what a million people tell me I’m not?”
Why is it okay with my parents that I’m a lesbian, why can they make (tasteful, respectful) jokes about my sexuality but haven’t said a word about my gender identity in months?
I just want to be seen as who and what I am. I didn’t ask for this. I didn’t choose this. Why would I choose such pain?
All I ask is for others to choose acceptance and support. Why do I have to wait until I’m 18 to change my name and gender marker? Why can’t my parents help me do that? Why is it so much more important for them to “process” my confession than it is for them to help me?
My name is Kiarra May. I use they/them pronouns. I am non-binary. And I deserve the same respect as anybody else on Earth.
Chingyee Wan
Lyrics:
I was brought up in a line,
but I seem to walk in circles
it's getting hard to navigate, when every map was never made for me
and I thought it would feel good
to understand why I was different
but my title just talks over me, I never even asked to be this way.
But to say that I'm a rainbow,
to tell me that I'm bright
when I'm so used to feeling wrong
well, it makes me feel alright
I didn't think it fair
I was not to be trusted
how can I be proud of what a million people shout at me I'm not!
So please step inside my soul,
I'd love to watch you gasp
you'd understand in minutes, and I'd like to think you'd miss it
cause so would I.
But to say that I'm a rainbow
to tell me that I'm bright
when I'm so used to feeling wrong
well, it makes me feel alright
So say that I'm a rainbow!
And tell me that I'm bright
when I'm so used to feeling wrong
well, it makes me feel alright.
jazzy flowers
dodie... I wanted to tell you thank you. I had just came out to my boss at work as transgender literally an hour ago, and this song shows me that this... everything I am was meant to be. Thank you so unbelievably much <3
My story:
I was born in a family that believed in tradition. If you weren't what you they said you were, you were looked at weird. You were seen as the "weird" one; the one who will probably fail in life. All my life, my own stepfather told me that I do not know who I am and that he knows who I am; ad I believed it for a while.
Flashcut to me, 19, around April of 2018, my wonderful friend, Rosie, had asked me if I knew about dysphoria (as I had expressed her I hated the fact I had an Adam's apple, that I had body hair in any kind, that I had to live up to toxic masculinity and all that). I cried that night. I told her "I thought I was crazy," because truly I thought I was and I was told by my stepfather that I was. I was never crazy. These feelings are valid, and Rosie showed me that.
When I hear this song it reminds me of the times I used to steal my mom's makeup, the times I used to wear wigs privately to feel pretty, the time I wore my dad's shirt when I was younger and I had pretended it was a dress, the times I would always choose the girl character in video games, the times I would see girls and be like "I wish I was like you" "I wish I was as pretty as you" "I wish I could wear dresses and put on makeup like you", the time I had a dream about being a girl and I smiled and bursted with excitement.
I also am reminded of the times I came out to people. To my DnD friends, to my friend group from highschool, to my mom, and to my softball family, and now my work. Things are going to get better. :)
Music had saved me. Video games had saved me. Art had saved me. With out these things, I would not be able to be happy, and honestly I probably be here typing this right now.
Flashcut to me, 21, in December of 2020, I have moved out. I am now out to mostly everyone. I am Jasmine. I am a girl. I am transgender. I am me.
To anyone that needs to hear it, you are valid. No matter what anyone says, you are you and you are valid. <3 And I know it is cliche (I honestly still have to tell myself this too) but things will get better. YOU ARE THE BOMB YOOOO LOVE YOU <33333
Jenny Duong
Dodie’s songs always have such an ethereal quality to them. I’m in tears
Joy RC
Dodie and Hozier are the songs of witchcraft and magic, I'm convinced
Marissa Don
YES this was beautiful. I feel as if i’m in a storybook.
Madeline Mae
@Marissa Don me too!!! I feel like I’m in a film having some sort of emotional realisation of my sexuality omg I love it
Fiona Blackmoore
Well she's a bisexual so what did you expect honestly
DoctorX17
Dodie is a magical being
Kiarra May
I’m non-binary.
My parents know. I told them in June. I had my first pride month without having to hide who I was.
And yet - they treat me as if I said nothing at all. I’m still a girl to them. My fear in coming out has been useless so far.
My friends call me Kiarra, they use the correct pronouns. What would happen if I asked my parents to do the same? Would I be ignored again?
I know who I am, like dodie says she does in the song. But “how can I be proud of what a million people tell me I’m not?”
Why is it okay with my parents that I’m a lesbian, why can they make (tasteful, respectful) jokes about my sexuality but haven’t said a word about my gender identity in months?
I just want to be seen as who and what I am. I didn’t ask for this. I didn’t choose this. Why would I choose such pain?
All I ask is for others to choose acceptance and support. Why do I have to wait until I’m 18 to change my name and gender marker? Why can’t my parents help me do that? Why is it so much more important for them to “process” my confession than it is for them to help me?
My name is Kiarra May. I use they/them pronouns. I am non-binary. And I deserve the same respect as anybody else on Earth.
Mod
YES! You deserve the same respect as anybody else. I think your parents car about you, but they forget. They have lived whit you your hole life. I know it is scary and hard to correct them when they deadname or misleader you but if you don't they will think it's ok. I came out to my parents two times ant they only started getting it after the second time. Just keep correcting them until they start doing it them self. Hop this was to any help, sib.
Mod
Also I'm glad you have supportive friends!
Soph
I’m really sorry. I’ve been questioning my sexuality for months and I’ve been scared that my parents wouldn’t accept me either. Over here, you’ll be accepted no matter what. Over here, you will be know as Kit Auden Jones, the awesome enby and lovely lesbian. <3