Colors
portugal the man Lyrics

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Ahhh Ahh ah
All the needy still need
And all the losers still lose
All the preachers still preach
But they ain't bringin no change

I'm not afraid to die
'Cause all these colors will change

All the low is still low
And all the high still get high
How I wish we could dance
But all these rhythms don't seem to match up
Seem to match up

I'm not afraid to die
'Cause all these colors will change

Ohhhh ahhh ohhhh
Ahhhh ahhh ahhhh

Bits and bits of cane, burning burning burning
Bit by bit away
They grow as people grow
And glow as people glow

I'm not afraid to die
'Cause all these colors will change

Overall Meaning

The song "Colors" by Portugal The Man has a nuanced message about the nature of change, specifically the idea that while things may appear to change on the surface, at a fundamental level, they often remain the same. The opening lines set the tone for this idea by stating that despite all the talk of change, nothing really seems to be changing in any meaningful way. The line "But they ain't bringin no change" suggests a sense of frustration with those who preach change but fail to deliver results.

In the chorus, the singer claims to be unafraid of death because "all these colors will change". This could be interpreted in a number of ways. On one level, it could be a reference to the idea that after death, the soul passes into a new state of being, just as colors can change depending on the light they're viewed in. It could also be a more general statement about the transitory nature of all things, and the idea that change is inevitable.

The second verse continues with this theme of change, but also introduces a note of despair. Despite the desire to dance and celebrate, the rhythms of life seem to be out of sync, and happiness is hard to come by. The repetition of the phrase "Seem to match up" emphasizes this sense of a lack of connection or harmony.

Overall, "Colors" is a song that asks important questions about the nature of change, and the ways in which we can be fooled by appearances. It suggests that true change is difficult, but also that it's valuable, and something worth working towards.

Line by Line Meaning

Ahhh Ahh ah
The song starts with a beat and the repetition of a sound, conveying a sense of unity among all people.

All the needy still need
Those who are in need of basic necessities still need help and support from society.

And all the losers still lose
Those who are considered losers or failures in life continue to struggle and face hardships despite their efforts.

All the preachers still preach
Religious leaders or preachers continue to spread their message, but it may not always bring about significant change.

But they ain't bringin no change
Despite their best efforts, the preachers and other leaders are not able to bring about significant positive change.

I'm not afraid to die
The singer has a sense of fearlessness and acceptance of the inevitability of death.

'Cause all these colors will change
Just like colors change in nature, people and the world around them change constantly and death is just a part of that process.

All the low is still low
Those who are low in society or financially disadvantaged still face challenges and struggles in life.

And all the high still get high
People who are already privileged or in positions of power continue to benefit and have advantages in society.

How I wish we could dance
The artist longs for a sense of harmony and togetherness where people are able to celebrate and enjoy life together.

But all these rhythms don't seem to match up
Despite the desire for harmony, people and society are not always able to sync up or work together effectively.

Bits and bits of cane, burning burning burning
This line may suggest the burning of sugar cane, a common crop in Portugal, the country the band is named after. It could also allude to the gradual destruction of something valuable or important.

Bit by bit away
Something is being taken away or destroyed in small increments.

They grow as people grow
The growth and development of people and society is tied to the environment and conditions around them.

And glow as people glow
Just as people can shine or glow with inner beauty, the world around them can also shine with vitality and radiance.

Contributed by Jayce A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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