Songs with colors in their titles have been popular across many musical genres over the years. The use of color words allows songwriters to evoke visual imagery and symbolic meanings. In this article, we will explore some well-known examples of songs with color names, look at the different meanings and associations of various colors, and examine why musicians are drawn to using color names in their song titles.
Overview of Songs with Color Titles
Some of the most iconic pop songs feature colors in their names. For instance, The Beatles’ “Yellow Submarine” evokes sunny imagery with a bright yellow underwater vessel. Prince’s “Purple Rain” uses the color purple to symbolize passion and melancholy. Other classic hits include Elvis Presley’s “Blue Suede Shoes,” The Rolling Stones’ “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction,” and Don McLean’s “American Pie,” which references the “day the music died” as a “levee” where “good ol’ boys were drinkin’ whiskey and rye.”
Colorful song titles can be found across genres from rock to rap. The Red Hot Chili Peppers bring the heat with their song “Scar Tissue.” Hip hop group Bone Thugs-N-Harmony got creative with track names like “1st of tha Month” and “Tha Crossroads.” Pop star Katy Perry’s breakout hit “I Kissed a Girl” mentions the color of Cherry ChapStick. Other examples include Pink Floyd’s “Green Is the Colour,” Eric Clapton’s “Blue Eyes Blue,” and Lady Gaga’s “Brown Eyes.”
Some artists title entire albums after colors. Indie singer St. Vincent released an album called “Masseduction” containing songs like “Los Ageless.” Rock band Weezer named a 2008 record “The Red Album.” Rapper Logic called one of his albums “The Incredible True Story,” which features the song “Young Jesus.” These color titles help unify albums under a central theme or visual style.
Meanings and Symbolism of Colors
Colors carry rich symbolic meanings that songwriters can use to suggest ideas and moods. Here are some of the most common color meanings:
- Red – love, passion, danger
- Blue – sadness, loneliness, depth
- Yellow – happiness, optimism, imagination
- Green – nature, growth, renewal
- Purple – royalty, luxury, mysticism
- Black – mystery, sophistication, rebellion
- White – purity, peace, cleanliness
Songwriters leverage these color associations to hint at themes and emotions. For example, in his song “Purple Rain,” Prince uses the color purple to evoke a mystical, otherworldly feeling of passion and melancholy. The Beatles’ “Yellow Submarine” employs a bright, happy yellow to inspire joy and imagination.
Some artists get clever by juxtaposing colors with meanings that seem contradictory to the song’s mood or message. In “Pink Triangle,” Weezer uses a bright, cheerful pink to talk about social repression. Meanwhile, the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ song “Scar Tissue” uses red not for love, but for pain and hurt.
Notable Examples of Color Title Songs
Let’s take a more in-depth look at some popular songs with color names:
“Purple Rain” by Prince
Released in 1984, “Purple Rain” became Prince’s signature song and the centerpiece of the album and film of the same name. The color purple takes on a mystical meaning here, evoking the atmosphere at Prince’s live shows. At the climax of his concerts, Prince would be bathed in purple lights and stage fog, creating a transcendent magical moment when he performed this song.
“Yellow Submarine” by The Beatles
As one of the most iconic songs by The Beatles, “Yellow Submarine” is beloved for its infectious melody and abstract lyrics. The colorful submarine is open to many imaginative interpretations. Many see it as a symbol of peace, hope and unity during the turbulent 1960s. The song’s positive, youthful vibe encapsulates the spirit of The Beatles and the psychedelic era.
“99 Red Balloons” by Nena
German singer Nena scored an international hit with this Cold War-inspired song in 1984. The balloons in the title represent simple childhood joys. But as the lyrics reveal, the red balloons accidentally trigger a catastrophic nuclear war. The song is an anti-war protest revealing the fragility of life in the face of total annihilation. Nena cleverly chose red balloons to symbolize this ominous warning of potential disaster.
“Pink Moon” by Nick Drake
English folk singer Nick Drake recorded this haunting, minimalist song for his 1972 album of the same name. The pink moon imagery reflects the eerie, gentle beauty of Drake’s acoustic guitar and whispered vocals. As a depressed, misunderstood artist, Drake wrote the song while struggling with mental illness and isolation. The color pink takes on a wistful, delicate vibe here, evoking the mystical calm before the dawn when a pink moon glows on the horizon.
Use of Color Titles Across Genres
Let’s explore how musicians from different genres including pop, rock, folk, and rap have incorporated color names into their song titles:
Pop Music
Pop songwriters realized early on that colorful titles can help songs stand out. The Beatles popularized this with gems like “Yellow Submarine” and “Lady Madonna” (featuring the lyric “See how they run”). Katy Perry carried on the tradition, with hits like “I Kissed a Girl,” “Hot N Cold,” and “Black and Gold.”
Rock Music
From psychedelic and progressive rock to punk, indie and alternative, rock bands have always peppered their discographies with colorful song titles. Classics include Jimi Hendrix’s “Purple Haze,” Pink Floyd’s “Green Is the Colour,” Red Hot Chili Peppers’ “Scar Tissue,” and Fall Out Boy’s “Sugar We’re Going Down.”
Folk Music
Folk singers like Simon & Garfunkel (“Scarborough Fair”) and Donovan (“Mellow Yellow”) pioneered Thought-provoking songs with color names. This abstract style was later embraced by artists like Nick Drake (“Pink Moon”) and indie folk bands like Fleet Foxes (“White Winter Hymnal”).
Rap/Hip-Hop
Rappers not only love inventing colorful stage names, but also weaving rainbow references into their song titles. Classic rap hits include 2Pac’s “Dear Mama” (with a “purple rose” lyric) and Eminem’s “Purple Pills.” Lil Wayne turned colors into a lyrical artform, with creative songs like “Lollipop,” “A Milli,” and “6 Foot 7 Foot.”
Why Musicians Use Color Titles
There are a few key reasons why music artists frequently incorporate color names into their song titles:
- Creates visual imagery – sparks listeners’ imaginations
- Sets a mood – leverages color symbolism and meanings
- Conveys hidden meanings – allows subtle poetic expression
- Memorable and unique – helps songs stand out
- Unifies albums – colors can represent album themes
In a musical landscape saturated with content, a poetic color title can help a song resonate and stick in people’s minds. The imagery stirs emotions and adds layers of meaning that reward repeated listening. Artists also incorporate trendy colors and inventive color phrases to brand their albums and concerts (for example, Lady Gaga’s “Chromatica” album). So the next time you listen to a catchy pop song, classic rock hit or thoughtful folk tune, pay special attention to any colorful words in the title.
Table of Notable Color Title Songs
| Song | Artist | Genre | Color |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purple Rain | Prince | Pop / Rock | Purple |
| Yellow Submarine | The Beatles | Psychedelic Pop | Yellow |
| Pink Moon | Nick Drake | Folk | Pink |
| Blue on Black | Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band | Blues Rock | Blue/Black |
| Lady in Red | Chris de Burgh | Pop | Red |
| White Wedding | Billy Idol | Punk Rock | White |
| Green Light | Lorde | Electropop | Green |
| Gold Digger | Kanye West ft. Jamie Foxx | Hip Hop | Gold |
Conclusion
Colors have been an inspiration for musicians across all genres for decades. They often turn to evocative color imagery when naming their songs. Whether it’s the mystical purple haze of Jimi Hendrix, the nautical adventures of the yellow submarine, or the wartime despair of 99 red balloons floating away, these colorful titles stimulate our imaginations and enhance the mood and meaning of the music. So the next time you hear a song with a striking color name, think about the deeper meanings and metaphors the artist may be trying to evoke.
