Every Shade of Blue is the debut studio album by American singer-songwriter Macy Gray, released in 1999 by Epic Records. The album explores themes of love, heartbreak and relationships through Gray’s trademark raspy vocals and blending of soul, R&B, funk and alternative rock. Every Shade of Blue features hit singles like “I Try,” “Still” and “Do Something,” and helped establish Gray as a unique new voice in music upon its release. But beyond the singles, the album contains a cohesive narrative and emotional journey that invites a closer look at its meaning.
Tracklisting and Themes
Every Shade of Blue contains 13 tracks that take listeners through the ups and downs of love. The album opens with “I’ve Committed Murder,” a dramatic track about intense passion. This transitions into lighter songs like “Why Didn’t You Call Me” before arriving at “I Try,” Gray’s biggest hit to date and an ode to being unable to get over an ex. The second half of the album explores the emotional aftermath and path to recovery, containing powerful ballads (“When I See You”) alongside songs of self-empowerment (“Do Something”).
Here is the full tracklisting for Every Shade of Blue:
| # | Song | Theme |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | I’ve Committed Murder | Dramatic passion |
| 2 | Why Didn’t You Call Me | Lighthearted longing |
| 3 | Do Something | Self-empowerment |
| 4 | Caligula | Hurt and betrayal |
| 5 | I Try | Unable to move on |
| 6 | Still | Refusing to let go |
| 7 | When I See You | Powerful heartbreak |
| 8 | Slowly | Rebuilding |
| 9 | A Moment to Myself | Needing space |
| 10 | But I Can’t Quit | Addiction |
| 11 | I Want to Be Your Friend | Moving forward |
| 12 | Blowin’ Up Your Speakers | Catharsis |
| 13 | Why Didn’t You Call Me (Remix) | Lighthearted longing |
As seen above, the tracklist takes listeners through the emotional narrative arc of a dramatic relationship, from the highest highs to the lowest lows before finding acceptance.
Critical Reception
Upon its release in June 1999, Every Shade of Blue received widespread critical acclaim. Critics praised Macy Gray’s unique, gritty vocals along with her fusion of musical styles. The album holds an 83 rating on Metacritic based on 12 reviews, indicating “universal acclaim.”
Notable praise came from Rolling Stone, who stated “Every Shade of Blue balances accessibility with idiosyncrasy” and called the album “An unpredictable and exciting debut.” AllMusic highlighted Gray’s “singular style” and called the album “a vision of soul for the future.” Entertainment Weekly gave Every Shade of Blue an A- rating, saying “Gray’s spectrum runs the gamut from heartbreak to hubris.”
Beyond the music, critics recognized the narrative cohesion of the album. NME wrote “Her debut creates its own little world populated by misfits and dreamers.” Spin called it “An album-length paean to romantic disarray.” The praise affirmed Gray’s arrival as a major new talent with a distinct artistic voice.
Analysis of Key Tracks
A deeper analysis of some key tracks highlights the narrative journey at the heart of Every Shade of Blue.
“I’ve Committed Murder” kicks off the album with intense, dark passion:
Passion in my eyes, when I looked into your face
Let me outta this place, don’t wanna be caged
Animal craze, madness in my brain
Lost all my restraint, every shade of sane
The lyrical content explores love as an all-consuming, maddening force. Sonically, the hard-hitting hip hop beats and rock guitars match the obsessive feelings in the lyrics. This makes for an arresting introduction to the album’s emotional world.
The megahit “I Try” acts as the album’s centerpiece, encapsulating the core theme of struggling to move on:
Though I try to hide it, it’s clear
My world crumbles when you are not here
I try to tell myself that I’m better off without you
But I know that it’s just a lie
The mellow, melancholy music and Gray’s raspy delivery creates a palpable sense of heartbreak. The raw emotion connected with millions of listeners, evidenced by the song’s massive mainstream success.
Finally, “Do Something” near the end signifies emotional growth and self-empowerment:
Gotta do something to relieve my aching soul
Can’t just sit here and let my spirit grow old
Time for me to get back, can’t waste another minute
Gotta do something, cause my ship is sinking in it
The defiant lyrics and funky, energetic music show the protagonist moving beyond heartbreak. This provides narrative closure to the album’s emotional arc.
Conclusion
Every Shade of Blue stands as an impeccable debut album that announced Macy Gray as an exciting new artistic voice. Beyond just the hit singles, the album’s cohesive narrative explores the full spectrum of an intensely dramatic relationship. From besotted beginnings to bitter endings and ultimately emotional recovery, Every Shade of Blue takes listeners on an unforgettable 13-track journey. Two decades later, the album remains a career-defining work for Gray that still resonates strongly today.
