There are many great songs throughout music history that have a color in the title. Colors can evoke certain emotions and feelings that songwriters can use to enhance their lyrics and melodies. Using a color in a song title helps the listener visualize the tone and mood of the song before even hearing it. In this article, we will explore numerous songs across different genres that have a color in the title and discuss some of the most popular examples.
Notable Examples of Songs with Color in the Title
Here are some well-known songs across multiple decades that have a color in the title:
| Song | Artist | Genre | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| “Blue” | Jonie Mitchell | Folk | 1971 |
| “Pink” | Aerosmith | Rock | 1997 |
| “Purple Rain” | Prince | Pop | 1984 |
| “Red Red Wine” | UB40 | Reggae | 1983 |
| “99 Red Balloons” | Nena | Pop | 1983 |
Some of the most iconic songs in pop culture contain a color in the title. “Purple Rain” by Prince is a classic 80s pop song and also the name of Prince’s 1984 movie. “Blue” by Joni Mitchell is considered one of the greatest folk songs of all time, with its poetic lyrics painted in shades of blue. Aerosmith’s huge 90s hit “Pink” connected with rebellious teens. These are just a few examples of the countless songs across genres that utilize colors creatively in their titles.
Psychology of Color in Song Titles
There are psychological reasons why musicians frequently incorporate color into their song titles. Studies have shown that certain colors can invoke particular moods and emotions in people. Songwriters intentionally choose titles with strategic colors that reflect the tone of their song and influence how listeners perceive it. Here are some examples:
– Blue – Serene, soothing, melancholy
– Red – Passionate, aggressive, intense
– Yellow – Cheerful, bright, upbeat
– Green – Natural, peaceful, relaxing
– Black – Mysterious, sad, dark
– White – Innocent, pure, angelic
By including these colors in titles, songwriters can convey a consistent mood throughout the lyrics, music, and overall theme of their songs. This helps listeners quickly grasp the feeling of a song just from reading its color-inspired title.
Most Popular Song Titles with Colors
Based on music charts and sales data, here are some of the most popular song titles that contain colors:
| Song | Artist |
|---|---|
| “Purple Rain” | Prince |
| “Red Red Wine” | UB40 |
| “Blue on Black” | Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band |
| “Lady in Red” | Chris de Burgh |
| “Pink” | Aerosmith |
| “Yellow” | Coldplay |
| “Brown Eyed Girl” | Van Morrison |
| “Blue” | LeAnn Rimes |
| “Black Velvet” | Alannah Myles |
| “White Wedding” | Billy Idol |
Prince’s “Purple Rain” is one of the best-selling singles of all time. UB40’s reggae hit “Red Red Wine” topped charts internationally. Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band’s bluesy “Blue on Black” and Chris de Burgh’s soft rock ballad “Lady in Red” were massive crossover hits. Aerosmith’s rebellious “Pink” became an anthem for young people. These are just some of the most memorable color-titled songs based on sales and chart performance. The creative use of color has clearly resonated with music fans for decades.
Unique Color Song Titles
While popular colors like blue, red, and purple are common in song titles, some artists get creative with more unique colors in their titles:
– “Beth” by KISS – The name Beth is a reference to the color amber.
– “Scarlet Begonias” by Grateful Dead – Scarlet refers to a bright red color.
– “Magenta Lane” by Kirsty MacColl – Magenta is a reddish purple shade.
– “Chartreuse” by ZZ Top – Chartreuse is a yellowish green liqueur.
– “Crimson and Clover” by Tommy James & the Shondells – Crimson is a deep red color.
– “Aqua Marine” by Patti Smith – Aqua marine is a bluish-green tone.
These examples show how some songwriters dig deeper into color shades and meanings to come up with imaginative titles that stand out. Using distinctive colors helps make their songs more memorable.
Songs with Multiple Color References
Some songs incorporate more than one color in the lyrics and title:
– “Yellow Submarine” by The Beatles – References yellow and blue.
– “Pink Cadillac” by Bruce Springsteen – Pink and gold are mentioned in the lyrics.
– “Red Dirt Road” by Brooks & Dunn – Mentions red, blue, and white.
– “Deep Purple” by Nino Tempo & April Stevens – Title is one color, lyrics reference white and red.
– “Black Betty” by Ram Jam – Lyrics contain red and white.
– “Green River” by Creedence Clearwater Revival – Title is green but lyrics contain yellow.
Using multiple colors allows songwriters to layer symbolism and connect colors to objects or themes within songs. It provides depth and reinforces the mood through color imagery.
Colorful Song Titles Across Genres
While color titles are prevalent across all genres, some musical styles utilize them more frequently:
Pop: “True Blue” (Madonna), “Pink” (Aerosmith), “Brown Eyed Girl” (Van Morrison)
Rock: “Purple Haze” (Jimi Hendrix), “Black Hole Sun” (Soundgarden), “Yellow Ledbetter” (Pearl Jam)
R&B: “Red Light Special” (TLC), “Pretty Brown Eyes” (Mint Condition), “My First Love” (Avant)
Country: “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain” (Willie Nelson), “Orange Blossom Special” (Johnny Cash), “All the Gold in California” (Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers)
Reggae: “Red, Red Wine” (UB40), “Roots, Rock, Reggae” (Bob Marley), “Black and Dread” (Black Uhuru)
Punk: “White Riot” (The Clash), “Pretty Vacant” (Sex Pistols), “Holiday in Cambodia” (Dead Kennedys)
The use of color in titles spans musical genres but is especially prominent in mainstream popular music.
Reasons for Popularity of Color Titles
There are a few key reasons why color titles are so prevalent in popular music:
– Colors evoke visual images and emotions that help establish the feel of songs.
– They are simple, easy to remember, and catchy.
– Colors stand out visually when displayed on posters, album covers, etc.
– They provide inspiration and themes for lyrics and melodies.
– Certain colors fit nicely with specific genres (blues, rock, country, etc).
– Music marketing teams may favor color titles for better branding.
By tapping into colors, songwriters can enhance the listening experience, connect deeper with fans through visual and emotional cues, and boost their songs’ commercial appeal.
Uses of Color Titles in Music Marketing
Color titles offer many marketing advantages that record labels and bands can capitalize on:
– Eye-catching visuals – Album covers, posters, merchandise, etc can be designed around color titles.
– Instant brand association – Fans instantly connect the color to the song/band.
– Merchandising – T-shirts, hats, posters all can feature a color title simply and powerfully.
– Memorability – Colors stick in people’s heads better than generic titles.
– Emotional connection – Colors evoke feelings that fans attach to the music.
– Song identity – Within an album, color titles differentiate songs at a glance.
– Cross-promotions – Songs can be used in ads, campaigns, and partnerships related to their color.
Overall, color-titled songs offer flexible marketing options and help musicians build stronger brand identities.
Impact of Colors and Emotions in Songs
Research has uncovered how colors affect emotions, which directly translates to how color titles impact music listeners:
– Red – Passion, excitement, intensity
– Blue – Calm, soothing, melancholy
– Green – Peaceful, growth, health
– Yellow – Cheerful, bright, optimism
– Black – Mystery, sadness, anger
– White – Purity, innocence, spirituality
Songwriters intentionally select color titles that evoke the emotions matching the tone of their lyrics and instrumentation. This helps color the listener’s perception of a song before even hearing it. The psychology of colors plays an important role in how audiences experience and identify with color-titled music.
Conclusion
Colors have been frequently incorporated into song titles across all genres of music for decades. They help instantly convey meaning, emotions, and musical style. Clever songwriters utilize colors to visualize the tone of their songs, making the music more relatable through colors’ psychological connections. This trend spans musical decades from classic rock to today’s hits. The simple addition of a color packs songs with deeper meaning, branding power, and commercial appeal. Music marketing has certainly leveraged the power of colors for unforgettable song titles that fans instantly recognize and love. So next time you come across a popular tune with a color in its name, take a moment to appreciate the artistry behind its title.