True Colors (Cyndi Lauper song)

Billy Steinberg originally wrote "True Colors" about his own mother. Tom Kelly altered the first verse and the duo originally submitted the song to Anne Murray, who passed on recording it, and then to Cyndi Lauper.{{cite web|url=https://www.avclub.com/cyndi-lauper-1798228402|title=Cyndi Lauper|website=The A.V. Club |date=October 26, 2011}} Their demo was in the form of a piano-based gospel ballad like "Bridge over Troubled Water". Steinberg told Songfacts that "Cyndi completely dismantled that sort of traditional arrangement and came up with something that was breathtaking and stark." Other songs they wrote for Lauper include "I Drove All Night" and "Unconditional Love".

The accompanying music video for the song, which received heavy rotation on MTV, was directed by American choreographer Patricia Birch. In the video, Lauper sings on a dark soundstage, sitting beside a drum and holding a black flower. A young girl who explores a beach takes the flower and ends up seeing two women, one light-skinned and one dark-skinned, drinking tea on a boat. Lauper appears on the beach in an elaborate jeweled headdress with a shell in her hand. She is then seen lying on a white sheet, which a long haired man (David Wolff) proceeds to pull. They eventually share a kiss. Lauper is then seen walking on the beach with a skirt made of newspaper while she walks past a class of schoolchildren. At the end of the video, she leans over a pool of water, in a scene reminiscent of the album photo cover. The video ends as it began, only now, Lauper is beating on the drum four times, in time with the music.

Jerry Smith of the Music Week magazine deemed that "Lauper's fragile little girl voice" perfectly matches with this "effective ballad with its sympathetic, sparse accompaniment", but also added that this "downbeat style" was unlikely to make the song memorable.{{cite magazine |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1986/Music-Week-1986-09-20.pdf |title=Singles |first=Jerry |last=Smith |magazine=Music Week |date=September 20, 1986 |page=24 |via=World Radio History |accessdate=September 8, 2023}} Di Cross of Record Mirror was strongly critical of "True Colors", stating that Lauper "does nothing to restore her flagging credibility rating with a dire, slushy attempt at an emotional ballad, the mixture curdled further by some appalling little girl vocals, complete with whispering asides and chest beating passion play".{{cite magazine |last=Cross |first=Di |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Record-Mirror/80s/86/Record-Mirror-1986-09-06.pdf |title=Singles reviewed by Di Cross |magazine=Record Mirror |date=September 6, 1986 |page=10 |location=London |publisher=Spotlight Publications Ltd.|via=World Radio History |issn=0144-5804 |access-date=November 6, 2023}}

The pan-European magazine Music & Media named "True Colors" one of its "records of the week" in the issue dated September 6, 1986.{{cite magazine|magazine=Music & Media|title=M&M Tip Page|volume=3|number=35|date=September 6, 1986|page=11|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/80s/1986/M&M-1986-09-06.pdf|accessdate=December 16, 2024}}

"True Colors" reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 on October 25, 1986. It also peaked at number three in Australia and New Zealand, and number 12 on the UK Singles Chart. In Mexico's Notitas Musicales (Hit Parade) "True Colors" stayed several months on the Top 10, reaching #5 on January 15, 1987.

The single has become a popular anthem in the gay community. In various interviews, Lauper elaborated that the song had resonated with her because of the recent death of her friend, Gregory Natal, from HIV/AIDS.{{cite news |last=Burnett |first=Richard |title=The true colours of Cyndi Lauper |url=http://curtainsup.tv/the-true-colours-of-cyndi-lauper/ |access-date=April 21, 2014 |newspaper=CurtainsUP |date=April 4, 2014}} Years later, Lauper co-founded the True Colors Fund,{{cite web |title=Mission Statement |publisher=True Colors Fund |url=https://truecolorsfund.org/about/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181223174633/https://truecolorsfund.org/about/ | archive-date=December 23, 2018 |access-date=August 7, 2015 | url-status=dead}} a non-profit organization dedicated to eradicating LGBT youth homelessness. On December 13, 2022, Lauper performed the song at the ceremony where U.S. President Joe Biden signed the Respect for Marriage Act into law.{{cite news|url=https://newrepublic.com/post/169459/biden-signs-landmark-bill-protecting-same-sex-marriage|title= Biden Signs Landmark Bill Protecting Same-Sex Marriage|first=Tori|last=Otten|publisher=The New Republic|date=December 13, 2022|accessdate=December 13, 2022}}

"True Colors" was also featured in a 1999 promo for PBS Kids, a children's programming brand of the American public television network PBS.{{Citation|title=PBS Kids - True Colors (Full) (2010 Wfwa Dt2)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbI5sRkSiBs |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/nbI5sRkSiBs |archive-date=December 22, 2021 |url-status=dead|language=en|access-date=September 30, 2021}}{{cbignore}}

Lauper embarked on a True Colors Tour in 2007 with several other acts, including Eddie Money, Deborah Harry and Erasure. The tour was for the Human Rights Campaign to promote LGBT rights in the US and beyond. A second True Colors Tour occurred in 2008.

• 7-inch single

1. "True Colors" – 3:45
2. "Heading for the Moon" – 3:17

• European 12-inch single

1. "True Colors" – 3:45
2. "Heading for the Moon" – 3:17
3. "Money Changes Everything" (Live) – 6:04

• Cyndi Lauper – lead vocals, arrangements, backing vocals
• Peter Wood – keyboards, arrangements
• John McCurry – guitars
• Neil Jason – bass guitar
• Jimmy Bralower – LinnDrum programming, percussion, jam box
• Angela Clemmons-Patrick – backing vocals

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{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|type=single|artist=Cyndi Lauper|title=True Colors|award=Gold|relyear=1986|certyear=1986|access-date=October 17, 2021}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|type=single|artist=Cyndi Lauper|title=True Colors|award=Gold|id=14407|relyear=1986|certyear=2024|access-date=September 17, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|artist=Cyndi Lauper|title=True Colors|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=1986|certyear=2024|id=13297|access-date=October 7, 2024|note=Since 2009}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Spain|type=single|artist=Cyndi Lauper|title=True Colors|award=Gold|relyear=1986|certyear=2025|access-date=January 13, 2025}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Cyndi Lauper|title=True Colors|award=Gold|id=14456-49-1|relyear=2006|certyear=2022|note=2006 release|access-date=October 21, 2022}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|artist=Cyndi Lauper|title=True Colors|award=Platinum|relyear=1986|certyear=2021|access-date=October 17, 2021}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|streaming=true}}

{{Infobox song

| name = True Colors

| cover = True Colors Phil Collins.jpg

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = Phil Collins

| album = ...Hits

| B-side =

• "I Missed Again"
• "In the Air Tonight"
• "Don't Lose My Number"
• "Take Me Home"

| released = {{start date|1998|10|26}}

| recorded =

| studio = Brandon's Way (Los Angeles)

| genre =

| length = 4:34

| label =

• Virgin
• Face Value

| writer =

• Tom Kelly
• Billy Steinberg

| producer = Babyface

| prev_title = The Same Moon

| prev_year = 1997

| next_title = You'll Be in My Heart

| next_year = 1999

| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|2FMtxACKlYM|"Phil Collins - True Colors (Official Music Video)"}}}}

}}

In 1998, the song was recorded by English musician Phil Collins for his first greatest hits album, ...Hits (1998). R&B singer Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds produced and provided backing vocals. The track peaked at number 12 on the U.S. Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100, number two on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart, and number 26 on the UK Singles Chart. It additionally reached the top 40 in Austria, Canada, France, Germany, and Hungary.

In 2004, a live rehearsal version was released on Collins' Love Songs: A Compilation... Old and New album.

UK CD1 and cassette single{{cite AV media notes|title=True Colors|others=Phil Collins|year=1998|type=UK CD1 liner notes|publisher=Virgin Records, Face Value Records|id=VSCDT 1715, 7243 8 95383 2 8}}{{cite AV media notes|title=True Colors|others=Phil Collins|year=1998|type=UK cassette single sleeve|publisher=Virgin Records, Face Value Records|id=VSC1715, 7243 8 95383 42}}

1. "True Colors" – 4:33
2. "I Missed Again" – 3:41
3. "In the Air Tonight" – 7:32

UK CD2{{cite AV media notes|title=True Colors|others=Phil Collins|year=1998|type=UK CD2 liner notes|publisher=Virgin Records, Face Value Records|id=VSCDG 1715, 7243 8 95384 2 7}}

1. "True Colors" – 4:33
2. "Don't Lose My Number" – 4:47
3. "Take Me Home" – 5:51

European CD single{{cite AV media notes|title=True Colors|others=Phil Collins|year=1998|type=European CD single liner notes|publisher=WEA, Face Value Records|id=3984 24775-9}}

1. "True Colors" – 4:33
2. "In the Air Tonight" – 7:32

Australian CD single{{cite AV media notes|title=True Colors|others=Phil Collins|year=1998|type=Australian CD single liner notes|publisher=WEA, Face Value Records|id=3984 24774-2}}

1. "True Colors" – 4:33
2. "In the Air Tonight" – 7:32
3. "Don't Lose My Number" – 4:47
4. "I Missed Again" – 3:41

Credits are adapted from the UK CD1 liner notes.

Studio

• Recorded and mixed at Brandon's Way Recording (Los Angeles)

Personnel

{{div col}}

• Tom Kelly – writing
• Billy Steinberg – writing
• Phil Collins – vocals, drums
• Michael Thompson – guitar
• Cornelius Mims – bass
• Greg Phillinganes – acoustic piano, Wurlitzer
• Babyface – backing vocals, keyboards, drum programming, production
• Sheila E. – percussion
• Eric Rigler – Uilleann pipes
• Jon Gass – mixing
• E'lyk – assistant mixing engineer
• Paul Boutin – engineering
• Ivy Skoff – production coordination
• Wherefore ART? – artwork design, illustration
• Trevor Keys – photography

{{div col end}}

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{{Infobox song

| name = True Colours

| cover = True_Colours_by_Kasey_Chambers.jpg

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = Kasey Chambers

| album =

| B-side =

• "If I Could" (live)
• "Lonely"

| released = {{start date|2003|4|14}}{{cite web|url=http://www.aria.com.au/Issue686.pdf|title=The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 14th April 2003|publisher=ARIA|page=29|date=April 14, 2003|url-status=dead|archive-url=http://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20080222222425/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20030507-0000/Issue+686.pdf|archive-date=February 22, 2008|access-date=March 7, 2023}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

| recorded =

| studio =

| genre =

| length =

| label = EMI Music

| writer =

• Tom Kelly
• Billy Steinberg

| producer = Nash Chambers

| prev_title = If I Were You

| prev_year = 2002

| next_title = Hollywood

| next_year = 2004

}}

In 2003, Australian singer-songwriter Kasey Chambers' recording of "True Colors" became the theme song for the 2003 Rugby World Cup. The song peaked at number four, was certified gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), and went on to be the 76th best-selling single in Australia that year. As of {{YEAR}}, it is Chambers' second-highest-charting single in Australia, after "Not Pretty Enough".

Australian CD single{{cite AV media notes|title=True Colours|others=Kasey Chambers|year=2003|type=Australian CD single liner notes|publisher=EMI Music|id=5521342}}

1. "True Colours"
2. "If I Could" (live)
3. "Lonely"

{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=2003|certyear=2003|access-date=March 7, 2023}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true}}

In 2001, Sarina Paris recorded the song and it was included on her self-titled debut album. Released on May 22, the album was composed of songs co-written by Paris, with the exception of this cover. The album reached number 167 on the Billboard 200 in the U.S.

In 2009, Jenna Ushkowitz performed it on the television program Glee, and this version was included on the compilation album Glee: The Music, Volume 2, released on December 4, 2009. The single charted on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S. and reached number 15 in Ireland, number 35 in the United Kingdom,{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artists/ |title=The Official Charts Company – Glee Cast |work=Official Charts Company |access-date=February 25, 2010}} number 38 in Canada{{cite magazine|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=glee|chart=Billboard Canadian Hot 100}}|title=Glee Cast Album & Song Chart History|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Nielsen Business Media|access-date=February 25, 2010}}{{cite web|url=http://acharts.us/performer/glee_cast|title=Glee Cast|work=acharts.us|access-date=February 25, 2010}} and number 47 in Australia.

In 2012, Artists Against Bullying (often styled as "Artists Against"), an agglomeration of seven Canadian musicians, re-recorded the song and released it during Bullying Awareness Week.{{cite web|url=http://www.chymfm.com/2012/11/12/canadian-music-stars-are-artists-against-bullying/|title=November 12, 2012 Archives|website=Chymfm.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150716214356/http://www.chymfm.com/2012/11/12/canadian-music-stars-are-artists-against-bullying/|archive-date=July 16, 2015}} The project was inspired by the increase in teen bullying and cyberbullying, especially the Amanda Todd case,{{cite web|url=https://montrealgazette.com/entertainment/music/artists-against-remake-true-colors|title=Artists Against remake True Colors|date=November 12, 2012}} with proceeds being donated to Kids Help Phone, a Canadian counseling service for children and youth. The artists involved in the recording were Lights, Pierre Bouvier (from Simple Plan), Jacob Hoggard (from Hedley), Fefe Dobson, Kardinal Offishall, Alyssa Reid and Walk Off the Earth. The song entered the Canadian Singles Top 100 chart at number 10{{Cite web|url=https://acharts.co/song/74648|title=True Colors by Artists Against Bullying - Music Charts|website=Acharts.co|access-date=April 25, 2021}} the week it was released.

In 2016, Justin Timberlake and Anna Kendrick covered the song for the DreamWorks Animation movie Trolls. Their version was certified platinum in Brazil,{{cite web |title=CERTIFICADOS |url=https://pro-musicabr.org.br/home/certificados/?busca_artista=timberlake&busca_tipo_produto=&busca_tipo_certificado=&busca_pela_gravadora=&busca_ano= |website=Pro-Música Brasil |access-date=December 12, 2023 |language=pt-BR}} gold in the United Kingdom{{cite certification|region=United Kingdom|artist=Anna Kendrick/Timberlake|title=True Colors|id=14456-4850-1|access-date=November 19, 2024}} and platinum in New Zealand.{{cite certification|region=New Zealand|artist=Anna Kendrick And Justin Timberlake|title=True Colors|source=radioscope|type=single|access-date=January 18, 2025}}

For BBC Children in Need in 2019, 1,399 children sang the song in unison from nine towns across the UK. {{cite web|title=south wiltshire primary schools sing live bbc children need|last=Rimell|first=William|date=November 14, 2019 |url=https://www.salisburyjournal.co.uk/news/18036318.south-wiltshire-primary-schools-sing-live-bbc-children-need/}} The performance on the telethon started in the studio and as all the choirs sang it cut between them giving them about 20-25 seconds on air, all in real time as they sang. The choirs sang from: Elstree at Elstree Studios the studio just outside of London where the main telethon was held, Hartlepool at The Town Hall Theatre, Belfast at W5, Maidstone at Allington Castle, The Wirral at the Lady Lever Art Gallery, Cardiff at The Broadcasting House, Mountsorrel at The Mountsorrel Memorial Centre, Larkhill at St Michael's CE Primary School, Glasgow at BBC Pacific Quayhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MHf2yynQNA The BBC Children in Need official YouTube channel version of the full performance without the onscreen graphicshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDxOYAhu1TQ version of the performance with the on-screen graphics which aired on the TV

{{Reflist}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20061026061615/http://www.secondhandsongs.com/song/115.html True Colors] at Second Hand Songs

{{Cyndi Lauper singles}}

{{Phil Collins songs}}

{{Kasey Chambers}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:1986 songs

Category:1986 singles

Category:1998 singles

Category:2003 singles

Category:Cyndi Lauper songs

Category:Phil Collins songs

Category:Kasey Chambers songs

Category:Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles

Category:RPM Top Singles number-one singles

Category:Songs written by Tom Kelly (musician)

Category:Songs written by Billy Steinberg

Category:Pop ballads

Category:1980s ballads

Category:LGBTQ-related songs

Category:Epic Records singles

Category:Atlantic Records singles

Category:Virgin Records singles

Category:Warner Music Group singles

Category:EMI Records singles

Category:Songs about colors