You with the sad eyes
Don't be discouraged
Oh I realize
It's hard to take courage
In a world full of people
You can lose sight of it all
And the darkness inside you
Can make you feel so small

But I see your true colors
Shining through
I see your true colors
And that's why I love you
So don't be afraid to let them show
Your true colors
True colors are beautiful
Like a rainbow

Show me a smile then
Don't be unhappy, can't remember
When I last saw you laughing
If this world makes you crazy
And you've taken all you can bear
You call me up
Because you know I'll be there

And I'll see your true colors
Shining through
I see your true colors
And that's why I love you
So don't be afraid to let it show
Your true colors
True colors are beautiful
Like a rainbow

(Can't remember when I last saw you laughing)

If this world makes you crazy
And you've taken all you can bear
You call me up
Because you know I'll be there

And I'll see your true colors
Shining through
I see your true colors
And that's why I love you
So don't be afraid to let it show

Your true colors
True colors
True colors
Shining through

I see your true colors
And that's why I love you
So don't be afraid to let them show
Your true colors
True colors are beautiful
Like a rainbow


Lyrics submitted by xJoeBoothx

True Colors Lyrics as written by Tom Kelly Billy Steinberg

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

True Colors song meanings
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35 Comments

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  • +5
    General Comment

    It's so beautiful, about sticking by someone you care about no matter what, because you see who they really are, although others may not

    missmeon September 14, 2006   Link
  • +4
    General Comment

    It means faith in friendship, the courage of being true to your real self, to pull through this wild world and shine. I would sing this song whenever I feel the world is crushing me with its indifference, superficiality and hate.

    oliveraon May 30, 2002   Link
  • +3
    My Interpretation

    Its not about gays, and Cyndi Lauper didnt even write this song,Billy Steinber gand Tom Kelly did, its written under the lyrics on this very page. The song clearly sounds like its about depression, his mum is depressed and hes trying to get her out of it.

    jimmyfingerson March 20, 2015   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    Beautiful song. And she sings it with such feeling........

    nietzsche_66on June 01, 2002   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    The is about a person to afraid to be themselves because of how the world might see them. And a friend telling them to just be yourself. They will accept them for who they are because they are a beautiful person. Spiritually not physically.

    xPsychoKill3rxon June 22, 2009   Link
  • +2
    My Interpretation

    Generally, I think this song is about having a friend that feels a bit odd or misplaced in this world but you see the beautiful side of that person.

    My own interpretation of this song is a bit different, maybe because of my current depression. I found it out today when I heard the song and I started to cry, which I haven't done in months now. To me, this is a song to someone very close going through a depression.

    "You with the sad eyes Don't be discouraged Oh I realize Its hard to take courage In a world full of people You can lose sight of it all And the darkness inside you Can make you feel so small"

    To me, everything is colorless/gray but I know that I used to see colors in life and I know that other people do as well. I've lost faith in myself and my abilities, which have led me to take distance from other people. I don't want anyone to think I'm strange or make them feel uncomfortable.

    "But I see your true colors Shining through I see your true colors And that's why I love you So don't be afraid to let them show Your true colors True colors are beautiful Like a rainbow"

    My girlfriend, family and friends see that I'm suffering from this darkness but they know that deep inside of me there are beautiful colors that used to make them and all other people around me happy. I was happy. They know what I used to be and they really want me to get well again, to make these colors visible.

    "Show me a smile then Don't be unhappy, can't remember When I last saw you laughing If this world makes you crazy And you've taken all you can bear You call me up Because you know I'll be there"

    Suicidal thoughts are also a part of this illness. I live with them every day and this verse is the one bringing me to tears. I know that my girlfriend, family and friends love me and they would sacrifice anything to help me – if I just ask for help.

    micholangeloon June 25, 2018   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I adore this song like nobody's business but Phil Collin's version is really cheesy. Cyndi sings it like no one else can.

    Johanna143xon September 09, 2002   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    This version makes my head hurt, seriously. It it not at all comparable to Phil Collins' version of it! Either way, though, the lyrics are absolutely heart warming and amazing! I couldn't have written my life story better myself! LOL! It reminds me of my ex-worst enemy, now closest friend. I feel like when I gave her a chance, I was priviliged enough to see her "true colors". :) ~Kami*

    TiburonGrrl5569on July 02, 2003   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Oh, bring back those beautiful 80's ballads! - For me, the song means to be yourself!

    bkat004on February 13, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    This song relates to me, how my own family thinks I'm a terrible person but I know I'm not, I know I'm a wonderful person.

    Zytheon July 21, 2006   Link

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