The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
You with the sad eyes
Don't be discouraged
Though I realize
It's hard to take courage
In a world full of people
You can lose sight of it
And the darkness inside you
Makes 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
Just show your true colors
True colors
Ooh, are beautiful like a rainbow
Show me a smile
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
Just call me up
'Cause you know I'll be there
And see your true colors
Shining through
I see your true colors
That's why I love you
So, don't be afraid to let them show
Your true colors
True colors are beautiful
Oh, like a rainbow
Show me a smile
(Show me a smile)
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
Just call me up
Because you know I'll be there
Such sad eyes
Take courage now
Realize
When this world makes you crazy
And you've taken all you can bear
Just call me up
Because you know I'll be there
And see your true colors
Shining through
I see your true colors
That's why I love you
So, don't be afraid to let them show
Just show your true colors
True colors, true colors
Are shining through?
I see your true colors
And that's why I love you
So, don't be afraid, just let them show
Your true colors, true colors
True colors are beautiful
So, beautiful like a rainbow
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
(Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
Show me your colors
(Show me your colors)
Show me your rainbow
(Beautiful)
Like a rainbow
(Show me your colors)
Colors, colors
(True colors shine)
Show me your rainbow, so beautiful
That's why I love you
Show me your colors
(True colors shinin' through)
Show me your rainbow, beautiful
Ooh, ooh show me your colors, colors, colors
True colors
Don't be discouraged
Though I realize
It's hard to take courage
In a world full of people
You can lose sight of it
And the darkness inside you
Makes 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
Just show your true colors
True colors
Ooh, are beautiful like a rainbow
Show me a smile
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
Just call me up
'Cause you know I'll be there
And see your true colors
Shining through
I see your true colors
That's why I love you
So, don't be afraid to let them show
Your true colors
True colors are beautiful
Oh, like a rainbow
Show me a smile
(Show me a smile)
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
Just call me up
Because you know I'll be there
Such sad eyes
Take courage now
Realize
When this world makes you crazy
And you've taken all you can bear
Just call me up
Because you know I'll be there
And see your true colors
Shining through
I see your true colors
That's why I love you
So, don't be afraid to let them show
Just show your true colors
True colors, true colors
Are shining through?
I see your true colors
And that's why I love you
So, don't be afraid, just let them show
Your true colors, true colors
True colors are beautiful
So, beautiful like a rainbow
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
(Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
Show me your colors
(Show me your colors)
Show me your rainbow
(Beautiful)
Like a rainbow
(Show me your colors)
Colors, colors
(True colors shine)
Show me your rainbow, so beautiful
That's why I love you
Show me your colors
(True colors shinin' through)
Show me your rainbow, beautiful
Ooh, ooh show me your colors, colors, colors
True colors
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when the hits are drying up bring ou yet another cover version. Cyndi Lauper does it more sincerely and with true feeling.