Primary Colours

Whenever I hear Primary Colours, I think of Barack Obama. I mean, here's this guy, an ordinary human being, who all the world (give or take) sings the praises of, who greeted him, even before he became the "leader of the free world," as if he were the new messiah. Millions expect so much of him, demand so much of him, but does he ever get a break from them? Nope. Even at night, he's trapped beneath the "unwanted vigil" of the bright light public eye. America doesn't sleep. The stars and stripes wave day and night, waving their primary colours of red and blue. And yes, I know that white is technically a shade, but that's missing the point.

Hey, it could work!

I think it's about fame a little Perhaps about this role model type figure (praise him for his character has no defects, a shining example) who enjoys it for a bit, then starts questioning it all, and starts getting sick/annoyed of it (the coloured light will keep, unwanted vigil over) And starts questioning the point/longevity of it (...will confront his fears, though new kings are born he'll stay on his throne) And I also thing theres a twinge of sarcasm of everyone in the song making the lead out to be something he isn't (everyone knows him he knows himself better) And then it kind of ends with the lead accepting that maybe that'll come to an end by he'll still be remembered in a good way. Maybe that's just me though.

Parts of it make me think of Superman.

I think some of it may be about him...superman wears blue and red, both of which are primary colors.

i had listened to the song a billion times and have only just looked properly at the lyrics. it seems to me that the lyrics and the music is about a high figure. Superman perhaps, if you like that idea. but what i have in mind was a religious figure. im not slaming anything so please dont post anything agressive after this.

but by the messiha (i know that is a little obvious) and the throne and "Riding through town on a chariot high Glory adorned and immortalised" makes me think this. But just as i was typing this i got an idea that it may be about a hero, religious or not, but someone who is immortalised by it's people but has a wavering faith in themselves:

"But as he falls asleep The coloured lights will keep Unwanted vigil over Where he is He doesn't know where he is."

my view is that is it about a person that is trusted and has high expectations placed on themselves but doubts their ability, and can't comprehend their accent to the top. but i dont know how to link the "Primary Colours" part to it all. perhaps a sort of pure (primany, innocence (i remember primary colours from little kids painting) of the character.

I completely agree that this is about Obama. Lines like 'the newest messiah', 'demands of millions' and the fact that there's a film about the US presidential race called Primary Colors. It makes much more sense it'd be about Obama than Superman I think. And in the chorus he's attempting to empathise with the fears that Obama must be feeling given all the expectations on him. I don't think the lyrics are particularly sophisticated, but I do think that's the meaning. And it's a really good song.

Maybe these primary colours represent the indiscriminate image that the world has of this New Messiah. (there may be a link to Obama, but it can also be Jesus, Gandhi, ...)

Well, I agree with most of the people that it's more than likely about a religious figure, especially at the end "Glory adorned and immortalized in primary colors" Makes me think his image was set in a stained glass window.