Color is evocative. Whether it’s sunshine yellow, a red light, or the dark black depths of night, hearing colors in songs immediately conjure images in our imaginations. It’s frequently used by songwriters to give their songs a visual punch. Here are some of the best songs that have a color in the title.
Top Songs with Colors in The Title
“Purple Rain” – Prince
This list could not be made without including this classic from the singer Prince. As a legendary singer, Prince has a ton of musical classics under his belt. Purple Rain is one of those songs that speak to the heart; and it has a beautiful story to tell.
A story of both love and loss. What can be more beautiful? If you have never heard this chart topping anthem, get ready to have your ears blown away.
“Red” – Taylor Swift
Real-life America’s sweetheart, Taylor Swift, has a song called “Red.” It sold over 1.208 million copies within the first week of release.
Eminem previously held this record. Taylor Swift also became the first woman ever to sell two million-selling weeks. Here are some of the lyrics from the song:
- “Like the colors in autumn, so bright, just before they lose it all”
- “Losing him was blue, like I’d never known”
- “Loving him was red”
“Blackbird” – The Beatles
Another great song with a color in the title is Blackbird by the Beatles. This song is another classic song worth mentioning. It is beloved for its lovely harmonic tune and the beautiful message behind it.
It is truly an inspirational song. A great feature of the song is the chirping birds that fly through the background.
“Welcome to the Black Parade” – My Chemical Romance
Next song on the list is for my rock fans. Welcome to the Black Parade is one of those rock songs that you just have to love. In an anthem style rendition, My Chemical Romance delivers a moving collection.
The song starts at a slow and steady pace, but builds into an upbeat rock classic that lets you feel every beat of the drum and stroke of the guitar. Furthermore, the song has a beautiful message behind it as well. It speaks of carrying on memories of lost loves.
“Black Widow” – Iggy Azalea
As one of the more recent artistic works, Black Widow is an upbeat pop song with an enjoyable flare. If you can appreciate a good pop song delivered by a female rap artist, then you may want to consider giving this song a listen.
The name of the song references the black widow spider who is feared for its venomous bite. In the song, Iggy proclaims her love as similar to that of a black widow.
“Ebony and Ivory” – Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder
This blockbuster team-up of two of music’s biggest talents led to one of 1982’s biggest hits. Both McCartney and Wonder duet on this mid-tempo ballad. McCartney’s inspired lyrics suggest that that black and white folks should co-exist as harmoniously, “side by side,” as the major and minor keys on a piano.
“Black” – Pearl Jam
This moody ballad from the Seattle quintet’s 1991 debut Ten was never released as a single, despite enormous airplay. Vocalist Eddie Vedder brings a bravura vocal to a song about doomed first relationships. Others think that the song is about an unwanted pregnancy. There is no denying the poignancy of this epic tune.
“Blue Monday” – New Order
Huge in England, this British synth-rock quartet rose from the ashes of the legendary post-punk band Joy Division. “Blue Monday,” released in 1983, is one of the most influential tunes in British pop. Instantly identifiable by its opening drum pattern and the signature hook that weaves in and out of the song, it remains the best-selling 12” single of all time and a guaranteed dance-floor filler to this day.
“Pink Turns to Blue” – Husker Du
Cult favorites Husker Du helped invent the rough—but melodic—sound today celebrated as indie rock way back in the early 1980s. The trio was one of the first to marry the pop melodies of the 1960s to the hardcore punk sound of the 1980s. This song, featured on their ground-breaking Zen Arcade album, is a loud, brash but beautiful song about a love affair—that ends in a drug overdose. Lyrically grim, yet somehow musically uplifting.
Orange Crush – R.E.M.
This 1988 single heralded the arrival of Georgia college-rock favorites to the big leagues. A soaring anthem and an American number one hit, the song contains cryptic lyrical references to the Agent Orange defoliant used extensively in the Vietnam War. More innocent listeners might mistake it, as one British presenter did, as an ode to the popular soft drink of the same name.
“(The Angels Want to Wear My) Red Shoes” – Elvis Costello
From his first album My Aim is True, this fan-favorite put Costello on the map as a storyteller in the best singer-songwriter tradition. The singer trades his beloved red shoes to an angel with rusted wings in exchange for immortality. Singer goes to the club to tell his girlfriend. Girlfriend tells the singer to drop dead and “leaves with another guy.” We still think that the singer got the better of the deal.
“Nights in White Satin” – the Moody Blues
This lush ballad helped to break the Moodies in America, and to many remains their signature song. What many don’t realize is that it first appeared as the climax to the group’s orchestral pop masterpiece Days of Future Passed in 1967.
Released as a single then, it was a moderate hit in England and pretty much a flop in America. By 1972, DJs had been playing it for years on FM radio, and upon its reissue, this time shot it up the American charts, peaking at the top.
“Moody Blue” – Elvis Presley
This country rocker was Elvis Presley’s last hit in the U.S, with a decent showing in the top 40. Some critics feel that the King’s last recorded output lacks the power of his best work, but “Moody Blue” proves that Elvis could deliver the goods even at the very end. Fun fact: songwriter Mark James also penned Elvis’ worldwide smash “Suspicious Minds.”
“Behind Blue Eyes” – the Who
From 1971’s classic Who’s Next, this rocker is one of the band’s most famous tunes and has seldom not been featured in their live performances. This personality study was written by songwriter and guitarist Pete Townshend about a character that he planned to include in an earlier project, a rock opera called Lifehouse.
He has said that he wanted to create a portrait of a villain that you could empathize with. The band’s performance on this song captures the Who at their playing best—in particular, the relatively restrained drumming of Keith Moon that drives the song throughout.
“Touch of Grey” – the Grateful Dead
This 1987 hit single for The Dead was something of a gift and a curse. A cheerfully upbeat ode to growing older with a delicious hook in its chorus (“I will get by”), this was the first—and only—bona-fide hit single the band ever enjoyed.
Long a touring act with one of the most loyal fan bases in rock history, this hit’s success led to a new generation of fans discovering the joys of the Dead’s music and lifestyle. It also led to a greater awareness that their fame was becoming unmanageable. Nonetheless, most Deadheads still love this song.
“Back in Black” – AC/DC
AC/DC may be one of the best rock bands ever to grace the music industry. The song “Back in Black” was released on 21 December 1980, and it quickly became an instant hit among the audiences.
The song opens with an impressive and stunning guitar riff. Moreover, this song serves as a tribute to former singer Bon Scott. Bon Scott passed away earlier in 1980. Here are a few impressive lines from the song:
- “Yes, I’m back in black”
- “Well, I’m back in black”
- “Abusin’ every one of them and running wild”
“Paint it, Black” – The Rolling Stones
Paint it, Black by The Rolling Stones is one of the most popular songs with a color in the title. This brilliant masterpiece has been used in hundreds of different media, video games, and movies over the years. It was originally released on 7 May 1966.
However, the band later re-released the song as part of their US album, Aftermath. It quickly secured the number one position in Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart. Here are a few impressive lyrics from the song:
- “I see a red door”
- “And I want it painted black”
- “No colors anymore”
“Black Sun” – Death Cab for Cutie
Despite having a dark name, this light and airy tune is another must-have song for this list. In addition to having a colorful name, this song has a beautiful melody that needs to be heard.
This song can best be described as a country-rock song as it embodies the soul of a country song and the attitude of a rock song. However you describe it, this song is beautifully simple.
“Gray Street” – Dave Matthews Band
Listening to this song live is an experience recommend to everyone, regardless of what genre of music they like. As a rock song, this song has every element a rock song requires and then some. However, this song transcends its rock category.
One quality to truly be admired in this work of art is every instrument that was played to create it. You can hear each instrument, from the horns to the guitar, to the drums. Each of them coming together to create a harmonic masterpiece.
“Green Light” – Lorde
Green Light is the first single from the album Melodrama. The song is about getting over heartbreaks, breakups and relationship issues. It instantly hits the mark and delivers an emotional message with stunning visuals. Here are some of the lyrics from this amazing song:
- “Those great whites, they have big teeth”
- “I’m waiting for it, that green light, I want it”
- “Oh, honey I’ll come get my things, but I can’t let go”
“That Green Gentleman” – Panic! at the Disco
Although this song is only 12 years old, it evokes feelings of nostalgia like no other. This is one song I could not leave off the list. It is so well put together musically that a song list could not be complete without it. Additionally, the song has some thought provoking lyrics that add depth to the melody.
“Pink Triangle” – Weezer
Next on the list is Pink Triangle by Weezer. This unique composition is nothing short of spectacular. As a musical genius, Weezer pours their heart and soul into this beautiful piece.
If you are looking for an upbeat harmonic tune, then you may want to consider putting this record on. It touches on how it is to love and not be loved. If you can imagine a rock ballad, this song may be everything you envisioned. It has a tender and sorrowful meaning behind the lyrics, with a harsh and raspy underlying tone.
“Red Red Wine” – UB40
Red Red Wine was originally performed by Neil Diamond in 1967. However, UB40 released the more famous song cover in 1983. The song instantly became a hit. It was later re-released in 1988. The song gained the number one place in Billboard Hot 100. Here are a few sample lyrics:
- “Red, red wine goes to my head”
- “Red, red wine, stay close to me”
- “Red red wine, you make me feel so fine”
“Heart of Gold” – Neil Young
Heart of Gold was composed and performed by Neil Young in 1972. The song gained him a place in the top positions of Billboard 200 for two weeks. The song later inspired Douglas Adam, and he named a spaceship after the song in his famous book, “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.” Here a few lyrics from this song:
- “I’ve been a miner”
- “For a heart of gold”
- “That keeps me searching”
“Old Yellow Bricks” – Arctic Monkeys
Another rock song worth mentioning is Old Yellow Bricks. This upbeat tune will keep you on your feet for the entire three minutes of the songs. The guitar solo in the middle of the song adds a bit of flair that cannot go unmentioned. Furthermore, the song has meaning behind it which makes it even more noteworthy. It speaks of someone wanting for something that may not be the best option for them. Take a listen, hopefully you enjoy.
“Men in Black” – Will Smith
Who hasn’t seen and loved the world-famous movie franchise Men in Black? Did you know that the lead actor, Will Smith, also has a song by the same name? The song was later used as a title song for the movie. Here are some interesting lines from the song:
- “Here come the Men In Black”
- “We straight don’t exist, no names and no fingerprints”
- “Now, from the deepest of the darkest of night”
“Black Velvet” – Alannah Myles
Black Velvet by Alannah Myles is an amazing song that serves as a tribute to the legendary Elvis Presley. Elvis used a hair dye by the same name, and the song was released as part of her eponymous album in 1989. Here are some amazing lines from the song:
- “The sun is settin’ like molasses in the sky”
- “Black velvet and that little boy’s smile”
- “Black velvet with that slow southern style”
“Blue Jeans” – Lana Del Rey
Lana Del Ray is the go-to option for every heartbroken teenager and adult. Moreover, her songs take you back to simpler times and instill nostalgia and elegance in your hearts. Blue Jeans is yet another amazing hit from Lana Del Ray, and this song was released on April 8, 2012. It is part of her album, “Born to Die,” and is widely regarded as one of the most visually beautiful songs from her collections. Here are some interesting lines from the song:
- “Blue jeans, white shirt”
- “Walked into the room you know you made my eyes burn”
- “You were sorta punk rock, I grew up on hip hop”
“Electric Blue” – Arcade Fire
Another must-have on this list is the party anthem Electric Blue. This upbeat song will definitely keep you up and grooving on your feet. Although one may describe this song as a rock song, its melodic blend makes it so much more.
It is a captivating composition that should be admired as such. It is one of those songs that lifts your spirits in times of great darkness. If you are looking for the perfect song to get everyone moving, consider putting this record on. It is sure to have everyone dancing in a matter of seconds.
“True Blue” – Madonna
Madonna has given us some of the finest gems ever to hit the music industry. True Blue is yet another amazing masterpiece by Madonna, and it was the best-selling album of 1986 in the UK.
The album is also among Madonna’s highest-selling albums, with over two million sold copies. It was released on June 30, 1986. Here are some lines from the song:
- “True love, oh baby, true love, oh baby”
- “No more sadness, I kiss it goodbye”
- “You’re the one for me, baby, this I know”
Born and raised in Austin, David is a dedicated writer and avid fragrance lover. When he's not trying out perfumes, he enjoys traveling and exploring new restaurants.