It’s a well known fact that many songs come from deep down, with emotion and stories that would otherwise not be told. But music helps speak the words we might not be able to muster and it helps us cope with bad situations. This song is no exception to that. Grayscale have opened up to us about the meaning behind their song “Colors” which you can find on their latest album, Leaving. Check it out below, take a listen to the song here and make sure to grab a copy of their new album here.
Background:
We wrote “Colors” in the studio last December. The song is written about the family problems and struggles that Dallas, our guitarist, and I, Collin, have gone through/are still going through. The song is really about how Dallas and I view holidays, kind of depicting Christmas through our eyes. Because of everything that has gone on, Dallas and I basically just hangout on Christmas or thanksgiving together. I don’t want to get too deep into it, but because of personal issues and drugs/alcohol Dallas and I don’t really have anyone to spend our holidays with other than each other; or in other words, we don’t really have anyone we want to see when Christmas or thanksgiving rolls around. It is always bittersweet for me coming home from school. I get to tour and hangout with my best friends, but at the same time I have to deal with another shitty Christmas that reminds me of my issues. Dallas feels the same way.
The line “now you’re just a site that I can visit when I’m home” is referring to someone I lost connection with in my family because of drug/alcohol issues that had passed away before I had time to make mends.
The chorus refers to the change in heart people close to Dallas (guitar) and I had. It reflects the change in personality or change in face these people had towards us before we cut ties with them. The chorus describes how we looked up to these people like they were heroes. But as we grew up, they turned out not to be, in fact they were the complete opposite. To us, these people were always weak and didn’t care enough to change themselves for the better, we were just too young to see it at first. These people were selfish and this is why we let them go permanently.
Lyrics
If you really wanna see me cut myself wide open
As a constant reminder of where I came from.
As I pass your house on Longwood road I’ll think about
All the times I would’ve driven you home when you were too fucked up.
Now you’re just a site that I can visit when I’m home. Visit when I’m home.
I know it’s wrong that I hated you for it, but try and understand I was young and innocent.
Now you know how fucked up I really am, maybe it would be different if I had a second chance,
Or if I could still grab your reaching hand. I know a better road, and if I had to do this all again, I’d take the same way home.
Cause your colors are always changing, it’s obvious you never cared at all.
And all I have are these bitter goddamn songs.
It’s your fault for letting this go, it’s your words that I live by, and you’re why I spend my holidays alone.
Your colors are always changing.
You’re always changing.
It’s your words that I live by, I think it’s safe to say that I’ll grow up alone.
