Cyndi Lauper, True Colors | Throwback Vibez

In the 23rd edition of Throwback Vibez (2025), we recollect and reflect on the beloved classic, “True Colors” by Cyndi Lauper.   

The vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez ! Throwback Vibez is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace this column are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re ancient – no fossils ! All genres of music are welcome. In the 23^rd edition of Throwback Vibez ️ (2025), we recollect and reflect on “True Colors” performed by Cyndi Lauper.

“In a world full of people / You can lose sight of it all,” Grammy-winning pop/rock musician Cyndi Lauper sings in the first verse of her classic, “True Colors”.  She continues singing, “And the darkness inside you / Can make you feel small.” Of course, there’s good news despite darkness and smallness: the visibility of true colors. “True Colors” is the fourth track from Lauper’s double platinum, 1986 album, True Colors.  It spent two weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1986.  Furthermore, it was certified platinum by the RIAA in 2021. That is what you call a rousing success! “True Colors” was nominated for Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female at the 29^th Annual GRAMMY Awards, deservingly.  Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly penned it, while Lauper and Lennie Petze produced it.

“If this world makes you crazy / And you’ve taken all you can bear,”  Lauper sings in the second verse, continuing, “You can call me up / Because you know I’ll be there.” What Lauper sees in this individual that others miss is summed up brilliantly in the chorus, the centerpiece:

“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.”

Yes, yes, yes! The inspirational, uplifting nature of “True Colors” is one of the reasons it is such a special song.  When performing this song, Lauper had a friend, who’d died of AIDS, in mind.  “True Colors” is an important song to the LGBTQ+ community – a beloved gay anthem.  Musically, it begins with a distinct percussion groove at the beginning.  Following the percussion groove, rhythmic guitar and synth (keys) take over. Gradually, percussion returns, first with conga drums and then a fuller, more developed groove.  Over the backdrop, Cyndi Lauper delivers lovely, sincere vocals.  She is an ally, despite what others see or might think. The magnificence of “True Colors” speaks for itself.  Many musicians have covered this classic, including Anna Kendrick and Justin Timberlake.

Cyndi Lauper // True Colors // Epic // 1986

Cyndi Lauper, True Colors: Throwback Vibez ️ No. 23 (2025) [: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Epic; AcatXlo, OpenClipart-Vectors, Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Speedy McVroom from Pixabay]