Gogol Bordello, Start Wearing Purple | Wacky Wednesday

In the sixth edition of Wacky Wednesday (2025), we break down the unique song, “Start Wearing Purple” performed by Gogol Bordello.

[otw_shortcode_dropcap label=”D” size=”large” border_color_class=”otw-no-border-color” shadow=”shadow” square=”square”]o you know what day it is? It is Wednesday, folks! Do you know what that means? Why, it is Wacky Wednesday! In the spirited column Wacky Wednesday, we analyze, break down, and explore songs from various musicians of various genres that can be considered unique, unusual, or ‘wacky.’  These songs can be new or old; the only requirement is that they ‘catch the ears’ because of their distinctiveness.  So, with the background established, in the sixth edition of Wacky Wednesday (2025), we break down the unique song, “Start Wearing Purple” performed by Gogol Bordello. Wacky Wednesday vibes commence![/otw_shortcode_dropcap]

“Start wearing purple, wearing purple / Start wearing purple for me now,” Eugene Hütz sings in the chorus of “Start Wearing Purple”.  He continues singing, “All your sanity and wits, they will all vanish / I promise, it’s just a matter of time.” Word. Hütz is the frontman of Gogol Bordello, a unique band of immigrants. “Start Wearing Purple” is the ninth track from Gypsy Punks: Underdog World Strike, released in 2005. Damn, that’s pushing 20 years ago (as of publication date)! Of course, that is the 2005 version of the song (there is an earlier version).  “Start Wearing Purple” remains an unusual song two decades later.

Hütz is the star of the show.  His vocals are distinct and dynamic, while his Ukrainian accent is charming.  Also charming is the personality Hütz brings to the performance.  The tunefulness of the chorus goes without saying, inciting purple-wearing but the verses are fun too.  “I know you since you were a twenty, I was twenty,” Hütz asserts in the first verse, adding, “A purple little, little lady will be perfect / For a dirty old and useless clown.” Oh, snap! Fittingly, Hütz sings some lyrics in his native language (in the second and third verses).  Still, the biggest draw is to start wearing purple, PERIOD!  Stylistically, “Start Wearing Purple” encompasses rock, punk, folk, and Romani music.  It thrives on an infectious groove from the beginning.  The use of an accordion specifically (Yuri Lemeshev) enhances the timbre.  There is a reason why two decades later Gogol Bordello fans continue to wear purple.  The song still slaps! ‘

Gogol Bordello // Gypsy Punks: Underdog World Strike // SideOneDummy // 2005

Gogol Bordello, Start Wearing Purple: Wacky Wednesday No. 6 (2025) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; SideOneDummy; Rich The Barber Font from Font Space; Wendel Natan from Pexels; AcatXlo, OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay]