Music in Colorful Hues

“The Lady in Red” is a song recorded by British-Irish singer and songwriter Chris de Burgh. The song came out as the second single from his album Into the Light. It made Burgh successful and known worldwide. He wrote the song in reference to his wife Diane, who used to come and listen to him at the hotel his parents owned. This song became a hit worldwide and became Burgh’s best-selling single and his signature song. It reached number one in Canada, the UK, the Republic of Ireland, Norway, and Flanders, Belgium. In 1987 it charted in the US and became Burgh’s third UK hit single. 

“Green-eyed Lady” is a song recorded by the American rock band Sugarloaf. It was written by Jerry Corbetta, J.C. Phillips, and David Riordan. It is included on their debut album Sugarloaf and was their first single. It charted on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The single was released in the US in three different versions. The album version ended with a cadence on the organ.

“Baby Blue” is a song recorded by the Welsh rock band Badfinger. It is on their fourth album Straight Up from 1971. The song was written by Pete Ham. It was released as a single in the US in 1972. The song was featured in the series finale of the TV show “Breaking Bad.” It charted on the Billboard Pop Singles chart. It was not released as a single in the UK.

“Purple Rain” is a song recorded by American musician Prince and his backup band The Revolution. It is the title track from the 1984 album of the same name, The album is the soundtrack for the 1984 movie of the same name starring Prince, This is a power ballad combining rock, R&B, gospel, and orchestral music. It charted on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and was certified Gold by the RIAA. It is considered to be one of Prince’s signature songs. After Prince passed on the song went to number one on the US and UK iTunes charts. It was once again on both the Billboard Hot 100 in the US and the UK Singles charts. Rolling Stone magazine has it at number 18 on the list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time and is included in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll. 

“Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress” is a song recorded by the British rock group The Hollies. It was released as a single from their album Distant Light. The song was written by Allan Clarke, Roger Cook, and Roger Greenaway. The song charted on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and Billboard ranked it as the number 24 song of 1972. The song was written initially in the coutry/rockabilly style of Jerry Reed and then adapted to the swamp rock style of Creedence Clearwater Revival. When The Hollies version came out the song became a hit in the US. 

“Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” is a ballad recorded by English musician Elton John. It was written by Elton John and songwriter Bernie Taupin. It is the title track on John’s seventh album of the same name, The road in the title and song refer to the road in the movie and book “The Wizard of Oz,” by L. Frank Baum. It is at number 390 on the Rolling Stone magazine list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. It was certified Double Platinum by the RIAA. It is one of John’s biggest hits.

“Knights in White Satin” is a song recorded by the English rock band The Moody Blues. It was written and composed by Justin Hayward. The song was first featured as the segment “The Night” on their album Days of Future Passed. It was released as a single in 1967 and charted on the UK Singles chart. The song was reissued in 1972 and charted on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It went to number one on the Cash Box Top 100 chart. 

“Shades of Gray” is a song recorded by the American rock and pop band The Monkees. It was written by Barry Mann and Cynthia well and is on the band’s 1967 album Headquarters. Lead vocals were sung by band members Davy Jones and Peter Tork. It has been included in several compilation albums by The Monkees.

“Heart of Gold” is a song recorded by Canadian singer and songwriter Neil Young, It is on his fourth album Harvest. The song rose to number one in both the US and Canada. It is Young’s only US number one single, The song is at number 297 on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. The song features backup vocals by American singer, songwriter and guitarist James Taylor and by American singer Linda Ronstadt.

“Hi Ho Silver Lining” is a song recorded by the English band The Attack and later by English rock guitarist Jeff Beck. It was written by American songwriters Scott English and Larry Weiss. Beck’s version charted on the UK Singles chart and was released as “Hi-Ho Silver.” It is featured as a bonus track on the 2006 reissue of Beck’s album Truth. Beck performed the song live at the ARMS Charity Concert, a charity benefit show for multiple sclerosis at the Royal Albert Hall in London, England.

After you have listened to all these colorful songs always make sure your own true colors shine through. 

“True Colors” is a song recorded by American singer Cyndi Lauper and is the title track from her second album from 1986. It was written by American songwriters Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly. The song became a major hit for Lauper and went to number on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and charted on the UK Singles chart.