In less than a year since releasing their self-titled debut, Black Pumas has sold out a global tour, appeared on countless top US TV shows and been nominated for a Best New Artist Grammy. The Texas duo is the very definition of an international smash, and for good reason.
Led by the smooth, yet powerhouse vocals of frontman Eric Burton, the Pumas purvey what has been called “psychedelic soul” and “retro soul,” though contemporary R&B might be a better description. There’s also a bit of Ben Harper in his less rockier moments.
Whatever you want to call it, it’s a hit, with the addictive single “Colors” leading the way, having reached number one on adult alternative charts, and No. 30 on a similar rock listing.
It’s no surprise that former busker Burton and founding member Adrian Quesada were quickly recruited to live music’s broadcasting pinnacle, and hometown showpiece, Austin City Limits, but they’ve also enlivened such mainstream shows as Ellen, Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert.
As such, there are quite of few versions of the song that can be viewed, but we’ve chosen a fresh take: a stripped-down version recorded recently specifically for “Juneteenth,” the day marking the ending of slavery in the US.
The song clearly may be taken in that context, painting a picture of a better prejudice-free world, though the band has said it is more simply about togetherness and was inspired by a beautiful sunset in New Mexico. Either way, it is simply a great song. See for yourself.
– Mike
Lyrics
I woke up to the morning sky first
Baby blue just like we rehearsed
When I get up off this ground
I shake leaves back down to the brown, brown, brown, ’til I’m clean
Then I walked where I’d be shaded by the trees by a meadow of green
For about a mile I’m headed to town, town, town, in style
With all my favorite colors
All my favorite colors
My sisters and my brothers see them like no other
All my favorite colors
It’s good day to be, a good day for me, a good day to see my favorite colors
My sisters and my brothers, they see them like no other
All my favorite colors
Now take me to the other side
Where the baby blues birds fly
In grey clouds, or white walls, or blue skies we gon’ fly, feel alright
Now we gon’ woo ooh woo ooh woo ooh ya
They sound like woo ooh woo ooh woo ooh ya
The least I can say I anticipate a homecome parade as we renegade in the morning
All my favorite colors
All my favorite colors
My sisters and my brothers see them like no other
All my favorite colors
All my favorite colors
All my favorite colors, yes ma’am
My sisters and my brothers see ’em like no other
All my favorite colors
It’s good day to be, a good day for me, a good day to see my favorite colors
My sisters and my brothers, they see them like no other
All my favorite colors