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"True Colors"
#1 weeks: 2
weeks: 1986-10-25, 1986-11-01
genre: pop
artist: Cyndi Lauper
album: True Colors
writers: Tom Kelly, Billy Steinberg
producers: Cyndi Lauper, Lennie Petze
label:
formats: 7" vinyl, 12" vinyl
lengths: 3:47

"True Colors" is a song written by songwriters Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly. It was both the title track and the first single released from Cyndi Lauper's second album. It was the only original song on the album that Lauper did not help write.

Billy Steinberg originally wrote True Colors about his own mother. Tom Kelly altered the first verse and the duo submitted the song to Cyndi Lauper. Their demo was in a form of piano based gospel ballad like "Bridge over Troubled Water". Steinberg told Songfacts that "Cyndi completely dismantled that sort of traditional arrangement and came up with something that was breathtaking and stark." Other songs they wrote for Cyndi Lauper include "I Drove All Night" and "Unconditional Love", the former of which went on to be covered by Celine Dion, the latter of which went on to be covered by Susanna Hoffs.

It reached #1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, #3 in Australia, and #12 on the UK Singles Chart.

"True Colors" also became a legend of its own in the gay community. Lauper embarked on a True Colors Tour in 2007 with several other acts including Deborah Harry and Erasure. The tour was for the Human Rights Campaign to promote human rights in the US and beyond. A second True Colors tour occurred in 2008.

In 1998, the song was covered by Phil Collins for his compilation album ...Hits. The version was a smooth-jazz-influenced version compared to the original. R&B singer Babyface provided backing vocals.

The track peaked at #2 on the U.S. BillboardHot Adult Contemporary Tracks chart and at #26 on the UK Singles Chart.