"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.