Colored People (song)

"Colored People"
Single by DC Talk
from the album Jesus Freak
ReleasedDecember 22, 1996
Recorded1995
GenrePop rock, CCM
Length4:26
LabelForeFront/Virgin
Songwriter(s)Toby McKeehan, George Cocchini
Producer(s)Mark Heimermann, Toby McKeehan, John Mark Painter
DC Talk singles chronology
"Like It, Love It, Need It"
(1996) 		"Colored People"
(1996) 		"In The Light"
(1996)
Audio sample

"Colored People" is a song written and recorded by Christian rock band DC Talk. The song was one of several radio singles released from their 1995 studio album, Jesus Freak.

Music and lyrics

"Colored People" is a pop rock song primarily based on acoustic guitars, a background electric guitar, and occasional strings. The verses are sung by Kevin Max, while the chorus vocals are shared by all three members with Michael Tait leading. Lyrically, the song is about appreciation of racial variety, promoting unity and a "kaleidoscopic take on race relations".[1]

Release and acclaim

The song was released as a single in 1996 and received positive comments from music critics. Entertainment Weekly editor Laura Jamison said that the album Jesus Freak "combines textured vocals, aggressive guitar, and solid songwriting, especially on 'Colored People'."[2]

In addition to "Jesus Freak" and "Between You and Me," "Colored People" was considered instrumental in breaking DC Talk into the mainstream.[3]

Other releases

Various versions of "Colored People" have appeared on several DC Talk official releases, including the band's greatest hits album Intermission.[4] A live version of "Colored People" was included on the 1997 live release Welcome to the Freak Show.[5] "Colored People" also appears on the compilation album WOW 1998.

Cover versions

On the DC Talk tribute album, Freaked!, Ayiesha Woods recorded a cover of "Colored People" featuring The Gotee Brothers and John Reuben.[6]

Track listing

  1. "Colored People" (Radio Edit)
  2. "Colored People" (Album Version)
  3. Call Out Research Hook

References

  1. ^ Eisele, Robert (May 1, 1996). "More than just talk: DC Talk supplies eclectic sounds to receptive fans at Kemper". The Kansas City Star (NewsBank). Retrieved August 6, 2009.
  2. ^ Jamison, Laura (December 22, 1995). "Jesus Freak Music Review". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on October 13, 2012. Retrieved August 6, 2009.
  3. ^ "Jars and Butteflies: The Joys of Mainstreaming". Billboard. April 25, 1998. pp. 38–40. Retrieved July 21, 2010.
  4. ^ Steven Losey. "( Intermission: The Greatest Hits > Overview )". Allmusic. Retrieved July 22, 2010.
  5. ^ Rodney Batdorf. "( Welcome to the Freak Show > Overview )". Allmusic. Retrieved July 22, 2010.
  6. ^ John DiBiase (July 20, 2010). "Freaked! A Gotee Tribute to dc Talk's "Jesus Freak"". Jesus Freak Hideout.