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"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. It's their biggest hit in the United States who spent 2 weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, was the last single from Lauper to occupy the top of the chart and their biggest hit on a global scale.

Song information
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 number 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, 3 in Australia, and 12 on the UK Singles Chart.

"True Colors" also became a standard 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.

Official versions

 * 1) Album Version
 * 2) Juniors 12" Vocal Mix
 * 3) Junior's 7" Mix
 * 4) Junior's Gay Pride '98 Mix
 * 5) Junior's Main Pass Mix Edit
 * 6) Junior's Reprise Mix
 * 7) Junior's Romantic Love Mix
 * 8) Juniorverse Mix

Phil Collins version
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 song was aired on the radio and music video TV programs to promote it in the mid of August 1998.

The track peaked at number 2 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks chart and at number 26 on the UK Singles Chart.

Cover versions

 * Elaine Paige on her 1991 album Love Can Do That.
 * Aztec Camera (1993)
 * Yuri Honing (1996) (instrumental)
 * Tuesday Child (1997)
 * Dominique Moore (1999) (Peugeot 406 Advert)
 * Leatherface (2000)
 * David Young (2000)
 * Sarina Paris (2001)
 * George Skaroulis (2001)
 * Save the Last Dance (2001)
 * Fredro Starr & Jill Scott (2001)
 * Maggie Reilly (2002)
 * Maddy Prior and the Girls Bib and Tuck (2002)
 * Hunter Foster (Earth Girls Are Easy) (2002)
 * American Juniors (2003)
 * Voice Male (2003)
 * Kasey Chambers (2003)
 * Eva Cassidy (2003)
 * Kelly Chen (2004) for the Hong Kong McDonald's Campaign
 * Tiffany Evans (2004)
 * Emilie Simon
 * Kalan Porter & Theresa Sokyrka (2004) (Canadian Idol)
 * MYMP (2005)
 * Shayna Fox (2005)
 * Shirley Clamp I dina ögon (True Colors) (2006)
 * Anna Tsuchiya (2006)
 * K (2007)
 * Lauren Talbot (2007) (Deutschland sucht den Superstar)
 * Haley Scarnato (2007) (American Idol)
 * Ane Brun (2008)
 * Natasha St-Pier (2008)
 * Anoop Desai (2009) (American Idol)
 * Celtic Woman (2009) (Isle of Hope Tour)
 * Caroline Herring (2009) (Golden Apples of the Sun)
 * Staind (2009) (The Howard Stern Show)
 * Jenna Ushkowitz (2009) (Glee)
 * Play (2009)
 * Jotdog - Spanish Version: Colores (2009) on their album Jotdog
 * Adam Lopez (2010)
 * Lashings of Jam (2010)
 * Rama y Vale (2010) (Casi Angeles)
 * Amy Diamond (2010)
 * Alessandra Maestrini (2010)
 * Perpetuum Jazzile (2010)
 * Walks of Shame (2011)