Color of My Skin
"Color of My Skin" | ||
---|---|---|
Single by Michael James | ||
Album | Shelter in Place | |
Released | July 2020 | |
Format | digital | |
Length | 4:30 | |
Label | High 4 Recordings | |
Writer(s) | Michael James Marchesano, Morris LeGrande | |
Producer(s) | Michael James, Urban Olsson, Linda Taylor, Brian J. Kenny, Aaron Durr, David Kahne, Jason Cropper | |
Status | Officially released |
"Color of My Skin" is a song by musician Michael James and featuring musicians Morris LeGrande, Jason Cropper, and Walter Heath.
Overview
"Color of My Skin" was released in July of 2020, shortly after the beginning of a period of civil unrest following the murder by police of George Floyd in May of that year. The song features guitar and backing vocals by co-writer Morris LeGrande, as well as alternating lead vocals by Jason Cropper and Walter Heath.
Video
Lyrics
How come the color of my skin
Gives me a pass when you don't get in?
We're basically the same
Check out our DNA
I'm free to do what I please
You're face down being choked beneath a knee
That's nothing new to me
It's exactly what you see
People killed because they’re black
Thoughts and prayers will never bring 'em back
We marched for Civil Rights
Too many of us died
How come they offer me a job
When you can't even go out for a jog?
Come with me, let's walk
We really need to talk
I just want to do some good
But don't know where to start
I'll come to your neighborhood
We can have a heart to heart
About the sins built in
To the color of my skin
How come we in the same band
I get all the money when you holding out your hand?
The double standard rules
They take me for a fool
How can we ever get real
When open wounds never get the chance to heal?
Are you reaching out? - I'll give you
The benefit of the doubt
How come when you protest
"White-splaining" people make everything a mess?
And then I go to sleep
While orphaned parents weep
What kind of garden would we have
If every single flower looked the same?
It's much more interesting
When colors bloom in spring
I truly want to do some good
But I don't know where to start
I'll come to your neighborhood
We can have a heart to heart
About the sins built in
To the color of my skin
About the sins built in
To the color of my skin
I watched them take his life
And now I'm so ashamed!
My privilege is white
My denial blood red stained
I'm full of residue
Of old systemic views
But I commit to change
Better yet, I'll be the change
I truly want to do some good
But I don't know where to start
I'll come to your neighborhood
We can have a heart to heart
About the sins built in
To the color of my skin
About the sins built in
To the color of my skin