"Different Colors" is a song written and recorded by American rock band Walk the Moon for their second studio album, Talking Is Hard (2014). The song was released to US alternative radio stations by RCA Records as the album's second single on May 5, 2015. Described as an alternative rock, electropop, indie rock, and pop song, it is lyrically about celebrating and embracing each other's differences by speaking out against discrimination of any kind.
Some music critics gave "Different Colors" praise for its chorus and production; others felt it was a step down from the band's earlier singles. The song peaked at number seven on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart, becoming Walk the Moon's third top ten track on the chart. A music video for the song was released on June 11, 2015, featuring footage of the band touring with colorful visuals. The song was performed live by Walk the Moon at award shows, including the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards. It was included on the setlist for the band's Talking Is Hard Tour (2015) and was used in campaigns of Pepsi, AT&T & Apple.
Background and composition
"Different Colors" was written by all four members of Walk the Moon, while recorded at Rancho Pagzilla in North Hollywood, California. The song was produced by Tim Pagnotta and mixed by Neal Avron at The Casita in Hollywood, California. Mastering was handled by Joe LaPorta at Sterling Sound, New York City. The track has been referred to as an alternative rock, electropop, indie rock, and pop song by music journalists. The song is composed of numerous ebullient synths, layered, upbeat guitars, and distant-sounding vocals. It features multiple "oooh-e-oooh-e-ooohs" in the intro and throughout its chorus. Guitarist Eil Maiman used a tape delay for the intro and pre-chorus that is set faster than the song's tempo because he wanted to "create a weird, kind of off-balance effect". In his explanation for using the delay, Maiman said: "As wonderful and delicious as tempo-locked delays are, I've found that occasionally out of time repeats can sound really hip and fresh." As he tracked guitars for the song, the band "tr[ied] com[ing] up with weird noises" to add something bombastic to the last chorus when Pagnotta shouted at them to "just kick the amp over". Maiman complied with the suggestion, causing a "bizarre roar" that the band loved and kept in the recording.
Lead vocalist Nicholas Petricca stated that the song addresses "any part of this world that is diverse and sometimes struggles to be treated with a sense of normalcy". In an interview with Time magazine, Petricca commented on how "Different Colors" differed from their previous single "Shut Up and Dance" by saying that "it shows a different side of [the band] that's equally important", which is "taking this platform [they]'ve got as [the band] get[s] more popular to say something that's meaningful to [them]". He went on to say that the song "is all about not just tolerating each other's differences but celebrating them and embracing them". Maiman also added that it was "a chance for [Walk the Moon] to sort of empower people, especially kids, to have the courage to be themselves and to stand out".
When talking about the inspiration for "Different Colors", Petricca mentioned that while the song "speaks out against discrimination of all kinds, it was the fight for marriage equality that initially inspired the song". He mentioned being frustrated that news segments were still arguing about same-sex marriage and whether people should have equal rights in 2013. Petricca said "it should be second nature at this point" and that the band wanted "to write a victory march and a call to arms for everyone" that is "about equality and love in every way".