Artwork by me: Enrique Seemann
Before “Colors” became the hit and beloved song we know today, Eric Burton, singer and songwriter of the Black Pumas had already written it and kept it close to his heart, long before the band came into existence.
Burton went through quite a journey as a musician, starting young by singing in the church choir.
“I would say that my love for songwriting definitely started in the church. And I’d have to blame that on my family, for sure. When I was younger, I didn’t like going. I didn’t want to go to church, I didn’t want to go to choir, and then I saw that my little brother was getting candy because he was in the choir, and the older women thought he was just so cute. It encouraged me just to kind of give in to my grandma’s request.” Eric Burton to Song Exploder by Hrishikesh Hirway (2020)
After leaving his roots in church music behind, Eric Burton embarked on a journey that took him through various landscapes, both physical and emotional. One of the most formative periods in his life was the time he spent in New Mexico, a place where the vast skies and breathtaking sunsets left an indelible mark on him. It was here, about fourteen years ago, that “Colors” began to take shape, born out of a moment of pure inspiration.
“When the song first came to me, I was taking a nap on my uncle’s rooftop actually, and I was having such a great day. The weather was great, the sunset looked pretty amazing, as it always does in New Mexico anyway, and I was just singing to, you know, exactly what I saw. The sky there is amongst some of the most beautiful skies I’ve ever seen in my entire life. I was just trying to speak to, you know, to what helped me to feel connected to God, and to my higher self.” Eric Burton to Song Exploder by Hrishikesh Hirway (2020)
Before rising to stardom as the Grammy-nominated lead singer of Black Pumas, Eric Burton was a street performer, busking with all the raw talent in the world. He tried his luck in LA, playing at places like the Santa Monica Pier and the LA subway, searching for the essence of himself through his music.
2015 performance of Colors while busking on the Santa Monica Pier.
“I think most of us have a wonderful story to tell in our experience as a busker.” The word comes from the Spanish origin of the word “buscar,” which means “to search.”“I feel like on a level where we’re all seeking and searching somewhat of the highest version of ourselves. And that’s what busking here in Los Angeles for maybe 6 to 7 months on the Santa Monica Pier, between there and the subway, you know, served for me. It served as a machine and or a vehicle to get to a place of undeniability within myself.” Eric Burton to The SoCal Sound 88.5FM (2024) Interviewer: Julie Slater
Looking to continue his musical journey, Eric Burton moved to Austin. There, he remained true to his roots as a street performer, sharing his music with passersby while simultaneously beginning to explore new projects.
Eric Burton of Black Pumas - Busking in Austin
Not long after, he met Adrian Quesada, a talented guitarist and producer, through a mutual friend. This encounter led to the formation of Black Pumas, marking the beginning of their musical journey together.
In 2017, Adrian was in search of a singer and songwriter to collaborate with on some instrumentals he had recorded. He reached out to friends around the world for recommendations, and Eric Burton’s name came up frequently. Brian Ray, a mutual friend and producer, specifically suggested Eric, praising him as “the best singer I’ve ever worked with.”
At that time, Eric was performing solo gigs and had been working with various collaborators, but he wasn’t finding the sound he was looking for. Frustrated, he built his own studio and began learning how to produce his own music. Even though he was hesitant to work with more producers, he checked out Adrian’s track record and decided it was worth responding to Adrian’s outreach.
When Eric and Adrian first met, Eric began writing songs to Adrian’s instrumentals. Their collaboration quickly revealed a strong musical connection. During this time, Eric decided to share “Colors” with Adrian. Initially, Eric was hesitant to do so, feeling that “Colors” might be better suited for his solo work. However, seeing Adrian’s enthusiasm and recognizing how well the song could fit with their new project, Eric ultimately decided to let Adrian have access to it.
Adrian’s reaction to “Colors” was immediate and enthusiastic. He recognized the song’s potential right away, describing it as a track that sticks with you after just one listen. Adrian’s excitement about the song highlighted its significance, and “Colors” became a key element in their collaboration, helping to define the sound of what would become Black Pumas.
“Colors” has become a hit, with various versions released and even performed at Biden’s inauguration. The song has also taken on a broader meaning, reflecting on race and skin color, and Eric’s perspective on this is worth noting.
Black Pumas - Colors (Biden Inauguration Performance)
“It bothered me at first because I have my own story, but people are very eager to talk about Black Lives Matter and social injustices. So, I feel honored, but at the same time, I also want to be known as a human being, not just as a Black man, and for people to understand where my music comes from. It took a bit of patience and humility for me to say, “Wow, OK. I wrote this song 10-12 years ago, and it doesn’t really belong to me anymore.” Eric Burton to La Nación \(2021\) Interviewer: Juan Pablo Ouviña Lanz
“Colors” belongs to the world now.
Colors feat. Black Pumas, Slash, The Pocket Queen | Playing For Change | Song Around The World
My personal thoughts:
I love “Colors”; it was probably one of my most-listened-to songs in 2020. Eric is an incredible singer and musician, and I’m glad he found Adrian. Together, they’ve created a unique sound with Black Pumas that I’m grateful to experience. “Colors” is a standout example of their remarkable collaboration.
Other Black Pumas songs I’d recommend
1. Old Man
Underrated, I love the rhythm. Great song.
2. Black Moon Rising
Black Moon Rising” is the first track (and the first single) from Black Pumas' self-titled debut album. Black Pumas use their first track to introduce the listener to their bluesy, soul-infused sound, and their lucid, psychedelic lyrics.
3. More Than a Love Song
Eric’s uncle “Steve”, would listen to him writing songs after school, and he would tell him at dinner “Good stuff, but also, life is more than a love song”, that’s where the song comes from. The first single of their second album, Chronicles of a Diamond.