COLORFUL
Sung in boxing musical “Golden Boy”
(Strouse / Lee)
Sammy Davis Jr.


(Spoken)
Colorful copy, Mr. Drake?
Why, sir, you don’t know how colorful I done been

(Sung)
When I was very young, brand new upon the scene
Had no experience, that’s right, I was green
Then I grew up a bit, found out a thing or two
Sometimes I’d get unhappy
In short, I was blue

As far as politics goes, I never turned red
I’m smarter than you might think
And every time I’ve been told
Boy, you’re good as gold
Say, I’m just tickled pink

I’ve tried all sorts of shades
Put them to the test
But I look at myself
And black suits me best

Black is chic 
Always correct for the house or yard
Black is neat
It goes with everything and doesn’t try too hard
Black is basic, you’ll agree
As the Duchess of Windsor would say, hah
“Black is me!”

Well, I’ve been yellow at times, I’m sorry to say
Yes, I’ve been afraid to fight
Drake? I’ve been scared as can be
But take it from me
Daddy, I ain’t never turned white

So when I’m old and grey
And I’m heading for my last rest
Guess I’ll still have to say 
That black, not Kelly green
But black, not tangerine
But black, that’s B-L-A-C-K, dig?
Black suits me, ha-ha, best
And that’s it!