Rose-Colored Boy

Album: After Laughter (2017)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song was written as a call for people to be more open about their mental health. "'Rose-Colored Boy' is a song about feeling pressured to look at the world with blind optimism when you actually feel very hopeless about the world and your part in it," the band explained "There is so much social pressure to be (or appear to be) "happy" that we can actually feel shame when we aren't."

    "Adding shame to sadness is a pretty toxic cocktail," they added. "It's hard enough to deal with sadness, depression, or any type of anxiety without the added societal expectations. It's important and more healing to meet people where they're at – EMPATHY – than to try and paint everything rosy."
  • The pretense of pretending to be happy in order to mask sadness is a recurring theme throughout After Laughter, especially on the single "Fake Happy."
  • The song's music video was directed by The Weeknd and Haim collaborator Warren Fu. The clip features Paramore hosting a cheery local morning news program. The happy, upbeat nature of the show is juxtaposed with the drama happening behind the scenes, as the band are hounded by TV executives to "smile more" to increase ratings.

Comments: 1

  • Willy from Planet EarthI can't stress enough how much I LOVE this song!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

80s Music Quiz 1

80s Music Quiz 1Music Quiz

MTV, a popular TV theme song and Madonna all show up in this '80s music quiz.

Dino Cazares of Fear Factory

Dino Cazares of Fear FactorySongwriter Interviews

The guitarist/songwriter explains how he came up with his signature sound, and deconstructs some classic Fear Factory songs.

Paul Stanley of Kiss, Soul Station

Paul Stanley of Kiss, Soul StationSongwriter Interviews

Paul Stanley on his soul music project, the Kiss songs with the biggest soul influence, and the non-make-up era of the band.

Dave Alvin - "4th Of July"

Dave Alvin - "4th Of July"They're Playing My Song

When Dave recorded the first version of the song with his group the Blasters, producer Nick Lowe gave him some life-changing advice.

Todd Rundgren

Todd RundgrenSongwriter Interviews

Todd Rundgren explains why he avoids "Hello It's Me," and what it was like producing Meat Loaf's Bat Out of Hell album.

Benny Mardones

Benny MardonesSongwriter Interviews

His song "Into The Night" is one of the most-played of all time. For Benny, it took him to hell and back.