Black and Gold

Album: Sam Sparro (2008)
Charted: 2
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This debut UK chart single for Australia born and LA-based singer and songwriter Sam Sparro captured a moment of existential crisis. He recalled to The Guardian February 8, 2008: "I was feeling totally lost. I was making cappuccinos when I felt I should be onstage singing. That track came from looking up to the stars and seeing myself as a tiny speck in this infinite solar-system."
  • Sparro explained to MTV UK News that he didn't spend too much time writing this song: "I wrote it in 10 minutes. It just came to me one night when I was feeling lonely and wondering if God exists. I picked up a pen and the first draft of lyrics is what is on the radio!"
  • "Black and Gold" had a remarkable run on the UK Singles Chart, entering at #23 on March 29, 2008, and spending 47 non-consecutive weeks in the Top 100.
  • Adele performed an acoustic version for BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge in 2008. Katy Perry also covered it early in her career.
  • Coldplay sampled "Black and Gold" on "People Of The Pride," a track from their 2021 album Music of the Spheres.
  • "Black and Gold" featured in the TV show Chuck in the 2010 episode "Chuck Versus The Pink Slip" during a scene where Chuck knocks out his Prague captors.
  • The song was used in these movies:

    Sheep & Wolves (2016)
    Fame (2009)
    Obsessed (2009)

Comments: 4

  • Lh96 from UkThis song was used in a TV show a while back as the opening credits.... I'm sure it was something supernatural? anyone got any ideas?
  • Ilana from Brooklyn, Nyi think that this song is about the evolution of the world but with a deeper meaning. like he says but your not really there and i dont wanna be either. i think he means that when they "evolved" he symbolizes that his loved one or wife or girlfriend or w.e changed or that there relationship changed and that "your not really there" means that the presence of the person is there but the actual person that he fell in love with isnt and by "and i dont want to be either" he means that he doesnt want to be here,he doesnt wanna be in the present he wants to go back to when they were in love and everything was romance and just love,but then again,it could just mean something completely different,but hey to each its own.
  • Analee from Branson, MoI think (regardless of what he says) it's a guy telling a girl about how his world came to revolve around him, and then how she let him go and his universe has nothing to revolve around.
  • Edward Pearce from Ashford, Kent, EnglandA brilliant debut single. My pick for the best pop song of the first half of 2008.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Howard Jones

Howard JonesSongwriter Interviews

Howard explains his positive songwriting method and how uplifting songs can carry a deeper message.

Zakk Wylde

Zakk WyldeSongwriter Interviews

When he was playing Ozzfest with Black Label Society, a kid told Zakk he was the best Ozzy guitarist - Zakk had to correct him.

Richard Marx

Richard MarxSongwriter Interviews

Richard explains how Joe Walsh kickstarted his career, and why he chose Hazard, Nebraska for a hit.

Dennis DeYoung

Dennis DeYoungSongwriter Interviews

Dennis DeYoung explains why "Mr. Roboto" is the defining Styx song, and what the "gathering of angels" represents in "Come Sail Away."

Bob Dylan Lyric Quiz

Bob Dylan Lyric QuizMusic Quiz

Think you know your Bob Dylan lyrics? Take this quiz to find out.

Glen Phillips of Toad the Wet Sprocket

Glen Phillips of Toad the Wet SprocketSongwriter Interviews

The "All I Want" singer went through a long depression, playing some shows when he didn't want to be alive.