I am covered in skin/
No one gets to come in/
Pull me out from inside.

Counting Crows “Colorblind” begins with the lyrics “I am colorblind”. This is an often-misunderstood lyric. If you interpret it in the context of the rest of the song, he is saying that he is numb to the world. That is, he is not seeing things in color. He is looking forward to someone looking below the surface and the walls he puts up–to pull him out of this rut and help him experience life again.

We don’t know why he is feeling this way; perhaps he is in a funk. Depression has been described in similar terms. He is looking to connect with another person. He is ready but at the same time he is tongue-tied and not sure about how to go about fixing the problem.

The music is dark featuring the brooding piano. I am not certain, but I think that is a recorder for the solo. Could that be right? Whatever it is, it is the perfect instrument for the mood of the song. The song also uses a xylophone, so there is a lot of experimentation to create the unique sound of the record.

Colorblind Lyrics

I am colorblind.
Coffee black and egg white.
Pull me out from inside.
I am ready, I am ready, I am ready,
I am taffy stuck and tongue tied.

Stutter shook and uptight.
Pull me out from inside.
I am ready, I am ready, I am ready,
I am fine.

I am covered in skin,
No one gets to come in.
Pull me out from inside.
I am folded and unfolded and unfolding,
I am colorblind.

Coffee black and egg white.
Pull me out from inside.
I am ready, I am ready, I am ready,
I am fine.
I am fine.

written by Adam Duritz