7 Colourful Songs for Spring

Spring has arrived - well, in Cape Town anyway.  The landscape has shed its monochromatic winter coat in favour of more vibrant and visually stimulating attire.  Here are seven songs for each of the colours of the rainbow to celebrate the arrival of the season of new beginnings.

Red Book - Texas
Sharleen Spiteri's voice is flawless on the the title track from the band's Red Book album.  The song encourages a tranquil approach to life: "Just breathe it out and find out what you're looking for / Just leave it now and let your mind roam free".  Certainly good advice for the start of the season of rebirth.

The Power of Orange Knickers - Tori Amos
Well, how can one not smile at a title like this?  The song features Damien Rice and is from Tori's Beekeeper album, which is also rather appropriate for spring.

Yellow Bird - Eartha Kitt
This classic song about a yellow bird "up high in banana tree" who sits "all alone like me" has been recorded by several artists over the years, but I think Eartha Kitt's version is my favourite.  Claire Johnston of Mango Groove fame also does a fantastic version of the song on her Africa Blue album.

Green Garden - Laura Mvula
This is a soulful and gospel-inspired track from the Sing to the Moon album.  The song encourages listeners to celebrate nature in the most poetic way:
Take me outside, sit in the green garden / Nobody out there, but it’s okay now.
Bathe in the sunlight, the money frame falls / Take me outside, sit in the green garden.
And I’ll fly on the wings of a butterfly / High as a tree tall and down again.
With my back down, taking my shoes off / Walk on the carpet, a green velvet.

True Blue - Madonna
No list celebrating the colours of the rainbow would be complete without a reference to Madonna.  True Blue is the title track from Madonna's third studio album and one of her most successful albums to date.  The song has a catchy pop-dance beat filled with awesome synthesizers.  It's a cute, feel-good song that one can't help but sing (and dance) along to.

Indigo Girl - Watershed
This is one of the South African band's most successful and recognisable songs, released in 2002.  '1001 South African Songs To Hear Before You Go Deaf' lists the song as South Africa's answer to Nightswimming by R.E.M. because of its beautiful and melancholic piano melody and Craig Hinds' distinctive vocals.

The Violet Hour - Civil Wars
A beautiful instrumental song by the former duo, featuring soothing strings, that appears on their 2011 Barton Hollow album.  This is an ideal song to listen to inspire tranquility while you appreciate what Nature has to offer.