True Colors

• By: Anna Kendrick, Justin Timberlake
• Album: TROLLS (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

Lyrics:

Vocabulary in this song:

Vocabulary	Meanings
eyes /aɪz/ A1	noun - organs used for seeing
sad /sæd/ A1	adjective - feeling or showing sorrow; unhappy
realize /ˈriːəlaɪz/ B1	verb - to become aware of something
courage /ˈkʌrɪdʒ/ B2	noun - the ability to do something that frightens one
world /wɜːrld/ A1	noun - the earth, together with all of its countries, people, and natural features
people /ˈpiːpl/ A1	noun - human beings in general or considered collectively
lose /luːz/ A2	verb - to be deprived of or cease to have
sight /saɪt/ B1	noun - the ability to see
darkness /ˈdɑːrknəs/ B1	noun - the state of being dark
inside /ɪnˈsaɪd/ A2	noun - the inner part of something
feel /fiːl/ A1	verb - to experience an emotion or sensation
small /smɔːl/ A1	adjective - of limited size; not large
true /truː/ A2	adjective - in accordance with fact or reality
colors /ˈkʌlərz/ A1	noun - the property possessed by an object of producing different sensations on the eye as a result of the way it reflects or emits light
shining /ˈʃaɪnɪŋ/ B1	verb - to emit light
afraid /əˈfreɪd/ A2	adjective - feeling fear or anxiety; frightened
beautiful /ˈbjuːtɪfl/ A2	adjective - pleasing the senses or mind aesthetically
rainbow /ˈreɪnboʊ/ A2	noun - an arc of colored light in the sky caused by refraction of sunlight by raindrops
crazy /ˈkreɪzi/ B1	adjective - mentally deranged, especially as manifested in a wild or aggressive way.
bear /ber/ B2	verb - endure an ordeal or difficulty.

Grammar:

• Don't be discouraged, oh I realize

  ➔ **Imperative (Negative) and Simple Present Tense**: "Don't be discouraged" uses the negative imperative to offer encouragement. "I realize" uses the simple present tense to express a current understanding.

  ➔ The phrase "Don't be discouraged" is a direct, albeit gentle, command, suggesting the listener actively resists feeling disheartened. "I realize" indicates a sudden comprehension or awareness, often in response to a prior statement or situation.

• It's hard to take courage

  ➔ **'It' + Adjective + to-infinitive**: This structure expresses an impersonal assessment. "It's hard" + "to take courage" (infinitive phrase functioning as a noun).

  ➔ The impersonal pronoun "it" sets the stage for the general difficulty of finding courage. The infinitive phrase "to take courage" acts as the subject, elaborating on what exactly is difficult.

• In a world full of people You can lose sight of it all

  ➔ **Prepositional Phrase + Modal Verb**: "In a world full of people" is a prepositional phrase acting as an adverbial modifier. "You can lose sight" uses the modal verb "can" to express possibility.

  ➔ "In a world full of people" sets the scene, providing the context for the statement that follows. "Can lose sight" implies it's possible, but not certain, to become disoriented or lose perspective.

• The darkness inside you Can make you feel so small

  ➔ **Subject + Modal Verb + Causative Verb**: "The darkness inside you" is the subject. "Can make" combines a modal verb ("can" expressing possibility) with a causative verb ("make"). "Feel" is a linking verb used after "make" to describe the resulting state.

  ➔ This sentence describes how internal negative feelings ("the darkness inside you") have the *potential* to cause a specific emotional state ("feel so small"). "Make you feel" demonstrates a causative relationship.

• And that's why I love you

  ➔ **Demonstrative Pronoun + Relative Clause**: "That" is a demonstrative pronoun referring back to the previous statements about seeing the "true colors." "Why I love you" is a relative clause functioning as a noun phrase, explaining the reason for the love.

  ➔ "That's why" acts as a bridge, connecting the observation of someone's true self to the feeling of love. The relative clause provides a reason and emphasizes acceptance.

• So don't be afraid to let them show

  ➔ **Imperative (Negative) + Infinitive of Purpose**: "Don't be afraid" is a negative imperative. "To let them show" is an infinitive phrase of purpose, explaining the reason for not being afraid.

  ➔ The command "Don't be afraid" is strengthened by the infinitive phrase "to let them show", giving the listener a specific action to take: allow your true colors to be visible.

• Your true colors are beautiful

  ➔ **Simple Present Tense (Statement of Fact)**: This sentence uses the simple present tense to express a general truth or a statement of fact about the nature of "true colors." It's a positive affirmation.

  ➔ This line directly asserts the positive quality of "true colors," contrasting with the earlier implication that the darkness inside might make one feel small. It's an important message of self-acceptance.

• Cause I will always be there

  ➔ **Future Simple with 'will' for promise/assurance**: This uses the future simple tense with the modal verb "will" to express a strong promise or assurance that the speaker will always be present and supportive. It indicates a firm intention.

  ➔ The use of "will" emphasizes the unwavering nature of the support being offered. It's not just a possibility, but a firm commitment. "Always" reinforces this, indicating a constant presence.