Flowers Are Red

Harry Chapin

About Flowers Are Red

"Flowers Are Red" is a song written and sung by Harry Chapin, and recorded for his 1978 album Living Room Suite. It was released a single, and became a top 20 Irish hit. The song is featured in episode 1, season 4 of Jerry Seinfeld's web series "Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee." While driving down the Long Island Expressway (the highway on which Chapin died), guest Sarah Jessica Parker relates that she and her siblings were the (uncredited) studio performers singing the chorus "There are so many colors in the rainbow. .." Parker sings the chorus and Chapin's original version is excerpted. 


Year:
1988
5:01
81 

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer

The little boy went first day of school
He got some crayons and started to draw
He put colors all over the paper
For colors was what he saw
And the teacher said.. What you doin' young man
I'm paintin' flowers he said
She said,
It's not the time for art young man
And anyway flowers are green and red
There's a time for everything young man
And a way it should be done
You've got to show concern for everyone else
For you're not the only one

And she said
Flowers are red young man
Green leaves are green
There's no need to see flowers any other way
Than the way they always have been seen

But the little boy said
There are so many colors in the rainbow
So many colors in the morning sun
So many colors in the flower and I see every one

Well the teacher said
You're sassy
There's ways that things should be
And you'll paint flowers the way they are
So repeat after me

And she said
Flowers are red young man
Green leaves are green
There's no need to see flowers any other way
Than the way they always have been seen

But the little boy said
There are so many colors in the rainbow
So many colors in the morning sun
So many colors in the flower and I see every one

The teacher put him in a corner
She said
It's for your own good
And you won't come out 'til you get it right
And all responding like you should
Well finally he got lonely
Frightened thoughts filled his head
And he went up to the teacher
And this is what he said, and he said

Flowers are red, green leaves are green
There's no need to see flowers any other way
Than the way they always have been seen

Time went by like it always does
And they moved to another town
And the little boy went to another school
And this is what he found
The teacher there was smilin'
She said
Painting should be fun
And there are so many colors in a flower
So let's use every one

But that little boy painted flowers
In neat rows of green and red
And when the teacher asked him why
This is what he said
And he said

Flowers are red, green leaves are green
There's no need to see flowers any other way
Than the way they always have been seen.

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer


Harry Chapin

Harry Forster Chapin (December 7, 1942 – July 16, 1981) was an American singer-songwriter best known for his folk rock songs including "Taxi", "W*O*L*D", and the No. 1 hit "Cat's in the Cradle". Chapin was also a dedicated humanitarian who fought to end world hunger; he was a key player in the creation of the Presidential Commission on World Hunger in 1977. In 1987, Chapin was posthumously awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for his humanitarian work. more »

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Written by: HARRY F. CHAPIN

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


13 facts about this song

Song Genre
"Flowers Are Red" is categorized under the Folk and Folk-Rock music genres.
Release Date
Originally, the song was released in 1978.
Album
"Flowers Are Red" is part of Harry Chapin's ninth studio album entitled "Living Room Suite."
Songwriter
Harry Chapin, the singer himself, was the sole writer of the song.
Inspiration
The song was inspired by a true story. Chapin's secretary's son had been scolded for coloring flowers in a non-traditional way.
Theme
The song discusses the rigidity of formal education and highlights the need for allowing creativity and self-expression.
Performance
This song often concluded Harry Chapin’s live performances.
Chapin's Philosophy
"Flowers Are Red" strongly echoed Chapin's philosophy towards life — viewing the world in multiple perspectives rather than being confined to a single viewpoint.
Public Reception
Despite its failure to reach the top of the charts, the song remains one of Chapin's more popular songs due to its strong social commentary.
Cover Version
The song has been covered by other artists like Dolly Parton and Barbara Dickson.
Song Duration
The duration of the song is approximately 4 minutes and 27 seconds.
Lyrics
The lyrics are based on a conversation between a young boy and his teacher about the colors of flowers, symbolizing the debate between conformity and creativity.
Legacy
Despite Chapin's untimely death, "Flowers Are Red" continues to influence and inspire many educators and individuals valuing creativity and freedom in learning and art.

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