Katie Melua was born in Soviet Georgia, lived through the collapse of the Soviet Union, and immigrated to the UK at a young age in the aftermath of the Georgian Civil War in 1993. Can't say as my childhood was quite that interesting, although we did move from Pennsylvania to Virginia when I was 6. Like I said, not quite the same as experiencing a communist government and a civil war by 9 years old...
Melua has gone on to be one of the most popular recording artists in Europe, and songs like this show you why. The subject matter is controversial, and at first listen you may find yourself questioning the message of the first verse, but Melua brings it together if you continue listening. Hate begets more hate, as has been evidenced in countless situations throughout history. It takes someone rising above the hatred to bring about a change in attitude, for love also begets love.
Racism is pretty clear-cut in most cases, but in today's world there are a lot of gray areas on other moral, political, and personal issues - or at least there are a lot of things we convince ourselves are gray areas. I don't want to get political, but I'm sure you know what I mean.
The ultimate message of the song is hopeful - yes, sometimes the difference between right and wrong is a hair, and sometimes it's difficult to know what is the correct path, but if we each seek to do right by each other, we can do our part to make the world a better place. In so doing, we can better enjoy the "million colours" - both the literal, visual ones and the beauty of music.
"The piano keys are black and white
but they sound like a million colours in your mind..."
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