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Here's a golden opportunity for you to read about 10 iconic songs!


Published on March 9, 2026


Image: Tim Mossholder

Songs stick with us for all sorts of reasons, but when a song has a splash of color in the title, it seems to carry an extra punch, don’t you agree? Colors spark emotion, trigger memories, and even make a song easier to remember. Over the years, musicians have leaned on shades of black, blue, yellow, and more to give their hits an edge. Let’s take a walk through some memorable tracks where a color in the title helped turn music into something timeless.

1

Purple Rain

Image: Wang Yifang

Of course, this one was going to be the first item in our article. When Prince released "Purple Rain" in 1984, he turned a color into a feeling. Purple came to represent spirituality, passion, and mystery, while rain symbolized both sorrow and hope. The combination gave us one of the most powerful rock ballads of the decade.

2

Blackbird

Image: Nikita Nikitenko

The Beatles’ "Blackbird," released in 1968, may sound gentle, but it was written with powerful meaning. Paul McCartney has said it was inspired by the Civil Rights Movement in the United States. The "blackbird" symbolized hope and resilience. Behind its delicate fingerpicked guitar arrangement, the song carried a quiet strength that continues to inspire listeners today.

3

Brown Eyed Girl

Image: Anastasiia Pyvovarova

Few songs feel as sunny as "Brown Eyed Girl." Released in 1967, it became Van Morrison’s most famous hit. He originally wrote it as "Brown Skinned Girl," but changed it at the last minute. That switch gave us a track that became a staple of radio, backyard parties, and weddings for decades.

4

Paint It Black

Image: Veronica Lorine

The Rolling Stones weren’t afraid to shake things up, and "Paint It Black," released in 1966, proved it. The haunting sitar riff and pounding rhythm gave the track a unique edge. The lyrics, full of grief and darkness, showed that rock music could explore themes far beyond simple love songs. It became an anthem for a restless generation.

5

Yellow

Image: Haoran Wang

Coldplay wasn’t yet a household name when "Yellow" was released in 2000. The simple word gave the song a sense of warmth and light, even though the lyrics focus on love and devotion. The band has said the color choice was almost random, yet it ended up helping to define their early sound and launch their career.

6

Black or White

Image: Joshua Reddekopp

Michael Jackson’s "Black or White," released in 1991, carried a powerful message about race and equality. Its upbeat, guitar-driven sound, paired with pointed lyrics, made it more than just a pop song. Jackson used color in the title to drive home the idea that love and humanity matter more than skin tone.

7

White Wedding

Image: The Now Time

Billy Idol’s "White Wedding," released in 1982, wasn’t your typical love song. In fact, it was more of a mockery of marriage than a celebration of it. Idol has said the track was inspired by watching his sister’s wedding. The color white, traditionally associated with purity, was used with irony and a sharp edge.

8

Blue Suede Shoes

Image: Liana S

Elvis Presley helped make "Blue Suede Shoes" a nationwide hit in 1956, though Carl Perkins wrote and first recorded it. The song showed how even a pair of shoes could be transformed into a rock anthem. Not because of the fashion item, but because Elvis had a magic touch! Protecting those shoes wasn’t really the point; it was about attitude.

9

Fields of Gold

Image: Tory Morrison

Sting released "Fields of Gold" in 1993, and it’s as peaceful as its name. Inspired by the barley fields near his home in England, the golden imagery reflected both love and the passage of time. The song’s warm melody and reflective lyrics helped cement it as one of his most beloved solo works.

Wanna know a fun fact? Paul McCartney once told Sting he wished he had written "Fields of Gold." Sting replied that he wished he had written "Blackbird" — a nod to McCartney’s classic with The Beatles.

10

Back to Black

Image: Lizgrin F

In 2006, Amy Winehouse poured her pain into "Back to Black." The title captured her return to dark times after a breakup. Here, black isn’t about fashion or aesthetic; it symbolizes loss, relapse, and emotional turmoil. Her deep, soulful voice made the song raw and unforgettable, even for listeners who had never heard of her before.


The 12 longest-living animals on Earth (and how they cheat time)


Published on March 9, 2026


Image: David Clode

Nature doesn’t just create beauty, it crafts survival miracles. While most animals have short lives, a rare few have mastered the art of staying alive for centuries, even millennia. These aren’t just long-lived creatures; they’re nature’s ultimate time travelers. From the frozen depths of the oceans to the darkest corners underground, they’ve developed bizarre, brilliant strategies to cheat death. Get ready to meet 12 animals whose lifespans will absolutely blow your mind.

1

Antarctic Sponge (Anoxycalyx joubini)

Image: NOAA

Record age: up to 15,000 years

This unassuming sea sponge thrives in the freezing waters of Antarctica, where temperatures hover around 28.6 °F—so cold that biological processes hit the brakes. In such icy conditions, metabolism slows to a crawl, allowing these sponges to live for thousands of years.

Some have reached impressive sizes of over 3 feet tall and have been around since mammoths were still thundering across the tundra. They don’t move, they don’t stress, and they barely change, just quietly existing while centuries pass them by. Their secret to extreme longevity? Glacial patience, deep-sea stillness, and a lifestyle that redefines "low-maintenance".

2

Immortal Jellyfish (Turritopsis dohrnii)

Image: Dr. Karen J. Osborn, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Age: technically… infinite

This tiny jellyfish, no bigger than a fingernail—less than 0.2 inches—is like the ocean’s very own Benjamin Button. What makes it truly extraordinary is its ability to rewind its life story, flipping back to a youthful, juvenile stage whenever it wants. While it’s not completely invincible (predators and other threats are still very real), if left undisturbed, it can keep hitting the reset button on aging indefinitely, making it one of the most fascinating "time-benders" in nature.

3

Ocean Quahog Clam (Arctica islandica)

Image: Norbert Braun

Record age: 507 years

In 2006, a special clam was discovered buried deep in the seabeds of the North Atlantic. Scientists were able to determine that it had been there since at least 1499—that’s centuries before the United States was even a thought! This ancient marvel, nicknamed "Ming", was able to perfect a slow-and-steady approach to life. Growing at a snail’s pace and barely budging, Ming’s sedentary lifestyle turned out to be a brilliant strategy for beating the clock. Who knew doing almost nothing could be the ultimate secret to longevity?

4

Greenland Shark (Somniosus microcephalus)

Image: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/39/Greenland_shark_profile.jpg

Record age: estimated 392 years

These sharks aren’t your average ocean cruisers—they can stretch over 20 feet long and weigh up to 2,200 pounds. But what’s really mindblowing is how slowly they move, like they’re in a permanent state of deep relaxation. Living in the icy Arctic waters, these giants don’t hit adulthood until they’re about 150 years old, and some can glide through the depths for nearly 400 years. Imagine that! These ancient swimmers were already around before America declared independence... and they are still out there, silently roaming the seas!

5

Bowhead Whale (Balaena mysticetus)

Image: Vicki Beaver, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, NOAA FIsheries, Marine Mammal Permit#14245, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Record age: over 211 years

This whale is a true ocean giant, stretching up to 60 feet long and weighing a staggering 200,000 pounds. But what makes it stand out isn’t just its size but its age. Some of these majestic creatures carry harpoons from the 1800s still lodged in their skin, like walking history books. Just picture living so long that you’re literally carrying outdated technology embedded in your body—talk about being a time traveler of the seas!

6

Red Sea Urchin (Mesocentrotus franciscanus)

Image: National Marine Sanctuaries, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Record age: 200 years

Spanning the chilly Pacific coastline from California all the way up to Alaska, this spiky little ball—about 7 inches across—is full of surprises. It munches on algae and calls the deep, dark ocean its home, thriving at depths of up to 300 feet. Don’t let its size fool you: this prickly creature is a true elder of the cold seas, quietly outliving many ocean neighbors while keeping a low profile. A tough, slow-living veteran wrapped in spikes!

7

Koi Carp (Cyprinus rubrofuscus)

Image: Daniel Dan

Record age: 226 years

Meet Hanako, a legendary Japanese koi who swam through life for an astonishing 226 years. Scientists discovered how old she was by studying the rings on her scales, much like counting the growth rings of a tree. These colorful, ornamental fish aren’t just symbols of good fortune; they’re also secret long-lifers with the potential to celebrate over two centuries of birthdays, as long as they get the right care and a peaceful pond to call home.

8

Seychelles Giant Tortoise (Aldabrachelys gigantea)

Image: Ryan Grewell

Record age: 190 years

Jonathan is a male tortoise living on the remote island of Saint Helena in the South Atlantic Ocean. He was born back in 1832, and he’s still happily chomping lettuce and soaking up the sun today. Weighing in at more than 400 pounds and measuring around 3 feet long, Jonathan holds the title of the oldest known living land animal on the planet. If he could share tales, they’d span nearly two centuries of history. Imagine that!

9

Lake Sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens)

Image: See page for author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Record age: 152 years

This ancient-looking fish, with its whisker-like barbels, looking like a tiny underwater submarine, prowls the lakes of North America. It can reach an impressive length of up to 7 feet and weigh around 200 pounds. These slow-living creatures don’t rush into adulthood—they start breeding only around age 20—and then take their time cruising through life at a leisurely pace. Believe it or not, one legendary catch in Wisconsin was estimated to be over 150 years old!

10

Kakapo Parrot (Strigops habroptilus)

Image: Andreas Sjövall

Record age: over 90 years

This chunky, night-loving parrot from New Zealand is a true oddball—it can’t fly, snores like a grumpy grandpa, and smells like fresh flowers. Despite its quirks, this bird boasts an impressively long lifespan. Sadly, it teeters on the edge of extinction. The oldest known kakapo, affectionately named Richard Henry, lived 90 years, earning him the title of the charmingly eccentric elder statesman of the avian world.

11

Naked Mole Rat (Heterocephalus glaber)

Image: Daderot, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Record age: 37 years

This tiny, kooky rodent—barely 3 inches long and just over an ounce in weight—could’ve been cast straight from a sci-fi apocalypse flick. Dwelling in vast underground colonies across Africa, it’s practically invincible to cancer, pain, and the usual effects of aging. Scientists are fascinated by this little marvel, even if it’s not winning beauty contests anytime soon. Its superpowers make it a star in longevity research!

12

American Lobster (Homarus americanus)

Image: OAR/National Undersea Research Program (NURP)., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Record age: estimated 100+ years

Lobsters have a totally different rulebook than us when it comes to aging. They don’t really grow old; they just keep getting bigger and bigger. Some giant lobsters weigh over 40 pounds and stretch beyond 3 feet long. Their biggest threats? Not old age, but predators or the risky process of shedding their shells. In theory, they could live forever if left alone—but let’s be honest, not many get to enjoy a peaceful, lobster-sized retirement!

Looking for an extra scoop of literary fun?

Learn more with our Word of the day

acrimony

/ˈækrəˌmoʊni/