Start Wearing Purple

Gogol Bordello's song "Start Wearing Purple" is a vibrant and eccentric anthem that encourages listeners to embrace the unconventional and the absurd. The repeated refrain, "Start wearing purple, wearing purple," serves as a metaphor for letting go of societal norms and expectations. Purple, often associated with royalty and mysticism, symbolizes a departure from the mundane and a dive into a more whimsical, liberated state of being. The lyrics suggest that by adopting this new, colorful identity, one might lose their sanity and wits, but in a way that is freeing and transformative.

The song's narrative voice speaks from a place of familiarity and intimacy, referencing a shared history with the listener. The lines, "I know you since you were a twenty, I was twenty," and the vision of a "purple little, little lady" for a "dirty old and useless clown" paint a picture of a long-standing relationship marked by mutual understanding and a shared sense of humor. This relationship is steeped in a sense of nostalgia and a recognition of the absurdity of life, suggesting that embracing the ridiculous can be a form of wisdom.

Cultural references abound in the song, from the ancient Greek philosopher Diogenes to the French intellectual Michel Foucault, and even to Russian cultural figures like Lozhechkin and Passepartout. These references add layers of meaning, suggesting that the embrace of absurdity and the rejection of conventional wisdom is a timeless and universal theme. The playful, almost nonsensical tone of the song, combined with its energetic and eclectic musical style, reflects Gogol Bordello's unique blend of punk rock and Eastern European folk influences. This fusion creates a soundscape that is as chaotic and colorful as the lyrics themselves, inviting listeners to join in the celebration of life's inherent madness.