“Red Comes in Many Shades” by U.S. Girls

“Red Comes in Many Shades” features a terse narrative, though one that very clearly gets its main points across. A decade ago, the vocalist was in a romantic relationship with a man who, as stated, was significantly older than she was. Apparently, everything was all gravy until two related events transpired. 

First is that this individual, the addressee, showed up with the following visible signs of cheating:

• ‘lipstick traces on his face’
• ‘perfect red lip marks on his neck’ 

Since the word “red” is not found anywhere else in the lyrics, it is apparently such which the title is meant to allude to.

Secondly and more importantly in the grand scheme of things, after doing so he proceeded to permanently bounce on the vocalist. As such, the thesis sentiment revolves around her – even now, some “10 years” later – being completely unable to get over that experience. Or as Meg puts forth in the very-first line of the song, she “can’t forget” the addressee. 

So even though he has walked out of her life, seemingly never to return, his presence is still felt in a very less-than-ideal way, i.e. with the vocalist appearing to be permanently heartbroken.

U.S. Girls

U.S. Girls is actually a solo act, consisting of one Meghan Remy, who is a Chicago native though has based her music career in Toronto. She has been formally active since the late-aughts and between that time and 2020 managed to drop seven studio albums. 

Who wrote “Red Comes in Many Shades”?

Meg Remy is credited with writing and co-producing “Red Comes in Many Shades”, with the other producer being Ben Cook. 

When was “Red Comes in Many Shades” released?

This is a track that was released as part of U.S. Girls’ fifth-studio album, a project titled “Half Free”. It was put out via 4AD on the 25th of September, 2015.

Notable Usage

This eerily hypnotic track appears in Netflix’s “The Sandman”. It was used in an episode titled “Chapter 5: 24/7”. It adds to the build up as it’s played while John (David Thewlis) walks through the diner as he witnesses the after-effects of exposing truths. Alongside Thewlis, other cast members include Tom Sturridge plays Morpheus / Dream, and Vivienne Acheampong plays Lucienne.