<P> Billy Steinberg originally wrote `` True Colors '' about his own mother . Tom Kelly altered the first verse and the duo originally submitted the song to Anne Murray , who passed on recording it , and then to Cyndi Lauper . Their demo was in the form of a piano - based gospel ballad like `` Bridge over Troubled Water '' . Steinberg told Songfacts that `` Cyndi completely dismantled that sort of traditional arrangement and came up with something that was breathtaking and stark . '' Other songs they wrote for Lauper include `` I Drove All Night '' and `` Unconditional Love '' , of which the former went on to be covered by Celine Dion , the latter by Susanna Hoffs . </P>
<P> Billy Steinberg originally wrote `` True Colors '' about his own mother . Tom Kelly altered the first verse and the duo originally submitted the song to Anne Murray , who passed on recording it , and then to Cyndi Lauper . Their demo was in the form of a piano - based gospel ballad like `` Bridge over Troubled Water '' . Steinberg told Songfacts that `` Cyndi completely dismantled that sort of traditional arrangement and came up with something that was breathtaking and stark . '' Other songs they wrote for Lauper include `` I Drove All Night '' and `` Unconditional Love '' , of which the former went on to be covered by Celine Dion , the latter by Susanna Hoffs . </P>
who sang the original version of true colors
who sang the original version of true colors
Cyndi Lauper
Cyndi Lauper