Released 29 March 2004 Length 2:58 | Recorded 2003 Label Island | |
Format CD single
7" picture disc Genre Pop rock
surf pop
pop punk
power pop | ||
"5 Colours in Her Hair" is the debut single by English pop rock band McFly. It was also the band's first UK number one. It stayed at the top for two weeks. The song was written by two of the band members, Tom Fletcher and Danny Jones, and Busted member James Bourne. The track is especially well known for its "Doo, Doo, Doo, Doo, Doo, Doo!" lyrics, played at the beginning and at the ending of the song. The CD also features a duet with Busted singing a cover of The Kinks song "Lola".
Contents
Overall, it spent twelve weeks in the UK Singles Chart. It also reached number seven in Ireland. The song was inspired by Susan Lee, a character played by actress Emily Corrie in the TV series As If, who wore coloured dreadlocks. The music itself is indebted to 1960s surf and beat music. The song was also nominated for The Record of the Year in 2004, but finished in second place just one point behind the winner, "Thunderbirds / 3AM" by Busted.
Music video
McFly shot the video for their debut single "5 Colours in Her Hair" just after Christmas 2003. Simon Amstell recorded an interview and footage behind the scenes for Channel 4 music show, Popworld. The video begins by introducing the band members in a comical style, by getting Danny and Dougie's names wrong. It also features the band messing around at various different scenes, but telling the overall main story about a girl with 5 colours in her hair, who was miserable and living in a black and white world. She then follows them into the TV where she joins the band in a club setting where the band are playing to a crowd. They also shoot various well known scenes as a tribute to their main influences including The Beatles and the Beach Boys. The video was shot in front of a green screen. It starred Molly Portsmouth as the 'Girl with 5 Colours in Her Hair'.
U.S. version
A remixed version of the song appeared on the Just My Luck album, McFly's debut album in the US. It also features minor lyrical alterations. The song was included on the "Please, Please" single release in the UK, as well as on the All the Greatest Hits deluxe fan edition.
Cover versions
In 2014, a cover of the track featured on the release of The Vamps' second single "Wild Heart".