Happy 24th Anniversary to ‘Colourblind’!
- Sarah
- Jul 29
- 2 min read
🦋 Happy 24th anniversary to Colourblind! Released on 29th July 2002, Darius’ debut single entered the UK Singles Chart at No. 1, where it remained for two weeks. It would go on to achieve Gold certification in the UK, sell more than 400,000 copies, and today has been streamed over 23 million times on Spotify. In 2022, it returned to the charts once again, reaching No. 2 on both the Official Singles Sales and Official Singles Downloads Charts.
Looking back, it’s remarkable to think how different the story could have been.
Colourblind was already part of Darius’ dream before Pop Idol. He had hoped to perform an early version of the song at his audition, accompanying himself on guitar, but instead found himself singing a cover of a Seal track after plans changed. Later, when he played the song to Simon Cowell and Pete Waterman, neither believed it should be his debut single. Thankfully, Simon Fuller heard something they didn’t, believing it simply needed “some work on the middle 8.”
Darius never stopped believing in the song he’d written. Working with Pete Glenister and Deni Lew, Colourblind evolved into the single that introduced the world not just to a singer, but to a songwriter determined to do things his own way. Darius chose to back his own music and Colourblind became the proof that trusting his instincts was the right decision.
Years later, Darius reflected that Colourblind had come to represent far more than the story it originally told. It became a reminder of the highs and lows of his own journey, of believing in yourself when others don’t, and of never losing sight of your dream.
More than two decades on, the song still resonates with so many people. For some it’s a memory of the summer of 2002. For others it’s the soundtrack to a moment, or a chapter of their lives. That’s the lasting gift of a truly special song.
Colourblind became more than just a No. 1 hit. It established Darius as a singer-songwriter determined to release his own music, not simply follow the expected Pop Idol route. It went on to become the only original song to finish in the Top 5 of the Record of the Year 2002 awards, and more than two decades later, it continues to be discovered and cherished by listeners around the world.
Happy anniversary, Colourblind. And thank you, Darius for a song, that like you, means so much to so many. 🤍
