Themes of the song include race, imprisonment, and death. It contains a harpsichord and 12-string guitar, and has an ominous feel. "Sometimes my life is so eerie," Lee sings, but then inverts the dark mood with "and if you think I'm happy / Paint me white."
The song's themes are race, imprisonment, and death; it features a harpsichord and 12-string guitar, and has an ominous feel. "Sometimes my life is so eerie," Lee sings, but then reverses the dark mood with "and if you think I'm happy / Paint me white."