After decades of writing songs for and with other artists I’m thrilled to have made an album of my own. 2.0 etc… includes some never-heard before originals as well as reinterpretations of co-written hits: Meredith Brooks’ “Bitch,” Christina Aguilera’s “What A Girl Wants,” Brandy Norwood favorite “Almost Doesn’t Count,” Jessie J’s “Who You Are” and The Pretenders “Human.” Putting my voice behind my own words has been a cathartic journey to say the least. Every songwriter should try it!
My version of “Bitch”
I wrote "Bitch" with Meredith Brooks in a little room with an acoustic guitar. No beat. No track. It was an easy song to conceive because it was about both of us. Meredith made it the pop culture anthem that it is and now over 20 years later I'm bringing my own version to light. It's a little darker and more cinematic but it touts the same universal message. Women are complicated and it's ALL GOOD!
The Pretenders cut “Human” Then I did too!
I scribbled some words on a napkin in a ladies room after someone had hurt my feelings. The next week I put those words to music and wrote “Human” with Mark McEntee of Divinyls. The band recorded and released the song in 1996. A few years later Chrissie Hynde heard it and recorded it too! To have a legend who writes mega-hits of her own, record YOUR song, is something that doesn't happen for a songwriter every day...if ever. I saw Chrissie backstage at the Hollywood Bowl earlier this year and she confessed that the reason she cut “Human" is because it sounded more like The Pretenders than the material she was writing at the time.
“Notebook” is for my daughter
When my daughter Layla went abroad in college she called one day and told me she kept dreaming I was dying. When we got off the phone I picked up my guitar and channeled “Notebook” a song about a journal I’ve kept since the day she was born. One day if we can’t be together, she can flip through the pages and feel my love.
George & John is for anyone who ever loved The Beatles
Ethereal, psychedelic, and moving, "George & John" is a modern, sonic love letter to the Beatles. Weaving together rich orchestral instruments with dreamy vocals, Shelly Peiken creates a surreal, evocative dreamscape that is reminiscent of the magic once created by the song’s namesakes.
What A Girl Wants … Reimagining Xtina
What A Girl Wants" was inspired by my boyfriend who gave me the space I needed to determine the next steps in our relationship. 20+ years later we’re still together.
Just Wanna Be Your Girl…
Thank you Apple Music Easy Hits for the add!
A little something to whet your palate before the release of my First Official Single coming to you in February. Co-written with Wally Gagel, it’s an uncomfortably honest confession about wanting to stay chill in an imperfect but cherished relationship.
