KIWI

Originally posted on The Daily Ditty June 22, 2017

Those of you not familiar with film music, 1M1 is the “name” given to the first cue in a film. 1M1 set the tone of the film. So why 1M1, why today, why this song? Well for starters today is MY BIRTHDAY! A short 25 years ago I graced the world with my awkward and absolutely bizarre presence and now I think it’s time for an upgrade. And my 25th birthday seemed like a great place to start anew, if not a poetic one. Second, this is the song that light the fires of this new me revolution. (Bonus: Third reason this is the first Daily Ditty entry!).

When everyone was buzzing about the Harry Styles solo single I was curious. When it comes to music, like food, I’ll try anything once. I was curious to hear what this kid was going to do without the 3 (4?) other British/Irish lads by his side. (I was never a 1D fan). When Sign of the Times came on the radio I honestly didn’t know it was Harry Styles’ single. I thought it was Lady Gaga, it sounded like Born This Way meets A Million Reasons. I wasn’t too impressed. I downloaded the pre-sale album anyway, curious to see what other songs this guy might have in him.

Soon after, I randomly came across Sweet Creature in my daily shuffle. This song was way more my speed, noodling guitar, simple melody, nothing too flashy. I dug it. So much so I forgot there were 9 other tracks. I just burned through that song, I think my replay tally is at 56 and counting. I didn’t get around to listening to the rest of the album until the end of May on a long and bumpy flight back from Paris. And that’s when I heard it, the life changing sounds of Kiwi.

Placed near the bottom of the track list, and easy to miss, this song is definitely the sleeper of the record. On a regular day I am not the heavy-guitar-rocker-chick-head-banging type. However, Kiwi seemed to have unlocked something in me that I had long forgotten. My badass-ness — not a word but just go with it. It is one hell of a rock anthem. My new anthem, and it all started with one little line.

“Hard liquor mixed with a bit of intellect”

I had always pictured myself as this badass Angelina Jolie bond girl type. Granted this was dream me. Reality me, is was clinical, straight edged, quiet and scared of the world. After hearing this song, this line, it was like the world’s biggest light bulb went off in my head. Just everything about the song, the punchy guitar, sexy, just plain old fun rocking out with a glass of bourbon feel screamed BADASS. And I heard it, loud and clear.

From that first listen, I made the decision to just be me. Fuck it! Whatever ‘me’ is, that's who I’m going to be, and I’m going to look damn cool and sexy doing it.

I rushed home from Pearson Int’l, tossed all my clothes (I’ve been wearing the same clothes for 10 years, not joking). I deep cleaned my entire condo, emptied all my cabinets and storage places of things I didn’t need, use, or want. I quite literally nuked my life.

What does this mean for tomorrow? I don’t know, but for the first time in a long time I don’t care. I’m excited to see what I do next. Who I meet next.

And what I’m going to wear…