There’s a few songs that 17 shares its title with. My favourite sister is of course Sharon Van Etten’s; I think she talks about feeling brave & ‘led astray’ at this age and I can relate to that.
When I was writing this song I thought about how vulnerable you are, still a teenager and how you are so willing to put your heart in the hands of people who aren’t equipped to handle it with care. You know, the boy/girlfriend you bring home and mum goes ‘oh god no’, I had a few of those.
My favourite part is the middle 8, or perhaps the new verse you hear that didn’t make it to the final version of the song. I was reaching for new melodic transitions, that lift is from me playing a random chord, that changes the key. I love the drama of it, how it replicates the complexity of the inner dialogue, that always seems to be heightened and against yourself or maybe that is half of us human beings.
It wasn’t my first heart break and it wouldn’t be my last but we will talk more about that soon!!
*The photo above, was taken as I recorded the version that appeared on my first album.
Your music, and the thoughts you are now sharing, are like a salve for sometimes broken hearted souls like myself. Such is life I guess, but we struggle to find the words to express emotions that seem so much bigger than ourselves, and yet, we find ways to carry on nonetheless, even well beyond when we were seventeen. Thank you so much for bringing voice to your own emotions, and in so doing, bringing voice to ours as well. We all walk a little bit easier with musical companions such as this, don't we? Oh, and before I forget, kudos for the Sharon Van Etten reference. The tapestry of musical influences, including your own, keep us feeling so safe and warm when the cold harsh winds are blowing on the pathways of our lives. Peace & Love & Weightless Towards The Ground, Always!
This version hits differently. When art can make you stop, think, feel, remember . . . . . Well, this song and your voice does all of that. Thank you for sharing. Cool photo, too!