“Nudge, nudge, wink, wink. Know what I mean?”

Bizarre dreams last night – and in each one, I was standing in line – what the heck? I was waiting, & waiting – anyone care to decipher?

Through all the tumult and the strife
I hear it’s music ringing,
It sounds an echo in my soul.
How can I keep from singing?
~Enya

Some people call it coffee … I call it muse juice.

Mad Men withdrawals started early this morning. Anyone watch the finale last night?

Thanks to everyone who came to hear me at The Girlie Show! An amazing experience and the coolest, hippest art show ever! Pics coming soon!

I’ll be performing Sat, Nov 7 at the Girlie Show “Chicks With Picks” concert in OKC! http://ping.fm/qWaUR

A Wiser Woman (Behind the Song)

A Wiser Woman is the first release from my AcoustiCUTS Series. I wrote it on my birthday as I reflected on hard lessons. The song celebrates the wisdom that can only come from life itself. It’s a jazz/blues ballad … I can’t help but sing it with a lot of soul, because that is exactly where it came from. The MP3 will be available soon! Sign up for my mailing list at www.shellyphelps.com to get an alert when this song is available on iTunes and CD Baby.

A Wiser Woman Lyrics

(Written by Shelly Phelps and Rob Vollmar)

I lost my self esteem in the pages of a magazine
But I’m a wiser woman now
I found my desire on the other side of the fire
I’m a wiser woman now

The world turned and I learned
It takes living it to figure it out
Cause I’m a wiser woman now

I watched my world unravel down every road untraveled
But I’m a wiser woman now
I started living the day I stopped waiting for the other shoe to drop
I’m a wiser woman now

The world turned and I learned
It takes living it to figure it out
Cause I’m a wiser woman now

The world turned and I learned
It takes living it to figure it out
Cause I’m a wiser woman now

(c) 2009 Shelinator Music. All Rights Reserved.

Smoke and Perfume (Behind the song)

Smoke and Perfume is a sultry little number… a little jazzy … a bit of a samba. Searching for a cure for a nasty case of writer’s block, I was determined to write words on paper and decided to just walk around my house and write down everything I saw, touched, smelled, or heard.  I looked down and saw the dress that still laid on the floor after the previous night’s gig. (I confess, I typically throw my clothes in the floor.) It smelled like smoke and perfume …. writer’s block cured! The essence of the song is about my contradictory nature and a life that doesn’t make any sense to anyone but me. And it’s kinda sexy.  You can get a free MP3 of Smoke and Perfume by joining my mailing list at www.shellyphelps.com.

Smoke and Perfume Lyrics

(Written by Shelly Phelps, John Randolph, and Rob Vollmar)

I’m musky perfume in a smoky room
I’m a red velvet dress thrown on the floor
I’m merlot in a chipped glass, time going too fast
I’ve opened too many windows and closed too many doors

I’m a soft-spoken whisper lost in the wind
A beautiful song with a forgotten tune
I’m a kiss with no intention, perfect contradiction
I’m the lingering scent of smoke and perfume

Gloves of black satin, letters in Latin
A framed photograph turned down on it’s face
In a box full of memories and leather and lace

I’m a confident smile on the face of a racing heart
A deep dark secret told to the moon
Quiet desperation fights inspiration
I’m the lingering scent of smoke and perfume

Smoke and perfume
Smoke and perfume
Smoke and perfume

(c) 2009 Shelinator Music. All Rights Reserved.

. . . and so it begins (Welcome to my Blog)

Hello dear readers, fans, friends, and those stopping by out of mild curiosity,

I’ve started this blog for some obvious (and admittedly self-serving reasons). Through journaling, lyrics, mp3’s, pictures, and video, I’ll share some personal insight into my life and my music. Along with posts about the inspiration, creation, recording, performing, and promotion of my music, there will also be the occassional social or political commentary, depending on what’s going on in our world. But there won’t be rants . . . that’s just not my style. Oh yeah, I would love to tell you about the people, places, music, books, art, and film that have shaped and continue to give direction to my life and my music.

On the flip-side, I hope to get to know some of you. I want to know how we connect (or don’t), what we have in common (or don’t), where you live, what you do, and (another blatant tactic) if you like my music, I hope you tell me what you like about it . . . how you connect with it. Because at the end of the day, that’s why I make music . . . to express myself honestly and to connect with people on an emotional level. Please don’t be shy with the comments . . . and if you enjoy my music or find any of these posts remotely interesting, I hope you will share it with others.

Wishing you a soulful and funky day,
Shelly