Skip to main content

Sing My Life: Birthday By Disclosure, Kehlani, Syd

"Can I call you on your birthday? Just to make sure that you're okay"

 


Birthdays can bring out the real in all of us. Happy Friday and it happens to be the Queen’s Birthday. Yes Beyoncé! Yeah,yeah, everybody loves Beyoncé. Shout out to all the Virgos! I'm so loving the Disclosure video for 'Birthday' featuring Kehlani and Syd. The visuals take on the 'Alice in Wonderland' aspect where Syd and Kehlani are stuck in a shrunken room. The giant versions of Syd and Kehlani wrestle with thoughts of reaching out to each other. The visual ends with claymation version of Syd and Kehlani, who who are shown in a candy land. They talk to each other while experiencing adventures including flying on the top of a single engine plane. And then they both get burnt. The closing of the video has voices singing 'Happy birthday'. Then a heart shaped box with Syd and Kehlani's names, and a cake with Disclosure's faces appear on the screen.

Most of the world's population actually celebrates birthdays. And, I’m big on birthdays. Maybe not that mine anyway, because no one ever makes a fuss over it. But yeah, there's a certain magic in celebrating people on the day that they were born. Of course we have several holidays however, nothing comes close to the day that one was born in the fact that they celebrate the next milestone. You know that a lot can happen in year, so thank God for life...toast! 

Of late, I’ve been talking about muses and you know you come to a place of reflection. This song has me reflecting as it discusses lingering feelings and dealing with thoughts of a calling a former love interest on their birthday even though the relationship is over. The chorus says, "Would you prefer it if I'd go ghost?; And let you go your own way; Can I call you on your birthday?; Just to make sure that you're okay; Got the number to your old phone; But is it working?"

Have you ever tried to reach out to someone on their birthday? Somebody that you used to know, and maybe somewhat feel something for? Story time! There is one person who on their birthday I was contemplating to send a message. It's always a debate but I stand by birthdays so I say whatever. Fortunately I think you know when you're linked on social media you it’s easy to pluck up courage. Most of the time, we fear of what they would think. Whether they reciprocate or not, it’s up to them. I saw a notification on one of my social media platforms. I sent him a birthday message. To be honest, deep down, I had hoped for a, "Thank you", c'est tout! In the song, Kehlani sings, “I ain’t even callin’ for no reconciliation; I just want to tap in and see how you been; I’ve waited for an adequate amount of time; To give us both some space; I think it’s been good for us to stay up out of the way.” I’m admitting that I have his number. I don’t know if it’s still the same. It’s not about reconciliation. Remember, we had a situation... a situationship. My mentor has a different narrative about what type of ship that was but I don't want to make it more than what it was. 

I remember his birthday because he and I actually share the same birthday month. Actually we are exactly a week apart. "But to put the hurt to rest, put maturity to the test; So I'm callin' to say "Are you okay?" on your special day" As I said, I'm big on birthdays. There are people who sending a message could make a difference. The idea that someone is thinking of you and acknowledges that you are still alive and breathing. You have another time of grace to walk and perhaps fulfill your purpose. Not everybody has big social circles, so you just want to make them feel 'special' on their day.

Is it okay to reach out to somebody that you used to know, on their birthday? They don't need to be in your life. You aren't asking for long conversations or a second time around. And you are only human, there's a heart somewhere. "Emotion aside; Ah; Am I makin' your day?"


Reaching out can take us to that place of vulnerability. We are afraid of the perception of desperation, obsession and even humiliation. But what if, the person on the other hand took the reaching out with grace, and composure. They are civil in their reception of the two words, "Happy birthday". And if not received with a "thank you", their silence isn't necessarily a brush off. You don't need to overthink it. It is just silence, and perhaps, it still remains best to maintain space. But still...

"Can I call you on your birthday? Just to make sure that you're okay"

When art imitates life, some things are best said through a song...

Until the next song lyrics...

P.S.: Always write your own love story!

Ciao!

Lady E

Comments

Popular Posts

5 Inexpensive Dates in a Bad Economy

If he's making the economy an excuse, swipe left.... A guy who makes too many excuses whilst pursuing you is not worth your time. He will make excuses for not making time for you. More so, for not taking you on a date. A real man makes a plan...all the time! Yes, the economy is atrocious...a complete nightmare! Does that mean that humanity stops? Y'all,  we have procreation to continue until the end of time. A season of a recession, shouldn't hinder dates, relationships and the whole nine yards that come with that package. Couples over centuries overcame obstacles such as family feuds, classism, racism, tribalism, religious differences etc. They all found a way around those challenges. Any guy who uses 'in this economy' as an excuse is dropped like a pin. Honestly, such an individual lacks ambition and creativity. I want the flowers, chocolate, and the date. Otherwise...skrrr! You will have to show innovation in your pursuit. If you can't be strategic w

The Red Season: Breadcrumbs of Love

No matter how broken you are, a meal of love is what you need. For the first time in a long time, I will admit on this platform, I will admit that I cried. I felt humiliated and hurt. Mariah Carey's "Cry" is playing in my head. I keep asking myself why am I this person? Why do I keep scraping for crumbs of love? Am I not enough? And following a recent disappointment, I reverted to a quote that I saw on a certain blog. "You could have the best intentions, you could have the most sincere feelings, and you could be a good woman and you still wouldn't be able to keep a man because the only way to keep a man is if that man wants to be kept by you,"  Sipho Mbhele. "You could have the best intentions, you could have the most sincere feelings, and you could be a good woman and you still wouldn't be able to keep a man because the only way to keep a man is if that man wants to be kept by you,"  Sipho Mbhele. Gosh, I'm tired of this circus. The fact

Script My Life: The Greatest Roles

Cheers to a new month, new season and more scripts... I really need new flicks to watch! I will admit that I haven't caught up with the late 2018 and early 2019 movies. But I know that after this blog post, y'all will hook me up. XOXO in advance! We are in the month of August! The second month in the second half of the year! A happy birthday to all the Leos and Virgos! Some of the greats were born this month including my beautiful daughter, Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston. August babies are strong willed and have leadership bred in them. They are just a forceful lot! In the Shona language, August is ' Nyamavhuvhu ' which loosely translated means 'windy'. August babies aren't gentle breezes, they are the tornados and hurricanes; but we love them still! The month itself on this side of the hemisphere is windy! But the wind comes to somewhat renew and pave way for the brief spring season (in Africa, of course!) Wrapping up July, and starting o

The Writings On The Wall

Thou shall move onto the next! And then 'If You Leave' by Destiny's Child and Next starts to play. Gosh, 'The Writings on the Wall' remains my favourite Destiny's Child album, ever. The concept of the '10 commandments' of relationships. Brilliant!  Bonjour, mes amies! Comment ça va? Ça va bien! (Caribbean accent) Your gyal ,  moi , has been experiencing epiphanies. And a few disappointments, but life is too sweet to be upset. Lick your ice cream and have sweet red wine! I travelled through the blogosphere for inspiration for our topic today. Ironically, I also had a discussion with an acquaintance about a similar topic. There's nothing that I love more than people who brag about their intelligence. Oh, my! People pride themselves on their levels of education, often equating it to intelligence. We assess our value based on having degrees, master's degrees, and doctorates. If only those worked in relationships. I think of David Robson's 'W

Chocolate!

Oogling and drooling as I lust after the delicious,yummy chocolate abs of...gush...Trey Songz in a music video. My male friends look at me as if I'm some perverted male...maybe I am. Sadly as a woman such men are just a mirage in a desert full of pot bellied men.Yes,I said it!I believe I speak on behalf of my sisters,who have been termed 'overambitious',and having high standards in the looks department.We would love to see more abs and less flab. Why our brothers keep mount Everests of flesh I fail to understand.Worse still,men boobs that could hold shares in a dairy company. Who would blame me.I become a pervert because Usher's six-pack makes me want to eat of it,or I'm actually envious of Generations' Queen Moroka having 'Muscle man' Lungile,hold her in his arms.Yes,guilty as charged! What my brothers should understand is most women already have stuffed toys,a new addition in the form of a man is not adorable.A little working out w