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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

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