Colour Outside the Lines: The Song I Almost Kept in a Drawer
Back in 2018, I had just released Plush Red Chair and Christmas With Love. I was in a burst of creativity, writing all the time. But even in the middle of that energy, doubts crept in. Was I too old to be doing this? Could I really keep pushing forward in music?
Society loves its boxes: do this by that age, look like this not that, have this much in the bank, buy the house, drive the car. I remember thinking—screw that. I’m going to be me. And that’s where Colour Outside the Lines was born.
Here’s the rough version I captured back in 2018. A little unpolished, but the heart of the song was already there.
In 2019, I started writing with Michael Creber. We clicked instantly—easy, fun, lots of laughter. Colour Outside the Lines was the very first song we wrote together. I brought him a rough idea and lyrics, and by the end of the session we had the full song. We were in the zone.
It has a bluesy feel, stripped down to just piano, bass, and vocal. Simple, smoky, powerful. When I hear it, I picture shades of blue light, a singer alone on stage in something clingy and fabulous.
Even the early demo made waves—it won the Intercontinental Music Award for Best Jazz Song in 2021. Not bad for something I almost kept in a drawer.
I even painted artwork for this release—another way of colouring outside the lines.
Seven years later, the song means even more to me. If I thought I was “too old” then… well, I have to laugh at myself now. I’ve written and recorded so many songs since, but for a while I kept them tucked away. Releasing music takes work, and sometimes you wonder—does it even matter?
But I promised myself I’d shine. Share my songs with those who want to hear them. So here I am, back to releasing music.
What I hope people feel when they hear Colour Outside the Lines is empowerment. Whether you’re young, middle-aged, or past society’s so-called prime, you have a purpose. Something that feeds your soul. And you should do it—outside the lines, no matter what anyone else thinks.
This song is part of my Simplicity project, though I’ve been recording other music too. Where it all ends up, I’m not sure—and honestly, that feels right. The answer will come, and probably outside the lines.
You can listen to the finished version of Colour Outside the Lines here: https://tr.ee/HFYngEZUWn
Stay Divalicious!
