Thirteens

I love when for whatever reason I decide to re-visit an album that originally did not strike a resounding chord with me. This rare scenario has happened to me recently with Leona Naess' Thirteens album. I bought the album when it came out in 2008 and after a couple of spins I wrote the record off to the "I'll never listen to this again pile of albums that is always expanding due to my thirst for something new yet nothing seems to satisfy the craving approach to music."

Well, in recent months the stars aligned just right and I have stumbled back onto this album and I could not be more thrilled. It is quickly becoming one of my all time favorites! For one, I finally understand the title: Thirteens- my interpretation is that it is the state of being that a single woman in her thirties occupies. You are not a teenager (Thank God!) which means that you don't get butterflies in the same way that you used to (you know better than that by now), but you do get dressed up for nights on the town with girlfriends and in the same way that you did when you were younger you set out with the excitement of not knowing where the night may lead. Of course the older we get the more that our friendships will change as friends do meet significant others and move into another phase of life, and while this can leave a bittersweet taste and lingering feelings of indifference, it is nice to remember that the ride leading up to wedded bliss can also be just as rewarding.

While this album does have it's fair share of sad undertones, on the whole it makes me feel like these are the greatest times and that someday I'm going to look back on it all and really miss this time in particular. Face it, if you combine your single thirties and your idyllic teens you get the best of both worlds: all the passion and zest, but also the common sense and freedom that being an adult brings to your life.

A little taste of some of my favorite highlights:

"These are the best days of your life

Dinner parties and friends and no one's wife"

"Storms are brewing and we're heading for the change

Friends will marry and move away"

"You're not the same girl who

Writes love songs and means them

You're not the same girl who

Has butterflies and believes them"

"Dive dive down in the deep dark waters

Swim your body to me

Look for shelter in the caves of Gibraltar

Maybe some pearls for me"

"I can't tell you that I won't hurt you,

But I promise to try"

"Take my lips and place them upon you

Catch my eyes and let them design you

Grab these arms and wrap them around you

Shake these hips and let them persuade you

Take my songs they're always about you"

"So let's go out late,

drink a lot

stay up past 8

and then dance,

DANCE all night

and leave our boyfriends behind"

"Gonna get it right

Gonna put lipstick on tonight

Gonna wear that dress

The one that shows my legs"

"Do I pull my hair up?

Or shake it out?

Put it in a bow?

Or leave it down?"

"Can I take you home? Maybe take you out?

When we're drunk a little less

We can drink some more"

When I listen to this album I can't help but think of all the potential that life has to offer to a single gal in her 30's! This album inspires me to start eating better and get my body moving so that I can enjoy my 30's to the fullest! Here's to being single and fabulous, exclamation point!