SPOTLIGHT: BAILEIGH JANE
Photo By Sydney Tate
Meet Baileigh Jane and tune into their new single “We Change”
“We Change” is such a raw and courageous song about knowing when it’s time to walk away. Can you talk about the moment you knew this story needed to be written?
This song was originally inspired by my mom who I no longer talk to, but I ultimately drew inspiration from other relationships – family, friends, romantic partners– that I ended relationships with for various reasons. It’s a story, a message, I think most people need to hear more often, but I think it took awhile for me to be in a more grounded place to find the words to speak on it like I am now.
You mentioned this song was inspired by your relationship with your mom, whom you haven’t spoken to in five years. Was writing “We Change” part of your healing process?
Definitely. Songwriting has always been a part of my healing process. Writing songs like this comes from a place of grief, and also, compassionate understanding. It’s a very cathartic and healing experience for me.
There’s a quiet strength in how the song accepts that some relationships simply run their course. How did you balance that emotional clarity with the sadness that still lingers?
I think having perspective helps. We can miss people without hurting for them or hurting for ourselves. Things happen for a reason and if a relationship is meant to dissolve I think it’s often for the best. But I don’t think goodbyes are always forever, but even when they are, it’s better to try and find the peace with it. Find the beauty in what was and the memories that always will be. Celebrating the past rather than remembering things for their worst helps me find peace where any sadness might linger.
Can you share your most sentimental lyric from the song and what that lyric means to you personally?
The first verse is how I began writing the song: “It’s not about if they really love you / It’s about if they know how to show up for you / Have you communicated your heart? / Are you showing up and doing your part?”
This lyric is two fold: the first part is about accepting that no matter how much someone might say they love, their actions should be proof of their love. It’s validating the feeling of being let down by someone you love.
The second part is questioning whether you have done your part in communicating and being vulnerable in this relationship. It’s like a temperature check on whether there’s been any effort on your end to mend the relationship.
In a way, “We Change” is both an ending and a release. How did that duality influence the production and tone of the track?
I originally wrote this song on piano. I really love playing the piano on this song because there’s a lot of emotion in the progression. I knew when I went to record it, that I wanted it to air on the indie dance side, so that it would bring more empowerment and uplift to the song. It’s kind of like realizing a hard truth, a bit bittersweet but you become thankful for the clarity. I still started the song with just a simple recording of me playing the intro and outro on my actual piano. I wanted to start the track with the organic instrumentation it was originally on. But it became a fun project for me to experiment and play with in regards to the pop and electronic production elements.
While this song was inspired by a very personal relationship, you’ve said it could be about any kind of ending. Were you hoping listeners would find their own stories in it too?
Definitely. I know everyone has had a relationship at some point where no matter how much they’ve tried, they just don't get along with someone, or worse, they’ve experienced toxic dynamics or dysfunctional relationships. I really wanted this song to not be about assigning blame to another person, but just accepting the ending of things, and thus the new chapter to something else, in a more equanimous way.
You’ve talked before about being a connector and a community builder in NYC’s queer creative scene. How does “We Change” speak to your journey of self-protection and boundary-setting?
Through years of organizing and therapy (lol), you come to realize that you always need to be your number one. People often shy away from knowing themselves, knowing their boundaries, nonetheless, speaking on them. But this is how we live authentically. Having the courage to know yourself helps with self-compassion. It’s definitely a journey I’ll always be on, but you gain confidence on it with age for sure.
Sonically, how did you want “We Change” to feel? What decisions went into capturing the bittersweetness of letting go?
I wanted this to be soulful song with a fresh beat that would make you want to drive around during the sunset and listen to haha - because it's some hard truths in the lyrics to digest! I knew when I translated the piano into synth it would keep a lot of that nostalgic and sentimental feel, so I wanted the drums underneath to provide a sort of drive and feeling of empowerment in the song to make it a bit more fun and uplifting sonically.
This song feels like a turning point. Did it signal a new chapter in your writing or personal growth?
I would say this song was synthesized after that lived turning point, although each song I’ve ever written feels like I’ve created a part or chapter of myself to look back on.
What would you say to someone who’s listening to “We Change” while going through a similar kind of heartbreak or separation?
Take care of yourself! Make sure you are truly communicating to someone to your best extent. At the same time, if you feel like you’re communicating but being stonewalled, then you might want to consider cutting the cord. You’ll be okay!
