Caitlyn Smith - "Before You Call Me Baby"

In a time when everything is big, fast and bombastic, it's rare to find an artist who can hush a room with just the power of her voice or the will of her pen. Caitlyn Smith, one of Nashville's most prized writers, is one of them: and, after years spent composing songs for and with everyone from Dolly Parton to Garth Brooks to Meghan Trainor, she's finally ready to unveil all sides of her enormous talent with Starfire. Long lauded for her ability to whirl pure emotion into unforgettable tracks, Starfire is a raw, visceral journey about love, hardship and the struggle to pave your own way, all anchored by her unforgettable tone. A few minutes of listening and one thing becomes abundantly clear: there is no one better to sing the music of Caitlyn Smith than Smith herself. "I wanted to unlock my heart and dig around inside a little," Smith says about the songs of Starfire, with the first five songs available now, with the complete album to be released this fall. "And I wanted to be more vulnerable, and tell the stories I have lived. It's more raw of a process to write for myself." 

She's got something unique in her sound, a small hint of a cry all while calling out for the world to listen. She draws you in with her powerhouse vocals only to seduce you with her sly turn of phrase. She's got the rare ability to sing the works and make you not only listen, but understand. 

So today, with a hint and a leap, I choose Caitlyn Smith's "Before You Call Me Baby" as my, sure why not, not no, just say yes, song for a, simple little songs, honest little words, bright smiling eyes Wednesday.