Sheléa fuses classic soul with cinematic storytelling in "Time Machine," a heartfelt and smoldering contemplation on lost love, closure, and the beauty of reflecting without bitterness.
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Stream: “Time Machine” – Sheléa
“I want listeners to recall lost love freely, without resentment. Sometimes it wasn’t meant to be, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t meaningful.”
The moment Sheléa begins her rendition of “Time Machine,” you are drawn in: not merely to a nostalgic era, but to a memory steeped in yearning, love, and the quiet pain of what might have been. Capturing the essence of classic soul with elegance and emotion, she presents a track that is both profoundly moving and musically captivating.
A GRAMMY-nominated singer, songwriter, pianist, producer, and actress, Sheléa is widely recognized as one of music's most dynamic talents, having received admiration from icons like Quincy Jones, Stevie Wonder, and David Foster. She has graced stages from Carnegie Hall to The White House and from Royal Albert Hall to the Vatican, played Dorinda Clark in the celebrated Clark Sisters biopic, and hosted national PBS specials honoring Aretha Franklin. With the independent release of “Time Machine” in late May, she further enriches her remarkable legacy with a song that feels both timeless and deeply personal.
“Time Machine” is a breathtaking, soul-stirring piece of Motown essence, weaving together cinematic storytelling and authentic emotion. It evokes nostalgia without being mired in the past, serving as a tribute to what once was, all wrapped in a groove that feels both eternal and vibrant. Enriching piano, emotive strings, and her unmistakable vocal warmth animate her story compellingly.
“I cherish using the enchantment of storytelling in music,” Sheléa shares with Atwood Magazine. “You can really visualize the tale of this couple. I think everyone can relate to reminiscing about a significant relationship.”
The narrative unfolds like a short film: an unexpected reunion between ex-lovers, with polite greetings opening the floodgates of memories. “Oh, do you think about us / Do you think about all the things we might have been before we gave up,” she sings in the chorus, and in these words, the entire emotional journey blossoms. It’s not about reviving the past; it’s about honoring it. “This is a song about remembering lost love with a smile,” she clarifies. “Whether you end up together again or not, you’re grateful for what happened.”
“I know I claimed we were finished, but I wish I had a Time Machine / I would travel back to our love.”
“There’s no specific storyline,” Sheléa confesses. “But it evokes memories of innocent love that was genuine. It has such a cinematic quality, and I hope it finds its place in a film or TV series.” “Time Machine” possesses a strong visual aspect – an elegance in its details and a warmth in its composition. Like the finest soul ballads of the '60s and '70s, it encapsulates emotion in motion: “Do you remember the first time we kissed / I can’t help regretting all the loving that we missed…”
Sheléa and her co-writer Davy Nathan drew inspiration from The Jackson 5’s Motown sound while creating “Time Machine,” incorporating elements from that era to enhance its nostalgic feel. “When you listen to ‘Never Can Say Goodbye,’ it elicits feelings of melancholy and contemplation, yet it remains so inviting and pleasant,” she explains. “That’s the essence we aimed for with ‘Time Machine.’”
“It’s been a really long year / Summer, winter, spring, and fall / all without you here.”
“Do you remember the first time we kissed? I can’t help regretting all the love we missed…”
“I know I said we were finished, but I wish I had a Time Machine / I would travel back to our love.”
Though happily married now, Sheléa reflects on how the song might have once aided her healing. “There was a time when this song could have helped me find closure,” she admits. “I’ve also heard from fans stating that ‘Time Machine’ has inspired them to reach out to their exes! To which I say, enjoy the song responsibly!”
She laughs, yet the message is clear: “Sometimes things aren’t meant to last, but that doesn’t diminish their significance.”
It’s rare to encounter a song that acknowledges heartbreak without resentment – one that allows us to dwell in a memory without the need to amend it. “For me, ‘Time Machine’ represents remembering a simpler time in life. Love was innocent, but then life intervened, and you reconnect with a past you cherish.”
“Is this our second chance / to find our way again / Can we start over / Is there one final dance? / Before
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Sheléa combines elements of classic soul with cinematic narrative in “Time Machine,” a heartfelt and passionate contemplation of lost love, closure, and the beauty of reminiscing without feelings of regret.