Fifty Days Underground

April 4, 2014

Who inspired today's broken heart song?

A woman who had her heart broken by a man thirty years ago who recently reached out to her again. She was 20 years old, getting divorced and supporting a nearly 1-year-old son. She fell in lust with a guitarist of a band. He was married, but they shared a passionate affair together for months. They planned their future together and called each other hourly. People thought she was his wife. 

One day, his wife found her keys in his leather jacket pocket. He drove her to the beach after a gig and told her that he had to end it. She didn't speak to him again, but found out that she was pregnant. Six and a half months later, a bad car accident ended the pregnancy.

Now thirty years later, he got in touch with her again through Facebook. He is now divorced and told her that he has always loved her. He has thought about her every day since they first met, and written many songs about her. She thought it was just a fling, but he told her that his love is as real as it always was.

Too Late, My Love is a song about bad timing. Despite the fact that he is in love with her, she has to tell him that she is happily married now. They'll never know what could have been between them because it wasn't the right time or place. Their lives have taken different directions, things have changed and it's too late.   

Where did you play?

34th Street — Herald Square

How much did you earn?

$21.13

Did anything unusual happen? 

I performed late afternoon to evening today, and it was busier than I expected. Probably had a lot to do with the fact that it was a Friday. There was an older man who approached me, told me I was adorable and put a $5 bill into my hand. I was touched by his generosity. Someone winked at me for the first time today. I can't say I've seen someone wink in general in a really long time.  

There was a man who stopped to watch, and clapped when I finished the song. He's also a songwriter, and asked if I wrote gospel songs. There was another man who stopped to watch, and said, "Wow, congratulations," in broken English when I finished singing. I thought that was really sweet.

There was a guitar player who started busking a few feet away from me. After dealing with the woman belting, "My Heart Will Go On" next to me at Grand Central the other day, I wasn't going to go down without a fight. I kept singing and playing loudly, and he eventually gave up and walked away.

Did you meet anyone interesting?

There was a man with two large suitcases who was lost, and asked me for directions to the PATH. He didn't speak a lot of English. He was from Guadlajara, Mexico, and today was his first day in New York City. I remember being overwhelmed with the subway system when I moved here six years ago, so it's nice to be able to steer people in the right direction now.

There was a man who approached me, and asked me if I was a good singer. I wasn't quite sure how to respond to that question. Although I know I'm not the greatest singer ever, I don't think I would be busking if I thought I was a bad singer. He said he was a music producer (I have heard that title thrown around a lot these days) and wanted to record me. I asked for a business card, and he said he didn't have one. I asked for his website, but he didn't have one of those either. So he took one of my business cards. About 5-10 minutes later, he came back asking me for my phone number. I told him to just e-mail me.

What's the best advice you received from a stranger?

There was a man who walked up to me and said he's been busking for three years. He told me to hide all of my cash, and only leave a dollar in my instrument case. I tried it, although I don't think it made a significant difference.

How are you feeling?

I'm feeling great! The change of weather is really brightening my mood. I've been extremely optimistic about my future these days. I am learning how to fully embrace the unknown, and looking forward to the many exciting life events ahead of me. I actually had a moment the other day where I thought of all the amazing things that have not yet happened in my life, and will likely eventually happen. It's an extraordinarily happy thought.

I wasn't really looking forward to today's performance, but it's been one of my favorites thus far. I put a lot of energy into it, and I thought it was well-received by the people walking by. I got a smiles and nods, and there's really nothing more rewarding than that. 

I'm actually really excited about the end of this project because I have a few Fifty Days Underground surprises in store for you. I won't spoil any of them right now. I have a ton of work to do to make them happen. I'm really excited, and hopefully you will be too. :)

© 2014 Kelly Bazely