Chelsea Shag’s “Rooftop” is Just the Song we Need for COVID
Chelsea Shag’s latest single, “Rooftop,” hit airwaves in October, with lyrics that speak to the time in which we live in a way that’s especially uncanny when you learn the song was written two years ago in 2018. The lyrics, “I should probably go outside, I can’t even tell what the weather’s like,” and her talk of dancing on the rooftop with a sense of abandonment echo a wish many of us can relate to after months of staying cooped up thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic.
When Chelsea wrote those lyrics, she had no idea she would be releasing this song into a quarantined world. Instead, she was writing out her own feelings of confinement and frustration, both physical and emotional. “At the time I was living in a small apartment, just 650 square feet, in a relationship and circumstance I felt suffocated in,” Chelsea said. “One day I picked up my guitar and the chorus literally came out of me all at once.”
It’s somewhat fitting that Chelsea recorded the song in a closet in her apartment -- singing about confinement while being confined. The symbolism of the song fits perfectly in the fall of 2020, but it also shows just how timeless and relatable music can be. The feelings of being stifled and longing for freedom aren’t unique to COVID-19, as Chelsea well knows. Anyone who’s been in a battling relationship, who’s felt pressure from society to conform, or spends time trying to live up to someone else’s standards can see themselves in these lyrics. “We all have skeletons in our closet, but not all of us have learned how to embrace them and dance with them,” Chelsea says. “I wanted to show that I’ve learned how to start dancing with mine.”
Chelsea literally dances with those skeletons in the video for “Rooftop.” “Filming the video brought its challenges, as we did the production during COVID,” Chelsea says. “We had to make a few small sacrifices in order to be safe, but it ended up being a wonderful experience. I worked alongside a small yet incredible group of women and it was the most easy-going shoot to date.”
The creativity found in “Rooftop” goes well beyond the symbolism of the lyrics and the colorful, fun vibe of the video. Chelsea’s vocal range is highlighted with some fun jumps and intervals. The use of organ sounds and her friend’s talent with a musical saw help bring a unique sound to this song. “Rooftop” was co-produced with acclaimed producer, Alex Aldi, who has produced records for Passion Pit, Troye Sivan, Dreamers, and numerous bands on the Alternative and Pop charts.
It’s always exciting to have new music, and “Rooftop” will soon be joined by other new works by Chelsea and Madison Records. “While we’ve all been dealing with different stresses during the COVID-19 pandemic, I’ve also enjoyed the time of solitude and alone time,” Chelsea says. “I’ve been recording and writing at home, and also working with Tanner and Wyatt [at Madison] and I’m excited to share what we’ve done.”