I think she's also saying that the old Courtney is gone and this is the new Courtney ! I'm no longer going to be a pushover ! I have a path to follow and no one is going to stop me. She's now an independent and can make all of her own decisions which is exactly what she wants to do. I love this young lady and wish her only the best in her career and life !
I first saw her on The Voice Kids UK in 2017, when it played here in New Zealand. But it wasn't until I saw her on AGT in 2018, that I became a true fan. Because the former was purely a singing competition, she, unfortunately, got lost amongst the crowd. But, because AGT is a variety talent show, she shone like a beacon amongst the crowd. I literally cannot remember anyone else who was in that season, not even the Card Magician who won. I have since seen many other performances of Courtney, most of them covers. Her range is just so diverse, she can go from Rock to Pop to Blues to Jazz to Gospel to Motown to R&B to Ballads, even a bit of Opera. This is a fun Swing/Rock/Blues/Jazz fusion which shows her fun, playful side. Other songs from her, like Call Me Back and Breakable show another side altogether, while Monsters and Christmas Rocks are different genres again. You should check out these other songs from her, and I know she is releasing more to come on a planned album.
Hi. Cool reaction. Courtney is absolutely amazing. The most dynamic young artist in music today. In addition to the spectacular vocals she brings to every song, one of the things that is so incredible about Courtney is the vocal versatility and range that she has. You've reacted to two of her 2023 originals, both of which were uptempo, and you know her from AGT, where she crushed some classic rock, but she is equally as great across so many other genres from R&B to Funk, Soul, Blues, Ballads and more. She even had an opera clip go viral on TikTok. To hear Courtney sing a ballad is to appreciate what a truly beautiful voice she has. I think it would be great if you would react to some of Courtney's other styles of music, so that you can get a more complete picture of the incredible talent she brings to the table. More detail on options below. 'That Girl Don't Live Here' is an absolutely terrific song and the lyrics are brilliant. It has such a great vibe that you can't listen to it and not to want to move with it. Not only is the song fabulous, but the video is a work of art and perfect for the song. There are a number of messages in the song and video. First, Courtney is singing about, among other things, no longer being that 13 year old girl everyone fell in love with on AGT, and which a core group of fans want her to remain, which of course is impossible. Courtney has confirmed that this was one of the primary meanings of the song. Courtney, with her incredible creativity, used that theme to drive the video, in such a unique way. Past/young Courtney sees new/current Courtney in the video and follows her through the closet/looking glass into a whole new world, in this case Wonderland (from Alice in Wonderland). Secondly, for the last four plus years, the labels have tried to tell Courtney what she should be. Courtney stood her ground and said 'No'. Fortunately for all of us, she did, because no one else makes music like Courtney does. It's only my interpretation, but at the beginning of the video, when someone comes to the door asking her to sign something and she turns them away, this represents the labels, with whom she is done with. Lastly, when all the paparazzi come to the door and she turns them away, she is saying that to be able to release the kind of music I love is more important than the possible fame, if I have to sell out to get it. Courtney went through hell to start getting her original music out. As I mentioned above, first, her label, for years trying to turn her into something she didn’t want to be. Another pop princess. Can you imagine that magnificent voice you just heard being limited to just pop, but there’s more. Of course, there was Covid, which delayed her album release for more than two years. Then her label was sold, creating even more chaos. At the beginning of 2023, as soon as she could, she walked away from her label and went independent. Courtney has a huge song library that she hasn't been able to release because of the reasons described above, but she has shared many of them, in whole or in part with fans, and they are all sensational. She is such a powerhouse as a songwriter. Since she has gone independent in 2023, she has already released five mind blowing originals (You've reacted to two of them so far - 'Monsters' and 'That Girl Don't Live Here'). The others are 'Breakable', a gorgeous gritty ballad, 'Call Me Back', which will rip your heart out every time you hear it and 'Christmas Rocks', a rocky Christmas song that simply demands you move with it. All are available on her RU-vid channel. Now that she's independent, she has said to expect a release every month or two. So buckle up. Next up is the release of her long delayed debut album. It's going to be an incredible ride. I can't wait to hear you react to more of Courtney's music. So big news in Courtney world this week. Hot off the presses. Courtney just announced yesterday that she will be performing at Carnegie Hall on April 29th. It's a 92nd birthday gala for Clive Davis. Given what Clive Davis has accomplished in music and all of the big names he has discovered and signed, everybody who's anyone in music will be there. The performer list is a who's who of music. So a very big deal. I'd give you the link, but YT will block anything that is a non YT link, so check Courtney's Social Media accounts for details.
Awesome piece of informational writing! I'd say you're right on the money!! I didn't know if Clive Davis was alive or not. It's near certsin that, Howie spoke the short story about him as in doing so Courtney's overall AGT Audition brought that story to life as was in a way reflection from, Janice to Courtney as they hold talents in common. Courtz can sing and song like many. Yet she's so unigue that nobody can sing and sound like her. Yed, it's correct. That Girl Don't Live Here anymore. However we loved her back then as we still love her perhaps even more today! 😊 Her shyness is dragging on behind her. She's a very humble and sweet person. Also, The Future Queen of Rock n Roll or whatever she decides to sing.
Courtney is a one of a kind, she can do so many things with her voice! Thanks for the great reaction and Edward has left you a lot of suggestions and info, I'm looking forward to more Courtney.
Her 2nd Record Label Failed Her Just Like Her 1st Record Label.. So, She Said Later !!!! She Became an Independent Artist... Business Relations... She Tried and They Tried to Change Her....
Thank you for a great reaction! This one's fun, yet serious underneath. Those lyrics, the visual references to Alice in Wonderland, so much to unpack in this one! What KIND of relationship though? Works for ALL SORTS of possible relationships, from professional to personal to romantic. My bet: a certain 'reality TV' show. Or a boyfriend. Or a 'label'. Or.... Love this!
Welcome to the world of Courtney Hadwin. Good reaction. You should have started with Breakable. In order to understand the first songs, it is an advantage if you have followed her journey. Because they're about life after AGT. There is a small common thread in those songs. Much of this is about her journey in the music industry. It has been a tough journey with many ups and downs. So she left it and became an independent artist. Mr. Edward DeVogelear has written most about her in a thread here.
I think it’s about her time on whichever platform Simon Cowell is on. If she signed with them and we haven’t heard from her… I’d say she had issues on them wanting to control what type of music or business SHE wanted to put out. I’d guess she’s free of that contract Now . We’ve seen this happen with Angelina Jordan👀👀, Chinchilla . Chinchilla put some MF bangers out about it… So it seems has Courtney… 👏 AJ ended up signed…. So we’ll see for her. Good luck Courtney
At the time she started this song (and Breakable) she had left her musical contract and begun independent control of her music. She felt that she got a bad deal from that company, they created an almost slavery submissive relationship with her. Now she says "No, I am not the young creative girl under you but the powerful independent older girl ready to take on the world without you. We both loved the younger girl, but you will never be able to control her anymore."
You will probably have recognized it - the girl who moved out (young) and moved in (also young but matured) (different clothes and the dream (Alice) has burst and she is standing on her own two feet and has fallen into the water (for now). Pure poetry as she comes to terms with her past - masterfully staged. Great reaction regards from Germany
The relationship is with the Record Labels that have been holding her back since she was on AGT in 2018, she is now releasing songs as an Independent artist. The girl is the Courtney that was on AGT she has been forced to learn and grow (check her song Breakable).
Maybe it's about how the music industry try to change her!!!she is that's not going to happen. I for one am happy for her ❤she will change the industry
It is a statement to her publishing company who kept her down for about four years that she is now independent and will not be brought into subservience to them ever again. Most who know Courtney's history will give you this story. Her first two videos are messages to her record company. Both have also shown her ability to mix genres.
Nice reaction to the incomparable Courtney! This is a song that can have multiple layers, as you intimated. It is about a change in relationships--with the music industry, with perceptions of fans and others as she traverses the treacherous path from childhood to young adult, and probably with her own experiences and emerging self-awareness. Maybe there is a specific personal relationship there; who knows? As with any well-crafted song, the real point is in each listener's relatable interpretation. Courtney's songs imbue true gravitas into those aforementioned layers. Meanwhile, Courtney is about to expand exponentially into the awareness of the greater musical community with a performance in the Carnegie Hall tribute to the legendary Clive Davis on April 29th, followed soon after by the completion of her first original album. Then, watch her shine!
Casey You're in the right neighborhood. Recall the paparazzi at her door. I think it means her popularity from her youth and disscovery days before her issues in the music industry. She was out of the picture for a couple years after her first album, Cover Sessions. Anyway she sings, I know you loved her, so did I she had to leave and so did I. I think she's referring to becoming an, Independent Artist. This song is her solid second song 🎵 just after, Breakable. She's been through a bit, and now she's announcing she's back.
There is also a level WAY below the surface, that you have to know her personal history to catch. Courtney had a terrible, long battle with her record label, Arista Records, who wanted her to fill a niche -- they wanted her to sing bland covers she wasn't interested in, and refused to let her record any of the original songs she was writing with Kevin Bowe. (Notice in the very beginning, when the ex-boyfriend knocks at her door, he's holding a pen and a piece of paper, like he wants her to sign a contract.) "If you're lookin' for a girl like the girl-next-door, that girl, she don't live here anymore." Arista finally gave up and terminated her contract. She's an indie now, and gets to record what she wants.
