This Album Changed My Life: Kaitlyn Thomas on ‘Feels Like Home’ by Sheryl Crow

Born and raised in rural Victoria, Kaitlyn Thomas began writing her own songs at 8-years-old, inspired by strong female artists like Sheryl Crow, Carrie Underwood, The McClymonts, Abby Anderson and rock artists Anne Wilson and Pat Benatar. She is a graduate of both the junior and senior CMAA Academy of Country Music and was awarded Australian Youth Songwriter of the Year in 2012 and again in 2018. Currently, the 20-year-old is earning a Bachelor of Music at Victorian University while running her own singing school. We also premiered her third single, Make Your Move back in March - and we're still loving it!

To get to know Kaitlyn a little better, we asked her to tell us about an album that has changed her life.

I was given my first ever Sheryl Crow album in 2013 titled Feels Like Home from my best mate Ben Jackson. This album exposed me to an artist who possess a voice of an angle and a ferocious work ethic. I listened to it continuously. It’s not often you get an album where you love every track. It brings back memories of me cranking it up in the car, windows down, singing all the words, and harmonising to the melody.

Feels Like Home revealed to me the true essence of country music, and showed me Crow’s lifelong journey in 12 songs. This was the beginning of my unconditional love for country music and Sheryl Crow.

Some of my favourite songs from this album include;

Waterproof Mascara – The lyrics and vocal performance are tear-jerking, heartfelt and vulnerable. Making this classic melodic ballad a gold standard for female singer/songwriters everywhere, especially for me.

Easy – A sweet, summer anthem with a feel-good hook. Every time I listen to this song, it reminds me that wherever you are, love is fun, and a romantic getaway can be wherever the heart is.

Give It To Me – A rainy-day ballad and true country heart breaker. Every time I hear this song I just want to turn it up and sing my heart out.

Moving on from Feels Like Home, Ben introduced me to the  Detours album, which I’ve played in my car to the point of it not working anymore, except for one song which is Diamond Ring – a Sheryl Crow classic that I love to perform live. I still have the CD even though it doesn’t work but I guess I kept it out of hopefulness that it will miraculously work one day.

If I’m being entirely truthful, if I’d never received this album, I don’t know if I would have fallen head over heels in love with country music and Sheryl Crow. But I’m so glad I did!! If not, I wouldn’t have a CD travel case full of country music in my car.

For more of our This Album Changed My Life series, go here.
And keep up to date with Kaitlyn Thomas and follow her on Facebook here.

Image: Supplied