Lyrics:
Stab me, stab me friend
Show me where I’m weakest
Wounds from a friend
Can be trusted
Though it hurts a little bit

I live and I learn
I crash and I burn
I won’t go so fast next time
I need you to be honest 
Though it’s not what I’m wanting
But it’s ok to make me cry

Give me what I need,
Not just what I want

Grab me by my neck
Drag me where you’re going
We both know that I don’t know
Which way I need to go

I'm dying to get better 
even if it hurts
You're the last option I considered
I wish I came to you first

What I Need

“Alright” is about doing the best you can to feel the best you can, both inside and out. 
Lyrics:
Drink all my water
Take care of myself
64 ounces
I’m doing so well
 
Why do I break down
 
I’m trying so hard
But it gets so hard sometimes I
Barely slide by
I just want to be
Alright
 
Write everything down
Separate good from bad
Is it true or false?
Toss out all of the wrongs
 
I’m trying so hard
But it gets so hard sometimes I
Barely slide by
I just want to be
Alright
 
From the morning
Until I went to bed
I used to think I’d drown
But I keep swimming instead
 
I’m trying so hard
But it gets so hard sometimes I
Barely slide by
But I know that I’ll be
Alright

Alright

I want someone I can depend on
Like the kick on the ones and threes
I want somebody for the long run
Somebody who won’t walk out on me

Somebody I can trust
With the Things
That mean the most to me
Somebody I can trust
To stand up
And stand by me

Could it be you?

I want someone I can depend on
Like 4 legs on a chair
I want someone I can believe in
Somebody who’s always gonna be there

I’ve trusted before
Something I don’t so easily anymore

I got burned
And I learned
To go it alone
I got hurt
I got scared
Because I’m not that strong

I want someone I can depend on
Like my heart keeps the beat
Somebody I can really lean on
Like my crutches after knee surgery

Depend On

Lyrics:
I haven’t felt this good in a while
Don’t want this time to end
Storing up the memories like photos
In my mental filing cabinets

Good thoughts for the bad times
Come and hold and comfort my mind

The scent of pine on the wind
The rough pavement on my skin
All the light shining from your face
Feeling your heartbeat on my chest

Good thoughts for the bad times
Come and hold and comfort my mind

Compact umbrella for a rainy day
Fold it up put it in my pocket for when the sun goes away

Good Thoughts For Bad Times

While You're Young

Alive

Verse
I don’t know why 
I’m always tired
I sleep all day and I sleep all night
I just wanna be awake to live my life 

Pre-Chorus
All I feel like doing is just going back to sleep
My super soft supportive bed’s got such a hold on me
Is everything breaking down 
Or is it just in my head

Chorus
I wanna be awake
I wanna wake up
I wanna soak it in
Every second I get

Verse
What day is this Is there anything that I missed
I’m living in the future present and past
Am I talking in circles, am I making any sense

Bridge
My bed will always be there
It’s not going anywhere

Awake

I wrote “Good Thoughts for Bad Times” for Mental Health Awareness Month. Even the smallest flicker of a good memory can bring a bit of hope to some of my darkest days. In my songs there are recurring themes of loving others, loving yourself, and mental health. I struggle with depression, and now that I have more of a platform, I want to share my story and shine a light on mental health issues, let people know they're not alone, and that it's ok to ask for help, especially in communities of color.

Mental Filing Cabinets

Good Thoughts for Bad Times (Live Acoustic)

Good Thoughts For Bad Times (Live Acoustic)

Good Thoughts for Bad Times

Good Thoughts for Bad Times (Remix)

My take on Vanessa Williams' version of a Christmas classic

Hark the Herald Angels Sing (Shout)

Falling

Pretending For Real

“Woman” wrestles with the heartache of catching unexpected feelings for a best friend—and wishing things were different. With a driving rhythm, warm textures, and a candid chorus, Shayla McDaniel captures the tension between deep connection and emotional boundaries in a song that’s equal parts vulnerable and defiant.

Lyrics:
[Verse 1]
Soft heart, sharp wit
I get your jokes, but others don’t
Plenty to love, but not overstuffed

[Pre-Chorus]
you felt more like a brother at first
as time went on it got so much worse
next thing I know, I’m falling like dominoes

[Chorus]
I wish you were a woman
‘Cause I don't want to fall in love
I wish you were a woman
‘Cause I don’t have enough time for love
If you were a woman
we would be like sisters
If you were a woman
This wouldn’t be so complicated

[Verse 2]
Home roast, French press
I don’t like coffee, but I do like you
When your eyes meet mine, I melt every time

[Bridge]
You don’t see me like I see you
I want to tell you the truth of how much this hurts
I don’t want to risk our friendship
Just because some lines got blurred

Woman

Both of My Hands

Bittersweet

The only thing we know for sure is that not everything can be known for sure, but the one thing you can control is yourself.

Definitive Unknowns (single)

Definitive Unknowns

No matter what you think or how you feel, you matter and you’re worth it. Don’t give up. Carried by airy, mellow guitar riffs over a relaxed drum beat, bursting into a soaring and anthemic chorus, “Worth Living” offers encouragement to those who are considering giving up on life with the simple reminder that life is worth living.

Shayla McDaniel will release “Worth Living” on September 4, leading up to World Suicide Prevention Day (September 10) and US National Suicide Prevention Week (September 6 - 12). McDaniel penned the song to encourage people who struggle with depression or suicide, especially during this global pandemic.

Worth Living (single)

Worth Living

Singer-songwriter & multi-instrumentalist crafting alt pop to sound track your life

Shayla McDaniel Music

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