“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 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)

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

Ever wonder what it sounds like to miss someone and move on at the same time? "I’ll Go" is my bittersweet soundtrack for both.
Lyrics:

LYRICS
Close
...
I'll Go

There’s no need for me to stay
we both know it’s time to part ways
I think we had the time of our lives
but now I think it’s time to say goodbye

I’ll go and still look back
I’ll go but still miss what we had

Though we're splitting up tonight
I'll cherish the moments we had and hold them tight

I'll Go (single)

I'll Go

While Youre young - Remix

Definitive Unknowns (single)

Definitive Unknowns

A hopeful indie rock anthem for anyone who’s been bruised but still believes in love

Lyrics:
Your wildest dreams tattooed on your ribs
And your finger telling your heart to be still
If you were an eye, you’d be a black one
You get knocked down, but you get back up

My wild dreamer
Oh whoa oh oh oh
My wild dreamer
Oh whoa oh oh oh
Don’t let go, don’t lose hope in love
My wild dreamer
Oh whoa oh oh oh

Past lives in boxes under your bed
Rabbits and trophies and faded photographs
If you were a tire, you’d be a tough one
You spring a leak, but you patch yourself up

My wild dreamer
Oh whoa oh oh oh
My wild dreamer
Oh whoa oh oh oh
Don’t let go, don’t lose hope in love
My wild dreamer
Oh whoa oh oh oh

You want the best
You want the best
I’ll give you better
I’ll give you better than the best
Will you wait on me?
Will you wait on me?

Wild Dreamer

Alt Pop/Rock for deep feelers to feel less alone; Singer-Songwriter/Producer; 🎵 on MTV, Disney+, The CW & more 📍Knoxville, TN

Shayla McDaniel Music

Pinned to spotlight

Popular tracks