Happy Ever After Doesn’t Last Forever – Behind the Fairy Tale

My country-focused EP, Happy Ever After Doesn’t Last Forever, has five chapters that tell the story of a tragic fairy tale from once upon a time to happy never after.

Most often, fairy tales conjure thoughts of fantastical love stories and happily ever afters, but the truth is, not every romantic tale ends happily. Whether you think of the princess in Happy Ever After Doesn’t Last Forever as me or a fictional character, she’s a protagonist who goes from finding empowerment through independence to wishing for her one true love, only to end up with a broken heart.

Chapter 1: “You Can Call Me Cinderella Now”

“You Can Call Me Cinderella Now” is the contemporary country song that inspired the EP, so I released it as the lead single and put it first on the tracklist.

Fun fact, the EP’s title comes from the lyrics in the pre-chorus.

She was a princess in a fairy tale, but looks like happy ever after doesn’t last forever.

In 2024, I was asked to be the lead editor for a prom-themed anthology called Prom Perfect. While I was reading submissions, I kept being reminded of my own high school experience.

Spoiler alert, it wasn’t the best.

The short stories and poems in the anthology paint prom as a fairy tale, a magical night to remember. As someone who didn’t get asked to a single dance, prom wasn’t a fairy tale for me.

This got me thinking about how some people wish they could go back to high school because they were popular and living the dream. When I was a teenager, I felt like I was missing out on a lot. This might sound dramatic, but I honestly felt invisible. In hindsight, I’m glad I didn’t peak at seventeen because I don’t want to spend the rest of my life longing for a past I’ll never get back.

“You Can Call Me Cinderella Now” is an autobiographical story about me and another character who represents the girl who had it all in high school. While the other girl is stuck in the past, wishing she could go back to a time when she was practically royalty, I have no desire to get lost in old memories because I’m doing just fine now.

Some of my favorite lyrics come from the second verse.

I didn’t have a date when I picked out a prom dress,

But now, I’m wearing high heels on red carpets.

I wasn’t voted most likely to be famous,

But the girl who was,

Bet you don’t know what her name is.

“You Can Call Me Cinderella Now” is fierce, sassy, and self-empowering. To all the girls out there who are living their dreams now after feeling invisible in high school, this one is for you.

Chapter 2: “Invisible Tiara”

The sass and honesty continue in “Invisible Tiara,” a country waltz that explores themes of independence and self-love.

I’ve always believed that no one should change who they are for somebody else. This doesn’t just apply to romantic relationships. No matter what, I won’t act fake to gain acceptance, approval, or love.

The invisible tiara in the song is a metaphor for embracing my inner princess. Staying true to myself is a top priority, and not being in a relationship doesn’t diminish my worth.

The core message of the song is loud and clear in the bridge.

If he doesn’t want me when I’m at my worst,

Then I don’t want him at all.

I love both pre-choruses, too.

Don’t get me wrong, I like diamonds and dresses,

But I’m not like girls who need guys to feel precious.

Don’t get me wrong, I like vases with roses,

But I’m not like girls who act fake to get noticed.

I hope “Invisible Tiara” inspires girls to not sacrifice their authenticity for a relationship. If somebody is truly the one, they’ll be there for all the right reasons.

Chapter 3: “If Your Heart Eclipses Mine”

“If Your Heart Eclipses Mine” is my favorite song on the EP, and I released it as the second single. It’s a hopeful piano ballad with vivid imagery, deep metaphors, and layered harmonies.

This is the part of the fairy tale where I go from embracing independence to longing for a relationship. When I think of finding the one, I imagine an eclipse, the perfect alignment of the moon and sun for a brief moment. There’s something so magical about wondering when my own romantic eclipse will happen.

I adore all the lyrics in “If Your Heart Eclipses Mine,” but here are some of my favorites.

These lyrics from the second pre-chorus explore the bond of soulmates.

You could be somebody I’ve never met,

But I’m hoping that we are bound by a destined thread.

The closing lines of the chorus tie everything together with celestial imagery.

No matter if you’re near or far away,

Our constellations are the same,

But you could put a sparkle in my eyes,

If your heart eclipses mine.

Also, I loved composing and recording the piano accompaniment. Since I’m a classical pianist, writing ballads is always special.

“If Your Heart Eclipses Mine” is for the girls who dare to dream. I have no way of knowing what’s written in the stars for me, but as long as there’s hope, there’s a chance I’ll live my own fairy tale someday, one with a happily ever after.

Chapter 4: “Paradise”

“Paradise” is a pop-country song with an island feel. I can totally imagine listening to it on the beach.

When I think about true love, a paradise comes to mind. It’s like having your own secret island in the middle of the ocean. Falling for someone and watching the possibility of what you could have slowly slip away is heartbreaking. You still hold tight to hope because your paradise is just out of reach, but deep down, you know things aren’t going to work out.

I wrote the lyrics through the lens of this metaphorical paradise, using beach and ocean imagery to paint the picture of a fading love. Some of my favorites are in the second verse.

I can’t forget,

So I gotta send this message in a bottle.

Maybe someday, you’ll feel the same way,

Even if it’s not tomorrow.

Like the heart I carved on the beach,

We faded from the tide,

But at sunrise,

You’re still on my mind.

Even though “Paradise” has melancholy undertones, I wanted the production to bring fun summer vibes, especially since it’s the song before the fairy tale collapses like a crumbling castle.

Chapter 5: “Happy Never After”

The fairy tale ends with “Happy Never After,” a contemporary country song that doesn’t shy away from the hurt that comes along with heartbreak.

This is the part where the truth can’t be ignored anymore. All hope is gone, and you have to accept that the love story is over.

My favorite lyrics are in the bridge.

I don’t wanna think of the ways we could be making memories,

‘Cause I doubt you think of me.

I don’t wanna dream of a future that is too far outta reach,

‘Cause I doubt you dream of me.

This song is very vulnerable and explores the pain that comes with watching someone ride off into the sunset without you. You don’t need to fall in love for your heart to fracture into pieces. Feeling the flame die before it fully gets the chance to burn bright can hurt just as much.

There’s something beautiful in hoping to find love while understanding that your heart might break. If you never take a chance, you’ll never discover what the future could hold.

So, even though Happy Ever After Doesn’t Last Forever has a sad ending, the project as a whole tells a tale of self-empowerment, hope, and the raw humanity woven through the journey to falling in love.