Cheryl Craigie – I’m Only Me When I’m With You (2025)
With a full and eager heart, singer-songwriter Cheryl Craigie wanders through the lower and lighter sides of life with melodic tunes. Raised in a musical household, the US-based songstress found a passion for music at a young age. “I would often join my father in impromptu performances, singing while he played…” says Craigie, and that love of music endured with emotional and melodic depth as the years progressed. Intimate with personal narratives, her music resonates with audiences, and today we take a gander at her single, ‘I’m Only Me When I’m With You’.
Produced with Eric Goldberg, Craigie tackles Taylor Swift’s song, ‘I’m Only Me When I’m With You’. Penned by a 13-year-old Taylor Swift, one might not think anything of the lyrics; I mean, what does a 13-year-old know about anything? It seems quite a bit. Reflective, insightful, and bursting with raw emotion, the bright and bubbly tune is more than just a fun song.
We know about the Swift version, but what about Cheryl Craigie’s take on the track? Reinventing the pop original, Craigie shifts from up-tempo, synth-driven tones to a style reminiscent of old-school folk. Soft and soothing, the acoustic piano, drums and strings settle the song with a barebones simplicity; however, as much as each instrument contributes to the laidback starkness, the track remains kaleidoscopic.
Craigie has delved into Taylor Swift’s ‘I’m Only Me When I’m With You’, discovered its core emotional theme, and offers it to the listeners with heart-tugging sincerity. Lingering within the instrumentation, Craigie’s subdued vocals are obscure but simultaneously comfortable and charming. For me, the track might be the perfect soundtrack for those moving films about two people totally in love and who just need each other to feel accepted.
I’m not exactly a Taylor Swift fan, but I’ll admit she has flair. Yet, this tune is such a shift from the original version that it seems a completely original track. Which do I prefer? Well, they’re so different it is difficult to compare the cover with the original. Although, I’m leaning toward Cheryl Craigie’s smoother, softer, more emotional tune.
Find out more about Cheryl Craigie on her official website, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
Listen to more pop music on The Other Side Reviews Pop playlist:
