Someone has asked me what song will you sing to let out all your feelings after a bad day. Usually, people will say Idina Menzel's "Let it Go," but I will say Ash Koley's "Criminal." Even though this song isn't popular and well-known, it entered the "Top 20 at HOT AC & AC Radio" in Canada. The song may appear as a song about the uncontrollable feeling of loving a bad boy, but to me, the song is about embracing one's darkness.
Embracing one's darkness, what do I mean by that? I don't mean change into a completely different person. What I mean is to accept your dark side, which then allows you to be your authentic, brighter self. That means embracing your faults and your flaws as well as loving your imperfect self. Accepting the dark side makes you whole, thereby helping you heal. This is the whole point why I love listening to Ash Koley's "Criminal" whenever I had a bad day. In fact, I never turn on this song whenever my parents are around. Whenever they are around, I usually put up upbeat and pop songs. You can say that this song is not only my "stress-reliever," but it is also a hidden song I listen in the shadows without anyone knowing.
Ash Koley - Criminal [Official Music Video]YouTube
Ash Koley delivers powerful lyrics that gave off a Bonnie and Clyde vibe, which will serve as the main chorus throughout the song:
"It feels so good just to love you, like I love you
It should be illegal
Baby, it feels so good, just to love you, like I love you
It should be illegal
If it was, I'd be a criminal (oh, oh)
I'd be a criminal (oh, oh)
I'd be a criminal (oh, oh)
'Cause it feels so good just to love you"
The chorus is then accompanied by climatic bursts of synthesizers and bass. The song not only gets you addicted but makes you become tempted to connect to your dark side. It may be uncomfortable and unsettling to get in touch with your dark side, but Ash Koley's "Criminal" encourages me not to be afraid of my dark side at all. The dark side is after all the things that are considered "the bad and the ugly" and perhaps painful and hurtful. Most of the time, we try to avoid showing such a side. But what most people have overlooked is that avoiding such trust in your dark side will only dim your chances of experiencing real joy. That is what Ash Koley's "Criminal" teaches me. It teaches me to be empowered by my dark side, rather than just be scared of it.
If you have never heard this song before, all I can say is it is definitely recommended and you should try it out. You will be surprised by what this song unfolds. It's "criminal" enough that this song doesn't get enough recognition at all.
