Ecuador

This entire album reminds me of my time in Ecuador.  I listened to the entire album many times while I was studying at la Universidad de San Francisco del Quito.  Something about the album reminded me of home, and it suited my personality at the time.  The entire album appeared to be an introspective journey into the mind of Nelly Furtado.  Her music voiced how many young women felt at the time.  It was a providing a voice to a group of women who were coming of age at that time (me included).

You may be asking why I chose "I'm Like a Bird" when I loved the entire album.  It is quite simple.  I felt like a bird at the time.  I was spreading my wings and learning how to fly at the time.  In addition, she had the look of a gypsy at the time, and I really enjoyed that.  I wore long skirts, jean jackets, sandals, and long dangle earrings too.  Whenever I hear any of her music, I find myself taken back to my year studying abroad.

What was refreshing about Nelly Furtado is that she is and always was her own person.  She didn't try to imitate Madonna like Britney Spears.  She just put herself out there - take it or leave it.  A lot of today's artists could take a page from her book.  Originality sells and sells well.  I have a feeling that she'll be recognized as a pioneer years from now.  If not, she should continue to put out original work.  It will eventually be recognized.