Shelly Engel Delivers Stunning New Anthem "Not Worried" and Connects With Us About Her Creative Journey
- STAFF
- Sep 8, 2025
- 7 min read
By: Staff
Shelly Engel’s "Not Worried" is a mesmerizing blend of bold vocals and irresistible energy, an instant classic.
The world of music is buzzing with anticipation as one of the most exciting new voices in the industry, Shelly Engel, drops her latest track, "Not Worried." This captivating anthem is an explosive mix of sleek, sexy vibes and a soaring vocal performance that will leave you hooked from the very first note. But what lies beneath the surface of this infectious hit? We spoke with the artist behind it all to uncover the journey, the inspiration, and the creative evolution that led to this moment.
From the powerful, commanding vocals to the shimmering melodies, "Not Worried" takes listeners on an emotional rollercoaster that’s both reflective and carefree. But this isn't just another catchy tune; it’s a declaration. As Shelly Engel moves from introspective tracks like "Mondays at 3" to a more playful, free-spirited sound, the transition has fans wondering: what sparked this creative shift?
In our conversation, we explored how a lyricist could evolve so quickly, from hearing their words come to life in a song to creating a sound that already feels like it’s destined for the big stage. We also dove into the meaning behind the title, the deeper emotional themes that fuel the music, and the raw vulnerability of expressing personal experiences in such a public way.
As the buzz around "Not Worried" continues to build, we got the chance to ask Shelly Engel about the flow that powers her creativity, the dream venues she’d love to perform at, and what’s next on the horizon for this rising star. Get ready to dive deep into the mind of an artist who is shaping her own path, and don’t miss the full interview below.
Here’s how it went:
Begin Interview:
Hello Shelly Engel,, we’re thrilled to have you here for this interview! We've had an amazing time exploring your music and diving into your creative journey. Now, we’re even more intrigued to get a deeper look into both your brand and your personal and professional inspirations.
Q. Ok -we loved “Not Worried.” Lyrically, we really connected with the cute and sexy storyline. After experiencing this track, we’re curious: when did music go from being something you did casually in your own world to something you realized could actually be your future and that this could be your path as a professional artist?
A. I wrote two songs six years ago and never did anything with them. I didn’t write again until this past summer. I showed that first song to my therapist and she urged me to get it produced. After having my first song produced, and hearing words that I’d written turned into a song, I felt emotional. I also felt a type of joy and pride that I’d never experienced before. I absolutely had to explore the idea of writing more songs and getting them produced.
Q. "Not Worried" is such a catchy, sexy anthem. What’s the deeper story behind it? What emotional journey are you taking listeners on with this song?
A. :-)Well, there isn’t a secret lover that inspired the song. But most of us have felt that mad attraction to someone…be it lust or love. I wanted to tap into those feelings. And I wanted it to be THAT song that people put on when they’re turned on! Hahaha!
Q. The title "Not Worried" stands out—why did you land on that particular phrase? Was it a feeling, a mantra, or was there a specific moment that made it click for you?
A. Picking a song title, for me, is the tricky bit. When I read through the lyrics, I thought about their rendezvous being a little shady. And the phrase “Not Worried” resonated with me, especially when she says, “what will be, will be”.
Q. You’ve mentioned that lyrics often come to you as a single line. Can you share how the opening idea for “Not Worried” first came to you? What was the spark or moment that made it all come together?
A. Yes, nearly all of my songs start with one line, frequently coming to me in the wee hours of the morning. I jot the line down on my phone so that I don’t forget. When I get up, I start expanding on that idea or phrase. In fact, that happened last night. In the wee hours the phrase “running towards the light” came to me. I jotted it down and I’ll explore the deeper meaning to see if I can turn it into a song.
It just so happened that the first line of “Not Worried” was the line that came to me and the lyrics evolved from there. But most of the time, I build the earlier and later verses around the line.
Q. In just a couple of months, you've gone from being a retiree to a lyricist making waves with songs like "Not Worried." What's been the biggest revelation about your creative journey so far?
A. Two things actually! The joy I feel when my lyrics are turned into a song, there’s nothing like that. And secondly, because I’m new to this industry, I’m shocked and at times a little overwhelmed by how much is involved in making and promoting a song.
Q. You describe your entry into music as a "stumble," but it seems like you’ve hit the ground running. What was it about hearing your words come to life in a song that made you decide to fully commit to this career?
A. I’ve tried my hand at a few different jobs in my life, but I never felt joy or fulfilled. The moment I heard my lyrics turned into song, I was hooked! I knew that I wanted to keep writing lyrics.
Q. Wow, we heard you already have 11 songs under your belt! Is there a particular creative flow or process you follow to produce so much music so quickly?
A. I actually have 15 songs now! Once I start a song, I work on it continuously until it’s done. On average, it takes two days. I’ve written a song in a day. I’ve also taken a couple of weeks. On that particular song, I was writing from a male perspective. That was really difficult.
Q. Writing lyrics feels like an intimate peek into someone’s soul. With “Not Worried,” does it ever feel difficult to reveal so much of yourself in such a comment- and judgment-driven world? Or do you find it liberating to express that level of vulnerability through your music?
A. “Not Worried” is not at all about me. I have written songs that explore my feelings or touch on aspects of my life and it does leave me feeling vulnerable. But I’m hoping it makes my music more relatable.
Q. When you think about "Not Worried," what’s the vibe you envision? Is it a moment on the dance floor, a late-night drive with the windows down, or something else entirely?
A. Well, I touched on that a bit earlier. I think it’s the perfect date night song. It is also a great dance song!!!
Q. What do you want people to feel when they hear your music? Is there a specific mood or attitude you're hoping to spark in your listeners?
A. For sure, I want my music to evoke certain emotions. In the case of “Not Worried”, I want women to feel feminine, sexy, and powerful.
Q. You’re new to the lyricist world, but you already have such a strong voice. We also heard you started your musical journey a bit later than most. What’s one thing you’ve learned about yourself as a creative since you started, and what’s been the most unexpected part of this journey?
A. Yes! I’m 66 years old. So, I’ve had to hit the ground running. My younger peers have the luxury of time. I feel I must be bold and put myself out there, which goes against my natural inclinations. So, with that said, I think the most unexpected part of the journey is that I’m learning to be more self assured.
Q. When you write songs, do you draw inspiration from your own life and experiences, or do you sometimes dive into completely fictional worlds? How do you relate to the stories and characters in your music?
A. That’s a great question! I definitely get inspired by events in my own life. But I have a great capacity to jump into a fictional world and draw upon those imaginings.
Q. Outside of music, who or what has had the biggest influence on your personal growth or artistic perspective?
A. There’s a wisdom that comes from living six plus decades; so, I think my experiences and the people in my circle have the greatest influence on me.
Q. After people hear this song and read this interview, what do you want them to remember most about you?
A. I want them to remember that I dared to chase a dream and that I was willing to be vulnerable so that they would find my music relatable.
Q. As a songwriter, do you have a go-to genre that you feel is your sweet spot? And if you could, which three famous artists would you love to pitch a song to and then take it all the way to release with them?
A. It seems that I lean towards the country genre, which is quite surprising. I generally listen to ‘70s R&B, and pop. So, I was surprised that my lyrics lean into the country genre.
I would LOVE to pitch to Kelly Clarkson, Alicia Keys, and Adele!
Q. Looking ahead, what’s next for you? Are there any themes you’re eager to explore, or a new direction you want to take your music?
A. I am happy to continue creating lyrics that women can relate to, while exploring different genres. As far as what’s next for me, I would love to have representation, a record deal, and to write for tv and film. So, as you can see, I have big dreams and I’m going to work hard to hopefully make some or all of them come true.
Shelly Engel,, thank you so much, we appreciate you taking the time to talk to us!
End Interview
We’re happy to have shared Shelly Engel,’s exciting journey with you and uncovered such inspiring insights about their creative process.
