Tori Kelly on Motherhood, Faith, Meena, and New Album ‘God Must Really Love Me’
Tori Kelly reveals that her new album, 'God Must Really Love Me,' is not just a musical project but a deeply personal time capsule forged in the whirlwind of early motherhood. The album, largely written in just two weeks after her son Zayden’s birth, emerged from a moment of surrender—when she stopped forcing creativity and let her instincts as a new mother guide her. What began as anxiety about career gaps during parenthood transformed into profound inspiration, with songs like 'Bird' capturing the overwhelming fear and love of impending parenthood, and 'Too Much' becoming a raw, intimate love letter to her son, even incorporating audio from his birth. Kelly describes how becoming a mother deepened her faith, making the divine feel more tangible through the miracle of her son’s development. She also shares how her artistic identity has evolved: no longer chasing external validation, she now sings with the confidence of someone who knows her worth, even if she’s not perfect. From reimagining her relationship with music—embracing imperfections and live-sounding vocals—to embracing her identity as a mother, wife, and artist, Kelly’s journey is one of radical authenticity. The album’s title, she says, isn’t about self-aggrandizement, but a moment of overwhelming gratitude: 'God must really love me' became a mantra in the quiet joy of a newborn’s smile.
The album 'God Must Really Love Me' was written in just two weeks after her son's birth, proving that motherhood can be the ultimate creative catalyst.
She recorded audio from her son’s birth into the song 'Too Much,' making the track a living time capsule of a pivotal moment.
Her name 'Tori' means 'bird' in Japanese, a revelation that deepened her connection to her identity and artistic symbolism.
She embraces imperfection in her music, intentionally leaving in off-key moments and raw vocal takes to create a more authentic, live feel.
Her faith has deepened through motherhood, making the divine feel more real through the miracle of her son’s development.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Welcome Back: A Decade of Friendship and Music
Zach Sang welcomes back Tori Kelly for what feels like her seventh appearance, celebrating their long-standing friendship and her journey from a young artist to a mother. They reflect on her history with the show, her early career, and the significance of her return.
Motherhood: The Before and After
Tori describes the surreal shift of becoming a mother, six months in. She shares the initial stress of new mom brain, the constant worry about her son’s breathing, and how she coped with anxiety through online research and reassurance.
The Birth of an Album: From Panic to Inspiration
Tori reveals that she began working on the album while pregnant, driven by anxiety about long gaps between projects. After giving birth, she stopped writing for months, only to be inspired again at 10 days postpartum, leading to the album’s rapid creation in two weeks.
Bird: A Song of Fear and Freedom
Tori breaks down 'Bird,' a vulnerable song written during her early pregnancy. It captures the overwhelming anxiety of becoming a parent, with lyrics about being past one’s prime and the fear of career collapse, contrasted with a yearning for freedom.
Faith, Motherhood, and the Meaning of 'God Must Really Love Me'
Tori explains how motherhood deepened her faith, making God feel more real. The album’s title emerged from a moment of overwhelming gratitude while driving, realizing that her life’s blessings—her son, her husband, her career—are evidence of God’s love.
“And I'm just driving and I'm like, man, God must really love me. Like this is really cool.”
“And I was like, what? Like why are they saying my name? And then I don't even remember the context of it, but I just looked it up. And sure enough, it was like. Tori means bird in Japanese.”
“It may not be perfect, but at least I know that it is.”
Host
Guest
Tori Kelly
person
Zach Sang
person
Zayden
person
Stranger Than Heaven
brand
Forrest Frank
person
Apple Creator Studio
brand
Emily Warren
person
JBL Live headphones
brand
Hairspray
media
Billie Eilish
person
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