Jelena — The Perfect Girl at the Wrong Time

October 10, 2010

Some songs are written about a moment. I was writing “Jelena” in the moment — in the air, on a flight from Abbotsford, British Columbia to Toronto, in 2010.

I met Jelena on the airplane. We ended up sitting together, and the chemistry and the conversation were immediate — the kind of connection that makes hours feel short. And as we talked, I was working on the song itself, right there in my seat, on my MacBook with a 25-key controller. The story was happening, and the song was being written at the same time.

Then came the airport, and the twist the song turns on. I wasn’t expecting “someone” to meet me there — “someone” being a reference to my other song, “Someone,” one of the little hidden connectors that run through my music. But when that person showed up at the gate, Jelena took it as a sign. She looked in my eyes and whispered sadly, “see you later.”

That’s the whole song in one line, really: she was the perfect girl at the wrong time. I wish I could go back and change my mind. Somehow I knew that she was the one — and I wish I didn’t leave, wish I didn’t run.

“Jelena” is a true story. And if I was back in 2010 — I wish we’d meet again and make things right, Jelena 🎶

Jelena — lyrics

I met her on the airplane
I was heading back east
And she jumped in my game
I never imagined
I’d feel the way I did
6 short hours was all that it took
She flashed me her smile
Then she gave me her look
I’m letting you know that tonight
You’re going to be mine
Ya Ya
She was the perfect girl
At the wrong time
I wish I could go back and change my mind
Somehow I knew that she was the one
I wish I didn’t leave
I wish I didn’t run
Jelena

As we waited for luggage
She took out her phone
Asked for my number
Then asked me to go
How bout tonight
You and I
We share some time
Time, time, time,
As we walked through the gate
I couldn’t believe
Someone was there waiting for me
She looked in my eyes
Then whispered sadly “see you later”
See you later
She was the perfect girl
At the wrong time
I wish I could go back and change my mind
Somehow I knew that she was the one
I wish I didn’t leave
I wish I didn’t run
Jelena

I know that you’re out there
Somewhere tonight
I hope we meet again and make things right
Somehow you gotta believe in me
I’m calling Jelena can’t you see?
Jelena
She was the perfect girl
At the wrong time
I wish I could go back and change my mind
Somehow I knew that she was the one
I wish I didn’t leave
I wish I didn’t run
Jelena

Written by Franklin McKay. © 2010.

— Franklin

under the hood · franklin mckay