Artist Wesley Adams Cook lyricizes seduction in new single “Velvet Betty”

Artist Weekly Staff

By: Natalia J

Singer-songwriter Wesley Adams Cook is a storyteller to his core. Music serves as a platform for his writing to shine through and invite the listener into infinite interpretations of his lyrics. Wesley is set to release “Velvet Betty,” a playfully seductive single, on September 13th as part of his second EP, Chasing Dragons—an eclectic culmination of uplifting and imaginative works.

“So let’s create a memory now, surrender will unveil the how,’” lyrics from upcoming single “Velvet Betty,” that quite closely parallel Wesley’s intimate creative process. While the song is undoubtedly about seduction, there is more to the words than meets the ear. Wesley talks about how writing is a collaborative process—not in the traditional sense with other musicians, but by harnessing a creator’s energy and surrendering oneself to let the art flow through. This openness and intuition partnership, guide how he brings words, music, and ideas to life. And just like recording a work, creating a memory only emerges when you’ve surrendered to the “how.”

Wesley reflects on his journey into music, from early exposure to his brother’s band to a fluke high school choir class taught by a quirky, influential teacher, to poetry assignments that uncovered his undeniable talent for writing emotionally and vividly. Because his intuition drives his creativity, his path to becoming an artist was never linear. After experiencing burnout and taking a trip to England, Wesley shares that he rekindled his passion for music-making by immersing himself in a concert DVD of MUSE. Similarly inspired by musicians like Sting, who transmute both experiences and imagination into a medium others can connect with and be a part of, Wesley also transforms his music beyond just lived experiences. With a myriad of genres ranging from classic and alternative rock to R&B, jazz, and pop, much of Wesley’s writing journey fuses sound and demonstrates the limitless nature of creating and channeling an energy to do so.

When asked about his favorite part of writing the song “Velvet Betty,” Wesley simply says, “It was just fun! No other way to put it, but fun.” And isn’t that one of the greatest reasons for creating—to enjoy doing it? Equally rewarding is when you finally get to share it. He also notes that he doesn’t set specific goals for how his music should resonate with listeners. Instead, he finds beauty and enjoyment in the listener’s own interpretations and relationship with his songs.

When explaining the title of his single, Wesley shares he admires velvet and its tactile qualities. Just as velvet stimulates the sense of touch, the song’s sensual lyrics evoke similar feelings. He uses sensory imagery, including taste and temperature, to build themes of hunger, heat, and desire into the elements of seduction.

“And hey there Velvet Betty sit and stay awhile

Come turn over like an apple and serve up your cherry pie

Relax, ready, steady, there’s no need to fight

Just baste in this emotion

Til our temperature’s on fire”

He doesn’t shy away from conveying our primal instincts, particularly the chemical relationship between hunger and desire, food and sex.

Another unique element of “Velvet Betty,” are the themes around pace, which juxtapose the subtle and alluring tension of the song’s instrumentation.

“Speed is the heel of Achilles

You wanna take it nice and slow

Gentle persuasion’s the kind of invasion

That keeps the casualty list low”

Much of the song conveys this need for patience—a key element of seduction—that contrasts with the impatience that’s often derived from strong cravings and desire.

Before giving too much more away, you can expect to hear “Velvet Betty” on all streaming platforms September 13th.

Wesley Adams Cook closes out with a few sentiments to listeners, “It’s important to just create. Be willing to tune into yourself, learn what feels right for you, and go through the experience of letting your art out.”

Surrender.

Listen:

Catch ‘Velvet Betty’ on all streaming platforms Sept. 13, with the music video to follow.
Listen to ‘Raining on My Laundry’ and ‘A Place Where’ from the EP Chasing Dragons, and hear Wesley’s first EP, Caught in the Middle on Spotify.