Edmonton’s own Ellie Heath is rewriting the pop narrative with her latest single, “Pushing Forty.” The title track of her highly anticipated debut album (arriving May 29th), the song is a high-octane, celebratory anthem that trades the typical pop obsession with youth for a bold embrace of adulthood, confidence, and the thrill of what’s next.
Following the success of her previous single, “Too Old (For This Shit),” Heath continues to prove that aging isn’t about slowing down—it’s about gaining momentum.
Listen to “Pushing Forty” here
The Anthem of Adulthood
“Pushing Forty” was born from a desire to capture the driving, infectious energy of the pop-rock hits Heath loved in her youth, but with the self-awareness of a woman standing on the edge of a new decade.
- The Inspiration: The track’s engine is a drum pattern inspired by The Killers’ “Mr. Brightside,” creating a relentless sense of forward motion.
- The Message: Heath reframes turning 40 as a “hilarious, poignant, and perfectly timed” milestone, turning the anxiety of aging into a full-blown celebration.
- The Sonic Shift: As one of the first songs written for the record, it acted as a creative North Star, leading Heath toward a more dance-forward, empowered pop sound.
Standing on the Edge
For Heath, the title is literal. Turning 40 later this year, she used the songwriting process as a way to take stock of her journey and prepare for a chapter defined by intention rather than apology.
- Momentum: The fast, driving rhythm isn’t just a stylistic choice; it mirrors the theme of moving enthusiastically toward the future.
- Connection: While mainstream pop often focuses on the teenage experience, “Pushing Forty” is written specifically for those navigating the complexities and joys of adulthood.
“I wanted this record to feel more upbeat, celebratory, and empowering… Writing an empowering pop song about turning 40 felt hilarious, poignant, and perfectly timed.” — Ellie Heath
What first got you into music?
Music has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. My dad is a singer-songwriter, so I grew up around it; going to concerts, writing songs together, and just always having music in the background of everything.
How would you describe your music?
The music I make is deeply personal. It’s shaped by real-life experiences and whatever I’m moving through; whether it’s reflective and soulful or fun and celebratory, I want it to feel honest, catchy, and relatable.
Who inspired you to make music?
One of the earliest moments that really stayed with me was seeing Celine Dion perform as a kid. Watching a voice that powerful on stage was incredibly moving, and I think that’s when I knew I wanted to be a singer. I started singing young and took piano lessons in grade school, and it all just felt like a natural progression.
I was also really inspired by female singer-songwriters like Sarah McLachlan, Liz Phair, Alanis Morissette, and Sheryl Crow. Seeing artists like them made it feel possible that you could tell your own stories and build a career out of that.
What led you to become a music artist, and what advice can you give to others aspiring to make a hit?
For a long time, though, I was more of a performer than a songwriter. It wasn’t until the pandemic that things really shifted. I had just quit drinking, and suddenly I had all this time, all these emotions, and no idea what to do with them. I got my piano tuned and started writing songs as a way to process everything I was going through. It became a lifeline during a really pivotal time in my life.
That’s when I realized how much I loved it and that I actually wanted to pursue music seriously, even though I was starting later than most. It was scary at first to share my own songs, but the response has been incredible and really affirming.
What sets your music apart? What is unique, or at least uncommon?
I think what makes my journey a bit unconventional is that I really stepped into this in my mid-30s, and now I’m releasing a pop album about middle age. But in a lot of ways, that’s what makes it feel honest. It’s music about real life, real transitions, and figuring things out as you go.
At the end of the day, I just love being able to create something that connects with people—something fun, emotional, a little cheeky, and hopefully something that makes people feel a bit more seen.
Who would you most like to collaborate with?
I’ve been lucky to collaborate with incredible artists, including working with Hawksley Workman on my upcoming record, which was a dream come true. And I still have a long list of dream collaborators; someone like Alanis Morissette would be unbelievable, or even someone totally unexpected like Weird Al Yankovic just for the fun of it.
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