Inspiration can come from some of the most unexpected places. Just ask Sponge Cola when they crafted their latest single “Kelly.”
Released in two versions — “Kelly (Scorpio)” and “Kelly (Sagittarius)” — the heartfelt track tackles the aftermath of a breakup, showcasing two sides to the same story. With “(Scorpio),” listeners take on the perspective of someone who has found accepted “defeat and resignation” or has found peace in the face of lost love, backed by the version’s serene, piano-centric instrumentals. On the other hand, “(Sagittarius)” take a more painful route that feels “more hostile and confrontational,” evoking heartache that is driven by this version’s inclusion of drums and distorted guitars.
Inspired by a vivid dream that frontman Yael Yuzon had, “Kelly” sees Sponge Cola — composed of Yuzon, drummer Tedmark Cruz, bassist Gosh Dilay, and guitarist Armo Armovit — embrace serendipity when it comes to writing and putting their songs together. Ultimately, with this song, it serves as proof that some of our best of ideas can come from the most unlikely sources, ultimately, helping artists like Sponge Cola experience a more spontaneous and enjoyable ride when making their music.
With this, Billboard Philippines sat down with Sponge Cola to take a look behind how the two versions of “Kelly” were made, discuss the importance of taking a step back and letting inspiration flow naturally, as well as talk about what the band has planned for 2025 in terms of music.

Courtesy of Sony Music Philippines
Billboard Philippines: Congratulations on the release of both “Kelly (Scorpio)” and “Kelly (Sagittarius).” How does the band feel having both versions of the song out now for the world to hear?
Yuzon: Well, it started with a dream. Like, an actual dream and the song came to me. Ang sinulat ko lang talaga doon was ‘yung bridge kasi everything else, lyrically, ‘yung melody na medyo haunting, andoon na lahat (All I wrote for it was just the bridge because, everything else, lyrically, the melody that’s a bit haunting, it was all there). I barely wrote it! My subconscious did!
Ang sarap lang ng feeling na parang binigyan ka ng gift ng the songwriting gods na sabi nila, “Yael, buong pandemic nagsulat ka ng maraming kanta. Ito, libreng kanta. Gawan mo lang ng bridge.” Para kang binigyan ng kotseng libre. Pero, ang catch lang is walang gulong. Kailangan mo na lang ng gulong so I gladly “made” them.
(It’s a good feeling where it’s like you’ve been gifted by the songwriting gods and they said, “Yael, throughout the whole pandemic you wrote a lot of songs. Here, a free one. You just need to make a bridge for it.” It’s like you’ve been given a free car. But, the only catch is, there are no wheels. You just need the wheels so I gladly “made” them.)
It’s a great feeling! It’s like a free song!
The two versions of “Kelly” act as sort of like two sides of the same coin, serving as the different perspectives to a story of lost love.
What inspired this decision to release two versions of the track? Was that always the goal when you were initially writing everything or did the idea only come to you when “Scorpio” was being composed and recorded?
Yuzon: To be honest, when we were recording it, maraming (there were a lot of) ways of doing it well. There was a “quiet” way of going about it. There was also a “noisy” way of going about it. Ang galing kasi (It’s so cool because), just by changing the atmosphere, they both work in different ways.
‘Yung lyrics hindi nagbabago e (The lyrics don’t change at all). So, just the idea of one song having, like, a different message based on guitars and drums alone, ang interesting nung idea (it’s an interesting idea). It’s a breakup song, clearly, and sometimes, may mga breakup na (there are breakups that) you just kind of let go and you’re like, “Okay, I’m done.” And then, meron ding breakup na (there are breakups that) you’re still angry, it’s fresh, and it leaves a poor taste sa bibig mo (in your mouth). So, ‘yung isa, galit (one of the versions is angry). ‘Yung isa, nag-let go na (the other is more of letting go). So, it’s the same text but ang interesting lang ng role ng instruments and ng atmosphere to it (the role of instruments and the atmosphere to it are just interesting).
In relation to the last question, quickly walk us through how the band created both versions of “Kelly.” How long did it take for both of them to be completed?
Yuzon: Mabilis lang, eh! Ang bilis lang ng mga pangyayari. It was mid or late October (2024). Parang two weeks, tapos na. Kasi ako rin ‘yung tipong person na, kapag may naisulat, atat ako and magme-message ako sa group chat [ng band]. I’m like, “Guys, guys, eto na!”
(Everything happened so quick. It was mid or late October 2024. It was like, in two weeks, we were done. It’s because I’m also the type of person who, when I’ve written something, I’m excited and I would message the band’s group chat. I’m like, “Guys, guys, it’s here!”)

Courtesy of Sony Music Philippines and NYOU Consultancy
Any memorable moments when you were recording them?
Dilay: Masarap ‘yung pagkain (The food was good)! (laughs)
Sponge Cola: (laughs)
Cruz: Aside from hangouts and masarap na (tasty) food, memorable sa akin ‘yung paghahanap ko ng kung ano ba ang magandang style ng palo [of the drums] sa kantang ‘to (it was memorable for me when I was looking for the perfect style of playing the drums for this song).
Yuzon: Mas hip-hop kasi si Ted eh (It’s because Ted’s more of a hip-hop guy.)
Cruz: Oo, sanay nga ako sa hip-hop (Yup, I’m more used to hip-hop). So, I asked the boys kung ano nga ba ‘yung maganda and nagbigay sila sa akin ng recommendations, nag-send ng links (what would be good and they gave me recommendations and sent me some links). So, I listened to all of them and eventually came up with the short drum lick na nandoon sa (that’s in the) song. Pasado naman sa kanila and happy ako (they approved of it and I was happy). Nagawa ko ata siya in one take (I think I did it in one take)!
Yuzon: For me, a memorable moment was nung nag-lay in ng piano (when we laid in the piano), nag-lay in ng synths (when we laid in the synths). We were doing the two versions nang sabay e (at the same time) and ‘yung manager kasi namin, mahilig siya sa (and our manager, he’s a fan of) Tool, A Perfect Circle.
Nung nag-lay in ng guitars (When we laid in the guitars), parang nagsabi lang siya sa gitarista namin, si Armo (they kept saying to our guitarist, Armo), along with our producer Joey (Santos), at pinush ‘nya lang nang pinush na maglagay ng maraming (and he just kept pushing to add a lot of) distorted guitar. Eh, mahilig kami sa (It just so happens that we like) distorted guitar. Nag-enjoy kami masyado so, hindi naman p’wedeng hindi namin gamitin, pinaghirapan na namin eh (We enjoyed it too much so it would have been a waste to not use distortion on what we worked hard to create). Sabi naman din ni Armo, “Nilagay ko lang lahat. Basta kung gusto ‘nyong tanggalin, tanggalin ‘nyo lang.” (Armo also said, “I put everything in. It’s up to you if you want to remove it or not.”) So, hindi namin tinanggal (we didn’t remove it)!
Ang ending is, nilabas ni Armo ‘yung metal side ‘nya (The ending is, Armo showcased his metal side).
Cruz: Tapos, kinailangan lang namin i-match ‘yung energy nun (After that, we just needed to match the energy)!
With how deeply emotional the themes of “Kelly” are, ultimately, what sort of impact do you hope it leaves behind on its listeners?
Yuzon: Alam mo (You know), every single thing in life naman kasi (after all) will be reduced to an anecdote eventually. It’s something you’re gonna share or not share over drinks or over tea, while singing a videoke song. Years later, magiging memory na lang siya (it will just become a memory).
[“Kelly” is] a breakup song kasi e (after all), and alam ko (I know), with a lot of people, a lot of relationships don’t end well. So, hope for the best. Hindi naman (I’m not saying to) expect the worst but anticipate that a lot of things can happen. Just roll with the punches, that’s life. ‘Yun siguro ‘yung (I guess that’s the) message na gusto kong ipahiwatig (that I want to send). It’s okay. Eventually this will pass.
For people who might be going through what might feel like hell for them, lilipas din yan (it will pass). Tapos (Then) eventually, it’s gonna be something you’re gonna laugh about na may (with) fondness or may konting (with a bit of) bitterness. Nonetheless, you’ll be okay.
On a more artistic aspect, given the context of how the idea for “Kelly” came to be, what advice would you give to artists struggling with finding inspiration when writing songs?
Yuzon: Ang advice ko lang naman sa kanila (My only advice to them) is keep making songs. Tapos, medyo relax ka lang (Also, just relax a bit). May (There’s a) middle ground. You’re supposed to work but sometimes, some things come to you when you relax. Minsan, kapag pilit ka nang pilit, parang nagfa-fire ka na lang ng blanks (Sometimes, when you keep trying to force things, it’s like you’re firing blanks). But, minsan, kapag nanaginip ka, baka bigla may dumating [na idea] (sometimes, when you’re dreaming, there might be an idea that comes to you). When you change certain elements around you, baka may ibang nangyari (there might be something different that happens). Bakasyon ka muna (Take a vacation). Baka may mangyaring iba (Something different might happen).
Also, it’s supposed to be fun. So, when you take a step back, other things can happen also. Easy lang (take it easy). Smile. Relax. Enjoy. Smell the roses.

Courtesy of Sony Music Philippines
Finally, what can we expect from Sponge Cola in terms of music this 2025?
Yuzon: Marami kaming mga songs tapos lalabas namin (We have a lot of songs that we’ll release) very soon. A lot of them, after this [“Kelly”], mas konti ‘yung ballads (there’s a lot less ballads). ‘Yung mga darating kasi mas (The upcoming ones are) relatively upbeat.
Although, baka may dumating na naman na (there might come another) K-drama na ma-inspire ako (that will inspire me). Kasi (Because) when Queen of Tears came out, we did “Tatlong Buwan” and the Korean version of it. So, I might make something intense and heavy again.
Cruz: In terms of shows, hindi na muna namin sasabihin kung saan hanggang wala pang (we won’t say where until there are) tickets, pero merong niluluto na (but we’re cooking) out-of-the-country shows.
Listen to the two versions of Sponge Cola’s “Kelly” below: