After graduating from UCLA in 2002, Bareilles performed at local bars and clubs. She issued two demos of mostly live tracks in 2003: The First One in April and The Summer Sessions in October.
In January 2004, Bareilles released her first studio album, Careful Confessions. She signed a contract with Epic Records' A&R executive Pete Giberga on April 15, 2005. The remainder of the year and early 2006 was spent writing and reworking songs for her upcoming album.
Her debut major-label album Little Voice came out on July 17, 2007.
She Used to be Mine
Sara Bareilles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Most days I don't recognize me
That these shoes and this apron
That place and its patrons
Have taken more than I gave them
It's not easy to know
I'm not anything like I used to be, although it's true
I was never attention's sweet center
I still remember that girl
She's imperfect, but she tries
She is good, but she lies
She is hard on herself
She is broken and won't ask for help
She is messy, but she's kind
She is lonely most of the time
She is all of this mixed up and baked in a beautiful pie
She is gone, but she used to be mine
It's not what I asked for
Sometimes life just slips in through a back door
And carves out a person and makes you believe it's all true
And now I've got you
And you're not what I asked for
If I'm honest, I know I would give it all back
For a chance to start over and rewrite an ending or two
For the girl that I knew
Who'll be reckless, just enough
Who'll get hurt, but who learns how to toughen up
When she's bruised and gets used by a man who can't love
And then she'll get stuck
And be scared of the life that's inside her
Growing stronger each day 'til it finally reminds her
To fight just a little, to bring back the fire in her eyes
That's been gone, but used to be mine
Used to be mine
She is messy, but she's kind
She is lonely most of the time
She is all of this mixed up and baked in a beautiful pie
She is gone, but she used to be mine
In "She Used to be Mine," singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles reflects on how her life has changed, and how she no longer recognizes herself. She sings about taking more than she gives in her workplace, which she indicates by referring to a server's attire, and how serving the customers at this particular venue has gotten the best of her. The singer-songwriter also acknowledges that she has become somebody very different from who she used to be. Though she was never the centre of attention, she recalls the girl she once was - a girl that is gone now but is still sorely missed.
Bareilles's song moves on to a chorus where she describes this person she used to know. The girl in question is not perfect, but she tried her best and was good. She lied to protect herself and was tough on herself. The girl was broken and didn't request help, but still found time to be kind despite her isolation; loneliness was often her companion. Bareilles brings together all these characteristics in a "beautiful pie" that the girl was "mixed up and baked in", essentially a metaphor for the girl's personality. The song continues in the same vein, with the singer reflecting on what she could have had differently, highlighting how life does not always follow the script we had hoped for.
Line by Line Meaning
It's not simple to say
Expressing feelings and emotions is not always easy
Most days I don't recognize me
Feeling lost and disconnected from oneself on a regular basis
That these shoes and this apron
The physical manifestation of a job that takes more than it gives
That place and its patrons
The environment and people that contribute to the feeling of being trapped and unfulfilled
Have taken more than I gave them
Feeling like a job or situation has drained all of one's energy and spirit
It's not easy to know
Realizing and internalizing the changes that time and circumstances have brought
I'm not anything like I used to be, although it's true
Acknowledging the differences and growth in oneself, while still mourning the loss of a part of oneself
I was never attention's sweet center
Feeling overlooked and unimportant
I still remember that girl
Longing for the past and the person one used to be
She's imperfect, but she tries
The recognition that one is flawed but still strives to be the best version of oneself
She is good, but she lies
The conflict between wanting to be perceived as good, but struggling with honesty and vulnerability
She is hard on herself
Being critical and unforgiving of oneself
She is broken and won't ask for help
Feeling damaged and unable to reach out for support
She is messy, but she's kind
Having qualities that may not be traditionally desirable, but still possessing a good heart
She is lonely most of the time
Feeling isolated and disconnected from others
She is all of this mixed up and baked in a beautiful pie
The complexity and beauty of a person's character, despite the challenges and struggles
She is gone, but she used to be mine
Grieving for the person one used to be and the life one used to have
It's not what I asked for
Feeling like life has taken unexpected turns and not being in control of one's circumstances
Sometimes life just slips in through a back door
Changes occurring without warning or preparation
And carves out a person and makes you believe it's all true
The way life can shape and mold a person's identity, affecting one's self-perception
And now I've got you
Feeling stuck and unable to escape from the situation at hand
And you're not what I asked for
Continuing to feel disappointed and unfulfilled with one's circumstances
If I'm honest, I know I would give it all back
Wishing to go back in time and change the course of one's life
For a chance to start over and rewrite an ending or two
The desire to have a fresh start and the ability to change one's circumstances
Who'll be reckless, just enough
The hope that the future holds a version of oneself who is brave and daring
Who'll get hurt, but who learns how to toughen up
Knowing that challenges and pain will come, but believing in one's ability to overcome them and grow stronger
When she's bruised and gets used by a man who can't love
The potential for heartbreak and betrayal on the journey to finding oneself and true love
And then she'll get stuck
The possibility of feeling trapped and unable to escape negative circumstances
And be scared of the life that's inside her
Feeling intimidated and unsure of one's own strength and potential
Growing stronger each day 'til it finally reminds her
Slowly but surely gaining confidence and realizing the power within oneself
To fight just a little, to bring back the fire in her eyes
The motivation to continue striving towards hope and happiness, even in the face of adversity
That's been gone, but used to be mine
The belief that the best version of oneself did exist at one point, and the hope that it can be rediscovered again
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Sara Bareilles
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind