In 2007, Caillat signed with Universal Republic Records and released her debut album, Coco. The album included the hit singles "Bubbly" and "Realize," and has sold over 2 million copies in the United States and is certified 2x platinum. In 2008, she recorded a duet with Jason Mraz, "Lucky," which won a Grammy Award.
In August 2009, Caillat released her second album, Breakthrough, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. It has since been certified gold by the RIAA and was nominated for Best Pop Vocal Album at the 2010 Grammy Awards. Caillat was also part of the group that won Album of the Year at the 2010 Grammy Awards for her featured vocals and writing on Taylor Swift's Fearless album. In July 2011, she released her third studio album, All of You. In October 2012, she released her first Christmas album, Christmas in the Sand. From 2018 to 2020, she was a member of the country music group Gone West.
Caillat has sold over six million albums worldwide and over 10 million singles. She has been honored with two Grammy Awards and five nominations, and has accumulated more than 15 billion streams. She is an avowed spokesperson and supporter for ASPCA, the Surfrider Foundation, Save The Music, Farm Sanctuary, and The Humane Society of the United States.
Caillat is currently recording a new album in Nashville, TN and is set to release the first single in the first quarter of 2023.
Tthe Little Things
Colbie Caillat Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Are taking me over; I wanna show you
Everything inside of me
Like a nervous heart that is crazy beating
My feet are stuck here against the pavement
I wanna break free; I wanna make it
Closer to your eyes, get your attention
Before you pass me by
Back up, back up; take another chance
Don't you mess up, mess up; I don't wanna lose you
Wake up, wake up; this ain't just a thing that you
Give up, give up; don't you say that I'd be better off
Better off sitting by myself and wondering
If I'm better off, better off without you, boy
And every time you notice me
By holding me closely and saying sweet things
I don't believe that it could be
You speaking your mind and saying the real thing
My feet have broke free and I'm leaving
I'm not gonna stand here feeling lonely, but
I don't regret it and I don't think it
Was just a waste of time
Back up, back up; take another chance
Don't you mess up, mess up; I don't wanna lose you
Wake up, wake up; this ain't just a thing that you
Give up, give up; don't you say that I'd be better off
Better off sitting by myself and wondering
If I'm better off, better off without you, boy
Don't just leave me hanging on
Don't just leave me hanging on
The little things you do to me
Are taking me over; I wanna show you
Everything inside of me
Like a nervous heart that is crazy beating
My feet are stuck here against the pavement
I wanna break free; I wanna make it
Closer to your eyes, get your attention
Before you pass me by
Don't just leave me hanging on
Back up, back up; take another chance
Don't you mess up, mess up; I don't wanna lose you
Wake up, wake up; this ain't just a thing that you
Give up, give up; don't you say that I'd be better off
Better off sitting by myself and wondering
If I'm better off, better off without you, boy
Don't just leave me hanging on
Don't just leave me hanging on
In Colbie Caillat's song The Little Things, she describes the feeling of being in love with someone and wanting to express those feelings, even if it means taking a risk. The little things that the person does to her have taken her over, and she wants to show them everything inside of her, even though her nervous heart is beating crazily. She feels stuck on the pavement and wants to break free to get closer to the person's attention before they pass her by.
She encourages the person to take another chance and not mess up, because she doesn't want to lose them. She believes that their connection is not just a fleeting thing and doesn't want them to give up. She doesn't want the person to say that she'd be better off without them, and considers it a waste of time to sit and wonder if she truly is. She wants the person to speak their mind and show her the real thing.
In the end, she doesn't want the person to leave her hanging, but to take a chance on her and see what could happen between them. Overall, the song is about taking risks in love and being vulnerable, even if it means potentially getting hurt.
Line by Line Meaning
The little things you do to me
Minor actions have a significant impact on me
Are taking me over; I wanna show you
I am getting overwhelmed and want to express my feelings to you
Everything inside of me
I want to reveal my innermost thoughts and emotions
Like a nervous heart that is crazy beating
My heart is beating rapidly because of the anxiety
My feet are stuck here against the pavement
I feel trapped and unable to move forward
I wanna break free; I wanna make it
I want to overcome this feeling of being stuck and achieve my goals
Closer to your eyes, get your attention
I want to grab your attention and be closer to you
Before you pass me by
I don't want to miss the chance to be with you
Back up, back up; take another chance
Retry and take another opportunity to connect with me
Don't you mess up, mess up; I don't wanna lose you
I fear losing you, so please don't make mistakes
Wake up, wake up; this ain't just a thing that you
This isn't just a casual fling, so pay attention
Give up, give up; don't you say that I'd be better off
Don't give up on us and suggest that I'm better off alone
Better off sitting by myself and wondering
It's better to be alone than to constantly wonder about our relationship
If I'm better off, better off without you, boy
I can't decide if I'd be happier without you in my life
And every time you notice me
Whenever you pay attention to me
By holding me closely and saying sweet things
By holding me and expressing your affection for me
I don't believe that it could be
I cannot believe that this is happening to me
You speaking your mind and saying the real thing
You expressing your genuine feelings and thoughts
My feet have broke free and I'm leaving
I feel liberated and am finally moving on
I'm not gonna stand here feeling lonely, but
I won't stay in this lonely state anymore
I don't regret it and I don't think it
I don't regret my decision and am confident about it
Was just a waste of time
It wasn't a waste of time to express my feelings
Don't just leave me hanging on
Don't leave me in a state of uncertainty
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, Spirit Music Group
Written by: LOUIS ANDRE FISCHER, DAVID JAMES WOLINSKI, INDIA ARIE SIMPSON, ANTHONY LAMAR ROBERSON, SHARON SANDERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@juancamacho5746
All of these lines across my face
Tell you the story of who I am
So many stories of where I've been
And how I got to where I am
But these stories don't mean anything
When you've got no one to tell them to, it's true
I was made for you
I climbed across the mountaintops
Swam all across the ocean blue
I crossed all the lines and I broke all the rules
But baby, I broke them all for you
Oh, because even when I was flat broke
You made me feel like a million bucks, you do
I was made for you
🎸
You see the smile that's on my mouth
Is hiding the words that don't come out
And all of our friends who think that I'm blessed
They don't know my head is a mess
No, they don't know who I really am
And they don't know what I've been through like you do
And I was made for you
All of these lines across my face
Tell you the story of who I am
So many stories of where I've been
And how I got to where I am
But these stories don't mean anything
When you've got no one to tell them to
It's true, I was made for you
Oh, yeah well it's true, that I was made for you
@dowright5645
my best friend passed away a few weeks ago.. we met in the bar I had started working at when I moved to NorCal over 7 years ago - it was karaoke night and after she heard me sing, she bee-lined over to me and asked if I knew any Brandi Carlile to sing with her - I immediately said, “The Story” and we tore the roof down that night
..the rest is history 😏
we ended up going to see your show in Oakland later that year and it was one of the best times of my entire life - we sang so many of your songs together throughout the years, you have always been our fav
**if you remember the girl at Kate Wolf Festival with the “I FREAKIN’ ❤️ YOU!” sign several years ago, that was me 😆 I was standing with another one of my girlfriends who passed away named Bri, who also absolutely loved you
Brandi, you’ve been my crutch the past few weeks and I want to say thank you, so very much for your words and beautiful voice; if you ever have a show in Iowa.. I will soooo be there!
rest in peace, Em 😌
@sheilabell4273
My beautiful daughter died by suicide in 2014, she was 33. She LOVED you and went to any concert she could to see you. This song was played at her service and it’s so beautiful. Finally we are taking Katie’s ashes to Ireland in September, we will stand on the Cliffs of Moher and let her go. We will play ‘The Story’, and cry. You made her so happy. 💜
@wilfred508
My heart aches for you. Blessings on you and your precious daughter.
@joemartines3545
I'm sorry for your loss.
@joannesmith1728
So sorry for you, no words...Hope you receive great kindness in Ireland
@yoganana76
Sending a huge warm hug your way Sheila. May you have eternal peace in your heart.
@scottsalter6400
Peace and love
@louisewhyte4647
This was mine and my husbands wedding song, he was 42 and died 4 months later to cancer. This will forever be my love song to him <3
@beverlyhayshouston2770
I’m so very sorry.
@vanessadeklerk2862
There are no words. Just so sorry for your loss.
@acidbrat4358
Heartfelt condolences and internet hugs to you.