Ribbons
Ingrid Michaelson(잉그리드 마이클슨) Lyrics


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I'm sitting pretty and I don't know why
I found somebody, said he'd make me fly
Wrapped me up in ribbons then he left me to die
Wrapped me up in ribbons then he left me to die

Told me he'd hold me 'til there was no more
Told me that he'd love me from the top to the floor
Wrapped me up in ribbons then he went for the door
Wrapped me up in ribbons then he went for the door

All the time he takes are the words that he breaks
All the time he takes are the words that he breaks

'Cause I'm not flying
I'm not flying am I
I'm not flying so damn high in the sky
I'm not flying
I'm not flying am I
I'm not flying am I

You look so pretty in the dark of night
But I'm getting wise in the early light
I can see you falling like a homemade kite
I can see you falling like a homemade kite

You put your Sunday best on for us all
Painting up a promise that you know will fall
Wrap me in your ribbons tie me to the wall
Wrap me in your ribbons tie me to the wall

All the time he takes are the words that he breaks
All the time he takes are the words that he breaks

'Cause I'm not flying
I'm not flying am I
I'm not flying so damn high in the sky
I'm not flying
I'm not flying am I
I'm not flying am I

You walk on everybody
You walk on everyone
You walk right up and you ask me to dance
You ask me to dance
You ask me to dance then you walk away

No I'm not flying am I
I'm not flying so damn high
No I'm not flying
I'm not flying am I
I'm not flying




No I'm not flying am I
I'm not flying am I

Overall Meaning

Ingrid Michaelson's song "Ribbons" is about a relationship that starts off promising but ends up being emotionally abusive. The singer is sitting pretty and happy because she has found someone who promises to make her fly. However, after he wraps her up in ribbons as a symbol of his love, he leaves her to die, breaking his promises of protecting her and making her feel loved. The singer eventually realizes that she's not flying high in the sky as promised but instead is falling like a homemade kite. The relationship has become a sort of trap where the abuser paints up a promise that he knows will eventually fall, and she's tied up in ribbons and tied to the wall, unable to fly.


The chorus emphasizes the singer's lack of control and agency: "I'm not flying, am I? I'm not flying so damn high in the sky. I'm not flying." The singer feels trapped and controlled by her partner, who walks all over her and everyone else. He is charming when he wants to be, asking her to dance, but then he walks away, leaving her feeling powerless and isolated.


Overall, "Ribbons" is a poignant and emotional song about the dangers of entering into a relationship with someone who promises the world but ends up being emotionally abusive. It highlights the importance of realizing one's own agency and breaking free from toxic relationships.


Line by Line Meaning

I'm sitting pretty and I don't know why
I feel content and satisfied with my life, but I can't explain why.


I found somebody, said he'd make me fly
I met someone who promised to make me feel alive and excited.


Wrapped me up in ribbons then he left me to die
He gave me hope and made me feel special, but then abandoned me and left me feeling worthless.


Told me he'd hold me 'til there was no more
He promised to be there for me always, until the end of time.


Told me that he'd love me from the top to the floor
He assured me that his love was all-encompassing and unconditional.


Wrapped me up in ribbons then he went for the door
He put on a show of caring and affection for me, only to leave me when it was convenient for him.


All the time he takes are the words that he breaks
He makes a lot of promises and says all the right things, but never follows through on any of them.


'Cause I'm not flying I'm not flying am I I'm not flying so damn high in the sky I'm not flying I'm not flying am I I'm not flying am I
I realize now that I'm not really happy, despite his promises to make me feel alive and joyful.


You look so pretty in the dark of night
You seem attractive and alluring in certain situations or environments, but it's not real or authentic.


But I'm getting wise in the early light
Now that I'm seeing things more clearly and objectively, I understand that you're not really what you seem.


I can see you falling like a homemade kite
I can predict your eventual failure or downfall, despite your attempts to appear successful or impressive.


You put your Sunday best on for us all
You try to impress everyone and put on a show of your best qualities and achievements, even if they're not entirely true.


Painting up a promise that you know will fall
You make big promises and commitments, but deep down you know that you won't be able to follow through on them.


Wrap me in your ribbons tie me to the wall
You use your charm and affection to control me and keep me trapped or confined.


You walk on everybody You walk on everyone You walk right up and you ask me to dance You ask me to dance You ask me to dance then you walk away
You take advantage of people and their vulnerability, using them for your own purposes and then leaving them behind when you're done.


No I'm not flying am I I'm not flying so damn high No I'm not flying I'm not flying am I I'm not flying No I'm not flying am I I'm not flying am I
I'm certain now that I'm not truly happy or fulfilled, despite how much I may wish for it or try to pretend otherwise.




Lyrics © CABIN 24 RECORDS
Written by: INGRID MICHAELSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

∇✝∙∘nrgeticdansr∘∙✝∇

There are so many new sounds in this song that I never heard before. Nice Ingrid!

Jaxx

I fell in love with this song instantly. The way the words feel on your mouth together is magnificent. She put a marvelous song together.

keritako

This is my favourite song from Human Again!!! I think it'd be a good single.

Sophia Li

this is one of my favorites off the new album. the very beginning is just perfect to me!

RM2Static

Love this song!! Great job Ingrid

3Dartist247

Your fans are flying when we hear you sing. Agreed...marvelous song.

SamihCAA

Saw the girl i really like last night, and on the car ride home i blasted this and everything was perfect....<3

Luna elley

Why did I discover her so late?
I am in love!

Madeleine Higgins

Same!!!

rook hoagland

i LOVE this song! and all her others!

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