She took up piano at the age of five, attending Manhattan's Third Street Music School for two years, going on to the Jewish Community Center of Staten Island's Dorothy Delson Kuhn Music Institute. There she met vocal coach Elizabeth McCullough, who worked with her through high school. She is a graduate of Staten Island Technical High School and Binghamton University, where she received a degree in theatre.
Her influences range from Fiona Apple to Coldplay. She regularly appears at Manhattan venues such as The Knitting Factory, CBGB's Gallery, Bar 169, The Sidewalk Cafe, Kenny's Castaways, and Pianos.
She began recording music in 2002, releasing Slow the Rain independently in January of 2005. In 2006, Ingrid released her second album Girls and Boys. Her music has recently enjoyed a bit more commercial success with songs like "Breakable" and "Keep Breathing" being featured on ABC show Grey's Anatomy, as well as a 2007 Old Navy commercial being set to her song "The Way I Am".
http://www.ingridmichaelson.com/
Giving Up
Ingrid Michaelson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What if the paint chips from the wall?
What if there's always cups in the sink?
Oh what if I'm not what you think I am?
What if I fall further than you?
What if you dream of somebody new?
What if I never let you win,
Well what if I do?
'Cause I am giving up on making passes and
I am giving up on half empty glasses and
I am giving up on greener grasses
I am giving up
What if our baby comes in after nine?
What it your eyes close before mine?
What if you lose yourself sometimes?
Then I'll be the one to find you
Safe in my heart
'Cause I am giving up on making passes and
I am giving up on half empty glasses and
I am giving up on greener grasses
I am giving
'Cause I am giving up
I am giving up
'Cause I am giving up
I am giving up
I am giving up on greener grasses
I am giving up for you, oh
I am giving up for you, oh
I am giving up
The lyrics to Ingrid Michaelson's song Giving Up express vulnerability and uncertainty about the future of a romantic relationship. The first verse poses a series of what-if questions, highlighting fears of the relationship losing its spark or not living up to expectations. The second verse introduces the idea of having a child together, which adds an extra layer of pressure and responsibility to the relationship. The chorus reveals the singer's decision to give up on certain expectations and ideals in order to focus on the relationship. This decision is made out of love and a desire to prioritize the person she is with.
The phrase "green grasses" in the chorus is a metaphor for the idea of always wanting more or looking for something better. By giving up on these "greener grasses", the singer is expressing a commitment to her current relationship and a willingness to work on it rather than constantly searching for something better. Overall, the lyrics are a heartfelt expression of the challenges and compromises that come with any long-term relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
What if we stop having a ball?
What if we lose our spark?
What if the paint chips from the wall?
What if everything around us starts to fall apart?
What if there's always cups in the sink?
What if we can't keep up with the mess of everyday life?
Oh what if I'm not what you think I am?
What if I don't measure up to your expectations?
What if I fall further than you?
What if I struggle and you don't understand?
What if you dream of somebody new?
What if you start to question our relationship?
What if I never let you win,
What if I refuse to compromise?
And chase you with a rolling pin?
What if I become angry and irrational?
Well what if I do?
What if I can't control my emotions?
'Cause I am giving up on making passes and
I'm done with trying to initiate intimacy
I am giving up on half empty glasses and
I'm done with being pessimistic about life
I am giving up on greener grasses
I'm done with searching for something better
I am giving up
I'm done with trying so hard
What if our baby comes in after nine?
What if we struggle with parenthood?
What it your eyes close before mine?
What if we grow distant from each other?
What if you lose yourself sometimes?
What if you struggle with your own identity?
Then I'll be the one to find you
I'll be there to support you through your struggles
Safe in my heart
With the reassurance of our love
'Cause I am giving up on making passes and
I'm done with trying to initiate intimacy
I am giving up on half empty glasses and
I'm done with being pessimistic about life
I am giving up on greener grasses
I'm done with searching for something better
I am giving
I'm done with trying so hard
'Cause I am giving up
I'm done with the struggle
I am giving up
I'm done with trying so hard
'Cause I am giving up
I'm done with the struggle
I am giving up on greener grasses
I'm done with searching for something better
I am giving up for you, oh
I'm doing this for the sake of our relationship
I am giving up for you, oh
I'm doing this because I love you
I am giving up
I'm done with trying so hard
Lyrics © Spirit Music Group
Written by: INGRID MICHAELSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ed Osworth
I am 61 years old and she is my favorite artist. She connects deep into my heart. From the first time I heard her sing "Maybe" I was enchanted - I never tire of her expressive voice and thoughtful lyrics. Her cover of "I Can't Help Falling in Love" sends chills up my spine every listen...
LaceyGreen4
I discovered Ingrid about 4 months ago...my life will never be the same! Her music speaks to my soul! Thank you, Ingrid.
K Gr
A new close friend shared this with me. Amazing and thought provoking. So sweet. BEAN thanks for turning me onto this. Now in my playlist
Patrick Halle
I was thinking of my friend listening to this.
I call her BEAN
Caroline R
This song makes me happy even though it sounds sad. I'm 18 and my boyfriend of 3 years moved in with me two months ago. He's my first boyfriend and the thought of greener grasses used to haunt me because "how can you really be happy with your situation when you've never tried anything else?" I've realised that it's not worth giving up something precious just for the small possibility of finding something better. I'm happy so I should be satisfied. I feel like we're settling now. I'm giving up on greener grasses for him in order to live in the moment. As this song describes, it's a risk, but it's the best thing I've ever done.
Not like anybody cares but I just felt like sharing lol
kamalei
Long Lost Child Damn, gave me major hope that my boyfriend of 6 months lasts as long with me as you, thanks man
Brian Moser
that's beautiful. i hope you two get married and have lots of babies to fill the place with lol
Chelsea Stephens
Okay, it's been a year. How did it go?
Shushan Tamanyan
You left this comment 2 years ago, how is it now?
Tat Solórzano
How is it now?