Ingrid Michaelson (born 8th December 1979) is a U.S. singer-songwriter whos… Read Full Bio ↴Ingrid Michaelson (born 8th December 1979) is a U.S. singer-songwriter whose single "The Way I Am" reached number thirty-seven on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.

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/

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03Over The Rainbow2:56

04The Chain (Live From Webster Hall)3:13

05Lady In Spain3:11

06Keep Breathing

07Oh what a day2:28

08The Way I Am (Recorded Live on WERS)2:03

09Can't Help Falling In Love (Recorded Live at Daytrotter)3:14

10You And I2:28

11Be OK (Acoustic)2:32

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Giving Up
Ingrid Michaelson Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

What if we stop having a ball?
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,
And chase you with a rolling pin?
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

Overall Meaning

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

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Comments from YouTube:

@osworth

12y↑41

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...

@kaysosassy

8y↑84

What if I fall further than you? What if you dream of somebody new?

this line lowkey breaks my heart

@madasandwich7009

6y↑6

kaysosassy that very thing is happening to me right now. It hurts.

@carolinek.34

5y↑1

Just happened to me...

@richardavelino7383

3y↑7

You think she's talking about giving up; it's understandable. But when she adds "for you..." it means the world.

She says she's giving up on the pessimism, on the chance of finding happiness else, of eventual sadness in long term relationships. It's courageous victory that finds the singer at the end, and her lover.

@fityfismstar3338

👏👏👏

@LaceyGreen4

13y↑11

I discovered Ingrid about 4 months ago...my life will never be the same! Her music speaks to my soul! Thank you, Ingrid.

@hazuk.isonohara2039

10y↑32

"I'm giving up on greener grasses"

Damn straight lol

@shydreamguyman4098

I came here looking for this song i'd never heard before because I just saw a man sing this to the man he loves in a marriage proposal vid .He said Yes :)
He sang it better ,but it was in a loud crowded restaurant so I couldn't make out all the words but yep this was the song he sang to the man he loves while playing a small stringed insterment .

@kgr4087

3y↑9

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

@patrickhalle1649

I was thinking of my friend listening to this.

I call her BEAN

@LongLostChild

7y↑43

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

@kamalei2888

6y↑1

Long Lost Child Damn, gave me major hope that my boyfriend of 6 months lasts as long with me as you, thanks man

@Brian_Moser1118

6y↑1

that's beautiful. i hope you two get married and have lots of babies to fill the place with lol

@chelseastephens9251

6y↑4

Okay, it's been a year. How did it go?

@shesmakingnoise

You left this comment 2 years ago, how is it now?

@tatsolorzano

How is it now?

2 More Replies...

@TheColorAlanna

12y↑3

ingrid's is literally the only music i don't illegally download because she totally deserves all my money, and more. <3

@goosubux

11y↑6

I'm addicted to this song, I blew up the repeat button. This song reminds me of when my wife & I started out. Her voice makes this song great.

@noname-JS

2y↑2

She was in the dorm room next to mine in college. We used to cuddle watching movies in my room. I had already given up.

@karolwithaz

41w↑1

This song is my theme song for every Mondays and Tuesdays

@YnnsBelle

2y↑1

this song still breaks my heart, so beautiful <3

@StormNineNet

Woke up this morning, picked up the guitar and walked out onto the front porch, sat down and starting playing this song.
This song is so haunting that words fail me.

As I've been teaching myself guitar (in between working 50+hrs per week, lately, and also trying to find time to teach myself 3D character modeling), I've homed in on my favorite acoustic tracks, and this album and Ingrid's other acoustic works have been incredibly influential to me --along with Mazzy Star, Isabel Martinez (a flamenco artist from Spain), Kiko Loureiro (from Brazil; currently working with Megadeth), and countless other artists that have been getting greater exposure thanks to Youtube. Out of them all though, Ingrid's works are some of my favorites. They speaks to a deeper part of our soul... the tender part of ourselves that most of us hide from the world... our vulnerabilities. Ingrid's track "The Way I Am" is the most adorable song I've ever heard in my lifetime as an avid music fan of many genres. 2 years ago, I didn't know who she was, but I'd heard a snippet of a song or two of hers that had been used by a commercial and got lucky I suppose in hunting them down... just to be blown away by Ingrid's other works. The whole "Be OK" album is now one of my favorite albums of all time.

Thank you Ingrid, for sharing this music with the world.

@riverofperil

12y↑1

"I am giving up on greener grasses." </3 I love this song.

@cleanupsfinal

13y

No matter what new music I get into, I always come back to Ingrid.

@archellaharper6147

9y↑4

I'm listening to all these songs and I can feel good memories being created, primarily because of her voice.

@HoraceGold333

7y↑7

This song was my and my ex girlfriends song in high school..... we broke up. But I always appreciated the realism within these lyrics.

@14Sevo

13y↑1

Dear Ingrid, my ears met your voice a little while ago when my eyes were watching an episode of Privileged. I fell in love with "Breakable" and all your other songs. Thank you for the wonderful music you made make and will make. You changed my life because i love depressing stuffs and your words heal my conscience. Thank you for that too. Best Regards, A fan from Paris - FRANCE.

@aldanagimenez1682

best song ever INGRID COME BACK PLS

@angelgirl123ify

12y↑1

She has such beautiful harmony :)

@joebob3875

3y↑1

So strange how some songs can make you feel emotions you never knew you even had before

@amayaashe5365

12y

Any song of Ingrid's I listen too will speak to me and I'll replay it all day . Love You Ingrid <3 :]

@Trent_Brooks1990

Ingrid michaelson just warms your soul ❤ 💙 💜 💖

@AlepOlvOdehadaa

11y↑1

ooh dear ingrid thank you so much!, your songs bring me old memories, i used to hear your songs like 2 years ago and i always feel like the first time :')

@TinKris10

12y

You are an awesome person! Im 22 with little experience to life, but I feel the same way. I can't get enough of her.

@piacadiz

12y

You give me chills. I can listen to you all day long! Lyrics + voice, you're the perfect package. I completely adore you!

@90210dk1

Wow what a great voice... gave me butterflies x

@humacornuppy

12y↑2

im giving up on other music and sticking to ingrid ;)

@NYCprincess7

12y

I just got into her music yesterday and I already feel changed by it. Ingrid is amazing.

@pancakewafflewarrior

12y

i'm writing such a cute and sad love story listening to this! its amazing so far.

@djwilliams801

You have a beautiful voice and this is a very pretty melody! I got a kick out of "...chasing you with a rolling pin" because my dad enjoyed telling the tale of my mom doing just that! They did not 'give up' either, they made it into their 71st year of marriage and I am in my 51st now! BTW- Welcome to "For The Love of Uke" on Facebook!

@bsolberg

I found this song because my 7th grade math teacher would pull his ukulele out and sing this for us. It's a beautiful song.

@DesperateHW

This chic has a great voice <3

@insanejl1075

9y↑3

I don't doubt much although I doubt you could fall further or deeper than I. I doubt you are giving up. If you are giving up than I thank you for the up you are giving.

@sorryangelina

12y

Absolute favourite Ingrid song

@nerynapolean

Wow 6 years later and I still think of her

@krystalkaty1112

11y

First time hearing your songs, and i say it is good man

@amairaniportocarrero8014

11y

I love her voice *w*

@Gerbertbaby98

13y

@Sho0dhon its obvious anything Ingrid does is gonna be amazing! you know it even before you hear it:)

@TheZombieDolphin

12y

One of those Real Songs :P

@Bee81088

12y

AMAZING!

@GymnasticsNerd13

Best song of hers just being honest but sorry to those whom disagree

@melinabanana

12y

@14Sevo hey! im from Paris too :p and i LOVE Ingrid too!!!

@fityfismstar3338

For you. ❤️

@cul2cat

7y↑1

this song makes me feel :(

@billjensen51

I like this song. To me she is saying that she is giving up on worrying and is going to instead look at her relationship with optimism and hope.

@KBSS101

12y↑1

I gave up on my dreams today.

@rakshar4854

5 years later and I'm sure you've found your way

@andrebarbieri5058

6y↑2

Grey's Anatomy me trouxe aqui ❤️

@cleanupsfinal

12y↑1

Thanks for the reply! Really, my comment from a year ago has 241!!! likes. I would have never known otherwise. In other news, within the last year I met her personally through a friend, Skippy, and got a quick photo with Ingrid. In all my quietness, I think the one word I did say summed up what I wanted to say pretty well: "thanks :)"

@shortstack5821

13y

I'm the first one to like this! :)

@emilymcgrath-abbott5341

12y

love<3

@oThatkido

13y

@megcampbell91 i wached it, you are a good artist

@venomking3387

Heard this song from someone I love
Who just dissapeared........
She sent me a video where she was singing this song

@danidandandandan

9y↑15

Well, he likes my best friend and they're in a relationship now. Giving up huh. Irony.

@naomi-art-stuff

8y↑5

+Daayn Ramos well my best friend promised we'd date after she broke up with her boyfriend, but now she's gonna date aonther guy. so i guess im the... 3rd choice? 4th? 100th?

@Pedro-dd9fs

7y↑4

Daayn Ramos my boyfriend cheated on me with his ex. When I found out, he left me and now they're together again. Thats ok. You and me, we dont need them. We will be okay. xoxo

@chibiwubb0416

12y

haha my best friends name is Ingrid! anyways i love this music!!

@TJgrebdnul

13y

@megcampbell91 That is really well done! I like your drawing style.

@redwinepinkhair

11y↑2

Now it has 276 likes including mine ;)

@LakshithaRamesh

12y↑2

What if I fall further than you? What if you dream of somebody new? :[

@ChrisKylerDerma

11y↑1

Another great song to add to my playlist...thank you Ingrid Michaelson.

@luasz2347

Bealtiful music 💙

@paulkerrigan4051

What if your eyes close before mine?

@goosubux

11y

Like #541

@atalanta1021

12y↑3

To paraphrase a terrible joke I made a while back: I know what you mean - something always brings me back to Sara Bareilles. :)

@karacininta

10y

Whats this song about?

@MrCeltius

10y↑19

It's about not worrying about all the insecurities of a relationship and just loving the other person with your whole heart.

@HoraceGold333

wow... nailed it

@pancakewafflewarrior

12y

@denisepaige97 I wish ya could. At the time my word program wouldn't open and so i wrote on paper. My sis got real mad at me the other day and tore it to shreds like the friggin hulk. Sooooo....it's sadly just wasn't meant to be i guess.

@TJgrebdnul

13y

@megcampbell91 You are welcome! :)

@cheskoi4517

10y↑3

just give up....

@tvaholic

13y↑1

what f your eyes close before mine

@flippantlyglib

12y

@Mrsdancingwithmyself Girls and Boys

@denisepaige97

12y

@pancakewafflewarrior Oh goodness! That made me laugh so hard. LOL. Sorry about your paper. =/ Lol. And thanks anyway. =)

@laurendollz

13y

@Sho0dhon LOL.

@pameladelacruz8374

3y↑2

Im here because of greys anatomy

@denisepaige97

12y

@pancakewafflewarrior Can I read it? :D I bet you did great!

@pancakewafflewarrior

12y

@denisepaige97 XD It's ok. I'm sure I'll write one even better. That is really funny, so i don't blame ya for laughing! :D

@sundanceismybaby

12y↑2

How come everyone likes you accept the one you like? Lifes a bitch....

@jeremysmith9694

MusicVideoGirl how come everyone likes you? accept the one you like!

@rocketeerjakeharrylamayreb6259

Greys anatomy anyone

@bloggernextdoor

6y↑1

what if theres always cups in the sink

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