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/
The Hat
Ingrid Michaelson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To keep your ears warm from the Binghamton cold
It was my first one and it was too small
It didn't fit you at all, but you wore it just the same
I remember the first time we danced
I remember tunneling through the snow like ants
What I don't recall is why I said
I should tell you that you were my first love
So it's Christmas time, it's been three years
And someone else is knitting things for your ears
I have come to learn I'll only see you interrupting my dreams at night
And that's alright. And that's alright
And that's alright. And that's alright
I should tell you that you were my first love
And it's alright. And it's alright. And it's alright
(And it's alright) we were seventeen again together
(And it's alright) we were seventeen again together
(And it's alright) we were seventeen again together
I should tell you that you were my first love
I should tell you that you were my first love
We were seventeen again
We were seventeen again
We were seventeen again
In the song The Hat by Ingrid Michaelson, she sings about knitting a hat for her first love, who is represented as the person wearing the hat. The hat was made with blue and gold colors, signifying the colors of Binghamton University. The hat was too small for him but he wore it anyway to keep his ears warm from the cold weather. This shows that her love for the person was pure and genuine despite it being her first time crafting a hat.
In the middle part of the song, Ingrid reminisces about the happy memories she shared with her first love. She recalls dancing with him and tunneling through the snow like ants. However, there must have been some unresolved issues because she mentions not being able to sleep in bed with him anymore. This may direct to some past problem or issue that she faced with him, which led to a break in their relationship.
The song ends with Ingrid realizing that she will only see her first love in her dreams, and that it is okay because the memories they shared will always hold a special place in her heart. It shows that even though they couldn't make it work, their love is something she will always cherish.
Line by Line Meaning
I knitted you a hat all blue and gold
I made a hat for you with my own hands and chose blue and gold colors for it.
To keep your ears warm from the Binghamton cold
I wanted you to feel warm and protected from harsh weather conditions.
It was my first one and it was too small
I didn't have much experience with knitting, so the hat turned out smaller than it was supposed to be.
It didn't fit you at all, but you wore it just the same
Even though the hat didn't fit you well, you still wore it to show appreciation and to make me happy.
I remember the first time we danced
I have fond memories of the moment we shared when we danced together for the first time.
I remember tunneling through the snow like ants
I remember us enjoying the snow together by making tunnels and having fun like children.
What I don't recall is why I said
I can't remember why I said or did something at that time.
"I simply can't sleep in this tiny bed with you anymore"
I couldn't sleep well in the small bed we shared, and I had to tell you that I couldn't do it anymore.
I should tell you that you were my first love
I want to confess that you were the first person I loved deeply and truly.
So it's Christmas time, it's been three years
It's currently the holiday season, and it's been three years since we split up.
And someone else is knitting things for your ears
You have someone else in your life now, and they're doing things for you that I used to do, like making these hats.
I have come to learn I'll only see you interrupting my dreams at night
I have accepted that I can only see you in my dreams, and it happens frequently.
And that's alright. And that's alright. And that's alright. And that's alright
I'm okay with this situation, and I'm content with seeing you only in my dreams.
(And it's alright) we were seventeen again together
In my dreams, we're together, and we're regaining our youth when we were both seventeen.
We were seventeen again
In my dreams, we're reliving our experiences when we were teenagers.
Lyrics © Spirit Music Group
Written by: INGRID MICHAELSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Karime
This song reminds me of a very bittersweet time in my life. It is a song I hold dear to my heart. Thank you Ingrid. This song- no, this entire album, does not get the praise it deserves
SlupitaB
Karime Coletta same here, such a important time and also showed me true love. Best wishes to u
Spaghetti.meat¿
Im so sad I only get to share the beauty of this song with 31 thousand other people
Rachel Fay
Almost 50k :)
Angel
no pensé nunca q una canción de un álbum guardado hace más de 10 años en un disco duro viejo iba a pegar tan duro
Abi Simmons
This song always takes me back to fourth grade (I'm in 9th now and still a huge fan!)
Tuden Jamir
I love this song, I love the entire album. This song inspired me to write my song "About a hat".
T P
I love - The Hat, all blue and gold, and the tiny bed. Thanks for your song Ingrid.
erin h
oh my god, this brings me back. it's my favorite song off girls and boys.
SlupitaB
This song brings me bitter sadness and truth. Looking over the Hollywood freeway at my ex to pass by and eventually it it go and just be happy for the memories