After graduating from UCLA in 2002, Bareilles performed at local bars and clubs. She issued two demos of mostly live tracks in 2003: The First One in April and The Summer Sessions in October.
In January 2004, Bareilles released her first studio album, Careful Confessions. She signed a contract with Epic Records' A&R executive Pete Giberga on April 15, 2005. The remainder of the year and early 2006 was spent writing and reworking songs for her upcoming album.
Her debut major-label album Little Voice came out on July 17, 2007.
Armor
Sara Bareilles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Step one: original sin
Underneath the leaves, Adam found Eve
Both of them found something sweet under the apple tree
Then it was over, roads divide
Step two: learning how to lie
Let me ask a question to present day
How the hell did Eve end up with all the damn blame?
To all the dirty looks, the kitty cat calls
To the ones who try and throw us up against the back walls
Let me tell you something you'll understand
Only the little boys tell you they're a big man
To all my sisters and all our friends
We have to thank them, please
Strength means blessed with an enemy
All my, my, my, my armor comes from you
You make me try, try, try, try harder
Oh, that's all I ever do, ever do
Oh, no no, my, my, my, my armor comes from you
You make me stronger, stronger
Now, hand me my armor
(Hand me my armor, hand me my armor)
Step three: I see
The unforgettable, incredible ones who came before me
Brought poetry, brought science
Sowed quiet seeds of self-reliance
Bloomed in me, so here I am
You think I am high and mighty, mister?
Wait 'til you meet my little sister
All my, my, my, my armor comes from you
You make me try, try, try, try harder
Oh, that's all I ever do, ever do
Oh, no no, my, my, my, my armor comes from you
You make me stronger, stronger
Now, hand me my armor
What you didn't do to bury me
But you didn't know I was a goddamn seed
You don't scare me, I am of the earth
So tired of your empire
Blind men only set the world on fire
Sad you can't see it
You brought the flame, here comes the phoenix
You make me try harder
Oh, it's all I ever do, ever do
Oh, no no, my, my, my, my armor comes from you
You make me stronger, stronger
Hand me my armor
All my, my, my, my armor comes from you
You make me try, try, try, try harder
Oh, that's all I ever do, ever do
Oh, no no, my, my, my, my armor comes from you
You make me stronger, stronger
Hand me my armor
(Hand me my armor, hand me my armor)
(Hand me my armor, hand me my armor)
Hand me my armor, hand me my armor
Hand me my armor, hand me my armor
In "Armor," Sara Bareilles presents a feminist and empowering message about the many unsung heroines who have helped her become the resilient person she is today. The first few verses allude to Eve's original sin and how she was unfairly stigmatized and held responsible for it. Interestingly, Bareilles doesn't blame Adam but instead highlights how a "learning how to lie" was crucial to the formation of patriarchal structures that try to break women down. However, the chorus sets a tone of defiance, as Bareilles proclaims that her "armor" comes not only from the many accomplished women who have preceded her but also from the everyday women who have supported her journeys. She makes it clear that she puts in the effort and tries harder because of these women and that they are the major source of her strength. In the third verse, Bareilles equates herself to a seed, symbolizing her growth as a woman who is no longer afraid of the conflicts and institutions that seek to diminish her.
The song is often interpreted as an ode to the #MeToo movement and the many women who have bravely fought for gender equality for decades. It's a powerful anthem that encourages women to realize their true worth and never give up despite the many obstacles they face. Bareilles realizes that women cannot achieve greatness on their own, which is why she acknowledges the women who have helped her and encourages women everywhere to support each other as well. Overall, it's a song that speaks loudly and passionately to women's rights and celebrates the struggles that many women have gone through on their journey to become strong, independent, and proud.
Line by Line Meaning
Let it begin, let Adam in
Let's start at the beginning, with Adam and Eve's original sin
Step one: original sin
The first step towards our struggles was the original sin committed by Eve
Underneath the leaves, Adam found Eve
Adam and Eve's relationship started under the shade of a tree
Both of them found something sweet under the apple tree
The couple found something they couldn't resist, despite the consequences that followed
Then it was over, roads divide
After their sin, their paths in life took different turns
Step two: learning how to lie
The next step was learning how to cover up the mistakes and live with guilt
Let me ask a question to present day
A rhetorical question posed to society today
How the hell did Eve end up with all the damn blame? All the damn blame
Why is it that women always seem to get the blame? It's not fair
To all the dirty looks, the kitty cat calls, To the ones who try and throw us up against the back walls
Addressing the harassment faced by women at the hands of men
Let me tell you something you'll understand, Only the little boys tell you they're a big man
The real men don't need to prove their masculinity by picking on women
To all my sisters and all our friends, We have to thank them, please, Strength means blessed with an enemy
Thanking all the women who stand together and support each other. Strength comes from fighting against opposition
Step three: I see, The unforgettable, incredible ones who came before me
Next step is acknowledging the powerful women who paved the way
Brought poetry, brought science, Sowed quiet seeds of self-reliance
These women brought knowledge and wisdom to guide future generations of women
Bloomed in me, so here I am, You think I am high and mighty, mister? Wait 'til you meet my little sister
Their teachings have resulted in the strength and confidence to face prejudices. Don't underestimate me, or the next generation of strong women
What you didn't do to bury me, But you didn't know I was a goddamn seed, You don't scare me, I am of the earth
I've survived and flourished despite setbacks. You didn't know that I'm capable of growth and resilience. I am empowered and confident in myself
So tired of your empire, Blind men only set the world on fire
I'm tired of the patriarchy and their oppressive regime. You can't lead the world properly if you are blinded by your own prejudices
Sad you can't see it, You brought the flame, here comes the phoenix
It's sad that you can't see the damage you've caused. I will emerge from this, stronger than ever before
All my, my, my, my armor comes from you, You make me try, try, try, try harder, Oh, that's all I ever do, ever do
My strength and resilience comes from my support system of empowered women. You push me to try harder and not give up
You make me stronger, stronger, Now, hand me my armor
You make me stronger every day. I'm ready to face whatever comes next with my armor of confidence
(Hand me my armor, hand me my armor)
Reinforcing the idea of being ready to take on whatever challenge comes her way
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Sara Bareilles
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kengirard9726
Lyrics by Sara Bareilles
Let it begin, let Adam in
Step one: original sin
Underneath the leaves, Adam found Eve
Both of them found something sweet under the apple tree
Then it was over, roads divide
Step two: learning how to lie
Let me ask a question to present day:
How the hell did Eve end up with all the damn blame?
All the damn blame
To all the dirty looks, the kitty cat calls
To the ones who try and throw us up against the back walls
Let me tell you something you'll understand:
Only the little boys tell you they're a big man
To all my sisters and all our friends
We have to thank them, please
Strength means blessed with an enemy
All my, my, my, my armor comes from you
You make me try, try, try, try harder
Oh, that's all I ever do, ever do
Oh, no no, my, my, my, my armor comes from you
You make me stronger, stronger
Now, hand me my armor
(Hand me my armor, hand me my armor)
Step three: I see
The unforgettable, incredible ones who came before me
Brought poetry, brought science
Sowed quiet seeds of self-reliance
Bloomed in me, so here I am
You think I am high and mighty, mister?
Wait 'til you meet my little sister
All my, my, my, my armor comes from you
You make me try, try, try, try harder
Oh, that's all I ever do, ever do
Oh, no no, my, my, my, my armor comes from you
You make me stronger, stronger
Now, hand me my armor
What you didn't do to bury me
But you didn't know I was a goddamn seed
You don't scare me, I am of the earth
So tired of your empire
Blind men only set the world on fire
Sad you can't see it
You brought the flame, here comes the phoenix
You make me try harder
Oh, it's all I ever do, ever do
Oh, no no, my, my, my, my armor comes from you
You make me stronger, stronger
Hand me my armor
All my, my, my, my armor comes from you
You make me try, try, try, try harder
Oh, that's all I ever do, ever do
Oh, no no, my, my, my, my armor comes from you
You make me stronger, stronger
Hand me my armor
(Hand me my armor, hand me my armor)
(Hand me my armor, hand me my armor)
Hand me my armor (Hand me my armor)
Hand me my armor, hand me my armor
@dhritimenon
"The unforgettable, incredible ones who came before me
Brought poetry, brought science
Sowed quiet seeds of self-reliance
Bloom in me, so here I am
You think I am high and mighty, mister?
Wait 'til you meet my little sister!"
ICONIC
@maribelbus96
One of the most underrated songwriters of this generation. PERIOD.
@marisolbustamante4665
Maribel Bustamante PERIODT
@rexcraigo
Oh just stop writing that shit. She's only underrated by idiots who know nothing.
@RosieGirlRose101
You said it!!!
@jrgelpe7196
Preach
@rutaemilija
Yet she persists without mainstream fame. And i will love her more for it than i will ever love Beyonce. I Will be forever grateful, in my heart and soul, for Sara.
@cyanmcfarlane91
"Blind men only set the world on fire .
Sad you can't see it .
You brought the flame, here comes the phoenix."
Damn.
@felipemeirelles1816
I wait all the song for the "here comes the phoenix" part...
@amawaithira8696
I read this while scrolling through at the exact damn time she sung
@wearesurvivorsx
Strength means blessed with a enemy