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.
December
Sara Bareilles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The winter's light feels different on my skin
It doesn't seem to strike as far below the surface so
I have to conclude that shadow won't let it in
Shadow won't let it in
Shadow won't let it in
December
December
You run me down right restless and wild and I remember
When you used to be mine
December oh
December oh
The leaves are all still changing, the weather here is mild and vacant
A winter's blooming on Los Angeles
The artificial cold is more than I was hoping for but not enough to consume
The darkened state I'm in
The darkened state I'm in
The darkened state I'm in
December
You've always been a problem child
December
You run me down right restless and wild and I remember
When you used to be mine
December oh
December oh
Distill a whole year down into a day
Act like we all start over with a pristine slate
But to get yourself a new life you've got to give the other one away
And I'm starting to believe in the power of a name
'Cause it can't be a mistake if I just call it change
December oh
(Can't turn around now)
December (Can't turn around now)
(Can't turn around now)
December (Break the chain, can't live in circles again)
(Break the chain, can't live in circles again)
December (Break the chain, can't live in circles again)
(Break the chain, can't live in circles again)
December (Break the chain, can't live in circles again)
(Break the chain)
The song “December” by Sara Bareilles is a melancholic song that depicts the feelings of loneliness, anxiety and discomfort during the month of December. The first verse describes how the evening feels heavy on the singer's shoulders, where the winter's light does not penetrate far below the surface. She realizes that the shadow is not letting the light in, and the darkness prevailing is gradually consuming her. The second verse talks about how the leaves are still changing, and a winter's blooming on Los Angeles, but the cold is more artificial than the singer was hoping for, and is not enough to consume the darkened state which she is in.
The chorus repeats the phrase “December, you’ve always been a problem child” and talks about how December makes the singer restless and wild. December is referred to as ‘problem child’ as it brings back memories of the past that are better left untouched. The bridge is the turning point in the song, where the singer hopes to distill a whole year down into a day, and start over with a pristine slate. The singer believes in the power of a name, where a new name can represent a new life. She realizes that a new life can only be gained by giving the other one away, and she has to break the chain and not live in circles again.
Line by Line Meaning
Afternoon has settled long and heavy on my shoulders
The weight of the season feels like a burden
The winter's light feels different on my skin
The change in season is noticeable and affects me
It doesn't seem to strike as far below the surface so
The light doesn't penetrate as deeply as in other seasons
I have to conclude that shadow won't let it in
The darkness of winter blocks out the light
Shadow won't let it in
The darkness is overwhelming
December
The month is symbolic of the difficulties faced
You've always been a problem child
The month has been challenging historically
You run me down right restless and wild and I remember
The month brings stress and anxiety
When you used to be mine
There was a time when it was easier
The leaves are all still changing, the weather here is mild and vacant
The changes happening around me feel empty
A winter's blooming on Los Angeles
The change of seasons is unexpected in this location
The artificial cold is more than I was hoping for but not enough to consume
The lack of natural cold makes the season feel inauthentic
The darkened state I'm in
The season has a depressive effect
Distill a whole year down into a day
Time feels fleeting and easily forgotten
Act like we all start over with a pristine slate
The new year is an opportunity for fresh beginnings
But to get yourself a new life you've got to give the other one away
To start anew, one must leave behind old habits and lifestyles
And I'm starting to believe in the power of a name
Changing one's name can represent a fresh start
'Cause it can't be a mistake if I just call it change
Rebranding oneself is not a failure
Can't turn around now
There's no going back
Break the chain, can't live in circles again
To escape the cycle of repetition and habit, one must break free
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: SARA BAREILLES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind