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.
Red
Sara Bareilles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I did it all on my own.
Seems growing up didn't take long.
Feel Strange I feel good.
I feel better with you.
You've changed, you should.
Cause I think I did too.
But it will take what it will take, baby that's life
You cannot change what you do not own, everybody knows
But if you live deep and love strong you get pretty damn close
It moves fast and it scares me.
I close my eyes, oh but I still see
I'm fading in and out what are you supposed to do save me know
From all of this danger you don't know how and I'll find my way out
When I'm in the red listening to strangers inside my head
The darkening angels beneath the bed I still see everything you said,
Painted in Red
I shake and I smile, cause you said
Baby girl it may take a while, but take the good from the bad
And never minds are never sure so never leave them wanting more
What are you waiting for?
How you love is who you are.
I dive in and I sink in. And I find new colors to think inâ?¦
I'm fading in and out what are you supposed to do save me know
From all of this danger you don't know how and I'll find my way out
When I'm in the red listening to strangers inside my head
The darkening angels beneath the bed I still see everything you said,
Painted in Red
In the distance is a line defining where I've been the state I'm in
And ever since it began to slip from my two hands I've been
Taunting fires, touching wires, been believing liars, everything they said
Painted in Red
I'm fading in and out what are you supposed to do save me know
From all of this danger you don't know how and I'll find my way out
When I'm in the red listening to strangers inside my head
The darkening angels beneath the bed I still see everything you said,
Painted in Red
What are you gonna do?
No way for you to save me.
What are you gonna do?
Everything that you gave me is painted in Red.
The song "Red" by Sara Bareilles is a reflective piece about growing up, making mistakes and the impact of love on a person's life. The opening lines "I've been down, I've been out. I did it all on my own. Seems growing up didn't take long. Feel Strange I feel good." establishes the feeling of independence and self-discovery, but also the vulnerability that comes with it. The song then goes on to acknowledge that both the bad and the good in life contribute to shaping who a person becomes, and that it takes time to learn and grow from the experiences gained.
The chorus, "I'm fading in and out what are you supposed to do save me know, From all of this danger you don't know how and I'll find my way out, When I'm in the red listening to strangers inside my head, The darkening angels beneath the bed I still see everything you said, Painted in Red," describes the turmoil of self-doubt and anxiety that creeps in despite the progress made. The lyrics also suggest that love, as represented by the person being addressed in the song, has the power to provide comfort and support.
The bridge, "In the distance is a line defining where I've been the state I'm in, And ever since it began to slip from my two hands I've been, Taunting fires, touching wires, been believing liars, everything they said, Painted in Red," further illustrates the internal struggle of finding one's way and overcoming obstacles, as well as the tendency to be led astray by external pressures and negative influences.
Overall, "Red" is a poignant commentary on the complexities of human emotions, the importance of self-reflection, and the significant role love plays in life.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been down, I've been out.
I have experienced setbacks and failures that have led me to feel low and defeated.
I did it all on my own.
I accomplished what I achieved without support or assistance from others.
Seems growing up didn't take long.
I had to mature quickly because of the tough situations that I faced in my life.
Feel Strange I feel good.
My current emotional state is paradoxical because I feel a sense of unease along with positivity.
I feel better with you.
I experience greater emotional well-being when I am in the presence of a certain person.
You've changed, you should.
I have noticed that the person I am with has undergone alterations and improvements, which they should have.
Cause I think I did too.
I recognize that I too have changed as a result of my relationship with this person.
Made my mistakes, and did a few things right
I have had both successes and failures in my past.
But it will take what it will take, baby that's life
Life presents challenges that one must overcome, regardless of how much effort it may require.
You cannot change what you do not own, everybody knows
Only by fully owning your experiences, choices, and emotions can you have any chance of overcoming them.
But if you live deep and love strong you get pretty damn close
By fully investing yourself in life and love, you can come close to achieving the fulfillment you desire.
It moves fast and it scares me.
The pace of life can be disconcerting and overwhelming.
I close my eyes, oh but I still see
Despite attempting to block out certain things from my mind, they still persist in my consciousness.
I'm fading in and out what are you supposed to do save me know
I am in a vulnerable state, and I am looking to another person for assistance in helping me feel more secure.
From all of this danger you don't know how and I'll find my way out
Despite not knowing how I will escape precarious circumstances, I will ultimately find a way to do so.
When I'm in the red listening to strangers inside my head
During difficult situations, my mind is overcome with negative thoughts and impulses.
The darkening angels beneath the bed I still see everything you said,
Despite the negative thoughts and feelings I experience, I still retain memories of positive things that have been said to me.
Painted in Red
The memories I hold onto are vividly imprinted in my mind with strong emotion.
I shake and I smile, cause you said
A certain person's words have a noticeable effect on my emotions, causing me to feel both elated and anxious.
Baby girl it may take a while, but take the good from the bad
A certain person encourages me to seek out positives in negative situations, even if it takes some time to do so.
And never minds are never sure so never leave them wanting more
Because people's minds and feelings can be unpredictable, one should not assume they will always be receptive or certain about something.
What are you waiting for?
A certain person asks why I am hesitating to take action or pursue something I desire.
How you love is who you are.
The way you express love reveals a great deal about your character and identity.
I dive in and I sink in. And I find new colors to think inâ?¦
When I place myself fully into an emotional situation, I often experience a change in perspective and perception.
In the distance is a line defining where I've been the state I'm in
There is a clear delineation between the past state I was in and the present one.
And ever since it began to slip from my two hands I've been
Since I lost control of an aspect of my life, I have been unstable and uncertain.
Taunting fires, touching wires, been believing liars, everything they said
I have recklessly engaged in dangerous and self-destructive behaviors and have placed my trust in people or things that have ultimately deceived me.
What are you gonna do?
I am asking a rhetorical question, expressing a sense of hopelessness and desperation.
No way for you to save me.
I have realized that it is ultimately up to me to save myself from my situation, and another person cannot do it for me.
Everything that you gave me is painted in Red.
The influence and words of a certain person have left an indelible imprint on my mind.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: SARA BAREILLES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind