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.
Soft Place To Land
Sara Bareilles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sugar, butter, flour
Sometimes I still see her
My mother the dreamer
She'd say, "Nothing's impossible child"
A dream needs believing
To taste like the real thing
So pure, so pure, so electric
So sure, so sure, so connected
To those little believers inside
May we all be so lucky
But dreams are elusive
The kind we've gotten used to
Is nothing I can feel
Nothing I can hold, nothing I can have, nothing that I know
Dreams come and they go
But hold them and keep them (but hold them and keep them)
And know that you need them (and know that you need them)
When your breaking point's all that
You have a dream is a soft place to land
May we all be
So lucky
Sugar, butter, flour
In the opening lines of Sara Bareilles's song Soft Place to Land, she mentions three ingredients, "Sugar, butter, flour." These ingredients represent her mother, who was a dreamer and always encouraged her to believe that anything was possible. Even after her mother had passed away, Sara still felt her mother's presence and encouragement to chase her dreams.
Sara continues the song by saying that dreams need belief to become a reality. Just like how a dream needs to be tasted to become a reality, it also needs to be believed in to become one. Dreams are like strangers that we recognize, they are so pure, sure, and electric. They are connected to our inner selves, making them so special and worth pursuing. Perhaps this is why Sara encourages us to hold onto our dreams, as they provide a soft place to land when we are at our breaking points.
She then goes on to say that dreams can be elusive, something we're used to but can't feel or hold onto. Dreams come and go, but they are valuable to us, something we all need to hold onto. A dream can be a soft place to land when we're struggling and facing challenges. This phrase, "a dream is a soft place to land," is repeated throughout the song, reminding us that even when things are tough, we should never give up on our dreams.
Overall, Soft Place to Land by Sara Bareilles is about the power of dreams and how they can be a source of comfort. Dreams are worth pursuing, even if they seem elusive at times. When we hold onto our dreams, they can help us through tough times and provide us with a soft place to land.
Line by Line Meaning
Sugar
Sweetness that adds flavor
Sugar, butter, flour
Ingredients used in baking for flavor and texture
Sometimes I still see her
Recalling a memory of someone from the past
My mother the dreamer
Describing her mother as someone who aspired for more
She'd say, "Nothing's impossible child"
Encouraging her that anything can be achieved
A dream needs believing
A goal requires confidence to be attained
To taste like the real thing
Success is just like enjoying a delicious food item, it must feel true
Like some stranger you recognize
Success is akin to a familiar face in the crowd
So pure, so pure, so electric
Success feels genuine and electrifying
So sure, so sure, so connected
Success is fully connected to one's passions and purpose
To those little believers inside
The optimistic voices within that fuel ambition and determination
May we all be so lucky
Hoping that everyone can experience this
But dreams are elusive
Goals can be difficult to achieve
The kind we've gotten used to
Getting comfortable with not fulfilling ambitions
Is nothing I can feel
There's a lack of fulfillment for unachieved goals
Nothing I can hold, nothing I can have, nothing that I know
Describing the feeling of emptiness and disappointment
Dreams come and they go
New opportunities arise and old ones fade away
But hold them and keep them (but hold them and keep them)
Don't lose sight of your goals
And know that you need them (and know that you need them)
Goals are necessary to keep one motivated
When your breaking point's all that
When everything seems to be falling apart
You have a dream is a soft place to land
A goal offers comfort and support in tough times
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: SARA BAREILLES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind