Classically trained on the piano, Sara taught herself the guitar. “I started on acoustic, and was itching to rock,” she says. “Pretty soon I had a really loud amp and a bunch of pedals, and began making lots of noise. I could only play the proverbial three chords at first, but was putting my words to music almost immediately. Interestingly, it was through discovering guitar that I realized I could actually write my own songs on the piano as well, instead of being wedded to reading off of sheet music.”
Sara began recording first on four track, then on eight track. “When I write a song, I can’t sleep until it’s recorded. I don’t know if I’m fatalistic, but if something happened to me, nobody would ever hear it. As soon as I get it down, I feel better.” In 2003, she released Five Song EP, self-produced at home and in the studios of friends. Launch/Yahoo made it a Top Ten Pick in its Cool as Folk Radiocast. Songs from the EP aired on Indie 103.1, XM Satellite Radio, and KCRW, and were featured in the ABC television show Men In Trees, the new Viacom show South Of Nowhere, and the independent film Spectres. Meanwhile, gigs both solo and with various band incarnations allowed Sara the opportunity to hone her sound and clarify her own voice. “One of the best compliments I’ve ever received,” she says, “was when someone told me that I don’t sing like anybody else.”
Sara has shared the stage with the BRMC, Juliana Hatfield, Ben Lee, Jill Sobule, Ian Ball, Marjorie Faire, and Mojave 3. She was a featured artist at the Midwest Music Summit, and was sponsored on an acoustic tour of Japan. Two days after finishing her self-produced full-length album, a friend brought her to a party at Nettwerk Records, where she met CEO Terry McBride. The two bonded over their shared love of yoga and music, and McBride asked to hear her songs. He passed them along to his creative partner Mark Jowett, and Nettwerk picked up the album for worldwide release.
With her self-produced debut album Dirty Mind in stores February 26th, Sara is ready to hit the road, both solo and with her band. “I want to let my music take me wherever it wants to go,” she says. “On record, you capture a unique moment in time. It’s amazing and beautiful to have that documented, but I’m constantly evolving beyond that as an artist, as a singer and as a player. If you come to see me live expecting to hear just what’s on the record, you’re going to be pleasantly surprised."
Rise Up
Sara Melson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And you're impossible to pin down
Well I just don't care
I've had my share of different guys
And they don't have your mischievous hazel eyes
And you're the perfect size
Maybe someday you will rise
Rise up above your fear
And I will be right here
Is love a luxury that you can't afford
When you stay up until dawn to learn your chords
Well so do I
Maybe someday you will rise
Rise up to everyone's surprise
Rise up above your fear
I will be right here
You don't have to choose which part of your life to lose
You can have it all right now, if you're not afraid
You'll go far, but right now here you are
Won't you have some faith
In all of those dues you've paid
Oh, Rise, Rise, Rise up to your own surprise,
Rise up above your fear
And I will be right here
Rise, Rise, Rise up to your own surprise
Rise up and fly away
That'll be a gorgeous day
In "Rise Up", Sara Melson seems to be talking to someone who she has feelings for but who seems to be holding back for some reason. The first stanza suggests that this person is often difficult to get a hold of and may not be interested in entering a committed relationship. However, Melson assures this person that she does not matter how many other people she has been with, as they do not compare to him, and she thinks he is the perfect size for her. In the chorus, Melson encourages this person to "rise up". She hopes that he will overcome whatever fear or barrier is holding him back from committing to her and taking a chance on love. Melson then promises to be there for him when that happens, showing her loyalty to him.
In the second verse, Melson seems to be questioning whether this person is avoiding love due to a sense of financial insecurity, suggesting that they may be a musician struggling to make it in the music industry. She assures him that she understands what it's like to stay up all night working on music and that love is something that can be achieved despite financial struggles. She then repeats the chorus, reinforcing her hope that this person will eventually give love a chance and promising to be there for them.
Line by Line Meaning
You say I shouldn't wait around
You're telling me that waiting around for you is pointless
And you're impossible to pin down
You're always busy or doing something I can't keep up with
Well I just don't care
But I love you so much that I'm willing to wait indefinitely
I've had my share of different guys
I've dated other men, but none of them have your unique qualities
And they don't have your mischievous hazel eyes
None of them can compare to your striking hazel eyes
And you're the perfect size
You're just the right size for me, physically and emotionally
Maybe someday you will rise
Perhaps one day you'll find the courage to pursue your dreams
Rise up to everyone's surprise
And prove everyone wrong, including yourself
Rise up above your fear
Don't let your fears prevent you from reaching your full potential
And I will be right here
I'll continue to support you no matter what happens
Is love a luxury that you can't afford
Are you too busy with your music to have time for love?
When you stay up until dawn to learn your chords
Because you're so dedicated to your passion for music
Well so do I
I understand and share your devotion to music
You don't have to choose which part of your life to lose
You shouldn't have to sacrifice one part of your life for another
You can have it all right now, if you're not afraid
You can achieve your dreams if you have the courage to pursue them
You'll go far, but right now here you are
You have the potential for great success, but you need to start taking steps towards achieving it
Won't you have some faith
Believe in yourself and your abilities
In all of those dues you've paid
Have confidence in the hard work you've put in and the sacrifices you've made
Oh, Rise, Rise, Rise up to your own surprise
Surprise yourself by achieving more than you thought possible
Rise up and fly away
Soar towards your dreams and aspirations
That'll be a gorgeous day
It will be a beautiful sight to see you achieve your goals
Contributed by Sydney K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.