What if we stop having a ball?
What if the paint chips from the wall?
What if there's always cups in the sink?
And what if I'm not what you think I am?

What if I fall further than you?
What if you dream of somebody new?
What if I never let you win and chase you with a rolling pin?
Well, what if I do?

'Cause I am giving up on making passes and
I am giving up on half empty glasses and
I am giving up on greener grasses
I am giving up

What if our baby comes in after nine?
What it your eyes close before mine?
What if you lose yourself sometimes?
Then I'll be the one to find you
Safe in my heart

'Cause I am giving up on making passes and
I am giving up on half empty glasses and
I am giving up on greener grasses
I am giving

'Cause I am giving up (I am giving up)
'Cause I am giving up (I am giving up)
I am giving up on greener grasses

I am giving up for you, oh
I am giving up for you, oh
I am giving up


Lyrics submitted by FSU Kelly

Giving Up Lyrics as written by Ingrid Ellen Michaelson

Lyrics © Spirit Music Group

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Giving Up song meanings
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26 Comments

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  • +4
    My Interpretation

    I love this song because it's an example of what love is all about. Doubt and faith. She loves a guy, and the relationship is obviously getting very serious. And any time someone thinks about taking their relationship to the next level, such as with marriage, there's doubt. We don't trust ourselves. Pessimistic ("half-empty glasses") thoughts pop into our heads about if we're right for this person and if they're right for us. Can we keep them happy forever, will our feelings for them change, will we regret our decision...? The magnitude of a committemnt like marriage drowns us in such thoughts. We also have pessimistic thoughts in that we're all searching, ultimately, for our IDEAL person. That person that's all of what you want and none of what you don't. So even when we're with an awesome partner we can't help having fleeting thoughts of, "what if I can do better?" What if I can find someopne who fits me even better..("greener grasses"). But she realizes, that we could waste a whole life thinking that way. We could lose a great thing by doubting it and thinking about attaining a perfect person. No, instead, she chooses to have faith. She decideds that this person she loves is worth the leap. That she's giving up on having those teenage, idealists ideas that prevent true happiness rather than enjoying it. She's giving up because what she has it worth it, and she's truly happy.

    Those are my thoughts on the song. I love this song. It's very true and very human.

    fgirl849on January 17, 2009   Link
  • +2
    Song Meaning

    This song is NOT about settling. Ingrid has said so while playing it live..she prefaced the song by saying "It's called 'Giving Up', but it's a GOOD giving up."

    It's about commitment/marriage and the fears that come with it, and the previous life/desires worth giving up when we fall in love with someone. It all goes out the window, because we finally found the one. No more needing to look for greener pastures. This is it.

    This song is...just lovely.

    salsabrosaon January 04, 2012   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I think this song is kind of like, a couple is either engaged or just taking their relationship to a more serious level, and she's like asking him all these what-ifs because she cares about him a lot and wants to make sure that's what he wants to do. Kinda like, well I'm giving everything up for you because I love you, but are you sure I make you happy enough to be able to do the same? Yeah.

    SARAHbellumon August 31, 2008   Link
  • +1
    Song Meaning

    The lyrics could definitely be perceived both a positive and negative manner. I personally choose to lean towards positive.

    Everyone has to be realistic when it comes to falling in love. Yes, the person you love can dream of someone new, lose their way and even worse, close their eyes first. These are all risks that anyone falling in love has to consider but by her following up the verses with she is giving up on greener grasses, half empty glasses, etc, I think she is hinting at giving up on the easy route of not falling in love and giving into something riskier but definitely more worthwhile.

    I think so many of us find reasons NOT to fall in love because the risk is too high. In my opinion this song is flat out saying that she is no longer making up excuses why not to give into love.

    This song is so damn beautiful and touching! It definitely ranks high on my list of wedding songs.

    FullofGustoon September 22, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This song is so amazing. A song any one can relate to. My favorite line is "what if your eyes close before mine." Amazing way with words!

    FSU Kellyon December 16, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    She chooses to be in a very serious relationship with someone and she's wondering what could go wrong or what could not be perfect, but that doesn't stop her from loving him and giving up on the things she has to to be with him.

    onetwofoldon September 06, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I agree with onetwofold but I can't help but wonder if she's also somewhat settling. I mean...the phrase giving up hasn't traditionally meant something necessarily positive and she is full of all of these questions, but she's giving up on greener grasses?
    Is she giving up on how she has used these things (making passes, half empty glasses, greener grassese) as excuses to leave relationships? Or is she really giving up on greener grasses, for example, implying that she's settling?

    ViolentRepressionon October 04, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I think it could either mean she's giving up on the cliche [everything she says she's giving up on is some sort of cliche] and giving in to something deeper, or she's pregnant and she's settling for the baby. ..Yup.

    catniiipon October 18, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    i love this song i agree that it is hard to say weather shes giving up as in settling or because she found someone worth it

    id like to think its giving up for someone she loves, regardless of her being scared that something could go wrong

    we have enough sad love songs

    smorkinlabbiton November 05, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    nonono.

    It's about realizing with complete certainty that the person you're going to marry. And the doubts that come with the thought of marriage.

    Cuz I am giving up on making passes And I am giving up on half empty glasses And I am giving up on greener grasses I am giving up

    She's giving up on single life. Permanantly

    sadisticmiseryon January 25, 2008   Link

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