Once Upon Another Time

Sara is growing as a lyricist, among other things of course. In this song, she conjures up a unique universe simply called “another time” where somebody’s hands that felt like hers were driving. In fact, she even personifies them with “who felt.” Going a step further, she makes vague whoever was free for having taken a drive by using a singular mode for the verb (was). Thus is accomplished the sense that ‘hands’ are that thing that was free at this other time.

The theme of ‘hands’ makes appearances throughout, with, my favorite, the sun signing a glow much like the cigarette that was burning slow or handlebars (another vague term related with hands in use) or lights that pull you home. The connection between the hands and the speaker is strengthened when she refers to “the child left behind” as “me” (with vocal emphasis!), otherwise a repetition because of the previous “before my future did this.” The hands are crushed into an appropriate subject, something that’s been hinted at. Next, a difference is noted between making wishes and believing, something like thinking about something versus working to achieve it, like hands coming to the realization that they move.

At the end, she mentions a decision to keep driving because she felt free doing so. What has changed that now? Hands drive a free woman, now and forever.

Bareilles explained to American Songwriter magazine why she named the record after this song: "The title track is really about loss of your childhood," she said, "and letting go of your past, and that's a part of my life right now, a journey I feel like I'm on. It felt befitting to name the album that."

So to put it simply its about the transition from one part of your life to another. Remembering your childhood or past in general and letting it go because its in the past and change is inevitable. Sometimes we don't want to change or previous plans for our future change but change ca be good just different.

Lyrics seem self-explanatory. I generally like her music...very deep and personal. This song is somewhat sad because of its title...the "another" is heart wrenching...

You wanna know what breaks my heart about this song? It's about ANOTHER TIME. The songwriter imagines herself IN ANOTHER LIFE, another universe, in which she was free.