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Giving Up Lyrics

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

What if I fall further than you
What if you dream of somebody new
What if I never let you in
Chase you with a rolling pin
Well, what what if I do

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

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

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'm giving up

Cuz I am giving up
I am giving up
and I am
I am giving up
And I, I'm giving up
On greener grasses
Im giving up
For you
Ooh I'm giving up
For you
Ooh I'm giving up
Song Info
Submitted by
fsu Kelly On Dec 09, 2006
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Cover art for Giving Up lyrics by Ingrid Michaelson

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.

My Interpretation
Cover art for Giving Up lyrics by Ingrid Michaelson

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.

Song Meaning
Cover art for Giving Up lyrics by Ingrid Michaelson

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.

Cover art for Giving Up lyrics by Ingrid Michaelson

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.

Song Meaning
Cover art for Giving Up lyrics by Ingrid Michaelson

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!

Cover art for Giving Up lyrics by Ingrid Michaelson

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.

Cover art for Giving Up lyrics by Ingrid Michaelson

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?

Cover art for Giving Up lyrics by Ingrid Michaelson

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.

Cover art for Giving Up lyrics by Ingrid Michaelson

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

Cover art for Giving Up lyrics by Ingrid Michaelson

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