Red is about being scared of the future, and not knowing what you want to do with you’re life. It was originally used in The First One, Sara’s debut EP, as most of the songs were live versions.
“Red” featured in Sounds Like Me, Sara’s book, where she talks about studying abroad in Italy. She wrote...
[Verse 1]
I've been down, I've been out
I did it all on my own
Seems growing up
Didn't take long
I feel strange, I feel good
I feel better with you
You've changed, you should
Because I think I did too
[Verse 2]
Made my mistakes
I did a few things right
But it will take what it will take
Baby, that's life
You cannot change what you do not own
Everybody knows
But if you live deep and love strong
You get pretty damn close
[Pre-Chorus]
It moves fast and it scares me
I close my eyes, oh but I still see
[Chorus]
I'm fading in and out
What are you supposed to do? Save me now
From all of this danger you don't know how
And I'll find my way out
When I'm in the red
Listening to strangers inside my head
The darkening angels beneath the bed
I still see everything you said
Crimson in red
[Verse 3]
I shake and I smile
Because you said
Baby girl, it may take a while, but take the good from the bad
And never minds are never sure, so never leave them wanting more
What are you waiting for?
How you love is who you are
[Pre-Chorus]
I dive in and I sink in
And I find new colors to think in
[Chorus]
I'm fading in and out
What are you supposed to do? Save me now
From all of this danger you don't know how
And I'll find my way out
When I'm in the red
Listening to strangers inside my head
The darkening angels beneath the bed
I still see everything you said
Crimson in red
[Bridge]
In the distance is a line defining where I've been
The state I'm in
And ever since it began to slip from my two hands I've been
Taunting fires, touching wires, been believing liars
Everything they said
Painted in red[x3]
[Chorus]
I'm fading in and out
What are you supposed to do? Save me now
From all of this danger you don't know how
And I'll find my way out
When I'm in the red
Listening to strangers inside my head
The darkening angels beneath the bed
I still see everything you said
Crimson in red
[Outro]
What are you going to do?
No way for you to save me
What are you going to do?
Everything that you gave me
Is painted in red
Red was written by Sara Bareilles.
Red was produced by Gabriel Mann & Sara Bareilles.