The New Yorker Radio Hour Sara Bareilles Talks with Rachel Syme
Jan 7, 2025
Pop music star and Broadway composer Sara Bareilles shares her journey from chart-topping hits to the theater stage. She opens up about the pressures of fame and aging, noting how the competitive nature of the music industry doesn’t resonate with her. In contrast, she finds joy in theater, where everyone celebrates shared experiences. Bareilles reflects on the emotional depth of her songwriting, the importance of authenticity amidst commercial pressures, and the collaborative spirit that theater fosters.
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Early Career Struggles
- Sara Bareilles initially struggled with co-writing, finding it inauthentic and stifling to her creative process.
- Her manager eventually allowed her to work solo, leading to her breakthrough.
Songwriting as a Sacred Act
- Sara Bareilles views songwriting as a deeply personal and spiritual act, comparing it to her relationship with God.
- She emphasizes the sacredness and intimacy of the process.
Love Song's Origin
- "Love Song" emerged not from despair, but from a moment of self-rediscovery.
- Bareilles, frustrated with mimicking radio trends, prayed for authenticity, resulting in the defiant anthem.
