What's Inside: Songs from Waitress
Sara Bareilles · 2015
36 min · 12 tracks · soft rock
A heartfelt blend of Broadway flair and soft rock melodies that encapsulates the emotional journey of its characters.
Top tracks — play these first
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She Used To Be Mine — This track serves as the emotional centerpiece of the album, portraying deep self-reflection and longing through poignant lyrics and a powerful melody.
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Opening Up Start here — With its lively tempo and engaging lyrics, this song captures the spirit of new beginnings and embraces vulnerability, setting the tone for the entire musical.
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You Matter to Me — A tender duet that beautifully conveys themes of love and reassurance, showcasing Bareilles' ability to craft relatable narratives within her music.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong songwriting and production but is primarily defined by its theatrical context.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of piano-driven melodies, with orchestral arrangements that enhance the emotional weight of the lyrics.
- Several tracks employ call-and-response vocal patterns, particularly in ensemble pieces, creating a sense of dialogue among characters.
- The pacing varies significantly, with the first half containing more upbeat numbers while the latter half shifts to slower, introspective songs.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady pacing for reflective moments
- heartfelt storytelling in each track
- narrative flow that engages emotions
- short tracks for quick listens
Maybe skip if you
- prefer high-energy, upbeat tunes
- seek purely instrumental soundscapes
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — Marked her transition to musical theater, gaining wider recognition beyond pop.
- Career context
- Released in 2015, this album marked Sara Bareilles' first foray into musical theater, following her successful pop career. After hits like 'Brave,' she transitioned from mainstream pop to composing for the stage, solidifying her versatility as an artist.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Ingrid Michaelson· Norah Jones· Colbie Caillat
Tracklist
- 1 What’s Inside 1:16
- 2 Opening Up Start here 3:19
- 3 Door Number Three 2:55
- 4 When He Sees Me 3:51
- 5 Soft Place to Land 2:58
- 6 Never Ever Getting Rid of Me 2:26
- 7 I Didn’t Plan It 3:25
- 8 Bad Idea 3:26
- 9 You Matter to Me 4:11
- 10 She Used To Be Mine 4:10
- 11 Everything Changes 3:39
- 12 Lulu’s Pie Song 1:12
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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