Sara Bareilles on ‘Good Grief’: Finding Joy and Release Amid Loss

Sara Bareilles’ latest studio effort, “Good Grief,” marks her first solo album in seven years and stands as one of the year’s most notable releases from a veteran singer-songwriter. While the project is deeply rooted in personal hardship, its musical richness offers pleasure to listeners regardless of their own experiences with loss.

The album meditates on a broad spectrum of grief and grievance, addressing topics such as the premature deaths of close friends, fertility challenges, the complexities of romantic love, declining women’s rights, mental health struggles, and the fracturing of American ideals. Variety recently spoke with Bareilles about the record, an accompanying documentary titled “Sara Bareilles: Good Grief,” and her current tour, which features upcoming dates at New York’s Radio City Music Hall and Los Angeles’ Dolby Theatre.

Bareilles acknowledged that the seven-year gap between records allowed for a period of reflection, noting that she typically requires significant time between projects to develop something substantive to say. She described the creative process as cathartic, providing healing through the expression of losses and personal hardships endured over recent years. “I felt so grateful to get to put some of those experiences somewhere,” she said, hoping the timing resonates with her audience.

While the album tackles mature themes, Bareilles believes its relevance extends beyond those with extensive life experience. She observed that younger generations today seem more attuned to existential and global issues, such as the climate crisis and political division, suggesting a collective maturation that bridges the gap between older and younger listeners.

Describing the album as a concept record, Bareilles cited the lyric from “Ladies in a Line” that reads, “Grief is the blanket, and it covers everything.” She characterized grief as the “mothership” of the project, emphasizing that it is not solely a somber emotion but one that also carries joy, release, hope, optimism, and connection. She pointed to tracks like “Idiot Heart” as examples where the inevitability of loss is woven into the urgency of love.

Bareilles specifically addressed the opening track, “Home,” which was inspired by a podcast conversation between Stephen Colbert and Anderson Cooper regarding their experiences with loss. She aimed to translate the tender spirit of their discussion into music, viewing the song as an invitation for listeners to engage in their own exchange of stories. She has since shared the track with both Cooper and Colbert, who remarked on the unique transformation of a spoken conversation into a musical piece.

The second track, “Just a Kid,” serves as a tribute to her late friend Chad. Bareilles described the song as a celebration of his life, capturing the nostalgia of their early career together in the early 2000s. She recounted writing the song while singing into her phone on a city street after a grocery run, feeling a sense of transmission from her friend. The track blends heartbreaking lyrics with a joyful spirit, reflecting her desire to honor his legacy.

Ultimately, Bareilles hopes the album provides comfort rather than devastation to those navigating grief. She noted that while society often fears big emotions, there is profound wisdom to be found in sadness and loss, a lesson she continues to learn through her own journey.