While occasionally collaborating with high-profile acts such as Nirvana and Joan Jett, Bikini Kill was well-known for shunning major labels and the mainstream rock press. After two full-length albums, several EPs and two compilations, the band disbanded in 1998.
The band reformed in 2019.
Main article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bikini_kill
Double Dare Ya
Bikini Kill Lyrics
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Ok, sorry, ok we're starting now
We're Bikini Kill and we want revolution
Girl-style now!
Hey girlfriend
I got a proposition goes something like this:
Dare ya to do what you want
Dare ya to be who you will
Dare ya to cry right out loud
"You get so emotional baby"
Double dare ya, double dare ya, double dare ya
Girl fuckin' friend yeah
Double dare ya
Double dare ya
Double dare ya
Girl
Don't you talk out of line
Don't go speaking out of your turn
Gotta listen to what the Man says
Time to make his stomach burn
Burn, burn, burn, burn
Double dare ya, double dare ya, double dare ya
Girl fuckin' friend yeah
Double dare ya, double dare ya, double dare ya
Girl
You're a big girl now
You've got no reason not to fight
You've got to know what they are
'Fore you can stand up for your rights
Rights, rights?
You do have rights
Double dare ya, double dare ya
Double dare triple fuckin' dare ya girlfriend
Double dare ya, double dare ya, double dare ya
Girl
The lyrics of Bikini Kill's song Double Dare Ya are a call for revolution, specifically in the realm of girlhood and womanhood. The song opens with the lines "Is that supposed to be doing that?/Ok, sorry, ok we're starting now," which could be interpreted as a commentary on the way women are often silenced or ignored in society. The band then introduces themselves as Bikini Kill and declares their desire for revolution in a proudly girl-centric way.
The lyrics go on to present a proposition to the listener: "Dare ya to do what you want/Dare ya to be who you will/Dare ya to cry right out loud/'You get so emotional baby'". This can be seen as an encouragement to embrace one's true self and emotions without shame or fear of being labeled as "too emotional". The repeated chant of "Double dare ya" is a challenge to the listener to take action and stand up for themselves and their beliefs.
The chorus then shifts to a more confrontational tone, as the band warns the listener not to "talk out of line" or "go speaking out of your turn". The line "Gotta listen to what the Man says/Time to make his stomach burn" can be seen as a call to reject patriarchal authority and make those in power uncomfortable. The final verse emphasizes that women have the right to fight for what they believe in and encourages the listener to find and use their own voice.
Overall, the lyrics of Double Dare Ya are empowering and revolutionary, urging the listener to reject societal norms and expectations and embrace their own individuality and strength.
Line by Line Meaning
Is that supposed to be doing that?
Sorry for any delay, let's start the song now.
We're Bikini Kill and we want revolution
We're a band that wants to bring about change.
Girl-style now!
We want to empower girls through our music.
Hey girlfriend
We're talking to all the girls in the audience.
I got a proposition goes something like this:
Here's an idea we want to share.
Dare ya to do what you want
We want you to embrace your freedom.
Dare ya to be who you will
We want you to be yourself.
Dare ya to cry right out loud
We want you to express yourself without shame.
"You get so emotional baby"
Don't let anyone use your emotions against you.
Double dare ya, double dare ya, double dare ya
We're encouraging you to take risks and push boundaries.
Girl fuckin' friend yeah
We consider all girls our friends and want to support each other.
Don't you talk out of line
Don't let anyone silence you.
Don't go speaking out of your turn
Wait your turn to speak, but don't let others' words speak for you.
Gotta listen to what the Man says
Society tells us to listen to straight, white, male authority figures.
Time to make his stomach burn
We're going to rebel against this authority and shake things up.
Burn, burn, burn, burn
You're a big girl now
You're no longer a child and can take charge of your own life.
You've got no reason not to fight
You have nothing to lose and everything to gain by fighting for your rights.
You've got to know what they are
It's important to understand your rights before you can fight for them.
'Fore you can stand up for your rights
You need to know and understand your rights before you can defend them.
Rights, rights?
Do you know what your rights are?
You do have rights
You have the right to live your life the way you want to.
Double dare ya, double dare ya
We dare you to take risks for your own benefit.
Double dare triple fuckin' dare ya girlfriend
We're daring you to take even bigger risks and not be afraid of the outcome.
Double dare ya, double dare ya, double dare ya
We're encouraging you to be bold and unafraid to take risks.
Girl
Lyrics © TERRORBIRD PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Kathleen Hanna, Billy Karren, Tobi Vail, Kathi Wilcox
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind