Giving Something Up
Amel Larrieux Lyrics

'76 when a man told his wife
In 1976, a man informed his wife that he was unable to remain with her.

?Baby doll, sorry I can't stay?
He said the heartbreaking phrase with sorrow and regret.

Left with 5 kids she was forced to become Superwoman
The wife was left with five children and had to assume the role of Superwoman.

And go earn some pay
She made the difficult decision to find work to support her family.

A college educated girl
The artist is an educated individual who has attended a university.

Washing dishes in a man's world
Despite the singer's education, she is relegated to a stereotypical female profession due to societal norms.

Now what good is a degree
The singer reflects on the practical value of her education in light of her current circumstances.

When you got mouths to feed, yeah
Despite her college degree, she has to prioritize feeding her family over her profession.

She is that girl maybe you know
Amel Larrieux uses her song to challenge the listener to connect with the artist's experience.

Maybe you've been, maybe you are today
She suggests that many individuals are currently facing similar challenges.

Insert your year where the year is
Larrieux encourages the listener to insert their year to relate the song's story to their personal experience

If to this story you can relate
She wants the listener to see themselves in the story so they can connect with it emotionally.

(Giving something up)
Acknowledgment that life often demands sacrifice.

We're always giving something up
Larrieux's repetition affirms the primary message of the song.

97, a mother has no choice but to go find work
In 1997, an unnamed mother is forced to obtain employment.

And leave her kids alone
As a result, she must leave her children unsupervised.

Far from heaven so she's gone 5 days out the week
She is away from home for five days of the week.

To bring a piece home
She is motivated to earn money to support her family.

Her man is off somewhere up some dress
The father of her children is unfaithful.

Bringin' her back some other woman's sickness
He brings home various diseases linked to his infidelity.

Her baby girl is cryin', mama please
One of the children begs her not to go to work in fear of the neighbor's actions.

When you're gone the neighbor's chasing me
A neighbor takes advantage of the mother's absence to behave inappropriately towards her child.

Around the world from Pakistan
Larrieux broadens the scope of the song to include experiences beyond the United States.

Down to Soweto back to New York City
She identifies various global locations the song's message is relevant.

(We are giving something up)
Larrieux moves from the past tense to the present tense, highlighting the universal nature of the song's message.

Givin', tryin', self-relying
She lists various attributes common among those who are always have to give something up to make ends meet.

Feedin', teachin', always reachin'
Another list of things that take the attention of someone who has to sacrifice daily.

Dreamin', losin', being abused and
Larrieux highlights the harsh realities that accompany the decision to sacrifice one's interests for that of family.

Dyin', cryin', sacrificin'
Another list of the personal sacrifices people make every day.

Hurtin', being told we're worthless
The song relates the experiences faced by many people living through a compromising period.

Birthin', buried alive in the earth and
The earth is symbolic of either the social order or the woman's inability to live their dreams.

Hopin', mendin' spirits broken
Hope in the face of crushing emotional setbacks defines the people who have to go through tough times to survive.

Smilin' and somehow survivin'
These people keep pushing forward faced with the challenges that never seem to end.