In 2001, she released her first solo album, Stag. That year, she toured solo with the Butchies as her band. Then in 2005, her second solo project, Prom was released. In December of 2006, Amy released Live From Knoxville, a live recording from a show at Blue Cats in October of 2005. In August 2008 she released her latest album Didn't It Feel Kinder, this is the first album she made with the help of a producer, Greg Griffith.
All three albums were released on Amy's independent record label, Daemon Records.
Fans of the Indigo Girls can expect a rawer, punkier, and rockier sound.
She's Got To Be
Amy Ray Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
to make sense of the skin I'm in
Sometimes it gets dangerous, yeah
and lonely to defend
Marking time with every change
it's hard to love this woman in me
She is the one that stills the sea
Dives the depths of every age
keeps this body and knows the shape
I will love and I will protect this love
it was hard to get
And I will love and I will protect this love
and its anarchy
Society what part of me
is swagger born?
What part is demeaned?
Mama when I turn to age
is this body just a cage?
She's got to be with me always
to make sense of the skin I'm in
Sometimes it gets dangerous, yeah
and lonely to defend
I will love and I will protect this love
it was hard to get
I will love and I will protect this love
and its anarchy
In this song, the singer speaks of the necessity of a female persona within her to help her navigate through life. She refers to this persona as "she" and acknowledges that it is difficult to accept and love the woman within her. The lyrics suggest that this persona gives her a sense of balance, stability and the capability to make sense of the world around her. However, it is evident that society has played a role in shaping her beliefs and has created a struggle within her. She questions the origins of her masculine swagger and the parts of her that have been demeaned by society. The song ends with an affirmation of her love and willingness to protect the persona within her, which she refers to as love and its anarchy.
Overall, the song speaks of the complexity of gender identity and the struggles that can come with it. It is a call to love and accept oneself, no matter the struggles it may bring.
Line by Line Meaning
She's got to be with me always
I need her with me at all times to understand who I truly am
to make sense of the skin I'm in
she helps me understand and accept my own identity
Sometimes it gets dangerous, yeah
this journey to self-discovery can be risky and difficult
and lonely to defend
I feel isolated and vulnerable while trying to protect my true self
Marking time with every change
I'm constantly evolving, and she helps me keep track of that change
it's hard to love this woman in me
I struggle to fully accept and love my feminine side
She is the one that stills the sea
She helps me find inner peace and calm
finds the truth of this anarchy
She helps me see the meaning in the chaos of life
Dives the depths of every age
She helps me explore and understand history and its impact on my identity
keeps this body and knows the shape
She helps me understand and appreciate my body, regardless of societal expectations
I will love and I will protect this love
I will cherish and defend this love at all costs
it was hard to get
This love was difficult to achieve
And I will love and I will protect this love
I will continue to love and defend this love
and its anarchy
even though it may not conform to societal norms and expectations
Society what part of me
I wonder which aspects of myself are shaped by societal norms and expectations
is swagger born?
Which parts of me are a result of putting on a confident facade for society?
What part is demeaned?
Which parts of me are belittled or shamed by society?
Mama when I turn to age
When I age, will I still feel as connected to my true self?
is this body just a cage?
Will my body ever feel like an honest representation of who I truly am?
Contributed by Adam P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.