Although much of DiFranco's material is autobiographical, it is often also strongly political. Many of her songs are concerned with contemporary social issues such as racism, sexism, sexual abuse, homophobia, reproductive rights, poverty, and war. DiFranco's guitar playing is often characterized by a signature staccato style, rapid finger picking and many alternate tunings. She delivers many of her lines in a speaking style notable for its rhythmic variation. Her lyrics, which often include alliteration, metaphor, word play and a more-or-less gentle irony, have also received praise for their sophistication. She has released 19 solo albums (not including collaborative albums or live albums), all of which were released on her own independent record label, Righteous Babe Records (which she formed in 1989 at the age of 19).
DiFranco has been a critical success for much of her career, though not a commercial one by major label standards, with a career album average of 72 on Metacritic. Living in Clip, DiFranco's 1998 double live album, is the only one to achieve gold record status to date. DiFranco has been praised by the Buffalo News as the "Buffalo's leading lady of rock music".
32 Flavors
Ani DiFranco Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm not between you and your ambition
I am a poster girl with no poster
I am thirty-two flavors and then some
And I'm beyond your peripheral vision
So you might want to turn your head
'Cause someday you are gonna get hungry
And eat most of the words you just said
Both my parents taught me about good will
And I have done well by their names
Just the kindness I've lavished on strangers
Is more than I can explain
Still there's many who've turned out their porch lights
Just so I would think they were not home
And hid in the dark of their windows
Till I'd passed and left them alone
God help you if you are an ugly girl
'Cause too pretty is also your doom
'Cause everyone harbors a secret hatred
For the prettiest girl in the room
And god help you if you are a phoenix
And you dare to rise up from the ash
A thousand eyes will smolder with jealousy
While you are just flying past
And I've never tried to give my life meaning
By demeaning you
And I would like to state for the record
I did everything that I could do
I'm not saying that I'm a saint
I just don't wanna live that way
No, I will never be a saint
But I will always say
Squint your eyes and look closer
I'm not between you and your ambition
I am a poster girl with no poster
I am thirty-two flavors and then some
And I'm beyond your peripheral vision
So you might wanna turn your head
'Cause someday you might find you're starving
And eating all of the words you said
"32 Flavors" by Ani DiFranco is a powerful critique of society's expectations and prejudices regarding women. The lyrics encourage the listener to see women as unique individuals beyond the scope of their gender, and to recognize the harm caused by disrespecting and disregarding them.
The first verse urges the listener to look beyond their preconceptions of the singer and see them as an individual with their own identity. The references to being a "poster girl with no poster" and "thirty-two flavors" imply that the singer is a multifaceted person who defies easy categorization. The second half of the verse warns the listener that their dismissive attitude towards the singer will come back to haunt them when they realize the error of their ways.
The second verse expands on the theme of treating others with kindness and respect. The singer boasts of the good deeds they have done for strangers, but also acknowledges the rejection and isolation that they have experienced. The third verse is a criticism of society's obsession with physical beauty and how it is used as a tool for discrimination against women. The jarring contrast between the deadly seriousness of the phoenix metaphor and the frivolity of the prettiest girl in the room is a reflection of how absurd these societal norms are. The final verse is an assertion of the singer's values and their refusal to sink to the level of those who seek to demean them.
Overall, "32 Flavors" is a call to break free from the limiting expectations and biases that society imposes on individuals and to recognize and celebrate their unique identities.
Line by Line Meaning
Squint your eyes and look closer
Look more closely at me and don't assume you already know everything about me
I'm not between you and your ambition
I'm not here to stop you from achieving your goals
I am a poster girl with no poster
I am a symbol without a label, representing something undefined
I am thirty-two flavors and then some
I am multifaceted with many different qualities and experiences
And I'm beyond your peripheral vision
You may not see or understand everything about me
So you might want to turn your head
You may need to adjust your perspective or reconsider your assumptions about me
'Cause someday you are gonna get hungry
One day you may regret dismissing or underestimating me
And eat most of the words you just said
You may feel foolish when you realize how wrong you were about me
Both my parents taught me about good will
My parents instilled in me a sense of kindness and generosity
And I have done well by their names
I have lived up to the values my parents taught me
Just the kindness I've lavished on strangers
I have been generous and compassionate towards people I don't even know
Is more than I can explain
I cannot fully express the extent of my goodwill towards others
Still there's many who've turned out their porch lights
Some people have avoided me or shut me out because of their own prejudices or misconceptions
Just so I would think they were not home
They have deliberately tried to avoid interacting with me
And hid in the dark of their windows
They have avoided seeing or engaging with me
Till I'd passed and left them alone
They only feel comfortable interacting with me on their own terms
God help you if you are an ugly girl
Society can be cruel to girls who don't fit narrow beauty standards
'Cause too pretty is also your doom
Even those who are traditionally attractive may face their own challenges and stereotypes
'Cause everyone harbors a secret hatred
People can be envious and resentful of those who are perceived as more attractive or successful than themselves
For the prettiest girl in the room
Those who are considered the most beautiful often receive disproportionate attention or criticism
And god help you if you are a phoenix
If you rise up or defy expectations, you may face backlash and persecution
And you dare to rise up from the ash
If you try to overcome struggles or adversity, others may try to knock you down
A thousand eyes will smolder with jealousy
Others may feel threatened or resentful of your success or resilience
While you are just flying past
While you are focused on achieving your goals and living your life, others may be trying to bring you down
And I've never tried to give my life meaning
I haven't tried to find purpose or fulfillment through harming others
By demeaning you
I haven't tried to make myself feel better by putting others down
And I would like to state for the record
I want to be clear and honest about my intentions and actions
I did everything that I could do
I have tried my best to be kind, compassionate, and true to myself
I'm not saying that I'm a saint
I admit that I have flaws and make mistakes
I just don't wanna live that way
I don't want to live my life by hurting or judging others
No, I will never be a saint
I don't aspire to be perfect or holier-than-thou
But I will always say
I will always stand up for what I believe in and remain true to myself
Squint your eyes and look closer
Look beyond superficial appearances and stereotypes
I'm not between you and your ambition
I'm not here to hold you back or compete with your goals
I am a poster girl with no poster
I am a symbol of diversity and individuality, not a commodity for sale
I am thirty-two flavors and then some
I am complex and multifaceted, with many different experiences and qualities
And I'm beyond your peripheral vision
You may not fully see or understand me unless you look closer
So you might wanna turn your head
You may need to shift your perspective or open your mind to see beyond stereotypes and assumptions
'Cause someday you might find you're starving
Someday you may regret not seeing me for who I really am
And eating all of the words you said
You may have to acknowledge and apologize for your misconceptions or prejudices
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: ANI DIFRANCO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@margaretjeanplews5519
Mom came home from the grocery store one day, asking me to look up this song about "ice cream, no it was something about 32 flavors..." (Y'all remember Baskin Robbins?) I knew what she was talking about - there was another version that I've heard in the stores too, it became a hit in the early 90's, i think. But this is the best one - and it's Ani's song anyway, so I pulled it up and played it for her. Yeah, this was the tune, she said. And she called it my song.
The next time I played it for Mom was a few years ago as she was dying of brain cancer, to thank her for helping me to turn out to be a good soul, even though I wasn't easy. I think I have done well by her name, which was Jean Marie Boatman. She was a good soul. I want it played at my funeral, please.
32 Flavors
squint your eyes and look closer
I'm not between you and your ambition
I am a poster girl with no poster
I am thirty-two flavors and then some
and I'm beyond your peripheral vision
so you might want to turn your head
cause someday you're going to get hungry
and eat most of the words you just said
both my parents taught me about good will
and I have done well by their names
just the kindness I've lavished on strangers
is more than I can explain
still there's many who've turned out their porch lights
just so I would think they were not home
and hid in the dark of their windows
til I'd passed and left them alone
and god help you if you are an ugly girl
course too pretty is also your doom
cause everyone harbors a secret hatred
for the prettiest girl in the room
and god help you if you are a phoenix
and you dare to rise up from the ash
a thousand eyes will smolder with jealousy
while you are just flying back
I'm not trying to give my life meaning
by demeaning you
and I would like to state for the record
I did everything that I could do
I'm not saying that I'm a saint
I just don't want to live that way
no, I will never be a saint
but I will always say
squint your eyes and look closer
I'm not between you and your ambition
I am a poster girl with no poster
I am thirty-two flavors and then some
And I'm beyond your peripheral vision
So you might want to turn your head
Cause someday you might find you're starving
and eating all of the words you said
@SkyHigh87
Whenever I feel weak or doubtful about myself, I listen to Ani DiFranco and I feel strong again. I swear she is my Fuel.
@michelecanhamfree4693
❤️🔥
@phunksound100
20 years later. This song is timeless. So good.
@Richusbabe
20 years.. you're right. Damn.
I love this recording like no other. This episode of Sessions was my first exposure to Ani. My cousin recorded it on vhs and brought it to my house. Lol. My how things change.
The only thing better than this clip is seeing her live..
@tylerthompson1842
And so is her look
@JessicaEdmiston
sometimes i don’t understand how there can be so many artists that just push air and their own ego around. ani’s not for everyone, but at least she is sharing something real, thoughtful, and personal - she isn’t afraid of being honest or vulnerable and isn’t too concerned about fitting anyone’s mold.
@aleshaford2968
A true artist
@Rick-hi8vs
Hear what she sings ,and you'll be taken somewhere incredible
@BB-nz5sk
Beautifully said!
@dumbstupid5065
Fuuuuck, this being twenty-plus years ago just smacked me upside the head real hard like. That means I've been loving Ani's music for, uhh, 25 years. Which means I'm flippin' old. Siiiigh. Whatever, this song will still be brilliant when I'm 80.