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".
As Is
Ani DiFranco Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Behind social graces
So don't try
To be all touchy feely
'Cause you lie
In my face of all places
But I got no
Problem with that really
Is that you believe what you're saying
What bothers me
Is that you don't know how you feel
What scares me
Is that while you're telling me stories
You actually
Believe that they are real
And I got no illusions about you
Guess what
I never did
When I said
When I said I'll take it
I mean
I mean as is
As is, as is, as is, as is
As is, as is, as is
Just give up
And admit you're an asshole
You would be in some good company
And I think you'd find
That your friends would forgive you
Or maybe I
Am just speaking for me
'Cause when I look around
I think this, this is good enough
And I try to laugh
At whatever life brings
'Cause when I look down
I just miss all the good stuff
And when I look up
I just trip over things
And I got no illusions about you
Guess what
I never did
When I say
When I say I'll take it
I mean
I mean as is
As is, as is, as is
As is, as is, as is
As is, as is, as is
As is, as is
In the song As Is, Ani DiFranco calls out someone who is trying to hide their true feelings with social graces and false niceties. She confronts them for lying to her face and for believing their own stories. Ani seems to have no problem with the fact that this person is lying, but what bothers her is that they don't know how they truly feel. It scares her that this person is so convinced of their own lies that they believe them to be real.
Ani's perspective shifts in the second verse as she suggests that this person should give up trying to pretend and just admit that they're an asshole. She acknowledges that she too has flaws and limitations, but the difference is that she owns them and accepts herself "as is." She brings up the idea that perhaps others would forgive this person if they were just truthful and genuine.
Overall, the song seems to be about the importance of authenticity and self-acceptance. Ani is unapologetically herself and encourages others to do the same. While she acknowledges that life can be difficult and messy, she believes that it's important to face reality head-on and find a way to laugh at the absurdity of it all.
Line by Line Meaning
You can't hide
You cannot conceal your true self
Behind social graces
Despite your manners, your personality comes through
So don't try
Do not attempt to hide
To be all touchy feely
Being affectionate will not hide your true nature
'Cause you lie
You are dishonest
In my face of all places
You are lying blatantly to me
But I got no
I do not have any
Problem with that really
I am not bothered by it
What bugs me
What annoys me
Is that you believe what you're saying
You genuinely believe the lies you tell
What bothers me
What upsets me
Is that you don't know how you feel
You are confused about your own emotions
What scares me
What frightens me
Is that while you're telling me stories
While you are sharing your experiences with me
You actually
You truly
Believe that they are real
You consider them to be genuine
And I got no illusions about you
I am not deluded about your character
Guess what
Do you know what
I never did
I never had
When I said
When I expressed
When I said I'll take it
When I agreed to accept the situation
I mean
I am referring to
I mean as is
I am willing to accept the situation as it is
As is, as is, as is, as is
Exactly as you presented it
Just give up
Abandon your falsehoods
And admit you're an asshole
Confess that you are an unpleasant person
You would be in some good company
There are many like you
And I think you'd find
You may discover
That your friends would forgive you
Your acquaintances would still accept you
Or maybe I
Perhaps I
Am just speaking for me
I am only expressing my views
'Cause when I look around
Because when I observe my surroundings
I think this, this is good enough
I consider this satisfactory
And I try to laugh
I attempt to find humor
At whatever life brings
in all situations
'Cause when I look down
When I lower my gaze
I just miss all the good stuff
I overlook what is enjoyable
And when I look up
When I raise my eyes
I just trip over things
I stumble upon obstacles
As is, as is, as is
Exactly as it is presented
As is, as is, as is
Exactly as it is presented
As is, as is
Exactly as it is presented
Lyrics © A SIDE MUSIC LLC D/B/A MODERN WORKS MUSIC PUBLISHING
Written by: ANI DIFRANCO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Eric
I'm a dude. I'm not gay. I love Ani. Her lyrics are poetic, thought provoking, and of course, beautiful. Thanks to my sis for introducing me when we were kids. I'm a better person for it.
doniawon johnson
I'm a dude n I'm not gay, but I like Ani D😂😂😂
Yea, there's a few of us lol. She's a badass!
Mark M
I don't think that she would judge you for your orientation. And I don't think that the majority of her fans would either.
She is a righteous babe and her fans should appreciate that and her presented opinion on this: do what what works for you.
It Always Matters
So, she is not gay what the hell does orientation have to do with anything?
Ryan Eastunder
Preachbrother
🦋Tina🦋
F**k yeah! I ❤that you can appreciate her like all her fans do. There are stereotypes some people have made. We are all better people for listening to her music. It's beautiful
Minuit Bast
I love the song, but it's only when I actually paid attention to the lyrics that I realized how sweet this song is.
JoMo Mo
Her songs always make me feel strong, raw and in that also beautifully fragile. Thankyou Ani!
yaryar1976
if youre having probs dealing with the diversities of people around you,Ani can certainly help put them into an acceptable perspective.she can teach a person that the world doesnt revovle around them,and also to accept people as they are,whether you like them or not.
Mitch Quintana
This is a beautiful song! I'm glad I discovered it.