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".
Emancipated Minor
Ani DiFranco Lyrics
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Well directed, brilliantly casted
Riding a Greyhound down to the city
With her fake I.D. and a hell of a little hand basket
Little game of seesaw, then he came to claim her
And then a sordid line formed behind him
Reproductive system newly activated
And I can't say I envy her, I don't think I miss it
Wrought iron cobwebbing over thin windowpanes
The city seducing you on tiptoe to kiss it
Don't think twice, just roll the dice, roll the dice
So she attended the dance classes and she learned the little dance
And she tried the high heels but she couldn't bring herself to prance
All the while a faint ticking in the silence between the songs
Just south of her gut two tiny time bombs
And love comes in many forms and for each she would yearn
Hungry as a student, hunger to learn
Every flavor of person, every species of intent
With the body pulsing at the center detente
But all the good graffiti got painted over in time
She watched the last faceless chain replace the last five and dime
And she wondered if the only noble thing
Ain't to just to get a big garden and plant it in the spring
Kiss the city goodbye in some big graceful gesture
And focus on the moon's groove, groove with the moon
Focus on the moon's groove and groove with the moon
Focus on the moon's groove, groove with the moon
And I can't say I envy her, I don't think I miss it
Wrought iron cob webbing over thin windowpanes
The city seducing you on tiptoe to kiss it
Don't think twice, just roll the dice, roll the dice
Roll the dice, roll the dice
The song "Emancipated Minor" by Ani DiFranco tells the story of a young girl who rebels against societal norms by running away with a fake ID and a little hand basket on a Greyhound bus to the city. She experiences sexual awakening and participates in love with different people, every species of intent. However, as the song progresses, it becomes clear that the city is seductive yet overwhelming, and the girl feels caught up in a sordid line of others who have been claimed. She feels as if she's living between time bombs in the core of her body, constantly ticking away.
Despite her experience, the singer cannot say she envies her former naivete, with which she was once captivated by the city. The city, with its wrought iron cobwebbing over thin window panes, is a symbol of the entrapment of the singer. She yearns to kiss the city goodbye and focus on the moon's groove, dancing to the rhythms of nature rather than society's expectations.
Overall, the song depicts the struggles of young women to rebel against societal norms while being caught up in the traps of the city.
Line by Line Meaning
Emancipated minor
A young person who has legally gained freedom from their parents or guardians.
Well directed, brilliantly casted
Life seemed to be handpicked by fate, everything falling perfectly into place.
Riding a Greyhound down to the city
Traveling by bus to the city.
With her fake I.D. and a hell of a little hand basket
Carrying her fake identification and a small bag with her belongings.
Little game of seesaw, then he came to claim her
Playing a back and forth game of attraction until someone lays claim to the other person.
And then a sordid line formed behind him
Other people also expressed interest in her.
Reproductive system newly activated
Her ability to bear children has just begun.
She participated in nature's plan, she participated
She engaged in sexual intercourse and fulfilled the biological drive to reproduce.
And I can't say I envy her, I don't think I miss it
The artist does not necessarily envy her experiences or miss her youth.
Wrought iron cobwebbing over thin windowpanes
Decorative metalwork filling the gaps in the windows.
The city seducing you on tiptoe to kiss it
The allure of the city slowly draws you in until you can't resist it anymore.
Don't think twice, just roll the dice, roll the dice
Take chances and gamble, don't overthink your decisions.
So she attended the dance classes and she learned the little dance
She tried to assimilate into the city culture by attending dance classes.
And she tried the high heels but she couldn't bring herself to prance
She attempted to wear high heels but felt uncomfortable or couldn't walk in them properly.
All the while a faint ticking in the silence between the songs
A small feeling of anxiety or fear lingered in quiet moments.
Just south of her gut two tiny time bombs
She had the potential to become pregnant again at any time.
And love comes in many forms and for each she would yearn
She was open to different types of love and longed for them all.
Hungry as a student, hunger to learn
Her craving for love was unrelenting and fierce, like a student's thirst for knowledge.
Every flavor of person, every species of intent
She was attracted to all types of people, with varying motivations and intentions.
With the body pulsing at the center detente
Her body craved physical intimacy and sexual satisfaction.
But all the good graffiti got painted over in time
The city lost its charm as all the unique and original elements were replaced with mundane ones.
She watched the last faceless chain replace the last five and dime
The last remnants of charm and individuality were replaced with a boring, generic chain store.
And she wondered if the only noble thing
She questioned if the only honorable action left was to do something outside of the mundane.
Ain't to just to get a big garden and plant it in the spring
Perhaps the only worthwhile endeavor is to create something simple and natural, like a garden.
Kiss the city goodbye in some big graceful gesture
Say farewell to the city with one last grand and elegant act.
And focus on the moon's groove, groove with the moon
Shift focus to the beauty and simplicity of the moon's cycles.
Focus on the moon's groove and groove with the moon
Emphasize the importance of embracing nature and living in harmony with it.
Roll the dice, roll the dice
Encourage living life with a sense of adventure and risk-taking.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: ANI DIFRANCO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind