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".
Fierce Flawless
Ani DiFranco Lyrics
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bright interrogation light in her eyes
her conscience lit a cigarette and just stood there
waiting for her to crack
waiting for her to cry
his face scampered through her mind
like a roach across a wall
it made her heart soar
they said, we got this confession we just need for you to sign
why don't you just cooperate and make this easier on us all
there was light and then there was darkness
but there was no line in between
and asking her heart for guidance
was like pleading with a machine
'cause joy, it has its own justice
and dreams are languid and lawless
and everything bows to beauty
when it is fierce
and when it is flawless
on the table were two ziploc baggies
containing her eyes and her smile
they said, we're keeping these as evidence
'til this thing goes to trial
meanwhile anguish was fingering solace
in another room down the hall
both were love's accomplices
but solace took the fall
now look at her book of days
it's the same on every page
and she's got a little tin cup with her heart in it
to bang along the bars of her rib cage
bang along the bars of her rib cage
The lyrics of Ani DiFranco's song Fierce Flawless describe the emotional and psychological turmoil of a woman who is being interrogated by authorities. She is held captive by the truth, just like she is cuffed to a chair, with the bright interrogation light shining in her eyes. Although she is holding onto her conscience like a cigarette, she is struggling not to give in to the pressure to sign the confession they want. Her mind races, filled with mixed emotions as she thinks of her lover who betrayed her, making her heart soar and crawl with disgust.
The woman feels trapped between light and darkness, without any clear path to follow. She finds it hard to depend on her heart to take guidance since it is like talking to a machine. She knows that beauty reigns supreme, especially when it is both fierce and flawless. On the table, there are two ziplock bags that contain her eyes and her smile, which are being held for evidence. Eventually, there's a fall of peace that comes her way, albeit not without leaving a mark. The fall marked the end of the chaos she was experiencing while the rest of her days are the same.
Line by Line Meaning
she was cuffed to the truth like the truth was a chair
She was tied to telling the truth in a way that made her feel bound and trapped.
bright interrogation light in her eyes
The harsh light used in police interrogations was shining directly in her face.
her conscience lit a cigarette and just stood there
Her inner moral compass was calm and unaffected by the stress of the situation.
waiting for her to crack
Her interrogators were hoping she would break down and confess.
waiting for her to cry
Her interrogators were hoping to elicit an emotional response from her.
his face scampered through her mind like a roach across a wall
She couldn't shake the image of the person she was protecting, even though it made her feel uncomfortable and vulnerable.
it made her heart soar
She had feelings of love and affection for the person she was protecting.
it made her skin crawl
She was repulsed by the person she was protecting and felt conflicted about her loyalty.
they said, we got this confession we just need for you to sign / why don't you just cooperate and make this easier on us all
Her interrogators were pressuring her to sign a confession and make the situation easier for everyone involved.
there was light and then there was darkness / but there was no line in between
Life can have its ups and downs, but sometimes the transition between the two is not clearly defined.
and asking her heart for guidance / was like pleading with a machine
She was so emotionally conflicted that she couldn't rely on her own heart to guide her.
'cause joy, it has its own justice / and dreams are languid and lawless / and everything bows to beauty / when it is fierce / and when it is flawless
Beauty and joy are powerful forces that can inspire and motivate people to do what is right, even in difficult situations.
on the table were two ziploc baggies / containing her eyes and her smile / they said, we're keeping these as evidence / 'til this thing goes to trial
The police were holding onto physical evidence of her emotional state in order to use it against her in court.
meanwhile anguish was fingering solace / in another room down the hall / both were love's accomplices / but solace took the fall
Her feelings of anguish and solace were both related to the love and loyalty she felt for the person she was protecting, but only solace could offer her any real relief.
now look at her book of days / it's the same on every page / and she's got a little tin cup with her heart in it / to bang along the bars of her rib cage / bang along the bars of her rib cage
Her days are all the same and she is emotionally trapped, represented by the image of a tiny cup containing her heart, banging against the bars of her chest.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: ANI DIFRANCO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind