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".
Gratitude
Ani DiFranco Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For letting me stay here
Thank you for taking me in
Thank you
For the beer and the food
Thank you
For loaning me bus fare
Thank you for showing me around
Thank you
For the use of the clean towel
Thank you for half of your bed
We can sleep here like brother and sister,
You said
But you changed the rules
In an hour or two
And I don't know what you
And your sisters do
But please don't
Please stop
This is not my obligation
What does my body have to do
With my gratitude?
Look at you
Little white lying
For the purpose of justifying
What you're trying to do
I know that you feel my resistance
I know that you heard what I said
Otherwise you wouldn't need the excuse
Thank you
For letting me stay here
Thank you for taking me in
I don't know where else
I would have turned
But I don't come and go
Like a pop song
That you can play incessantly
And then forget when it's gone
You can't write me off
And you don't turn me on
So don't change the rules
In an hour or two
I don't know what you and your
Sisters do
But please don't
Please stop
This is not my obligation
What does my body have to do
With my gratitude?
The Ani DiFranco song "Gratitude" is a poignant commentary on the societal pressure on women to fulfill certain obligations in exchange for basic necessities like shelter, food and safety. The lyrics start off with a sense of warmth and appreciation for someone who has taken her in, but as the song progresses, it becomes apparent that there is a sexual undertone to their interactions. The singer feels uneasy and asserts herself by refusing to acquiesce to his expectations. She acknowledges the power dynamic between them, but also points out that gratitude does not equate to sexual favors.
The lyrics paint a vivid picture of how women are often put in a vulnerable position where they have to rely on the kindness of others for their basic needs, and in turn, are expected to pay a price for it. The singer is grateful for the hospitality, but does not want to be coerced into anything sexual in return. She realizes that she alone is responsible for her own body, and that gratitude should not be mistaken for an obligation to fulfill someone else's desires.
The song is a powerful commentary on the gender disparities that exist in society, especially with regards to the expectations placed on women. It is also a reminder that one's gratitude should not be seen as a license to take advantage of someone else.
Line by Line Meaning
Thank you
I am grateful
For letting me stay here
I appreciate you allowing me to reside here
Thank you for taking me in
Thank you for giving me shelter
Thank you
I am blessed to receive your kindness
For the beer and the food
I am thankful for the sustenance you have provided
Thank you
I am grateful
For loaning me bus fare
I appreciate you lending me money for transportation
Thank you for showing me around
I am grateful for the tour of your city
That was a very kind thing to do
I truly appreciate your act of kindness
Thank you
I am blessed to receive your kindness
For the use of the clean towel
I am grateful for the use of the clean towel
Thank you for half of your bed
I appreciate sharing your bed with me
We can sleep here like brother and sister,
We can sleep here as friends
You said
You told me
But you changed the rules
You altered the agreement
In an hour or two
After a short amount of time
And I don't know what you
I am unsure of your intentions
And your sisters do
Or what your family members are doing
But please don't
Please stop acting this way
Please stop
I ask you to discontinue this behavior
This is not my obligation
I am not required to reciprocate
What does my body have to do
Why does my physical being matter
With my gratitude?
In relation to my thankfulness?
Look at you
You are being hypocritical
Little white lying
Telling a small lie to justify actions
For the purpose of justifying
To rationalize your behavior
What you're trying to do
Your hidden intentions
I know that you feel my resistance
I am aware that you recognize my reluctance
I know that you heard what I said
I know you listened to me previously
Otherwise you wouldn't need the excuse
Otherwise you would not need to explain yourself
Thank you
I am blessed to receive your kindness
For letting me stay here
I appreciate you allowing me to reside here
Thank you for taking me in
Thank you for giving me shelter
I don't know where else
I am uncertain of where else
I would have turned
I could have gone
But I don't come and go
I am not someone who comes and leaves quickly
Like a pop song
Like a commonly played track on the radio
That you can play incessantly
That can be played over and over again
And then forget when it's gone
And then dismiss when it is absent
You can't write me off
You cannot disregard me
And you don't turn me on
And I am not someone who appeals to you
So don't change the rules
Do not modify the agreement
In an hour or two
After a short amount of time
I don't know what you and your
I am unsure of your intentions
Sisters do
Or what your family members are doing
But please don't
I ask you to discontinue this behavior
Please stop
Please discontinue this behavior
This is not my obligation
I am not required to reciprocate
What does my body have to do
Why does my physical being matter
With my gratitude?
In relation to my thankfulness?
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: ANI DIFRANCO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Henry codm
Just a brilliant artist. Way ahead of her time.
Mikter
Never compromise your values., your body or your ideals!
Kat Jones
This is not even an isolated experience in my life. It's the standard.
Red Bug3
Such a Great Artist. 😆
Henrique Cunha
Superb song, spectacular lyrics
Tiffany Garcia
This song hits so close to home...sad to say...but I'm not the only one...
Rohzee Dee
Sadly, this song is my life story.
Kathy Vasiliou
Me too
Bailey Moran
This song, regretfully, takes me back to my early 20s squatter days.