In Or Out
Ani DiFranco Lyrics

Guess there's something wrong with me
An expression of feeling out of place and not fitting in with societal norms

Guess I don't fit in
A continuation of feeling like an outsider

No one wants to touch it
Others are hesitant to engage or relate because of perceived differences

No one knows where to begin
Others don't know how to approach or start a conversation because of the perceived differences

I've got more than one membership
Belonging and identifying with multiple groups or communities

To more than one club
Belonging to multiple social groups, possibly with conflicting beliefs or values

And I owe my life
Showing gratitude towards the people who have supported and helped shape one's life

To the people that I love
Furthering expression of appreciation and gratitude to loved ones

He looks me up and down
Receiving judgment or appraisal from someone based on appearance or identity

Like he knows what time it is
As if he has a solid understanding or opinion of her

Like he's got my number
Implying a sense of control or power over her

Like he thinks it's his
Believing that he has ownership or authority over her

He says,
Beginning of a dialogue or interaction with the male subject

Call me, miss DiFranco,
Suggesting an unequal or disrespectful relationship by referring to her in a formal way

If there's anything I can do
Offering help or assistance, possibly insincerely or condescendingly

I say,
Response to the male subject's statements

It's Mr. DiFranco to you
Asserting equality and self-respect by requesting to be addressed properly

Some days the line I walk
Reflecting on the fluidity of one's identity and experiences

Turns out to be straight
Occasionally, one's identity feels clear and defined

Other days the line tends to
At other times, one's identity feels more nebulous or unclear, leading to confusion or instability

Deviate
Reference to moving away from societal norms or expectations

I've got no criteria for sex or race
Stating one's lack of judgment or basis for treating individuals differently based on sex or race

I just want to hear your voice
Emphasizing that communication and understanding is important regardless of identity

I just want to see your face
Further highlighting the importance of moving beyond superficial appearances

She looks me up and down
Similar treatment to the first male subject, however, this time from a woman's perspective

Like she thinks that I'll mature
Implying that she does not currently see the singer as mature, possibly due to differences in identity

Like she's got my number
Again, referring to a sense of control or power being exerted over the singer

Like it belongs to her
Further use of ownership language to show control over the artist

She says,
Beginning of a dialogue or interaction with the female subject

Call me, Ms. DiFranco
Similar to the male subject's treatment of calling her 'miss,' showing a lack of respect or recognition towards the singer

I've got spots
Asserting differences and individuality despite attempts at labeling or categorizing the singer

I've got
Continuation of asserting differences and individuality

Stripes, too
Yet another way in which the artist resists labeling and defies categorization

Their eyes are all asking
Feeling a sense of scrutiny or judgement from others based on perceived differences

Are you in, or are you out
Querying the singer's qualifications for belonging and inclusion in social groups or communities

And I think, oh man,
Showing a sense of confusion, possibly mixed with frustration or isolation

What is this about?
Questioning why others feel the need to segregate or categorize based on identity

Tonight you can't put me
Asserting independence and self-assurance

Up on any shelf
Refusing to be controlled or categorized by others

'cause I came here alone
Showing that the artist does not need others to feel fulfilled or validated

I'm gonna leave by myself
End assertion of independence and self-reliance

I just want to show you
Expressing a desire for connection and understanding despite perceived differences

The way that I feel
Further emphasizing the importance of genuine communication and empathy regardless of identity

And when I get tired
Expressing vulnerability and the need for support and mutual understanding

You can take the wheel
Offering mutual support and an equal partnership rather than exerting dominance or control

To me what's more important
Stating the artist's priorities in a relationship or interaction

Is the person that I bring
Emphasizing that one's identity and individuality should not be ignored or diminished for the sake of social normativity

Not just getting to the same restaurant
Further illustrating that the connection and mutual respect between individuals is more important than seeking out conformity and similarity

And eating the same thing
Finalizing the importance of seeing past superficial similarities and differences to embrace genuine connection and understanding