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".
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Ani DiFranco Lyrics
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covering half your face
but if you promise to take them off
i promise i won't squander your gaze
i will be picturesque
i will be nice
i won't do anything
you can't tell your wife
i will think twice
just let me see your eyes
each time we've spoken
we've put in our token
and ridden the tilt-a-whirl
i was giggling and dizzy
flirting like a twelve year old girl
the carnival of you and me
is coming to town
watch how we spin and spin
and then fall down
now we just say hello
and head for firmer ground
you are the one-way glass
that watches me
standing in line at the bank
i always looked into your glasses
like a cat looks into a fish tank
but all i could ever see
was the specter of me reflected
i want a monument of the friendship
that we never had, erected
i want to take up lots of room
i want it to loom
you always got those dark sunglasses
between us when we talk
but after the party is over
if you want to take a walk
we could just look around
not do nothing wrong
just try to be at least as brave as our songs
i will bring my heart
i will bring my face
you name the time and place
In this song, Ani DiFranco sings about a person who always wears dark sunglasses, presumably to hide their emotions and protect themselves from the world. Ani asks the person to take off their glasses so she can see their eyes, promising not to misuse the vulnerable moment. Ani reflects on the playful times they shared, riding the tilt-a-whirl at a carnival, flirting and laughing like kids. However, their relationship has changed, and they now just say hello and move on. The person with the sunglasses acts as a barrier between them, and Ani sees herself reflected back in the glasses. She wishes for a deep connection with this person, a monument of their friendship that never was, to loom over them. At the end of the song, Ani suggests they take a walk together, just to look around and not do anything wrong, trying to be as brave as their songs.
The song explores the theme of vulnerability and trust, asking the question of how to connect with someone who is guarded and closed off. Ani promises to be authentic and not misuse the intimate moment, trying to create a meaningful connection. She contrasts the playful, carefree moments of their past with their current distant state, lamenting the loss of what could have been. However, she suggests they step forward and try to be brave together, a sentiment echoed in many of her songs.
Line by Line Meaning
you always got those dark sunglasses
You hide behind something just like a pair of dark sunglasses
covering half your face
You hide enough to not reveal who you really are
but if you promise to take them off
If you promise to show me who you really are
i promise i won't squander your gaze
I promise to appreciate seeing the real you
i will be picturesque
I'll be the one that you want me to be
i will be nice
I'll be kind, I'll be gentle, I'll be good
i won't do anything
I won't cross any line or boundary
you can't tell your wife
That you wouldn't be comfortable telling your wife
i will think before i act
I'll be mindful of what I do
i will think twice
I'll consider the consequences
just let me see your eyes
Just let me see the real you
each time we've spoken
Every time we've talked
we've put in our token
We've invested something into this relationship
and ridden the tilt-a-whirl
And been up and down, and all around
i was giggling and dizzy
I was happy, but also confused and unsure
flirting like a twelve-year-old girl
Flirting like someone who doesn't know what she's doing
the carnival of you and me
Our relationship is like a carnival ride
is coming to town
Is happening right now
watch how we spin and spin
Watch us go up and down, and around and around
and then fall down
And then fall apart
now we just say hello
Now we just greet each other briefly
and head for firmer ground
And try to avoid the ups and downs of our relationship
you are the one-way glass
You're the one who watches me
that watches me
That looks at me but doesn't allow me to see you
standing in line at the bank
While I'm running my errands
i always looked into your glasses
I always looked into your façade
like a cat looks into a fish tank
Like a cat who's curious to know what's inside
but all i could ever see
But all I could ever find
was the specter of me reflected
Was myself, just being reflected back at me
i want a monument of the friendship
I want something to commemorate our friendship
that we never had, erected
That we never really had, and probably won't ever have
i want to take up lots of room
I want it to be a physical presence that takes up space
i want it to loom
I want it to be imposing and significant
you always got those dark sunglasses
You're always hiding something
between us when we talk
When we're talking, you're not really present
but after the party is over
But when everything else is gone
if you want to take a walk
If you want to open up and have a real conversation
we could just look around
We could just be with each other and the world around us
not do nothing wrong
Without any agenda or ulterior motives
just try to be at least as brave as our songs
We can try to be as authentic as the art that we create
i will bring my heart
I'll bring my true self
i will bring my face
I'll bring my true identity
you name the time and place
You have the power to make the decision
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: ANI DIFRANCO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind