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".
Origami
Ani DiFranco Lyrics
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Not just some sniveling girl
So no matter what I think I need
You know I can't possibly
Have a need in this world
Come and come for that sweet sweetness
I'll be your never ending vending machine
Never need to be my own
As much as you need your queen
I know men are delicate
Origami creatures
Who need women to unfold them
Hold them when they cry
But I am tired of being your savior
And I am tired of telling you why
And since when did this me me me
Become the be all and end all of me
Oh listen to you talk to me
Long time love has got to breathe, babe
You got to let it ebb and flow
If you want a ball to bounce
You gotta let it go
Just let it go
I know men are delicate
Origami creatures
Who need women to unfold them
Hold them when they cry
But I am tired of being your savior
And I am tired of telling you why
In Ani DiFranco's song "Origami," she sings of her frustration with being burdened with the responsibility of being the only person in her relationship who seems to be invested in making it work. She begins by proclaiming herself to be an "all-powerful amazon warrior," making it clear that she is not just a "sniveling girl" who is willing to put up with anything. However, she also acknowledges that no matter how much she might feel like she needs something, she realizes that she cannot possibly have a need in this world, suggesting a sense of self-sufficiency and independence.
The lyrics continue with an offer to be a "never-ending vending machine" for her partner's "sweet sweetness," once again highlighting the unequal balance in the relationship. She notes that she could never need to be alone or her own person as much as her partner needs her to be the "queen." She then shifts to addressing the delicate nature of men, comparing them to "origami creatures" that need women to unfold them and hold them when they cry. She expresses her exhaustion with being the only one in the relationship who seems to care about making it work and being her partner's savior.
The chorus offers a plea to her partner to give her space and let their love ebb and flow naturally, rather than trying to constantly control and fix it. The song's overriding message seems to be about balance and equality in relationships and the importance of not putting all the burden on one person. In typical Ani DiFranco fashion, the lyrics are both poetic and poignant, showcasing her gift for insightful songwriting.
Line by Line Meaning
I am an all powerful amazon warrior
I am a strong and powerful woman, not someone who is weak or submissive in any way.
Not just some sniveling girl
I am not a helpless or weak girl who cries and complains about everything.
So no matter what I think I need
Even if I think I need something, it doesn't mean that I actually do need it.
You know I can't possibly
There are some things that I just can't have or do, no matter how much I want them.
Have a need in this world
I don't need anything in this world to be happy or fulfilled, because I am strong enough to handle anything that comes my way.
Come and come for that sweet sweetness
You can come to me anytime you want and I will always be there for you, offering you sweetness and love.
I'll be your never ending vending machine
I will always be there to give you whatever you need, just like a vending machine.
I could never need to be alone
I don't need to be alone because I am strong enough to handle anything on my own.
Never need to be my own
I don't need to be my own person or have my own identity, because I am happy being whatever others want me to be.
As much as you need your queen
Just like you need me, I also need someone to love and care for me, like a queen.
I know men are delicate
I understand that men are fragile and can be easily hurt by things.
Origami creatures
I see men like delicate origami creatures that need to be carefully unfolded and handled with care.
Who need women to unfold them
Men need women to help them open up and become vulnerable.
Hold them when they cry
Men need someone to hold them and comfort them when they are upset or sad.
But I am tired of being your savior
I am tired of always having to be the one who saves you or makes everything better for you.
And I am tired of telling you why
I am tired of having to explain myself and my actions to you all the time.
And since when did this me me me
When did everything become all about me and my needs?
Become the be all and end all of me
Why have my needs become the only thing that matters to me and everyone else?
Oh listen to you talk to me
I hear what you are saying to me, but I don't want to be the only one responsible for making you happy all the time.
Long time love has got to breathe, babe
We have to give each other space and time to grow and change, even in a long-term relationship.
You got to let it ebb and flow
We have to let our love and relationship grow and change naturally over time, without trying to control or force it in any way.
If you want a ball to bounce
If you want something to work or be successful, you have to let go of it and let it do its own thing.
You gotta let it go
You have to trust that things will work out the way they are meant to, without trying to control or manipulate them.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: ANI DIFRANCO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind