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".
Reckoning
Ani DiFranco Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
if you think about it long enough
'cause what happened always adjusts to fit
what happened after that
and it's hard to feel like you are free
when all you seem to do is referee
remember when it was just you and me
steppin' up to bat?
and win or lose
just that you choose this little war
is what kills you
and either/or it's that this war
is maybe also what thrills you
we thought we left possession behind
but truth is i was yours and you were mine
and now i've replayed a thousand times
exactly what was said
'cause nothing is as it appears
in the funhouse mirrors of your fears
on the roller coaster of all these years
with your hands above your head
and win or lose
just that you choose this little war
is what kills you
and either/or it's that this war
is maybe also what thrills you
i don't care how fast you run
just tell me, baby, that when you're done
with your little marathon
you still got cab fare home
'cause the finish line is a shifty thing
and what is life but reckoning
and, you know
you are still the song i sing
to myself
when i'm alone
and win or lose just that we choose
this little war is what kills us
and either/or it's that this war
is maybe also what thrills us
The lyrics to "Reckoning" by Ani DiFranco explores the complexity of the human experience when it comes to relationships. The song highlights the struggles of trying to find balance and freedom within relationships that seem to be shaped by confrontations and battles. The opening line, “You can doubt anything if you think about it long enough”, sets the tone for the rest of the song. Ani reminds us that our experiences are shaped by our perceptions, and therefore, sometimes we create our own struggles. The lines “Remember when it was just you and me stepping up to bat? And win or lose just that we chose this little war is what kills us” encapsulates the continuous push and pull that exists in relationships. The battles may be small or large, but they are always present, never allowing a complete surrender of control.
The middle part of the song continues to explore relationship dynamics, “we thought we left possession behind but truth is I was yours and you were mine”. The lyrics suggest an inability to let go completely as both parties show evidence of claiming ownership of each other. The song explores the complexities of relationships which can be thrilling but also draining. The final lines “and, you know you are still the song I sing to myself when I'm alone” serve as a reminder that even when the relationship is over, the impact of the other still remains.
Line by Line Meaning
you can doubt anything
It is possible to doubt anything if you think about it for long enough.
if you think about it long enough
Thinking about anything for a long time can result in doubt.
'cause what happened always adjusts to fit
The meaning of what happens changes to align with what happens after.
what happened after that
The events that unfold after anything can dramatically affect the story's context.
and it's hard to feel like you are free
When all you seem to do is referee, liberty is hard to achieve.
when all you seem to do is referee
When all you do is mediate, it is tough to feel free.
remember when it was just you and me steppin' up to bat?
Remember when we were a team, facing challenges together?
and win or lose just that you choose this little war is what kills you and either/or it's that this war is maybe also what thrills you
Choosing to partake in a little conflict is what pains you, but it unexpectedly also brings you joy.
we thought we left possession behind
We believed to awaken from wanting possessions.
but truth is i was yours and you were mine
However, we still belonged to each other.
and now i've replayed a thousand times exactly what was said
I have replayed what was spoken many times.
'cause nothing is as it appears in the funhouse mirrors of your fears
Appearances can be entirely different in the reflection of your apprehensions.
on the roller coaster of all these years with your hands above your head
In the ride of life, with your hands up high, enjoying every moment.
i don't care how fast you run just tell me, baby, that when you're done with your little marathon you still got cab fare home
I am not interested in how fast you complete your tasks but make sure that you are safe when it is over.
'cause the finish line is a shifty thing and what is life but reckoning and, you know you are still the song i sing to myself when i'm alone
The end of the journey is uncertain, but what makes life is the mystery, and you still are close to my heart even when I am by myself.
and win or lose just that we choose this little war is what kills us and either/or it's that this war is maybe also what thrills us
Choosing to engage in a small battle brings us pain, but also unexpected joy.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: ANI DIFRANCO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind