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".
Roll With It
Ani DiFranco Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When I sit down
She says my feet hurt
From just standing around
I think my body
Is as restless as my mind
And I don't know if I can roll with it
This time
Packed his uniforms
And drove him to the base
She was crying all the way
The world looked her in the face
And said
Roll with it, baby
Make it your career
Keep the home fires burning
Till America is in the clear
The mainstream is so polluted with lies
Once you get wet, it's so hard to get dry
We're all taught how to justify
History
As it passes by
And it's your world
That comes crashing down
When the big boys decide
To throw their weight around
But just roll with it baby
Make it your career
Keep the home fires burning
Till America is in the clear
What if the enemy
Isn't in a distant land
What if the enemy lies behind
The voice of command
The sound of war
Is a child's cry
Behind tinted windows,
They just drive by
All I know is that those
Who are going to be killed
Aren't those who preside
On capitol hill
I told him,
Don't fill the front lines
Of their war
Those assholes aren't worth dying for
But he said
Roll with it, baby
Make it your career
Keep the home fires burning
Till America is in the clear
She says my ass hurts
When I sit down
She says my feet hurt
From just standing around
I think my body is as restless as my mind
And I'm not gonna roll with it this time
No, I'm not gonna roll with it this time
Ani DiFranco's song Roll With It deals with the idea of feeling trapped and restless in one's own body and mind due to external circumstances. The first verse describes physical discomfort with sitting and standing, but also reflects the emotional unease of the singer. She feels unable to simply "roll with it" and accept her current situation. The second verse tells of a woman who has sent her partner off to war and is told to "keep the home fires burning" in order to support the war effort. However, the singer acknowledges the reality of war and the toll it takes on both those who fight and those who stay behind. The chorus is repeated twice more, with slight variations, invoking the idea of perseverance in the face of adversity, but also perhaps suggesting the futility of blind acceptance.
One interpretation of the lyrics is that the "it" that the singer is being told to "roll with" refers to the status quo, societal expectations, and the structures of power that are difficult to challenge. The line "we're all taught how to justify history as it passes by" suggests the need for critical thinking and resistance against social conditioning. The mention of the "enemy" not being in a distant land but rather behind the "voice of command" implies a critique of authority and the manipulation of public opinion. The final verse includes a personal plea to a loved one not to participate in a war that is unjust and ultimately futile. Through these various examples, the song captures a sense of alienation and frustration with the world at large.
Line by Line Meaning
She says my ass hurts
The singer is experiencing physical discomfort.
When I sit down
The discomfort is triggered by sitting down.
She says my feet hurt
The singer is also experiencing pain in their feet.
From just standing around
The discomfort is triggered by standing for long periods of time.
I think my body
The artist reflects on the connection between their physical and mental state.
Is as restless as my mind
The singer feels a sense of restlessness in both their body and mind.
And I don't know if I can roll with it
The singer is uncertain if they can handle the situation they are in.
This time
This uncertainty or unrest is specifically tied to the present moment.
Packed his uniforms
The artist has recently helped someone prepare for military deployment.
And drove him to the base
The artist is personally invested in this person's journey.
She was crying all the way
The singer is emotional about the situation.
The world looked her in the face
The artist feels like their struggles are public and visible to others.
And said
The singer is imagining the world giving them advice or encouragement.
Roll with it, baby
This statement encourages the singer to persist despite the challenges they're facing.
Make it your career
The statement suggests making the situation one's primary focus or goal.
Keep the home fires burning
This phrase alludes to maintaining stability and security in one's personal life.
Till America is in the clear
This line suggests that the artist's struggles are connected to the current state of America.
The mainstream is so polluted with lies
The singer is critical of mainstream media.
Once you get wet, it's so hard to get dry
The singer suggests that once someone is exposed to false information, it's difficult to unlearn it.
We're all taught how to justify
The artist suggests that individuals are conditioned to make excuses for bad behavior or policies.
History
The artist is referring to the way in which events are recorded.
As it passes by
The artist is critical of the way in which history is remembered.
And it's your world
The singer suggests that individuals influence the world they live in.
That comes crashing down
The artist is anticipating a major loss or crisis.
When the big boys decide
The singer feels powerless to prevent impending harm.
To throw their weight around
The singer is critical of powerful individuals using their influence in abusive ways.
But just roll with it baby
Despite feeling powerless, the singer is encouraged to persevere.
Make it your career
The artist is encouraged to make their situation their primary focus or goal.
Keep the home fires burning
This phrase suggests prioritizing personal stability and security.
Till America is in the clear
The singer believes that their struggles are connected to broader societal issues.
What if the enemy
The singer is asking the listener to consider an alternative perspective.
Isn't in a distant land
The artist is suggesting that the perceived enemy is actually close to home.
What if the enemy lies behind
The artist is suggesting that the real enemy is not necessarily a physical entity.
The voice of command
The artist is referring to the way in which powerful individuals communicate.
The sound of war
The singer describes the way in which war sounds.
Is a child's cry
The artist suggests that the human cost of war is high, including the suffering of innocent children.
Behind tinted windows,
The singer is referring to the way in which some people are removed or isolated from the suffering experienced by others.
They just drive by
The singer is critical of those who are not fully aware of the consequences of their actions.
All I know is that those
The singer is expressing their own knowledge or personal conviction.
Who are going to be killed
The artist is referring to the human casualties of war.
Aren't those who preside
The artist is suggesting that those in power are not likely to face danger or harm themselves.
On capitol hill
The singer is referring to the seat of American government.
I told him,
The singer is reflecting on a past conversation with someone else.
Don't fill the front lines
The artist is advising someone not to endanger themselves in war.
Of their war
The artist is suggesting that the person they're advising is being manipulated by others.
Those assholes aren't worth dying for
The artist does not respect or value the people who are responsible for starting the war.
But he said
Despite the singer's warning, the person they advised isn't swayed.
No, I'm not gonna roll with it this time
The artist has reached a breaking point and cannot continue to persevere.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: ANI DIFRANCO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
T Ross
I forgot about how awesome this album is. Thank you!
J C
This is the version from her second album, Not So Soft. "Like I Said" was her third release, it's a collection of selected songs from her first two albums, re-recorded (including this one). Most of the LIS versions are fuller and more upbeat, and almost none of them are on YouTube, inexplicably.
Janine Snyder
Great songwriting (as usual).
harjutapa
I'm randomly putting together a playlist from a list I made 12 years ago, all Ani... and most of the songs were uploaded by you. Major props, yo.
Chicken Little
FOREVER reminds me,of high school in the best way
Cybele S
Relevant during this coronavirus crisis.
HybridFalcon
This is the album version.
Slakfocmsnvfgls
Congas!
Jessica R
ANI NEVER FUKING EVER STOP....WELL UNLESS U WANT 2...or join CIA..🌀hello...we