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".
Sick of Me
Ani DiFranco Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
must you be
by now
while you're standing just outside
of what your pride will allow
always reaching into yourself
to find a new way to understand me
when i'm sure that there's no one else
who could withstand me
the first person in your life
to ever really matter
is saying the last thing
that you want to hear
and you are listening hard
through the splintering shards
of your life as it shatters
and you're standing firm
and you're staying close
and you're seeing clear
i took to the stage
with my outrage
in the bad old days
when you were the make-me-mad guy
but the songs
they come out more slowly
now that i am the bad guy
and i say, i'm sorry i'm so crazy
I am astounded by your patience
and you say, believe it or not, baby
the joy you bring me
still outweighs it
the first person in your life
to ever really matter
is saying the last thing
that you want to hear
and you are listening hard
through the splintering shards
of your life as it shatters
and you're standing firm
and you're staying close
and you're seeing clear
how sick of me
must you be
by now?
The song "Sick of Me" by Ani DiFranco is a poignant meditation on the fraught dynamics of a relationship in which one partner feels like a constant burden to the other. The opening lines lament, "how sick of me / must you be / by now," and juxtapose the singer's awareness of her own flaws with her partner's apparent exhaustion with those same flaws. She notes that her partner is "always reaching into yourself / to find a new way to understand me," suggesting that understanding is a constant struggle, but also one that the partner is willing to undertake.
The second verse takes an almost confessional tone, with the singer acknowledging that she was once the one who found fault with her partner ("the make-me-mad guy"), but that now she is the one causing the trouble ("I am the bad guy"). Despite this, the partner remains steadfast and loving, expressing "joy" in the relationship that outweighs any frustration or difficulties.
The repeated refrain of "the first person in your life / to ever really matter" emphasizes the emotional intensity of the connection between the two partners, and lends a sense of urgency to their efforts to understand and support each other. Ultimately, the song suggests that even in the face of fundamental disagreements or personality clashes, true love can persist and even thrive.
Line by Line Meaning
how sick of me
How tired and fed up are you with me at this point?
must you be
Is there any limit to your exhaustion of me and my actions?
by now
After all this time, after everything I've done - how much more can you take?
while you're standing just outside
As you stand at a distance from me, hesitant to draw closer.
of what your pride will allow
Due to your pride and self-respect, you cannot afford to allow yourself to get too close or show affection towards me.
always reaching into yourself
You continually search within your own emotions and understanding to comprehend my constant changes and mood swings.
to find a new way to understand me
You are trying to discover a way to grasp my behavior and moods to avoid any future issues between us.
when i'm sure that there's no one else
I am convinced that no one else could tolerate me in such an intimate relationship.
in the world
Out of everyone in the entire world.
who could withstand me
Who could put up with my flaws and behavior like you have thus far.
the first person in your life
The very first person in your life who has truly mattered to you.
to ever really matter
The one who has impacted your heart and soul the most profoundly.
is saying the last thing
I am sharing the very last opinion or perspective about myself that you would like to hear.
that you want to hear
Which is the opposite of your desire and preference.
and you are listening hard
You are really focusing and actively trying to comprehend what I am expressing.
through the splintering shards
Through the bits and pieces of shattered emotions and experiences that we've been through together.
of your life as it shatters
As many of the most fundamental aspects of your life and identity collapse and fall apart around you.
and you're standing firm
Despite everything that's happening, you remain steadfast and strong in your convictions and beliefs.
and you're staying close
Rather than running away, you've chosen to stick around and maintain proximity to me.
and you're seeing clear
You have a clear vision and understanding of the situation and are motivated to resolve it.
i took to the stage
I once had an outlet to express myself via performing.
with my outrage
Through this outlet, I showcased my frustration and anger to the world.
in the bad old days
When things were rough and difficult in my life.
when you were the make-me-mad guy
At that time, you were the one who used to incite my anger the most.
but the songs
But now, as life has shifted, my music is created differently.
they come out more slowly
I am no longer producing songs at the same pace and frequency as I did back then.
now that i am the bad guy
Now, my music reflects my own wrongdoing and actions, rather than those of others.
and i say, i'm sorry i'm so crazy
I've realized that my behavior has impacted those around me in negative ways and am willing to apologize.
I am astounded by your patience
I am in awe of how much patience you've shown me.
and you say, believe it or not, baby
You express that you giving me continued patience is not much of a task for you.
the joy you bring me
You continue to experience immense happiness derived from being around me.
still outweighs it
And you don't find that any of my past behavior has subtracted from our relationship enough to cause you to flee.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: ANI DIFRANCO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind