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".
What How When Where
Ani DiFranco Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
how how how how how did you think this would go?
when when when when when you showed up on my radar
where where where where where did you think you would show?
what what what what what do you make of this station
how how how how how it pulls away from the train?
when when when when when if at all will you realize
where where where where where do and done are the same?
how how how how how do you think you can hide?
when when when when when will you find some nice soft sand
where where where where where you can bury your pride?
what what what what what do you want from this lifetime?
how how how how how does your story line flow?
when when when when when you finally get to the punch line
where where where where where will the applause sign go?
and why why why why why don't you just take your bow
'cause who's gonna love you now?
In Ani DiFranco's song "What How When Where Why Who", the singer is questioning another person's motives and actions. The repetition of "what, how, when, where, why" emphasizes the singer's confusion and desire for answers. The first stanza implies that the other person has made a mistake or done something unexpected, and the singer wants to understand their reasoning. In the second and third stanzas, the singer questions the other person's ability to handle a situation and whether they will realize their mistakes. The fourth stanza suggests that the other person has been exposed and cannot hide from their actions. The fifth stanza asks the other person what they want from life and how their story will unfold. Finally, the singer questions why the other person is not taking responsibility for their actions and who will love them now.
Overall, the song is about communication and understanding. The singer wants to know why the other person has acted in a certain way and whether they will learn from their mistakes. The repetition of the questioning words creates a sense of urgency and frustration, conveying the singer's desire for clarity.
Line by Line Meaning
what what what what what did you think you were doing?
What was the thought process behind your actions?
how how how how how did you think this would go?
What was your expectations for the outcome of this situation?
when when when when when you showed up on my radar
At what point did you become noticeable or relevant to me?
where where where where where did you think you would show?
What was the intended location or context of your actions?
what what what what what do you make of this station
What is your interpretation or understanding of this current state or position?
how how how how how it pulls away from the train?
How does this current direction or movement differ from the expected path or trajectory?
when when when when when if at all will you realize
At what point, if ever, will you become aware or acknowledge the reality of the situation?
where where where where where do and done are the same?
What is the significance of the chosen location or context in relation to the actions being taken?
what what what what what now you're out in the open
What is the current state or position now that you are no longer hidden or secretive?
how how how how how do you think you can hide?
What methods or strategies will you use to conceal or cover up your actions?
when when when when when will you find some nice soft sand
At what point will you be able to relax or find a sense of relief from the situation?
where where where where where you can bury your pride?
What location or context would be most appropriate for you to let go of your ego or sense of self-importance?
what what what what what do you want from this lifetime?
What are your goals or aspirations for your life?
how how how how how does your story line flow?
How do your actions and experiences fit together in the narrative of your life?
when when when when when you finally get to the punch line
At what point will the point or message of your story become clear?
where where where where where will the applause sign go?
What will be the reaction or response to your story or message?
and why why why why why don't you just take your bow
Why are you not taking credit or accepting your role in the situation?
'cause who's gonna love you now?
What is the consequence or outcome of your actions on the people around you?
Lyrics © A SIDE MUSIC LLC D/B/A MODERN WORKS MUSIC PUBLISHING
Written by: ANI DIFRANCO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
NI A
YAY!!! I love this & I have been looking this up for YEARS N YEARS!! (since 2001). Much older now & many thanks!!
Fabrizio Santangelo
Meravigliosa
WeinHara
Big Influ ... wow Love! THX for loadup.
John Richardson
So funky
Dan Nelson
Are&Are