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".
Whatall Is Nice
Ani DiFranco Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
today we turned on in the blue light of dawn
and made love
and you were not a dot dot dot
waiting for me to complete you
and it was like i just forgot
to measure everything that i do
we woke up with the notion
that enough is not enough without more
and then we pushed with one motion
like the ocean heaves a wave at the shore
(*actually sang with push & heave reversed*)
and you were not a dot dot dot
leaning forward expectantly
and i was not in such a rush
to insure my autonomy
today we are only whatall is nice about us
Ani DiFranco’s “Whatall Is Nice” is a song that captures the emotions of a couple that has just made love. The song starts with the couple being only what is nice about them. They have left every negative thing behind and are focusing only on the good. They made love early in the morning, and as the sun was rising, they were basking in the afterglow. The singer (who may or may not be Ani DiFranco herself) is grateful for this moment shared with her partner.
In the next verse, the singer highlights how she and her partner were not waiting for each other to complete them. They were not trying to measure everything they did, but instead, they were caught up in the moment. Every movement they made was slow and steady, like the ocean waves heaving at the shore. The words “pushed” and “heaved” are reversed in the lyrics, showcasing the idea of not following the norm and instead making their own path.
In the final verse, the singer expresses how they woke up with the notion that they wanted more, that enough was not enough. There was an insatiable desire within them, but they didn't let that get in the way of their love. They didn't lean forward expectantly, nor did they rush to insure their autonomy. They were two individuals coming together in harmony, and together, they were only whatall is nice about them.
Line by Line Meaning
today we are only whatall is nice about us
Today, we are choosing to focus only on the positive aspects of ourselves and our relationship.
today we turned on in the blue light of dawn
We began the day with hope and energy, ready to start anew with each other.
and made love
We expressed our physical love and affection for each other.
and you were not a dot dot dot
You were not someone who needed me to complete you or fill a void in your life.
waiting for me to complete you
You did not look to me to fill any emotional gaps or insecurities.
and it was like i just forgot
It was as though I had temporarily forgotten about all the pressures and expectations in my life.
to measure everything that i do
I didn't feel the need to constantly analyze and criticize myself or my actions.
we woke up with the notion
We started the day with a shared idea or feeling.
that enough is not enough without more
We realized that we want and need more from life than just the bare necessities.
and then we pushed with one motion
We worked together towards a common goal or desire.
like the ocean heaves a wave at the shore
Our concerted effort was powerful and unstoppable, like the force of the ocean waves.
leaning forward expectantly
You did not have any particular agenda or expectation from me, but were open and curious about what might come next.
and i was not in such a rush
I did not feel the need to hurry or rush through anything.
to insure my autonomy
I did not feel the need to constantly assert my independence or individuality.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: ANI DIFRANCO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind