Family
Blood Orange feat. Janet Mock Lyrics
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And I think of family as community
I think of the spaces where you don't have to shrink yourself
Where you don't have to pretend or to perform
You can fully show up and be vulnerable
And in silence, completely empty and
That's completely enough
You show up, as you are, without judgment, without ridicule
And you can be there and you're filled all the way up
We get to choose our families
We are not limited by biology
We get to make ourselves
And we get to make our family
The lyrics of Blood Orange's "Family" explore the concept of family and what it means to the singer. The opening lines of the song ask the listener what they think of family, to which the singer responds that they see it more as a community than purely a biological unit. Family is about being in spaces where you are free to be yourself without fear of judgment, ridicule or violence. It is a place where you can be vulnerable, empty, and completely enough.
The lyrics also emphasize the idea that we get to choose our families and create our own. The song highlights that we are not limited to those who share our genes but rather, we can make our own families through friendship, community, and shared experiences. It is a powerful message that enforces the idea of belonging and acceptance, regardless of the traditional sense of what family is supposed to be.
The song reflects the beliefs and experiences of Janet Mock, a transgender activist who worked with Blood Orange to create the song. For her, family was not just about biology but about finding people who accepted her for who she is. The lyrics, therefore, can be seen as a statement of solidarity to those who may not have traditional families, have struggled to find a sense of belonging, or have been ostracized by their biological families.
Line by Line Meaning
You asked me what family is
You wanted to know what family means to me
And I think of family as community
I see family as a group of people who support and care for each other
I think of the spaces where you don't have to shrink yourself
I think of places where you are accepted for who you are and aren't forced to hide any part of yourself
Where you don't have to pretend or to perform
Where you don't have to put on a facade or act a certain way to fit in
You can fully show up and be vulnerable
You can be your authentic self, including your weaknesses and sensitive parts
And in silence, completely empty and
Even in moments of stillness and quietness, you feel fulfilled and content
That's completely enough
You don't need more than that to feel fulfilled and happy
You show up, as you are, without judgment, without ridicule
You are welcomed and accepted as yourself, without anyone making fun of or criticizing you
Without fear or violence, or policing, or containment
There's no need to be afraid, harmed, or restrained within your family
And you can be there and you're filled all the way up
Your family fills you up emotionally and spiritually
We get to choose our families
We have the power to choose who we consider our family, regardless of blood relation
We are not limited by biology
We don't have to only consider those related by blood as our family
We get to make ourselves
We have the ability to shape our own identities
And we get to make our family
We also have the power to determine who we consider our family
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY
Written by: Dev Hynes
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind