Growing up in Malibu, California, she began learning the violin at the age of four and left regular school five years later with the goal of becoming a world-class violinist; she practiced eight or nine hours a day and read a wide range of literature. Progressing to writing her own music, she studied under various teachers and went to Indiana University, which she left over issues regarding the relationship between classical music and the appearance of the performer. Through her own independent label Traitor Records, Autumn debuted with her classical album On a Day: Music for Violin & Continuo, followed by the release in 2003 of her album Enchant.
She appeared in singer Courtney Love's backing band on her 2004 America's Sweetheart tour and returned to Europe. She released the 2006 album Opheliac with the German label Trisol Music Group. In 2007, she released Laced/Unlaced; the re-release of On a Day... appeared as Laced with songs on the electric violin as Unlaced. She later left Trisol to join New York-based The End Records in 2009 and release Opheliac in the United States, where previously it had only been available as an import. Currently she is on tour to promote her newest album Fight Like A Girl. She played the role of Painted Doll in Darren Lynn Bousman's 2012 film The Devil's Carnival.
Gothic Lolita (Gothic Lolita (Bad Poetry Mix By Sieben
Emilie Autumn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm older than you'll ever be
I've been dead a thousand years
And lived only two or three
I don't mind telling you
My life was ended by your hand
The kind of murder where nobody dies
But I don't suppose you'd understand
We've found her
If I am Lolita
Then you are a criminal
And you should be killed
By an army of little girls
The law won't arrest you
The world won't detest you
You never did anything
Any man wouldn't do
I'm Gothic Lolita
And you are a criminal
I'm not even legal
I'm just a dead little girl
But ruffles and laces
And candy sweet faces
Directed your furtive hand
I perfectly understand
So it's my fault?
No, Gothic Lolita
Thank you, kind sirs
You've made me what I am today
A bundle of broken nerves
A mouthful of words I'm still afraid to say
I don't mind telling you
Now that I'm old enough to love
I couldn't begin to even if
My pretty life depended on it
And funny thing, it does
Call off the search
We've found her
If I am Lolita
Then you are a criminal
And you should be killed
By an army of little girls
The law won't arrest you
The world won't detest you
You never did anything
Any man wouldn't do
I'm Gothic Lolita
And you are a criminal
I'm not even legal
I'm just a dead little girl
But ruffles and laces
And candy sweet faces
Directed your furtive hand
I perfectly understand
So it's my fault?
No, Gothic Lolita
I am your sugar
I am your cream
I am your anti-American dream
I am your sugar
I am your cream
I am your worst nightmare
Now scream
If I am Lolita
Then you are a criminal
And you should be killed
By an army of little girls
The law won't arrest you
The world won't detest you
You never did anything
Any man wouldn't do
I'm Gothic Lolita
And you are a criminal
I'm not even legal
I'm just a dead little girl
But ruffles and laces
And candy sweet faces
Directed your furtive hand
I perfectly understand
So it's my fault?
No, Gothic Lolita
The lyrics to Emilie Autumn's song "Gothic Lolita" explores themes of power dynamics, manipulation, and societal issues regarding the sexualization of young girls. The song discusses the relationship between an older man and a young girl, with the girl being referred to as a "dead little girl," indicating that she has lost her innocence due to the actions of the man. The lyrics suggest that the man is a criminal and should be punished for his actions, with the imagery of an army of little girls seeking justice emphasizing the severity of the situation.
The chorus of the song, "If I am Lolita, then you are a criminal," references the novel "Lolita" by Vladimir Nabokov, which tells the story of a middle-aged man's obsession with a young girl. The use of the term "Gothic Lolita" also alludes to a fashion style often associated with young girls, which includes frilly dresses and an overall doll-like appearance. The lyrics suggest that this fashion style and its associations with youth and innocence can be exploited and perverted by those seeking to exert power over young girls.
The final verses of the song touch on the aftermath of the abuse, with the girl expressing that she is still affected by the trauma and unable to love due to the actions of the man. The lines "I am your sugar, I am your cream, I am your worst nightmare, now scream" suggest a sense of vengeance or power regained by the girl, reclaiming the sweetness and innocence that was taken from her.
Overall, the lyrics of "Gothic Lolita" provide commentary on various societal issues regarding the sexualization and abuse of young girls, highlighting the impact and aftermath of such actions.
Line by Line Meaning
How old are you?
Asking about age
I'm older than you'll ever be
Stating to be older than the person asked
I've been dead a thousand years
Metaphorically stating to have lived a long time
And lived only two or three
Metaphorically saying to have had a short life
I don't mind telling you
Saying they are willing to share information
My life was ended by your hand
Blaming the listener for their unhappy life
The kind of murder where nobody dies
Metaphorically stating to have had a difficult experience that didn't physically harm them
But I don't suppose you'd understand
Suggesting the listener wouldn't empathize
Call off the search
Asking to stop searching
We've found her
Stating that they've been found
If I am Lolita
If the singer is Lolita
Then you are a criminal
Stating that the listener is a criminal
And you should be killed
Suggesting harm towards the listener
By an army of little girls
Metaphorically suggesting justice by a group of innocent children
The law won't arrest you
Suggesting that the legal system won't hold the listener accountable
The world won't detest you
Suggesting that society won't hate the listener for their crime
You never did anything
Suggesting that the listener didn't commit any obvious crime
Any man wouldn't do
Continuing to suggest that the listener didn't do anything overtly wrong
I'm Gothic Lolita
Identifying as a Gothic Lolita
And you are a criminal
Reiterating that the listener is a criminal
I'm not even legal
Stating that the artist is underage
I'm just a dead little girl
Metaphorically feeling trapped and unable to act like a normal child
But ruffles and laces
Describing clothing aesthetic
And candy sweet faces
Describing an innocent and cute appearance
Directed your furtive hand
Accusing the listener of inappropriate touching
I perfectly understand
Stating that the singer understands the intentions of the listener
So it's my fault?
Questioning responsibility for what happened
No, Gothic Lolita
Refusing to accept blame and asserting their identity
Thank you, kind sirs
Sarcastically thanking someone for their actions
You've made me what I am today
Blaming the listener for the singer's current state
A bundle of broken nerves
Describing current emotional state
A mouthful of words I'm still afraid to say
Fearing vulnerability
Now that I'm old enough to love
Implying growing up
I couldn't begin to even if
Stating inability to love
My pretty life depended on it
Metaphorically suggesting that their life depends on love, which they are unable to give
And funny thing, it does
Reflecting on the irony of the situation
I am your sugar
Metaphorically identifying as a sweet figure in someone's life
I am your cream
Metaphorically identifying as a comforting presence for someone
I am your anti-American dream
Rejecting traditional American values
I am your worst nightmare
Claiming to be a nightmare to someone
Now scream
Demanding a reaction
Contributed by Logan B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.