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.
Rapunzel
Emilie Autumn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Used to sing as loud as she could
Locked away here
She's been quiet, lovely and good
But no one listens now
She lost her voice
She had no choice
If you sing loud and clear
Someone passing by will surely hear you
No you can't be afraid
If you ever want somebody near you
If you sing loud and clear
Someone passing by will surely hear you
No you can't be afraid
Tore the curtain
Put her hand outside of the frame
Let her hair down
Sat all day and nobody came
But when the sun went down
The stars came out
She heard them shout
[Chorus]
But when the sun went down
The stars came out
She heard them shout
[Chorus]
The lyrics of Emilie Autumn's song "Rapunzel" convey a story of a woman who has been locked away in a courtyard and has been silenced. She used to sing as loud as she could but now she is quiet, lovely and good, but sadly, no one listens to her anymore. She has lost her voice and had no choice in the matter. However, in a moment of courageous spontaneity, she tore down the curtain, put her hand outside the frame, and let her hair down. She sat all day waiting, but nobody came to rescue her. The only thing she got were the stars that came out when the sun went down. She heard them shout at her to sing loud and clear because someone passing by will surely hear her, and she should not be afraid if she ever wants somebody near her. The lyrics convey the idea that she can be heard by letting herself be seen unapologetically, despite any fears that may arise.
In essence, the message of the song is about finding your voice and not being afraid to use it. It's about breaking free from the restrictions others may put on you and finding your own way in the world. This song encourages you to speak your truth and opinions boldly and having faith that if you sing loud and clear, someone passing by will hear you and come closer to you.
Line by Line Meaning
In a courtyard
She is trapped in a place where nobody can reach her.
Used to sing as loud as she could
She used to express herself freely and loudly through singing.
Locked away here
She is imprisoned and isolated from the rest of the world.
She's been quiet, lovely and good
She has been submissive and obedient, trying to be what others want her to be.
But no one listens now
The world has stopped paying attention to her and her voice.
She lost her voice
She lost the ability to express herself due to the suppression she has faced.
She had no choice
She was forced to become someone she didn't want to be.
If you sing loud and clear
Being confident and expressive can attract the attention of others.
Someone passing by will surely hear you
Being bold and unafraid can grab people's attention and make them interested in you.
No you can't be afraid
You must overcome fear in order to be truly seen and heard by others.
Tore the curtain
She decided to break free from the constraints placed on her.
Put her hand outside of the frame
She took a small step towards reclaiming her freedom and self-expression.
Let her hair down
She became more relaxed and natural in her expression.
Sat all day and nobody came
She waited for someone to notice her, but nobody did.
But when the sun went down
When it got dark and she was alone, she started to feel free.
The stars came out
The world around her became more magical and she felt less alone.
She heard them shout
She finally heard the world around her and felt part of something bigger.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Carlinhos Brown, Alaim Tavares
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind