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.
Woman
Emilie Autumn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We have been named
Over the years
We've been murdered and maimed
Mothers
And daughters
And sisters
And wives
We gave you your lives
Nothing can ever reverse what's been done
(but we'll try with the birth of each daughter and son)
Emilie Autumn's song "Woman" is a powerful ode to the strength and resilience of women throughout history. The opening lines immediately reference the mistreatment and persecution that women who were believed to be witches or Satanists have faced over the years. They have been labeled, falsely accused, and put to death because of their belief systems. However, the song quickly shifts to recognize that this persecution was not limited to just those labeled as witches or Satanists. Women in general have been marginalized and oppressed throughout history, as seen in the lines that reference the murder and maiming of mothers, daughters, sisters, and wives.
Despite this oppression, the song celebrates the power that women possess. "All have the power, we gave you your lives." Women are the source of life and have been instrumental in creating and nurturing life for centuries. The final lines of the song acknowledge that the past cannot be undone, but there is hope for the future. "Nothing can ever reverse what's been done (but we'll try with the birth of each daughter and son)." By continuing to raise strong, independent children and fighting for equal rights, progress can be made to ensure that future generations of women will not face the same levels of oppression and persecution.
Line by Line Meaning
Witches and Satanists
Throughout history, those who show independence or opposition to society's norms have been labeled as dark, fearful creatures like Witches and Satanists
We have been named
Regardless of individual beliefs and actions, all those who've dared to step out of the line have been stuck with the labels given to them by society
Over the years
This systematic labeling happened many years ago and still continues today
We've been murdered and maimed
As a result of being labeled as witches and Satanists, people have been killed and severely harmed to maintain the status quo
Mothers
Even though women have traditionally been relegated to stay within the home, women have always carried an unexplained, innate power within them
And daughters
This power is passed down even to daughters, who are seen as weaker than their male counterparts from birth
And sisters
Women support and uplift each other in their struggle against this oppressive force
And wives
The power inherent in women keeps them from being simply subjugated to the role of mere wives and mothers
All have the power
Regardless of how society tries to label them, all women possess this innate, unexplainable power
We gave you your lives
It is women who bring life into the world, and provide for the continuation of the society that tries to suppress them
Nothing can ever reverse what's been done
The cycle of oppression and marginalization of women and their power is so deeply ingrained that it can seem impossible to break
(but we'll try with the birth of each daughter and son)
Despite this, women continue to hope, and to instill that hope in their children, as they look to a future where their power will be recognized and valued
Contributed by Chase R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@chevingtonxbear
So…this is embarrassing but I finally figured out what her intention was behind the lyrics “and if I end up with blood on my hands I know that you’ll understand.” And if not it’s at least an interesting theory.
The implication being men historically perpetrate, understand and excuse violence as normal or a necessary evil. Whereas we have historically treated menstruation as the opposite. Something to be ashamed of, treated as disgusting and unclean. If a woman has “blood on her hands” in this way it is something for men to dismiss or scorn at worst and something to ignore at best.
I believe Emilie is mocking her oppressors by saying that if she or any woman were to rise up and get blood on their hands as the result of violence against their oppressors that at least she knows they’ll be able to wrap their heads around the concept because blood shed in violence, as opposed to blood shed naturally through menstruation, is something they can wrap their heads around without becoming disgusted.
Amazing that even almost a decade later Emilie is helping me dig up the fragments of misogynist hypocrisy that I didn’t catch in the initial purge.
Thanks Emilie. Even now you’re still helping me to become a better feminist.
@Doomtrain55
Dear everyone who is complaining about the video being what it is,
SHUT THE HELL UP. Emilie chose to make the video this way for her own reasons, she's telling us a story, if you take off the feminist goggles for a minute you'll realize she didn't cater any of this to men. Sure the outfits were sexy and stylized but that's Emilie's badass style. She can wear what she wants how she wants, whenever she wants.
The only person who makes something sexist is you with the way you view it. A woman can fight for her rights while wearing a corset if she wants. If men get turned on by that then its not the woman's fault, its the men's for believing that women are just here for their pleasure.
I find nothing wrong with this video at all, it shows the rise from a victim to a victor while staying true to the setting and theme of the video. Its set in Victorian England for gods sake (Or at least that's what it looks like) and in some kind of asylum, of course the women will be wearing dresses, corsets and stockings, they're been forced into putting on a show for men by men. It was the style back then, do any of you actually pick up a history book?
The only way clothing can be sexualised is if you believe them to be, unless they're obviously made to show off a little too much.
Its every persons right to wear what they want and before anyone comments back, keep in mind that yeah, i'm a feminist but i'm not one of those extremists who wants to abolish all girly standards and make all women appear and dress like men. Because that's not equality, that's oppression and forcing your standards on everyone else.
Now i think I've got my point across (I hope I did, i'm not exactly very good with words) so i bid thee farewell!
@Krystallen
I ran into this artist while looking for new music. I am Gothic, Dark Rock, Industrial, EBM, Electric and other kinds of music most never heard of. It is rare to find new music that "my kind" enjoys. I loved it and checked out her style cause it mixed several kinds of music areas.
Emilie Autumn calls her music "Victoriandustrial". A new kind/type, mixing different kinds of music that normally don't mix, since people rarely listens to the artist.
The comments here is a sad proof how pathetic people are. NOT ONE comment about the music.
Its politics, Social behavior, effects by the VIDEO or anything else that has NOTHING to do with the music.
Today we all laugh when media warned about Ozzy Osborn who would corrupt kids. Or TV, or Computers or Internet chatting would make everyone anti-social If you don't like this, great! If you do, great!
For FUCK SAKE, is it so damn hard to listen to the music? WHATEVER it is?
Only 1 person can say what the music is about. The Artist. Strange huh?
I have freedom of speech in my blood, so this is something I don't say often.
SHUT THE FUCK UP!
@babybluehashyo
so under recognized as an artist it hurts. Will forever be one on my top favourite artists.
@fernandaarteaga3722
Same here I'm a big fan from Peru 🥺❤️
@akilly
amen
@gabrielbernal2544
After so many years, this song still hits hard! I love it more than after its initial release.
@danntomato3242
I need a Musical with the whole Fight Like a Girl album. Mexico loves u, Emilie. ✨
@tristangabrielo
I hate Emilie hasn’t release more cause I’m addicted to her but I appreciate that she doesn’t release just for content
@hollyhayes9640
I believe that she wrote a book, too (I think it was called "The Asylum For Wayward Victorian Girls"? I can't remember). Edit: Also, check out the bands Alice In Chains, Killswitch Engage, and Pantera if you like Emilie Autumn. ❤❤❤🤟
@VincentSkyfox
She hasn't released anything because she's been making a musical, and yes she wrote a book
@tristangabrielo
@@VincentSkyfox dear I’m more than aware, I’ve been following her since ever ! I wanted that book so badly ofc I love she’s been doing her musical however that doesn’t make it less painful not having the pleasure of more songs from her !!!! So don’t bring that up as if a decade without new music from EA is something you can just shrug off and move on
@VincentSkyfox
Whoa, calm down, dude. It's not that serious. I've been waiting too, but unlike you I can brush it off because I have other things that are important to me. And even then, she's been releasing teasers for the musical this past year, so there has been more. I'm sure you know that too. Either way, this wasn't just for you, either.