Julie Ruin was first only Kathleen Hanna, a highly influential Riot Grrrl w… Read Full Bio ↴Julie Ruin was first only Kathleen Hanna, a highly influential Riot Grrrl who was previously in Viva Knievel, Bikini Kill, and the Fakes.
This independent record was produced by Hanna in 1997, during a break from Bikini Kill, mostly in her apartment in Olympia. Like most of her work, it is heavily charged with feminist ideals, such as resisting police abuse in "I Wanna Know What Love Is". The songs blend punk rock and electronic music.
Videomaker Sadie Benning directed a video for the song "Aerobicide", and then became part of the original Le Tigre lineup.
In 2012 Kathleen Hanna spoke about reforming Julie Ruin into a band, which she has since done.

Tania
Julie Ruin Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I don't know why
He didn't do it right
I don't know why
He didn't do it right
I don't know why
I don't know why
It might be something coming from the inside
Tania

Tania

It must be something from when I was young
It must be something I did wrong
To make it happen that way
To make it do like that
I didn't mean to, must have
I didn't mean to, must have
Tania
Tania

I can't go in there
No not again
Too many memories
Have to deal with
She holds my hand she is my
Invisible friend
She holds my hand she is my
Only fucking friend

Tania
Tania

Overall Meaning

The Julie Ruin's song Tania touches upon a sensitive topic that may be difficult to understand without proper context. The song is about the kidnapping of Patty Hearst, granddaughter of publisher William Randolph Hearst, by the radical leftist group known as the Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA), and specifically focuses on one of their members, Tania (a pseudonym chosen by Hearst herself during her time with the group). The first verse of the song possibly refers to the fact that Patty Hearst, despite being a victim of the kidnapping, later joined the SLA and took part in their criminal activities. The lyrics "I don't know why/ He didn't do it right/ It might be something coming from the inside" could be interpreted as a reflection on the psychological factors that led Hearst to identify with her captors.

The second verse of the song appears to be a reflection on the aftermath of Hearst's kidnapping and her eventual return to her family. It is unclear what the singer means by "It must be something I did wrong/ To make it happen that way," but it might suggest guilt over her own past mistakes. The line "I can't go in there/ No not again" could be interpreted as a reference to Hearst's own trauma, as well as the singer's personal struggles. The last two lines "She holds my hand she is my/ Only fucking friend," could imply that the singer feels very alone and finds comfort in a fictional person, just as Patty Hearst/ Tania turned to the SLA as her "new family."

Line by Line Meaning

I don't know why
I am struggling to understand the reason

He didn't do it right
He failed to execute it properly

I don't know why
I'm still uncertain about the cause

He didn't do it right
He failed to complete the task correctly

I don't know why
I remain confused about this situation

I don't know why
I am unaware of the explanation

It might be something coming from the inside
It's possible that this issue stems from my own emotions or thoughts

Tania
A repeated name, possibly a reference to a person or place significant to the artist

It must be something from when I was young
I believe this problem originates from my childhood

It must be something I did wrong
I blame myself for causing this issue

To make it happen that way
My actions resulted in the current situation

To make it do like that
I am responsible for causing this outcome

I didn't mean to, must have
I didn't intend for this to happen, but I may have caused it inadvertently

I didn't mean to, must have
I didn't have harmful intentions, but my actions or words may have caused this

Tania
A repeated name, still likely referring to a person or place important to the singer

I can't go in there
I am unable to enter that place again

No not again
I can't handle experiencing this situation again

Too many memories
That place holds too many emotional memories for me

Have to deal with
I need to confront my emotions and confront this situation eventually

She holds my hand she is my
A metaphor for support or guidance, someone who is always there for the artist

Invisible friend
A friend that exists in the artist's emotions or thoughts

She holds my hand she is my
A repeated metaphor for support or guidance, highlighting the importance of this person to the artist

Only fucking friend
This person is the only source of comfort and support in the singer's life

Tania
A final repetition of the name, likely symbolizing the continued significance of this person or place to the artist

Lyrics © TERRORBIRD PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Kathleen Hannah, Kathi Wilcox, Kenny Mellman, Carmine Covelli, Sara Landeau

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS

No Related Genres

More Genres

No Artists Found

More Artists Load All

No Albums Found

More Albums Load All

No Tracks Found

Genre not found

Artist not found

Album not found

Search results not found

Song not found

Most interesting comment from YouTube:

colten

7y↑14

I don't know why
He didn't do it right
I don't know why
He didn't do it right
I don't know why
I don't know why
It might be something coming from the inside
Tania
Tania

It must be something from when I was young
It must be something I did wrong
To make it happen that way
To make it ?? like that
I didn't mean to, must have
I didn't mean to, must have
Tania
Tania

I can't go in there
No not again
Too many memories
Have to deal with
She holds my hand she is my
Invisible friend
She holds my hand she is my
Only fucking friend
Tania
Tania