Endangered Species
Reeves Dianne Lyrics
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But I sing no victim's song
I am a woman I am an artist
And I know where my voice belongs
I am a woman I exist
I shake my fist but not my hips
My skin is dark my body is strong
I am an endangered species
But I sing no victim's song
I am a woman I am an artist
And I know where my voice belongs
They cut out my sex they bind my feet
Silence my reflex no tongue to speak
I work in the fields I work in the store
I type up the deals and I mop the floors
I am an endangered species
But I sing no victim's song
I am a woman I am an artist
And I know where my voice belongs
My body is fertile I bring life about
Drugs, famine, and war, take them back out
My husband can beat me his right they say
And rape isn't rape you say I like it that way
I am an endangered species
But I sing no victim's song
I am a woman I am an artist
And I know where my voice belongs
I know where my soul belongs
I know where I belong
In "Endangered Species," Reeves Dianne addresses the oppression and marginalization of women as an endangered species. Through the song, she highlights the various patriarchal systems that have served to silence the voices of women. The opening line of the song establishes the central metaphor - comparing herself to an endangered species. The metaphor is interesting as it sheds light on the vulnerability of women in our societies today. Through systematic oppression, women are being driven to the point of extinction.
The song's message is clear: women need to be heard. Reeves Dianne rebuffs the idea that she is a victim, and rather boldly states that she is an artist and knows where her voice belongs. The chorus reinforces the idea that women are still marginalized and threatened but they will not let their oppressors define their identity. Dianne's lyrics cut deep, bringing to light the various issues that women of different cultures, races, and social classes face daily. She touches on issues of sexual objectification, domestic abuse, and rape culture.
Line by Line Meaning
I am an endangered species
I belong to a group that is becoming extinct, but I refuse to be a pity case
But I sing no victim's song
I won't let people treat me like a victim
I am a woman I am an artist
I embody both femininity and creativity
And I know where my voice belongs
I know my rightful place and won't let anyone silence me
I am a woman I exist
I am here, alive, and worthy of respect
I shake my fist but not my hips
I express anger and frustration, but I won't exploit my sexuality
My skin is dark my body is strong
I am physically powerful and defy racial stereotypes
I sign of rebirth no victim's song
I am a symbol of new life and will not let others pity me
They cut out my sex they bind my feet
People have inflicted physical harm on me to control me
Silence my reflex no tongue to speak
I have been silenced and unable to defend myself
I work in the fields I work in the store
I do hard labor and menial jobs to survive
I type up the deals and I mop the floors
I take on administrative and maintenance tasks to support others
My body is fertile I bring life about
I have the power to create and sustain life
Drugs, famine, and war, take them back out
External factors threaten my ability to nurture and protect life
My husband can beat me his right they say
Society condones domestic violence as a man's right over his wife
And rape isn't rape you say I like it that way
People deny the existence of rape culture and blame the victim for sexual violence
I know where my soul belongs
I have a strong sense of purpose and identity
I know where I belong
I refuse to be marginalized or excluded from society
Lyrics © FLYING PISANO'S MUSIC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: DIANNE REEVES, JEANNE PISANO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind