RAPE ME
Tanya Tagaq Lyrics

Tanya Tagaq's song "Rape Me" features haunting and repetitive lyrics that make a powerful statement about sexual violence and its insidious nature. The song reflects on the feelings of many survivors of sexual assault who often feel isolated and alone. The opening lines of the song, "Rape me, Rape me, my friend, rape me. Rape me again," has a paradoxical nature to it. It seems as though the victim is speaking to the perpetrator, but the "my friend" element suggests that they may know each other and could have been friends, lovers, or acquaintances. The punctuation and repetition of the phrase emphasize the cyclical nature of abuse and how it can continue to happen.

The next verse, where she sings "Hate me, hate me, my friend, hate me. Hate me again," can be interpreted as the aftermath of the act of assault. The victim may feel rejected and shamed by people around them, including the perpetrator, who was once a friend. The repetition of the phrase, "I'm not the only one," further emphasizes that the issue of rape and sexual assault is a universal one, and the victim is not alone in their experience.

The final verse, "Beat me, beat me, my friend, beat me. Beat me again," highlights how sexual violence can take a variety of forms and how the victim may be exposed to multiple kinds of abuse. The chilling repetition of the same phrase throughout the song has a hypnotic quality, designed to make the listener experience some of the feelings of the victim.