The band includes bassist Kathi Wilcox (of Bikini Kill), keyboardist Kenny Mellman (of Kiki & Herb), drummer Carmine Covelli, and guitarist Sara Landeau (who Hanna met through Girls Rock Camp).
In December 2010, the Julie Ruin previewed a performance at the Knitting Factory in Brooklyn, New York.
In 2012, the Julie Ruin released the song "Girls Like Us," featuring queercore artist Vaginal Davis, as a free download as part of a series inspired by the book Real Man Adventures by T. Cooper.
The band's first album, Run Fast, was released on September 3, 2013, by Dischord Records. The first track, "Oh Come On," was released in June of that year.
The band's second album, Hit Reset, was released on July 8, 2016, by Hardly Art Records. The first track "I Decide" was released on April 11, 2016.
http://thejulieruin.com/
Girls Like Us
The Julie Ruin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
plastic handbags alcohol
girls like us sometimes ignore people on the street
even though they’re people that we know
girls like us sneak breaks at Wendy’s
and girls like us invented jazz
girls like us have no foundations
creation myths are so passé
girls like us
girls like us
girls like us might flock to scandals
but girls like us don’t give a shit
girls like us pick up the hot handles
and burn our hands and we get over it
girls like us use highlighter pens
especially to write our poems
girls like us stand back to back
just because you know we want to know
girls like us
girls like us
girls like us eat salt for breakfast
girls like us are good at that
girls like us refuse to hang
license plates on our bedroom walls
girls like us carry our passports
just in case you know we have to go
girls like us are most perfect
when we’re biting off all our fingernails
girls like us
girls like us
girls like us
girls like us
girls like us use highlighter pens
especially to write our poems
girls like us stand back to back
just because you know we need to know
girls like us are maybe most perfect
when we’re biting off all our fingernails
girls like us love the calm
just before it starts to hail
girls like us
girls like us
girls like us
girls like us
The Julie Ruin's 'Girls Like Us' is a song that speaks to and celebrates the experiences of women. The opening line, "girls like us like cotton candy, plastic handbags, alcohol" sets the tone for a song that revels in the superficial pleasures of consumerism. It's a cynical commentary on the way women's desires are commodified and marketed to them. The next line, "girls like us sometimes ignore people on the street, even though they’re people that we know" acknowledges the way that women are conditioned to ignore their own instincts and intuition for the sake of social conventions.
The song goes on to describe various aspects of being a woman. It acknowledges the way that women are often drawn to scandal and drama but also possess a resilience that allows them to weather any storm. Women are portrayed as multifaceted, capable of being both vulnerable and strong, frivolous and gritty. The lines "girls like us use highlighter pens, especially to write our poems" and "girls like us refuse to hang license plates on our bedroom walls" highlight the way that women's choices and interests are often trivialized or dismissed.
The chorus of the song, "girls like us, girls like us" repeats as a rallying cry. It serves as a reminder that despite the many ways that women are marginalized and reduced, they are also powerful and unique individuals who cannot be summed up in a single stereotype or label.
Line by Line Meaning
girls like us like cotton candy
Girls like us enjoy sweet things like cotton candy
plastic handbags alcohol
Girls like us may buy cheap and superficial things, and also enjoy drinking
girls like us sometimes ignore people on the street
Girls like us may occasionally neglect to acknowledge acquaintances
even though they’re people that we know
Despite us recognizing these people, we may still ignore them
girls like us sneak breaks at Wendy’s
Girls like us may enjoy fast food and take short breaks from work or other activities
and girls like us invented jazz
Girls like us may be creative and influential in music genres like jazz
girls like us have no foundations
Girls like us are not defined or restrained by societal norms or expectations
creation myths are so passé
Traditional stories of origin have little relevance to girls like us
girls like us might flock to scandals
Girls like us may be intrigued by controversial or shocking events
but girls like us don’t give a shit
Despite our curiosity, we don't care about the opinions of others
girls like us pick up the hot handles
Girls like us may endure pain or discomfort for the sake of experience
and burn our hands and we get over it
We recover from challenges and learn from them
girls like us use highlighter pens
Girls like us might use bright colors to emphasize important things
especially to write our poems
Highlighter pens are often used when writing poetry
girls like us stand back to back
Girls like us may stand back to back, facing opposite directions
just because you know we want to know
We stand like this to observe or learn from our surroundings
girls like us eat salt for breakfast
Girls like us may have unusual habits and preferences
girls like us are good at that
We excel at these quirks and individuality
girls like us refuse to hang license plates on our bedroom walls
Girls like us prefer not to decorate our personal space with conventional items
girls like us carry our passports
Girls like us may be adventurous and ready to explore at any moment
just in case you know we have to go
We carry passports for the possibility of travel or escape
girls like us are most perfect
We feel most our true selves
when we’re biting off all our fingernails
When nervous or anxious, we sometimes bite off our fingernails
girls like us love the calm
Girls like us cherish moments of peace and tranquility
just before it starts to hail
Before a storm or hardship occurs, we find comfort in serenity
Contributed by Hunter F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@parkpunk2
I love that I'm still discovering good music. wish I had heard it 10 years ago but better late than never.
@BrandyAllen-y5q
in which ive never felt more seen i love everything about this
@FuckPunkers
"girls like us pick up the hot handles and burn our hands, and we get over it" shout out to my mom
@MrBraffZachlin
lol, good one.
@tsukiyumetan5362
This is such a satisfying video.Never fails to cheer me up.♥️♥️♥️
@leenaali2692
Love it! The whole album is freakin amazing!!
@medusatruths1066
I love how diverse this is bc the look backs of riot grrrl wasn't exactly like that. This is incredible and cute. It makes me feel proud to be a girl and very happy!!!
@vizualvids
Simone Is Sempiternal your a fucking nut job lol.
@IhaytFukkingsocialmedia
nah i love riot girl. meant EVERYTHING to me back then when i was a teen girl!!!
@guignolfest
This song is great!