In Spring of 2010 Unwoman released her fourth full-length self-produced album, Casualties. Its pressing was funded by fans on kickstarter, and its release coincided with a huge bump in her popularity due to several enthusiastic tweets from Amanda Palmer. In September 2011 she released Uncovered Volume 1, an album of dramatic reinterpretations of popular songs written betwen 1980 and 1995, also funded by fans via kickstarter.
Unwoman performs solo, with drummer Felix Macnee as Heavy Sugar Duo, and as a guest in other bands, throughout the US. Unwoman has performed solo at WorldCon (Reno, NV 2011), Steamcon I, II, and III (Seattle), Victoria Steam Exposition (Victoria, BC), Bats Day in the Fun Park (Anaheim, CA), Can't Stop the Serenity (Phoenix, AZ), Nova Albion (SF Bay Area), Fanime (San Jose, CA), and Teslacon (Madison, WI).
Satin
Unwoman Lyrics
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I slip her on and tie her lace
Tonight she might be stained and battered
In your dangerous embrace
I am satin, fretted and frayed
By life's jagged edges
When I let myself out to play
Despite consequences
It’s not in reverence for your spark
Just for the severance of strings
That bound me, kept me from my heart
Yet everything I make and do
In this labyrinth of doubt
Is a misguided lovesong to you
Wouldn't mean anything without
(oh let it out let it out!)
I take the dress down from the attic
I slip her on and lace her ties
Tonight she might be torn and tattered
Just because we are alive
The lyrics of Unwoman's song Satin describe a protagonist who vividly personifies herself as an old, satin dress that has been kept in the attic for a while. She takes the dress down, slips it on, and ties her lace. The dress here symbolizes her inner self, her sexuality, and passion, which she has long suppressed under the societal bindings of respectability, moral codes, and norms. She believes that tonight is the night when she will let herself out and be open to experiencing her desires. However, she acknowledges the risk of being hurt in this journey, just like a dress gets "stained" and "battered."
The singer describes herself as "fretted and frayed by life's jagged edges," meaning that she has been living with inner chaos and pain, and her existence has chafed and affected her. She charts the way life dulls our intensity, and we try to overcome this by pretending. The reference to "severance of strings" suggests breaking free from the oppressive moral and societal norms that have held her back from realizing her full potential. Although she acknowledges the consequences of her actions, she is ready to take the risk to explore her needs and desires.
The singer then reflects on her creative work, expressing the idea that everything she has done has been to express her love for an unknown person. This person could be a metaphorical representation of her inner self or a lover, someone who has been the inspiration behind her works. She says that her work would be meaningless without this person, suggesting that he/she is a driving force for her. The lyrics are deep and personal, portraying the inner struggles of an individual who wishes to explore her sexuality and passion but is held back by societal norms and expectations.
Line by Line Meaning
I take the dress down from the attic
I retrieve the dress that represents the version of myself that is confident and unabashed
I slip her on and tie her lace
I embrace this courageous self, and prepare myself for the coming experience
Tonight she might be stained and battered
I acknowledge that taking risks may entail negative outcomes, but I am willing to brave them nevertheless
In your dangerous embrace
I am prepared to face the consequences of interacting with someone who has the potential to hurt me
I am satin, fretted and frayed
I present a façade of elegance, but in reality am dealing with the pain that comes with living in an unpredictable world
By life's jagged edges
This world contains harsh realities that can be disorienting and painful
When I let myself out to play
Despite the inherent risks of living authentically and fearlessly, I choose to pursue life wholeheartedly
Despite consequences
I am aware of the potential fallout from my choices, but am willing to face them regardless
Intensity is muted by pretending
I try to shield myself from pain by downplaying the significance of my feelings
It’s not in reverence for your spark
It is not because I hold the recipient of my affection in high regard that I take such risks, but rather because I am willing to be vulnerable
Just for the severance of strings
I engage in risky behavior for the sake of freeing myself from self-doubt and societal constraints
That bound me, kept me from my heart
I have internalized society's limitations to the point where they have constricted and repressed my true self
Yet everything I make and do
All of my creative pursuits and life choices
In this labyrinth of doubt
In this maze of uncertainty and self-questioning
Is a misguided lovesong to you
Is a way of communicating my feelings to someone who may never understand
Wouldn't mean anything without
These actions would be meaningless if they weren't tied to my desire to break free from self-imposed limitations
(oh let it out let it out!)
An emotional plea to be allowed to express myself more fully
I take the dress down from the attic
I continue to engage in risky behavior, hoping that it will lead to greater self-understanding
I slip her on and lace her ties
I commit to living authentically, even when it exposes me to emotional vulnerability
Tonight she might be torn and tattered
I acknowledge that the path to authenticity may involve being wounded, but I am willing to take that risk in order to live a wholehearted life
Just because we are alive
Living a full and authentic life involves taking risks, even in the face of uncertainty and potential pain
Contributed by Lincoln S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.