Pixie

I interpreted this song as mocking the people that simpy "all hold hands and pretend we're (they're) having a good time". The protagonist in the song is passive and opinionless - a simple 'paperdoll', who smiles and would rather sit back in ignorance than question the things around her. Of course, we know that this isn't Ani's 'voice' at all, as she is a woman who will - and does - stand up and speak her mind about issues.

i can't possibly get mad at someone after hearing this song. tonight i was listening to it while driving. someone cut me off. i was about to yell something really offensive and then i remembered the lyrics, 'maybe you don't like your job maybe you didn't get enough sleep well, nobody likes their job nobody got enough sleep maybe you just had the worst day of your life but, you know, there's no escape and there's no excuse so just suck up and be nice ' and quickly shut my mouth. somehow i feel like this is a religion, ani is my goddess, and her lyrics are commandments. she has some great philosophies to live by.

this song is my anthem, some days it just feels like it was written for me. ani is amazing

I have always loved this song because it puts everyone's experiences into perspective. Everyone has a story to tell and no one is more important. Every story has it's own heartache.

im all for this new religion :-p

When I was waitressing at a particularly crowded, drunken, northern bar, I would pump myself full of Ani before my shift. Songs like this always put me in the right frame of mind to deal with dirty drunken men. Wouldn't put up with any shit but wouldn't kick 'em in the balls either...

<3 oh ani.

yeah, i would like to perfect the art of being studiously aloof like life is just a boring chore and i am living proof i could join forces with an army of ornery hipsters but then i guess i'd be out of a job so i guess that's out of the picture

i love that section especially...

i think this song has more than one meaning. yes, i do agree that it could be a way to think about other people in the world, and that we should always keep in mind that other people may be going through similar things that we are, so we shouldn't start fights over little insignificant things..but, i also believe this song is about someone (it could be ani in real life, or just a specific type of person) who, gets taken advantage of, or is shy or quiet, and is naturally automatically nice to people, whether the other person treats them like shit or not. you know what im talking about--those type of people who get pushed or get their foot stomped on, and impulsivley say "sorry", even though it was the other person who did wrong. or, someone who is dealing with something unfair, but just accepts it reguardless, and takes what comes to them with a smile on their face, even though most people wouldn't tolerate the kind of behavior they're recieving. it sounds like this a lot in the beginning when she says: i'm a pixie i'm a paperdoll i'm a cartoon i'm a chipper cheerful free for all and i light up a room i'm the color me happy girl miss live and let live and when they're out for blood i always give

as in, when people try to take things from her, she just lets them, or shes always there to lend a helping hand, but people tend to take advantage of that factor. perhaps this person doesnt have enough courage, or is afraid to show her agressive side, therefore, she just sucks it up and is nice, as the song says. also, we know ani always sings her songs in a poetic rhythm, and she sounds out specific words in a certain way in order to empathize it's feeling..in this song, the entire time shes singing in a light, kind, nice, gentle voice..she stays at the same volume the entire time, like she doesnt outwardly let anything phase her, even if may do so inside. see also: yeah, i would like to perfect the art of being studiously aloof like life is just a boring chore and i am living proof i could join forces with an army of ornery hipsters but then i guess i'd be out of a job so i guess that's out of the picture if she acts like shes unaware of her surroundings, or as if things dont phase her, like shes 'aloof' as she says, then she will remain in the same position that she is in..if she acts like she cares, or fights back, shell be joining in with the rest of them, then she wouldnt outwardly be her... this is what i think the songs about you feel me?

I honestly feel that God made me discover Ani DiFranco as a gift from him to inspire and get me by my day to day life. I love Ani to bits and her music just makes me feel life is worth it. Thank God the merciful for blessing me with her voice.