Lyric discussion by jacquii 

Cover art for Siren lyrics by Tori Amos

I think Tori is writing about one of her sub-personalities or archetypes: The siren or femme fatale. These are fractions of her personalities that developed out of past trauma; usually to protect the fragile, vulnerable self. It seems like she is talking about some other girl but I think she is talking to her self. She may be trying to bring this to light to the siren in the song so as to illuminate her 'shadow self' for healing.

The siren, as mentioned above, is the seductress woman who lures men into her territory. It is one that preys on men; it lies to them to control them in a way that is concealed under the glamor of a lusty red dress, sex and even the promise of love. I believe Tori is using the idea of a siren as a seductive,controlling, emotionally destructive and hardened woman. The siren is one who will avenge what has been robbed from her by breaking the hearts of men.

She begins by saying she is lying to herself. She describes this woman as regretfully familiar (know too well), she brings out her cold side (know the chills), acts like a lusty teenager(the associated word flesh emphasize the sexuality of adolescence) but most importantly she know she breaks... (when something is too hard and stiff, it is inflexible and that means it can be easily shatter and so ultimately it is fragile, weak).

She emphasizes all this again by saying she never had time - or could not afford - to be weak or a prissy girl, or never acted like a vulnerable woman calling for an ambulance (never called for help about what happened to her in her past). She might convince the man that she is holy, brave/strong/ like she would make a good wife/mother, like she would love you and is pure (vanilla), but these are things she can never give commit to because she is fractured and broken. She is never quite perfect, like vanilla is never quite white.

Not too sure about the last bit....You don't need to the light on to guide you through the southern lands; this might mean you don't need to be 'present' or 'no-one needs to be at home' to explore the southern lands (to have sex with someone). You can detach you self from this act , which is one of the most potentially controlling and imprisoning acts a woman or a man can do.

Beautiful interpretation.