I've always thought that, more than paying tribute to her folks, Jann is talking about that moment where you used to be so weak and felt so wrong, but you've finally mustered enough willpower to do something about the situation. That's why the chorus is "no I, I've never wanted anything so bad".
Reading Jann's memoir, my impression is that she went through a lot of years without really pursuing her music, seemingly just squandering her 20ies away. She left school without knowing what job she can do or wants to do, and it's just one dead end after another. I'm totally like that myself, and it's because I literally don't feel like I know what to do, or even what I can do, and there's a general fear of going out into the world as myself. It's not really a fear of criticism, it's an omg-I-literally-can't-stand-on-my-own. Hence the remark on the album booklet saying, "be yourself at all times". This song is a rallying cry for yourself.
I've always thought that, more than paying tribute to her folks, Jann is talking about that moment where you used to be so weak and felt so wrong, but you've finally mustered enough willpower to do something about the situation. That's why the chorus is "no I, I've never wanted anything so bad".
Reading Jann's memoir, my impression is that she went through a lot of years without really pursuing her music, seemingly just squandering her 20ies away. She left school without knowing what job she can do or wants to do, and it's just one dead end after another. I'm totally like that myself, and it's because I literally don't feel like I know what to do, or even what I can do, and there's a general fear of going out into the world as myself. It's not really a fear of criticism, it's an omg-I-literally-can't-stand-on-my-own. Hence the remark on the album booklet saying, "be yourself at all times". This song is a rallying cry for yourself.