Explain It To Me

Album: Exile In Guyville (1993)
Play Video
  • Lyrics currently unavailable Writer/s: LIZ PHAIR
    Publisher: Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Comments: 3

  • Theresa from Murfreesboro, TnThis song always makes me think, Liz is the queen of indie rock.
  • Nicole from Woonsocket, RiI took a completely different interpretation of this song. I interpreted it as a critique of how fathers raise their sons with high standards pushing them to ?measure up? by being successful in sports and/or academics, and basically to become something great ? perhaps to accomplish things the father never got around to accomplishing. Girls, on the other hand, are less often encouraged to be competitive and successful achievers. Expectations for them tend to be lower. See the last few lines of this song:

    Tell him to jump higher
    Tell him to run farther
    Make him measure up
    Ten times longer than you
    Ever should, you never could
    Explain them to me, explain them to me

    I interpret that as saying young girls are not given the same encouragement as boys are to get out there and be something. This uprbringing shapes girls? views of their worth and their roles in life. I think the theme transitions perfectly into the following song, ?Canary.? In this song, the first verse illustrates the upbringing of a young girl:

    I learn my name
    I write with a number two pencil
    I work up to my potential
    I earn my name
    I come when called
    I jump when you circle the cherry
    I sing like a good canary
    I come when called
    I come, that's all

    And this upbringing transcends into adulthood in which she plays a similarly passive role in her marriage:

    I clean the house
    I put all your books in an order
    I make up a colorful border

    Any thoughts?
  • Jessie Ann from Purchase, Nysuch a good song. perfect for the movie.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Hawksley Workman

Hawksley WorkmanSongwriter Interviews

One of Canada's most popular and eclectic performers, Hawksley tells stories about his oldest songs, his plentiful side projects, and the ways that he keeps his songwriting fresh.

Jesus Christ Superstar: Ted Neeley Tells the Inside Story

Jesus Christ Superstar: Ted Neeley Tells the Inside StorySong Writing

The in-depth discussion about the making of Jesus Christ Superstar with Ted Neeley, who played Jesus in the 1973 film.

Penny Ford of Snap!

Penny Ford of Snap!Songwriter Interviews

The original voice of Snap! this story is filled with angry drag queens, video impersonators and Chaka Khan.

Narada Michael Walden - "Freeway of Love"

Narada Michael Walden - "Freeway of Love"They're Playing My Song

As a songwriter and producer, Narada had hits with Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and Starship. But what song does he feel had the greatest impact on his career?

David Clayton-Thomas of Blood, Sweat & Tears

David Clayton-Thomas of Blood, Sweat & TearsSongwriter Interviews

The longtime BS&T frontman tells the "Spinning Wheel" story, including the line he got from Joni Mitchell.

Rush: Album by Album - A Conversation With Martin Popoff

Rush: Album by Album - A Conversation With Martin PopoffSong Writing

A talk with Martin Popoff about his latest book on Rush and how he assessed the thousands of albums he reviewed.