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Ani DiFranco — Gravel
Album: Living In Clip
Avg rating:
5.5

Your rating:
Total ratings: 476









Released: 1997
Length: 4:09
Plays (last 30 days): 0
i heard the sound of your bike,
as your wheels hit the gravel,
then your engine in the driveway
cutting off
and i pushed through the screen door
and i stood out on the porch
thinking fight, fight, fight
at all costs,
but instead i let you in,
just like i've always done
and i sat you down and offered you a beer
and across the kitchen table
i fired several rounds,
but you were still sitting there
when the smoke cleared.
and you came crawling back
to say that you wanna
make good in the end

and oh, oh,
let me count the ways
that i abhor you,
and you were never a good lay
and you were never a good friend
but, oh, oh, what else can i say...
i adore you

all i need is my leather,
one t-shirt and two socks,
i'll keep my hands warm
in your pockets
and you can use the engine block,
and we'll ride out to california
with my arms around your chest,
and i'll pretend that this is real
'cuz this is what i like best,
and you've been juggling two women
like a stupid circus clown
telling us both we are the one
and maybe you can keep me from ever being happy,
but you're not gonna stop me from having fun.
so let's go before i change my mind
i'll leave the luggage of all your lies behind
'cuz i am bigger than everything that came before

and you were never very kind,
and you let me way down every time
but oh, oh, oh what can i say...
i adore you

i heard the sound of your bike,
as your wheels hit the gravel,
then your engine in the driveway
cutting off
Comments (137)add comment
Might be fun with a buzz on, live, in a club, but as a recording... not doing much for me.
Wow - lots of haters out there!
I love this double live CD, and this is a classic Ani tune.
Good lord, make it stop!!!  Oh PSD there you are. 
Great musician! Pretty good version of this tune and there are better tracks for RP to play...
Indeed - sounds like gravel
PSD!
un useful
{#Frustrated}
Awful.
Some good elements but feels herky-jerky
This gives me asthma. That panicky breathing sounds like she's suffocating.

gack
This a #1 if there ever was one.
She is a talented musician and songwriter; just don't dig her song styling is all.
MUTED.
Love Passion Love Ani.  I guess passion ain't everyone's bag but y'all don't know what you're missing.  Aside from this so many amazing tracks - Hello Birmingham, Self Evident, 32 Flavours, Pick yer nose and it goes on and on and on.
 spigolli wrote:
Sucko-BARFO {#Puke}'cept the guitar player
 
Funny; she is the guitar player.

But, I agree.  {#Puke}


{#Frustrated}{#Beat}{#Razz}{#Puke}{#Snooty}
Sucko-BARFO {#Puke}'cept the guitar player

 mirland wrote:
Utter crap.
 
                                                {#Yes}

Gravel is an appropriate name for this song....it's grating (but I do like Difranco!!)
 farakon wrote:
Why so much hate?
 
I hear you, but maybe we should look at it in a different light. She provokes a reaction (be it positive or negative) and if art doesn't provoke a reaction, maybe it's not good art. {#Think}

this doesn't work. it's like it was written and composed in one hour
Utter crap.
 racerx wrote:
Really not good on any level.  She seems to be trying too hard to be artistic but it ends up a bunch of nonsense - to me at least.  Please play less of her so hopefully I never have to use mute.
 

I want some upbeat stuff.  zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
I like the music; it's a good arrangement and all, but her phrasing and cadence do sound a little feigned.  However, if that's how she prefers to sing, whose place is it to tell her not to? 


Really not good on any level.  She seems to be trying too hard to be artistic but it ends up a bunch of nonsense - to me at least.  Please play less of her so hopefully I never have to use mute.
 diazo wrote:

How do you know how annoying her next song will be?  Aren't you implying that her songs will eventually not be annoying at all?  Just asking.
 

I think the implication is just the opposite.  Eventually the songs will become so annoying that they will collapse in on themselves and form a singularity from which no enjoyment can escape.
 greyfin10 wrote:

I get this from people all the time about just about every singer I care one whit about "she/he's not doing it right!! she/he can't sing".  Well you know what?  If I like the way it sounds, it IS right.  This is the root of the battle between RPrs that appreciate unique voices (Bob Dylan, Neil Young, etc) and those that think they shouldn't open their mouths.  I used to be in the latter camp, but I blame age and experience for moving me into the former.  

Welcome to our camp greyfin......rock and roll ain't (necessarily) about pretty singing
Ani, take your meds!
I saw Ani in Geneva this weekend and she was awesome! She is one of the most amazing live performers Ive seen. yes, she is a folk singer and thats not for everyone... sometimes more message than music, and vocals that are meant to be heard, not to be beautiful.

Like Ani says "I am not a pretty girl, that is not what i do"..
 diazo wrote:

How do you know how annoying her next song will be?  Aren't you implying that her songs will eventually not be annoying at all?  Just asking.
 

...clever!..
 joerw wrote:
Each song of Ani's is more annoying than the next.  Yuck.
 
How do you know how annoying her next song will be?  Aren't you implying that her songs will eventually not be annoying at all?  Just asking.
 FlatCat wrote:
I hate this. Does that make me a hater?
 

Nope.  Chacun à son goût.
Why so much hate?  Ani rocks! {#Dancingbanana_2}
To really get Ani, see her in concert.
Gosh what a predictable pile of dung! Volume = 0, rating = 1. See you on the other side!
Each song of Ani's is more annoying than the next.  Yuck.
I hate this. Does that make me a hater?

I get this from people all the time about just about every singer I care one whit about "she/he's not doing it right!! she/he can't sing".  Well you know what?  If I like the way it sounds, it IS right.  This is the root of the battle between RPrs that appreciate unique voices (Bob Dylan, Neil Young, etc) and those that think they shouldn't open their mouths.  I used to be in the latter camp, but I blame age and experience for moving me into the former.  

 HonduranRed wrote:


..with all due respect to you, I don't believe that I have heard your singing teacher on this radio station—or any other for that matter...but maybe,....what record label did he/she sign with, or start?

...c'mon now..music/art is never right or wrong, good or bad..it just is..the rest is your own personal opinion.
 


Heh, reminds me of Uncle Bonsai.
 songbirdfemme wrote:
ANI IS GREAT, WHATS UP WITH THIS OLD MAN PIC DUDE??
 
It's Mike Gravel, former senator (D-AK) and one-time presidential candidate.

ANI IS GREAT, WHATS UP WITH THIS OLD MAN PIC DUDE??

 Geecheeboy wrote:
"Gravel" is an apt name for this song. Not smooth asphalt at all. Jerky like hitting my head on the side window of my truck as I jolt and lurch down a rough gravel road. Yeah, 4 miles of bad road.
 

Ani DiFranco is not about being a sexy woman... so no, she does not have a smooth.. sexy voice... but if you take the time to listen to her lyrics, or see her in concert, you will be amazed by her poetry, insight, energy, laughter... the woman is amazing. I have had many friends who are rabid fans... and even though she is not my most favorite, she is an astounding musician and performer.
 redtex wrote:
Gravel? I'd rather eat it than hear this song again.
 
+100000
redtex wrote:
Gravel? I'd rather eat it than hear this song again.

Ditto. Maybe even some hot blacktop.

 thewiseking wrote:
Gravel? listenin to her I'm ready to hit the road.
 

Car wheels on a gravel road is a better sound, and speaking of that, can we hear that next, RP?
 reason06 wrote:
I think far from excellent, she tries to hard and adds notes that don't belong. Like jessica simpson. And nothing like Alanis. My singing teacher always told me , if they can hear you gasping for breath , you can't sing.
 
..with all due respect to you, I don't believe that I have heard your singing teacher on this radio station—or any other for that matter...but maybe,....what record label did he/she sign with, or start?

...c'mon now..music/art is never right or wrong, good or bad..it just is..the rest is your own personal opinion.
Gravel? I'd rather eat it than hear this song again.
fortyonejb wrote:
She's been doing this longer than Alanis could even dream of performing. Ani is excellent, and having seen her a few times, including a free concert she did with the goo-goo dolls in buffalo NY, I can say she is definitely a true performer. She's one of this generations lesser known musical geniuses.
I think far from excellent, she tries to hard and adds notes that don't belong. Like jessica simpson. And nothing like Alanis. My singing teacher always told me , if they can hear you gasping for breath , you can't sing.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
I just have no words for how to describe this... ..Just: -Ouch!..
Gravel? listenin to her I'm ready to hit the road.
skdenfeld wrote:
Very Allanis-ish.
She's been doing this longer than Alanis could even dream of performing. Ani is excellent, and having seen her a few times, including a free concert she did with the goo-goo dolls in buffalo NY, I can say she is definitely a true performer. She's one of this generations lesser known musical geniuses.
So awful
auburntigerrich wrote:
How's the rest of the album?
Uniformly very good.
very bad..
"Gravel" is an apt name for this song. Not smooth asphalt at all. Jerky like hitting my head on the side window of my truck as I jolt and lurch down a rough gravel road. Yeah, 4 miles of bad road.
Me likely.
I can only say that I wish I was there! One of my favorite tunes. How's the rest of the album?
I wanna like it, really, but the way she twists her voice and pronunciation and pushes the volume up and down in short bursts seems so affected to me.
...not even ever having heard this song before, in only the first two staccatto guitar notes i instantly recognised ani difranco...
There are some bands/artists who simply are better Live. I count Ani D among those. The basic facts are that the Grateful Dead have never made a studio album that came anywhere near the Galaxy of their live performances (Dicks Picks et al for fine recording of such.) Ani performed at a Music festival some years ago at Laguna Seca. It was memorable because she made me feel, among a crowd of over 10,000, like I had been invited into her living room and she was sharing some songs she wrote. It was very intimate, due to her absolute comfort on stage. She completely setup the mood for Spearhead who took that small party and turned it into a House Party. She'll always be great in my book.
skdenfeld wrote:
Very Allanis-ish.
Ani was first homie.
Screw her voice you guys, she seems to be a pretty damn good guitarist to me.
Very Allanis-ish.
wmstadler wrote:
Her voice is very much an acquired taste, and if you don't acquire it, it's probably going to annoy the hell out of you.
Amen for understanding,love,peace and the right for anybody to make music and for me not to listen.
Her voice is very much an acquired taste, and if you don't acquire it, it's probably going to annoy the hell out of you.
I don't understand the ani-mosity! sheesh. This song rocks live and recorded. Ani is definitely not for everyone but I don't understand why people who do not like her are so incredibly negative.
meghan89 wrote:
It's been a long time since I've heard this, I do like it and her music though her style is just a wee bit forced. Like she rilly needs to tell us how tough and troubled she is. Regardless, I admire her music and her honesty.
I would think if you trolled through the world of modern music you would find that a large percentage of it is a singer telling us about how tough and/or troubled he/she is. So why does it seem to bother so many people that Ani does the same thing?
It's been a long time since I've heard this, I do like it and her music though her style is just a wee bit forced. Like she rilly needs to tell us how tough and troubled she is. Regardless, I admire her music and her honesty.
Odyzzeuz wrote:
I love the idea of Ani DiFranco. She's really necessary. But I find her music a little painful. Sorry Ani. I have really really tried.
A truer word was never spoken.
I hate the twangy sound of that guitar. . .but the song is still okay in my book of lies and petty secrets.
I love the idea of Ani DiFranco. She's really necessary. But I find her music a little painful. Sorry Ani. I have really really tried.
natural_tools wrote:
Her frantic guitar scratching and air-gulping makes me feel claustrophobic. Need to escape whatever room she's trapped me in. Not a fan.
That's a good description. I can appreciate her abilities but just don't enjoy it. I also don't mind being subjected to her music every now and again because it takes all kinds, even your odd Fergie here and there.
agnes wrote:
Wow, am I one of the only lovers of the tortured-yet-tremendously-talented female songwriters on RP? I thought stepping away from commercial radio and those who download songs like "Fergalicious" would find me in a much more musically hospitable environment. Why the hate for this woman? She's a crazy good guitar player, an amazing poet to boot, and listen to that voice! She founded her own record label because she didn't want to put up with the BS imposed by music industry swine! No one "discovered" her; she MADE HERSELF. IMHO, she embodies all the things we musical elitists seek out here at RP. Don't get me wrong, I'd rather swim around in a baby pool of used tampons than go to a Lilith Fair show, but what gives, y'all?
You got it right all the way through.
agnes wrote:
Wow, am I one of the only lovers of the tortured-yet-tremendously-talented female songwriters on RP? I thought stepping away from commercial radio and those who download songs like "Fergalicious" would find me in a much more musically hospitable environment. Why the hate for this woman? She's a crazy good guitar player, an amazing poet to boot, and listen to that voice! She founded her own record label because she didn't want to put up with the BS imposed by music industry swine! No one "discovered" her; she MADE HERSELF. IMHO, she embodies all the things we musical elitists seek out here at RP. Don't get me wrong, I'd rather swim around in a baby pool of used tampons than go to a Lilith Fair show, but what gives, y'all?
Hardly the only fan. Been happy to hear Annie for the last 15 years myself.
Over-rated.....
So bad its good. ... ... Oh, wait, no it isn't! :D
Wizzuvv_oz wrote:
I agree. I like music that polarizes listeners. I'm (very) near the minus pole on this one.
Whoa. I flipped from a 2 to a 7 on the second listen. Never gone that far in the opposite direction before. Kind of "bipolar". Maybe it was the better speakers the second time.....yeah, that's it.....:-)
dmax wrote:
Because she's so self-consciously affective and contrived. I wanted to like her, based on the few things that I'd heard. So I collected a bunch of her stuff and found that I couldn't possibly slog my way through it. I finally had to delete her files from options on my random iTunes playlist, since she perturbed me so much each time I heard her faux-distress and forced sincerity.
Yes, her "faux-distress and forced sincerity" is perturbing, isn't it? jeeeeeeeeeeeeeezzzzzzz
agnes wrote:
Wow, am I one of the only lovers of the tortured-yet-tremendously-talented female songwriters on RP? I thought stepping away from commercial radio and those who download songs like "Fergalicious" would find me in a much more musically hospitable environment. Why the hate for this woman? She's a crazy good guitar player, an amazing poet to boot, and listen to that voice! She founded her own record label because she didn't want to put up with the BS imposed by music industry swine! No one "discovered" her; she MADE HERSELF. IMHO, she embodies all the things we musical elitists seek out here at RP. Don't get me wrong, I'd rather swim around in a baby pool of used tampons than go to a Lilith Fair show, but what gives, y'all?
I'm with you on every point - she's incredible on CD and amazing in person. I've seen her three times and each time has been better than the last. Rock on, Ani!!
Professor_C wrote:
Ani never inspires neutrality in the RP comments, and in my book, that's the highest form of praise.
I agree. I like music that polarizes listeners. I'm (very) near the minus pole on this one.
agnes wrote:
Wow, am I one of the only lovers of the tortured-yet-tremendously-talented female songwriters on RP? I thought stepping away from commercial radio and those who download songs like "Fergalicious" would find me in a much more musically hospitable environment. Why the hate for this woman? She's a crazy good guitar player, an amazing poet to boot, and listen to that voice! She founded her own record label because she didn't want to put up with the BS imposed by music industry swine! No one "discovered" her; she MADE HERSELF. IMHO, she embodies all the things we musical elitists seek out here at RP. Don't get me wrong, I'd rather swim around in a baby pool of used tampons than go to a Lilith Fair show, but what gives, y'all?
RIGHT ON!!
I will pay her to stop singing. and murdering the guitar
queenjill wrote:
is there any non-angry ani?
steeler wrote:
Hmmmm. Is there any non-angry Clash? Let the fury have the hour, anger can be power
Dig it, rock on with the righteous energy. Note, Ani's latest album is hardly angry at all.
queenjill wrote:
is there any non-angry ani?
Hmmmm. Is there any non-angry Clash? Let the fury have the hour, anger can be power
Ani never inspires neutrality in the RP comments, and in my book, that's the highest form of praise.
OldFrenchie wrote:
Ani Difranco is so fricken hot. Hairy armpits and all.....
Over here (click here) OldFrenchie was dissing on Leon Russell's hairyness, and here he is more accepting...hmmm...a double standard? Anyway, I have to say I agree with him here. Though I guess I never noticed her armpits. Just her unique style and delivery. And I guess I agree with her social/political outlook as expressed in her music.
Seriously, you guys need to check out her latest, I mean it. It's different, it's awesome. (Sorry, though I respect righteously enraged babes, I just never took to her earlier stuff meself.)
Here, here Agnes!
... go ani
I would never say that she completely lacks talent, but honestly, to me, all her music sounds the same (read: boring) and I just don't see what all the fuss is about Gimme Annie Lennox any day
this brings me back to all the fantastic ani shows I saw with my friends in college...she is a powerhouse. this song...if you can't relate - you are lucky, but if you can - this song is comforting.
Sorry, but all her stuff sounds the same to me. When I want a kick-a$$ female singer, I turn to Lucinda Williams. Now THERE's some righteous anger for you...
You tell 'em Agnes!
Wow, am I one of the only lovers of the tortured-yet-tremendously-talented female songwriters on RP? I thought stepping away from commercial radio and those who download songs like "Fergalicious" would find me in a much more musically hospitable environment. Why the hate for this woman? She's a crazy good guitar player, an amazing poet to boot, and listen to that voice! She founded her own record label because she didn't want to put up with the BS imposed by music industry swine! No one "discovered" her; she MADE HERSELF. IMHO, she embodies all the things we musical elitists seek out here at RP. Don't get me wrong, I'd rather swim around in a baby pool of used tampons than go to a Lilith Fair show, but what gives, y'all?
Thank God for Ani Difranco! A wonderful Song!
natural_tools wrote:
Her frantic guitar scratching and air-gulping makes me feel claustrophobic. Need to escape whatever room she's trapped me in. Not a fan.
I don't feel the same, but I must say: "Well put"!
Daniel_Pittenger wrote:
Ehhh...I disagree, but hey, what do I know? This song is ok, noting too special. I like her style, but think she's a bit pretentious.
Prententious? How about resolute, honest, strident. You really have to see her live.
Her frantic guitar scratching and air-gulping makes me feel claustrophobic. Need to escape whatever room she's trapped me in. Not a fan.
smadanayr wrote:
Why make noises like that with instruments when you can make people happy, fall in love, or cry, with those same instruments? Beats me.
Who's got anger and pent frustration you or Ani? This is amazing stuff. Ani is one of the most creative female sonwriters ..EVER. And she can play guitar! Boy Can she Play. How can you dismiss this as aweful noise. Check your headphones, they must be clogged with earwax.
OldFrenchie wrote:
Ani Difranco is so fricken hot. Hairy armpits and all.....
Ehhh...I disagree, but hey, what do I know? This song is ok, noting too special. I like her style, but think she's a bit pretentious.
I am painfully fascinated whenever I hear her - kinda like looking at a burn victim's face. I kinda like it and I kinda can't stand it. Sometimes art makes us uncomfortable...
Gack. This should be re-titled, "Drivel."
Ani Difranco is so fricken hot. Hairy armpits and all.....
Why make noises like that with instruments when you can make people happy, fall in love, or cry, with those same instruments? Beats me.
isaacsonar wrote:
Tons! I'd say the majority of her newer songs show a brilliant, thoughtful, non-angry Ani.
I agree... I heard a song of hers on a public radio station that was beautiful... full of love, very spiritual... I wish I knew the name of the song and where to find it.
This is just horrible. Sounds like she is dying or in pain. At least it is making me feel in pain.
queenjill wrote:
is there any non-angry ani?
(click here)
Oh, I know it well.....
andrewmi wrote:
I have discovered that I can appriciate Ani for a song or two at a time, but more than that is pushing it. Wonder why that is?
Before her latest, "Reprieve," I felt exactly this way about ADF. Now I'm a convert: the album's listenable all the way through...even through *multiple* listenings. (Wow - never expected *that*.) EDIT: Especially "Shroud" and "Unrequited" -lmic
dogdokken wrote:
musically (not vocally) this sounds like dave matthews. that guitar strumming.
Yeah, only WAY better. Ani puts soul in picking.
I have discovered that I can appriciate Ani for a song or two at a time, but more than that is pushing it. Wonder why that is?
queenjill wrote:
is there any non-angry ani?
Tons! I'd say the majority of her newer songs show a brilliant, thoughtful, non-angry Ani.
musically (not vocally) this sounds like dave matthews. that guitar strumming.
girlafraid wrote:
no more angry ani! :(
is there any non-angry ani?
GF wrote:
Finally! Living in Clip is one of the best cds. The version of "Fire Door" just rips me apart. Buy this cd... and check out "Letter to a John"
don't forget the orchestral accompaniment with "both hands" 'tis brilliant~
Ouch.