Legendary singer-songwriter Janis Ian has received honors and served as an inspiration for many upcoming musicians over the course of her illustrious career.
She is as direct, honest, and courageous as her music and emanates the kind of assurance that comes from years of dismantling barriers and expressing her thoughts, even when the establishment tried to silence her.
Photo by - Lloyd Baggs
Below is the marvelous song “Resist” that took five years to complete due to Janis Ian’s perfectionism to get not only the lyrics but the video to work in harmony with her vision.
Video Source: YouTube
Lyrics Below: “RESIST” - (Janis Ian)
She is. She is. She is.
She is. She is. She is
She is. She is. She is
Too short too fat too skinny
Too tall too plain too pretty
Too hot too wet too sticky
Too… picky
Oh, what an ugly girl.
Oh, what an ugly girl.
Put her in high heels, so she can’t run
Carve out between her legs so she can’t come
Get her a dress, for easy access
Tell everybody that she’s just like all the rest
How long?
How long, how long, how long
How long?
How long, how long, how long
Tell me I’m ugly so I’ll buy your crap
Tell me you want me ‘cause I don’t talk back
Tell me I carry the original sin
Tell me I’m holy when I cover up my skin
Tell me that my body bears a permanent stain
Tell me we can marry if I give up my name
Call me your baby so I never grow up
Tell me you love me when you only want to fu-fu-fu
Funny how I whisper, and you think it’s a roar
You ask me to the table then you seat me on the floor
You want me to be sexy. You want me to be pure.
I cannot be your virgin and I will not be your whore.
Resist.
Resist resist resist.
Resist.
Resist resist resist.
It’s a funny kind of thing, when you sing a little song
and you get a couple people to sing along
It’s the power of community.
Authenticity changes your reality
I know it’s hard to believe when they’re yelling in your ear
and it’s the only voice you’re able to hear
But you raise up your fist and you learn to resist
and you say “I will not disappear”
I will not disappear.
I will not disappear
I will not disappear
I will not disappear
Resist.
Resist resist resist.
Resist.
Resist resist resist.
Resist, resist, resist.
Resist, resist, resist.
Resist
