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Ani DiFranco — Buildings and Bridges
Album: Out of Range
Avg rating:
6.1

Your rating:
Total ratings: 541









Released: 1994
Length: 3:59
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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buildings and bridges
are made to bend in the wind
to withstand the world
that's what it takes
all that steel and stone
is no match for the air, my friend
what doesn't bend breaks
what doesn't bend breaks

we are made to bleed
and scab and heal and bleed again
and turn every scar into a joke
we are made to fight
and fuck and talk and fight again
and sit around and laugh until we choke
sit around and laugh until we choke

i don't know who you were expecting
probably some bitch who does not budge
with eyes the size of snow
i may get pissed off sometimes
but you seem like the type to hold a grudge
and in the end, i just let go

buildings and bridges
are made to bend in the wind
to withstand the world,
that's what it takes
all that steel and stone
is no match for the air, my friend
what doesn't bend breaks
what doesn't bend breaks
Comments (99)add comment
Saw Ani a couple of years ago at the Bayou Boogaloo - entire band had Covid so as the show must go on - she took to the stage by herself and totally ROCKED the house!  Amazing performer!
Posted 5 months ago by loriltn    [ Reply ]
 pattiecovert wrote:
No f-bombs during the work-day, please!
  
Unfortunately, this is the internet. It is always the work day somewhere.
Posted 7 years ago by NotShakespeare    [ Reply ]
I like some of Ani's stuff.  As others have noted over time she's gotten to be a bit repetitious for me. But when heard for the first time she's pretty outrageious.  This is good, but personally I like her Living in Clip (2 disk live performance) version better. 

Highlow
American Net'Zen
Posted 8 years ago by Highlowsel    [ Reply ]
 Cannon wrote:
 I suppose that makes her "cool" to cuss in front of children?

 
Yup.  A lot cooler than Hollywood and American churning out violence for kids programs.
Posted 8 years ago by Jota    [ Reply ]
6 for the music and drums, - 4 for that awful singing/noise stuff.
Posted 8 years ago by Jota    [ Reply ]
I really like that 31 Flavors song of hers. Most everything else I've heard just sounds too similar and doesn't do too much for me. 
Posted 8 years ago by JasondotG    [ Reply ]
 Rainman1975 wrote:
I saw Ani DiFranco at The Philadelphia Folk Fest in 1992.  She looked like the complete opposite of every performer who took the stage that year.  Wonderful and spontaneous, I really enjoyed her music.

The best part was when she first got on the stage, she told everyone that Festival people had asked her to not curse because it was an afternoon show and there were lots of families in the crowd.  "So I'll watch my fucking language," she told everyone.

  I suppose that makes her "cool" to cuss in front of children?
Posted 8 years ago by Cannon    [ Reply ]
This isn't a tenth as irritating as the usual Ani DiFranco oeuvre which have me reaching for PSD in microseconds, but even that's pretty damned irritating. To my surprise I managed a whole minute before hitting PSD.
Posted 8 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
I saw Ani DiFranco at The Philadelphia Folk Fest in 1992.  She looked like the complete opposite of every performer who took the stage that year.  Wonderful and spontaneous, I really enjoyed her music.

The best part was when she first got on the stage, she told everyone that Festival people had asked her to not curse because it was an afternoon show and there were lots of families in the crowd.  "So I'll watch my fucking language," she told everyone.
Posted 9 years ago by Rainman1975    [ Reply ]
 scrubbrush wrote:
Great song. Ani is one of my favorite lyricists. This is a fantatsic song. sad to see that a lot of guys out there are threatened by Ani... says more about them than it does about her (too bad they can't recognize that)
 
I like some of her tunes, this one isn't too bad.  She plays well and her lyrics are often pretty good, but I can see how her singing style and/or phrasing can get a little grating to a lot of folks.  I never found anything about her to be threatening; different strokes, I guess.
Posted 10 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
Great song. Ani is one of my favorite lyricists. This is a fantatsic song. sad to see that a lot of guys out there are threatened by Ani... says more about them than it does about her (too bad they can't recognize that)
Posted 10 years ago by scrubbrush    [ Reply ]
Kevin Gilbert had a point when he wrote: "I'm sick of angry militant lesbian feminists..."
Posted 10 years ago by Steely_D    [ Reply ]
la la laa ala lal a la dumb dahh laaaaa. 

strum strum tracy chapman style

bit of lyric, swear a bit

la la laa ala lalala lalall

etc.  
Posted 10 years ago by bb_matt    [ Reply ]
Ani is amazing!!!
Posted 10 years ago by Trip_Estes    [ Reply ]
Did she say "kcuf"? Never believed Radio Paradise to be bashful.
And never understood such editing tricks. Everyone knows what she said. 
Posted 11 years ago by dudeeg    [ Reply ]
Always glad to hear Ani.  No sympathy for h8ters here.
Posted 11 years ago by xkolibuul    [ Reply ]
A self defeating comment. Apparently criticizing Di Franco for either having an abortion or proclaiming that she did and then that terrible statement at the end. Come on, what do you want to do here: be pro life? Then you cannot make that last statement. Do you believe she should not make this kind of political statement? No political statement at all? Yours is pretty political.
Do you realize that this t-shirt is actually far from a clear statement, but rather a provocative invitation to discuss. It's not like it says "I had an abortion and I am proud of it."
 
tony620d wrote:
i really hate this hobag. that shirt she's wearing about her having an abortion. BRAVO! we dont need more of her kind. too bad her mom didnt have one too!
 


Posted 12 years ago by JHZ    [ Reply ]
This is a wonderful song.
Posted 12 years ago by ITGypsy    [ Reply ]
She may be 32 flavors and then some, but unfortunately none of them suit my palate .  
Posted 12 years ago by MojoJojo    [ Reply ]
 {#Music}pattiecovert wrote:
No f-bombs during the work-day, please!
 


Posted 12 years ago by JIan    [ Reply ]
Ani on hea.
Posted 12 years ago by ottojama    [ Reply ]
oh man....Did I just hear an edited version of this song?? really!? Come on RP!!! don't be like that!
Posted 12 years ago by HonduranRed    [ Reply ]
MAKE IT STOP! MAKE IT STOP!!!!!
Posted 12 years ago by Ballard_CA    [ Reply ]
For me I love her guitar work....she knows how to pick! Seen her a few times live...has a stage hand bring out a freshly tuned guitar for every song...
Posted 17 years ago by stickers11    [ Reply ]
I like the f bombs! pattiecovert wrote:
No f-bombs during the work-day, please!
Posted 17 years ago by joyjoy    [ Reply ]
I always want to like Ani more than I do, and I'm so glad there are people out there who love her. I love the IDEA of Ani DiFranco. I love it so much. But I find her one flavor painful to hear. All that cacophony. Makes me feel like I'm being aurally rabbit-punched.
Posted 17 years ago by Odyzzeuz    [ Reply ]
No f-bombs during the work-day, please!
Posted 17 years ago by pattiecovert    [ Reply ]
miahfost wrote:
Ani does not have a potty mouth. On the contrary, she uses words (like the vernacular term for copulate) purposefully as a poet might. There is nothing gratuitous in her choice of words, and if you are too priggish to appreciate them, perhaps a forum discussing faith-based initatives might be more to your liking.
Amen...ha!
Posted 18 years ago by pixidrizzl    [ Reply ]
Posted 18 years ago by R_P    [ Reply ]
When it comes to other musicians, people normally critique their music; when it comes to Ani, they critique every single part of her life. It's because she threatens them. And really, that's what is generally what she is singing about (when she "speaks truth to power," perfect way of putting it!) and so go ahead and bash her because she still rocks and I'm glad RP realizes it!!
Posted 18 years ago by jennybean42    [ Reply ]
tony620d wrote:
i really hate this hobag. that shirt she's wearing about her having an abortion. BRAVO! we dont need more of her kind. too bad her mom didnt have one too!
Well, I'm glad you're not God; I'd hate for your judgments to actually matter.
Posted 18 years ago by chillynne    [ Reply ]
Speak truth to power Ani, you rock.
Posted 18 years ago by miahfost    [ Reply ]
Ani ROCKS Always.
Posted 18 years ago by LadyLovelyLocks    [ Reply ]
tony620d wrote:
i really hate this hobag. that shirt she's wearing about her having an abortion. BRAVO! we dont need more of her kind. too bad her mom didnt have one too!
Geez, way to make it about the music...you, sir, are an idiot.
Posted 18 years ago by JTRox8    [ Reply ]
She's one of those artists I've heard about forever but never actually heard any of her material - until now. I guess I should be thankful I've made it this long.
Posted 18 years ago by cooshound    [ Reply ]
Can't listen to this with someone's children in the room. Gotta turn it down. Hope to catch this when it's not kids' day at the office.
Posted 18 years ago by Banaszak    [ Reply ]
Get well soon; The world needs people like you!
Posted 18 years ago by lixy    [ Reply ]
man, where's the emoticon with the clothespin on its nose when you need it?
Posted 18 years ago by earkat    [ Reply ]
the t-shirt is powerful and courageous.
Posted 18 years ago by mrrmt    [ Reply ]
Lost a lot of points for the gratuitous f-bomb. T-shirt doesn't help, either.
Posted 18 years ago by Baby_M    [ Reply ]
i really hate this hobag. that shirt she's wearing about her having an abortion. BRAVO! we dont need more of her kind. too bad her mom didnt have one too!
Posted 18 years ago by tony620d    [ Reply ]
hcaudill wrote:
Hmm. Bill's doing an all-sucko-barfo set: 12:10 pm - Ani Difranco - Buildings and Bridges 12:06 pm - Barenaked Ladies - Hanukkah Blessings 12:04 pm - Allen Toussaint - White Christmas What's next, Sarah McLachlan's cover of Solsbury Hill?
LOL and then KD Langs version of Helpless! OY! shoot me now.
Posted 18 years ago by tony620d    [ Reply ]
Hmm. Bill's doing an all-sucko-barfo set: 12:10 pm - Ani Difranco - Buildings and Bridges 12:06 pm - Barenaked Ladies - Hanukkah Blessings 12:04 pm - Allen Toussaint - White Christmas What's next, Sarah McLachlan's cover of Solsbury Hill?
Posted 18 years ago by hcaudill    [ Reply ]
Such a talented singer/songwriter. I find it amazing how she always seems challange her audience as well as herself both artistically and musically. I give her a 10 as an artist, but this song rates a bit lower. Now... Fuel... I would rate as a 10. I love that song. I also agree with the comment regarding her live shows. They are excellent. If you ever have the oportunity to see her or get copies of her live shows. Defintely don't miss out!
Posted 19 years ago by byrd    [ Reply ]
Nothing better than hearing Ani while listening to RP...if they didn't play her, I wouldn't bother tuning in. In the future though, it would be nice to hear some of her newer stuff.
Posted 19 years ago by anidfan    [ Reply ]
miahfost wrote:
Ani does not have a potty mouth. On the contrary, she uses words (like the vernacular term for copulate) purposefully as a poet might. There is nothing gratuitous in her choice of words, and if you are too priggish to appreciate them, perhaps a forum discussing faith-based initatives might be more to your liking.
I don't agree there are a few of her tunes that push things a bit and I live in a blue state. I know that it's art and it's pushing things, but it a bit much for me.
Posted 19 years ago by michaelc    [ Reply ]
I am a huge Ani fan, but tired of hearing the same songs on RP, come on lets branch out a bit, she has released many albums since Out of Range, that contain fabulous music. Please play some new stuff.
Posted 19 years ago by hannahbanana    [ Reply ]
Ani does not have a potty mouth. On the contrary, she uses words (like the vernacular term for copulate) purposefully as a poet might. There is nothing gratuitous in her choice of words, and if you are too priggish to appreciate them, perhaps a forum discussing faith-based initatives might be more to your liking.
Posted 19 years ago by miahfost    [ Reply ]
this song is brilliant. she is brilliant. i love her courage and guts. Thanks for not listening to the negativity and continuing to play ani!
Posted 19 years ago by mrrmt    [ Reply ]
I will say that I admire her for not playing the record companies game, she made it without them. You gotta respect her for that.
Posted 19 years ago by Daveinbawlmer    [ Reply ]
Good. Falls in my categorie Loreena McKennitt, Mary Black, Eddie from Ohio I like it, even though it's a bit monotonous.
Posted 19 years ago by Tux    [ Reply ]
Add me to the list of the people who love this song. :)
Posted 19 years ago by Pilgrim301    [ Reply ]
Interesting how this community is so split on Ani's work - must mean she's doing something right to elicit such strong reactions one way or another. imo, she's one of the best songwriters working today and can tear it up live!
Posted 19 years ago by SCJoniguy    [ Reply ]
Excellent article: https://www.inc.com/magazine/20040901/difranco.html
Posted 19 years ago by coding_to_music    [ Reply ]
Oh, what a potty mouth. She sucks, too.
Posted 19 years ago by BooKitty    [ Reply ]
misterlee wrote:
It gets me so hot when women say F**k!!! Ani, you're so naughty.
Thought I was the only one who felt that way. =P~
Posted 19 years ago by Al_Koholic    [ Reply ]
loved Ani since the mid 90's. some of her stuff is pretty biting, but damn her guitar technique is gorgeous, simply wonderful! so there! i like Ani too.
Posted 19 years ago by fortyonejb    [ Reply ]
A true artist!
Posted 19 years ago by lixy    [ Reply ]
Oh dear God no. Please make it stop. Please. I'll be good. I'll buy more RP stuff. I'll donate money. I'll save a tree. I'll lobby Congress against ANWR. PLEASE MAKE IT STOP.
Posted 19 years ago by Flying_Donut    [ Reply ]
Posted 19 years ago by jagdriver    [ Reply ]
What doesn't bend breaks... Oh Boy. This song is crap.
Posted 19 years ago by mrmojorisin    [ Reply ]
hcaudill wrote:
I've said it before and I'll say it again: AdF is a no-talent pseudo-intellectual poser.
What exactly is a pseudo-intellectual poser? I love Ani and I love this song.
Posted 19 years ago by ee_    [ Reply ]
How about that? An Ani song that I don't immediately hate...intriguing.
Posted 19 years ago by jayladdin    [ Reply ]
If I could taste a song, this would taste like freshly brewed unsweetened ice tea.
Posted 19 years ago by hyperfish    [ Reply ]
I like Ani......so there.
Posted 19 years ago by jbmckee    [ Reply ]
I've said it before and I'll say it again: AdF is a no-talent pseudo-intellectual poser.
Posted 19 years ago by hcaudill    [ Reply ]
BondsLovesSteroids wrote:
The four songs before this one were quite decent, but man, this one makes me feel like I'm back in college, when all the Lilith Fair stuff was going on, and the world was growing breasts... Thats not a good thing
I always thought that breasts were a good thing :nodhead:
Posted 19 years ago by Mugro    [ Reply ]
The four songs before this one were quite decent, but man, this one makes me feel like I'm back in college, when all the Lilith Fair stuff was going on, and the world was growing breasts... Thats not a good thing
Posted 19 years ago by BondsLovesSteroids    [ Reply ]
I was just clicking to post, thinking "oh yeah, that's that Ani Difranco song Bill's been spinning ---- I wonder why people hate her. Not just "don't like her" but a bit frothy around the mouth about her? As the young people say: what is up with that?
Posted 20 years ago by phineas    [ Reply ]
i can't believe how many haters there are on here...:(
Posted 20 years ago by rah    [ Reply ]
billery wrote:
More tedious, confessional blathering from a self-indulgent song-stylist. I guess there's a market for breathy renderings of pubescent girl's diaries. Play more Booker T and the MG's.
ooh! and Lynyrd Skynyrd! FREE BIRD!! WOOOOOO!!
Posted 20 years ago by keemun    [ Reply ]
billery wrote:
More tedious, confessional blathering from a self-indulgent song-stylist. I guess there's a market for breathy renderings of pubescent girl's diaries. Play more Booker T and the MG's.
Yes, I prefer their lyrics over Any Difranco's too!
Posted 20 years ago by Johray63    [ Reply ]
Play more Ani Difranco! I love her music, f-ing cursing and all.
Posted 20 years ago by joe_c    [ Reply ]
bites.
Posted 20 years ago by ChardRemains    [ Reply ]
kctomato wrote:
likeable. nice theme I could do without the cursing.
Thinking the same thing. Love the music, hate the choice of language.
Posted 20 years ago by Patrick    [ Reply ]
Ani is the best, no matter what she sings! To really appreciate her, you have to see her live. She's a great guitarist.
Posted 20 years ago by anifan    [ Reply ]
More tedious, confessional blathering from a self-indulgent song-stylist. I guess there's a market for breathy renderings of pubescent girl's diaries. Play more Booker T and the MG's.
Posted 20 years ago by billery    [ Reply ]
This track has a 60s feel to it. Ani's a bit more than "one-note."
Posted 20 years ago by redeyespy    [ Reply ]
MMmmmmm.... from someone who has never heard of Ani D (not big down under) who didn't know she had a possible gay following or that she was famous for singing one note, or that she swears in her songs (I obviously wasn't listening at that moment) or that she is pretentious as a human being - I feel that I am unbiased enough to say that, hey, it wasn't TOTALLY unmusical and I liked it. Glad I got that one off my chest.
Posted 20 years ago by shell    [ Reply ]
But this song *is* unmusical and pretentious. Do I have to go to cc, too? What if I like Yat-Kha and give money to the Patchouli Preservation Society? Does that make a difference? Just wondering. samiyam wrote:
Go listen to "Clear Channel" You were made for corporate music.
Posted 20 years ago by fridgepoet    [ Reply ]
Omega wrote:
Down with Ani--unmusical and pretentious.
Go listen to "Clear Channel" You were made for corporate music.
Posted 20 years ago by samiyam    [ Reply ]
oh boy, more One-note Ani.
Posted 20 years ago by drH    [ Reply ]
Down with Ani--unmusical and pretentious.
Posted 20 years ago by Omega    [ Reply ]
likeable. nice theme I could do without the cursing.
Posted 20 years ago by kctomato    [ Reply ]
PLAY MORE ANI!!!
Posted 20 years ago by sbrute    [ Reply ]
I keep thinking (and saying) that I don't really like Ani Difranco, but every time I hear her on RP I say to myself, "Well, ok, I don't like her songs except this one; this one's pretty good." Guess it's time to surrender and enjoy it ....
Posted 21 years ago by mouse    [ Reply ]
Way to self-conscious, trying to hard for her activist lesbian granola style. Or maybe I'm confusing her with the woman who introduced me to her... in any case, I find her styling far too obvious. She gets in her own way.
Posted 21 years ago by AndrewInScotland    [ Reply ]
It gets me so hot when women say F**k!!! Ani, you're so naughty.
Posted 21 years ago by misterlee    [ Reply ]
This is also a really good "gateway album" for Ani... and hell, even if it doesn't get you hooked, it's still really good stuff :) --d
Posted 21 years ago by lindydallas    [ Reply ]
I've started liking this song some, certainly more than some of her others. I still wish she'd tone down that breathy panting crap and just fucking sing, full-throated and chin out, since she's pretty good at it.
Posted 21 years ago by rgj13    [ Reply ]
Regardless of what she sings, all I can hear is 32 Flavors.
Posted 21 years ago by fluorophore    [ Reply ]
beautiful and spirited. one of my ani-favorites. \'out of range\' is such a beautiful album
Posted 21 years ago by coldatlantic    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by mrrmaid1: For all the people that are constantly saying Ani is such a whiner, listen to this. This song is a great example of a positive outlook, personal responsibility and resilience. Ani is just like the rest of us, she has her moments of anger and blame, and also has moments of great powerful energy. She just gets heard more....
Well said, mrrrmaid1; I may, just may be beginning to be persuaded. ;)
Posted 21 years ago by rgj13    [ Reply ]
Just saw Ani last night in Vancouver - pretty good show, with a mix of new material and some \"golden oldies\". Great opening act too - Toshie Regon!
Posted 22 years ago by sarahw    [ Reply ]
This has got to be one of her best. I'm so glad to have found a "station" which plays her music. Thanks, RP
Posted 22 years ago by Pilgrim301    [ Reply ]
Fantastic RP...thank you for playing her... I have quit a few more songs of her.. I think she is really good and hardly any exposure...thanks again...
Posted 22 years ago by jamon    [ Reply ]
This song has skips in it! I\'ll gladly make a non-tax-deductible contribution if you either a) don\'t play it again or b) record a non-skippy version. Ani DiFranco is a spaz. I love radio paradise.
Posted 22 years ago by lvogel    [ Reply ]
I didn\'t like her when I first started hearing her music on web radio stations (cuz you shore ain\'t gonna hear her on a local radio station roun\' chere). But she\'s starting to grow on me.
Posted 22 years ago by MylenerHead    [ Reply ]