When it was first released, I thought this song, and the entire album it was released on was very compelling. Over the years, I’ve begun to rethink this one– “Crucify Myself”.
It initially impressed me as a complaint– why do men abuse us so much? Why are we figuratively “crucified” when we don’t measure up to your standards?
It took me years to realize that the “standards” she attributes to men don’t belong to men at all. They belong to women. And what she is really complaining about is why do I have to feel bad about not pleasing you? The next question, honestly is, who asked you to please me?
It is not unusual to discover that a person who resents someone’s lack of gratitude is really more angry about the lack of obligation felt by the recipient of his or her ministrations. Why can’t I control you? I made you breakfast. Why don’t you verbally thank me when I made you coffee when you didn’t ask for it?