Meaning of "Alien She" by Bikini Kill

"Alien She" delves into the complexities of identity and the challenges of self-discovery. The repeated lines, "She is me, I am her," highlight the interconnectedness between two individuals who seem to share a strong bond. The reference to being "Siamese twins connected at the cunt" suggests a deep emotional and physical attachment. However, the conflicting desires expressed in the lyrics create a sense of internal turmoil.

The narrator's desire to kill the other person can be interpreted as a manifestation of their frustration and longing for autonomy. This desire to kill could symbolize the need to separate oneself from the expectations and pressures of society, particularly in terms of gender roles. The constant repetition of body parts such as "HeartBrainHeartBrainHeartBrainLungGut" emphasizes the internal struggle between the heart (emotions), brain (thoughts), and gut (instincts) in determining one's identity.

The song also explores the pressure to conform and the struggle to maintain individuality. The lines "She wants me to go to the mall" and "She wants me to put the pretty, pretty lipstick on" suggest societal expectations placed upon women to conform to conventional beauty standards. The use of the word "pretty" in combination with derogatory terms like "whore" highlights the contradictory expectations and labels imposed on women. The repetition of the word "feminist" challenges societal perceptions of feminism, suggesting that even within feminist circles, there can be conflicting ideas and pressures.

The final lines, "And all I really wanted to know, who was me and who is she, I guess I'll never know," reflect a sense of confusion and frustration regarding the narrator's identity. It expresses a longing for self-understanding and a recognition of the difficulty in untangling oneself from societal expectations and the influence of others.

Overall, "Alien She" explores the complexities of identity, the pressure to conform, and the struggle for self-discovery. It shines a light on the conflicting desires within oneself and the challenges of maintaining individuality in a society that imposes expectations and labels.