Every State Line

I always catch Ani Difranco when she plays in the Los Angeles or Orange County areas. I was sad to have to miss her this time around. So, grateful to YouTube user for posting this. I've been looking for clear footage of this song for quite some time.

This song was recorded in 1992 and that rendition carried off much more like a country song. Here is a very happy camper version of a serious song. Although, I love the original version this is awesome as well. Definitely in the spirit of the sing-a-long.


Every State Line by Ani Difranco -at the House of Blues in Anaheim 4/2/11.

Every State Line  - Ani Difranco 
i got pulled over in west texas

so they could look inside my car

he said are you an american citizen

i said 

yes sir

so far

they made sure i wasn't smuggling

someone in from mexico

someone willing to settle for america

'cause there's nowhere else to go



and every state line

there's a new set of laws

and every police man

comes equipped with extended claws

there's a thousand shades of white

and a thousand shades of black

but the same rule always applies

smile pretty, and watch your back



i broke down in louisiana 

and i had to thumb a ride

got in the first car that pulled over

you can't be picky in the middle of the night

he said

baby, do you like to fool around

baby, do you like to be touched

i said

maybe some other time

fuck you very much



and every state line

there's a new set of laws

and every police man

comes equipped with extended claws

there's a thousand shades of white

and a thousand shades of black

but the same rule always applies

smile pretty, and watch your back



i'm in the middle of alabama

they stare at me where ever i go

i don't think they like my haircut

i don't think they like my clothes

i can't wait to get back to new york city

where at least when i walk down the street

nobody ever hesitates

to tell me exactly what they think of me



and every state line

there's a new set of laws

and every police man

comes equipped with extended claws

there's a thousand shades of white

and a thousand shades of black

but the same rule always applies

smile pretty, and watch your back



a little town in pennsylvania

there was snow on the ground

a parked in an empty lot

where there was no one else around

but i guess i was taking up too much space

as i was trying to get some sleep

'cause an officer came by anyway

and told me i had to leave



and every state line

there's a new set of laws

and every police man

comes equipped with extended claws

there's a thousand shades of white

and a thousand shades of black

but the same rule always applies

smile pretty, and watch your back
 
"Every State Line" can be found on Imperfectly (1992)






 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For more information on Ani Difranco visit her official website here.