Watch Ani DiFranco’s Tender ‘Deferred Gratification’ Video
In Ani DiFranco‘s new song, “Deferred Gratification,” the singer-songwriter sounds resigned with the opening line: “Deferred gratification, you are my new best friend.” The song is reflection and tribute to President Obama, DiFranco said.
In the accompanying video, DiFranco plays her guitar and then it cuts to archival imagery of women caring for children in different time periods. “But look how weary the chief/It will be a relief to someday hear him say/Get it yourself,” she repeats. “I vote in every election, I hope someday these kids are gonna help us win.”
The video closes with footage of President Obama’s tearful eulogy at the funeral for Rev. Clementa C. Pinckney, one of the victims of the June 2015 mass shooting in Charleston. DiFranco dedicates the video to “all those who spend their lives in service of others (service that is endless and often thankless too),” but she tells Rolling Stone that she gives “special extra thanks” to the 44th president, “for being not just the spiritual center of the third verse of this song, but for being the most awesome fucking human being any citizen could ever have the privilege of voting for as their president. You lifted us up and you gave us our pride back. Goddess give us the strength to harness that belief in ourselves now and go forward.”
Last October, DiFranco released “Play God,” her first single since 2014, and is currently working on a memoir that details her independent music career and activism. Both tracks will appear on her upcoming album, Binary, out in late spring from her label, Righteous Babe Records.