I've often thought that this song is about girls who've "been bad", and are now pregnant and possible getting abortions - the "cold waiting room", the "flimsy blue gowns" (hospital gowns?) - and they are alone, "not a soul to take your hand in theirs". Neko, or the speaker (I conflate them), is exhorting them to not let others shame them with what happened. "They blame it on you, pretty girls" I take as people saying it's these girls' faults for getting knocked up, and so Neko's determination to defy those who judge is similar to her earlier song "Mood To Burn Bridges", which is a great f**k you to smalltown busybodies.
I've often thought that this song is about girls who've "been bad", and are now pregnant and possible getting abortions - the "cold waiting room", the "flimsy blue gowns" (hospital gowns?) - and they are alone, "not a soul to take your hand in theirs". Neko, or the speaker (I conflate them), is exhorting them to not let others shame them with what happened. "They blame it on you, pretty girls" I take as people saying it's these girls' faults for getting knocked up, and so Neko's determination to defy those who judge is similar to her earlier song "Mood To Burn Bridges", which is a great f**k you to smalltown busybodies.