Digital Witness
St. Vincent Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

If I can't show it, if you can't see me
What's the point of doing anything?
This is no time for confessing

I want all of your mind

People turn the TV on, it looks just like a window, yeah
People turn the TV on, it looks just like a window, yeah

Digital witnesses, what's the point of even sleeping?
If I can't show it, if you can't see me
Watch me jump right off the London Bridge
This is no time for confessing

People turn the TV on and throw it out the window, yeah
Get back to your stare
I care, but I don't care
Oh oh, I, I want all of your mind
Give me all of your mind
I want all of your mind
Give me all of it

Digital witnesses, what's the point of even sleeping?
If I can't show it, if you can't see me
What's the point of doing anything?
What's the point of even sleeping?

So I stopped sleeping, yeah I stopped sleeping
Won't somebody sell me back to me?

Overall Meaning

The song "Digital Witness" by St. Vincent is an examination of the effects of social media and technology on our lives. The opening lyrics "Get back, to your seat / Get back, gnashing teeth" can be interpreted as a warning to listeners to be mindful of their obsession with digital devices and to step back and reflect on what really matters. The chorus features the recurring phrase "Digital witnesses," suggesting that our online presence has become a form of surveillance, where we're constantly being watched and judged by others. The lyrics "What's the point of even sleeping? / If I can't show it, if you can't see me" further emphasize the idea that we are never truly alone, that our actions are being monitored, and that social media has created an expectation of constant visibility.

The second verse delves deeper into the issue with lyrics such as "This is no time for confessing." The idea being that we are too concerned with our digital persona to prioritize actual introspection or personal growth. The lines "People turn the TV on and throw it out the window, yeah / Get back to your stare / I care, but I don't care" is possibly questioning if anything has really changed for the better in the age of social media. The bridge of the song commands "Give me all of your mind," suggesting the need to be more present for our personal lives and a warning against the overvaluing of a curated online presence over reality.

Line by Line Meaning

Get back, to your seat
Return to your assigned spot

Get back, gnashing teeth
Stop being angry and agitated

Ooh, I want all of your mind
I want your complete attention and focus

People turn the TV on, it looks just like a window, yeah
Watching television is like looking out a window

Digital witnesses, what's the point of even sleeping?
In a world where everything is digital, is there any point to rest?

If I can't show it, if you can't see me
If I can't show my life online, then is it even worth living?

What's the point of doing anything?
Is there a point of doing anything if it's not being displayed to others?

This is no time for confessing
There's no time to be vulnerable and open in a world where privacy is hard to come by

Watch me jump right off the London Bridge
I'll do something extreme just for the attention

People turn the TV on and throw it out the window, yeah
People are so frustrated with what they see on TV that they want to get rid of it

Get back to your stare
Return to a vacant, unfeeling gaze

I care, but I don't care
I'm capable of empathy, but the digital world has made me indifferent

Oh oh, I, I want all of your mind
I desire complete mental control over you

Give me all of your mind
Give me complete devotion and attention

So I stopped sleeping, yeah I stopped sleeping
I've sacrificed rest for the sake of maintaining an online presence

Won't somebody sell me back to me?
I've lost myself in the digital world and I want to find my true self again

Lyrics © WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: ANNE ERIN CLARK

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@diamoond11

6y↑269

Get back, to your seat
Get back, gnashing teeth
Ooh, I want all of your mind

People turn the TV on, it looks just like a window, yeah
People turn the TV on, it looks just like a window, yeah

Digital witnesses, what's the point of even sleeping?
If I can't show it, if you can't see me
What's the point of doing anything?
This is no time for confessing

I want all of your mind

People turn the TV on, it looks just like a window, yeah
People turn the TV on, it looks just like a window, yeah

Digital witnesses, what's the point of even sleeping?
If I can't show it, if you can't see me
Watch me jump right off the London Bridge
This is no time for confessing

People turn the TV on and throw it out the window, yeah
Get back to your stare
I care, but I don't care
Oh oh, I, I want all of your mind
Give me all of your mind
I want all of your mind
Give me all of it

Digital witnesses, what's the point of even sleeping?
If I can't show it, if you can't see me
What's the point of doing anything?
What's the point of even sleeping?
So I stopped sleeping, yeah I stopped sleeping
Won't somebody sell me back to me?

All comments from YouTube:

@LuisBarajas

10y↑193

I envy her facial bone structure. She's absolutely beautiful and extremely talented.

@OlafavonGoeding

1y↑1

Absolutely agree! Stunningly beautiful (and incredibly talented)

@davidcook3116

40w↑97

Sometimes you're really late to a party. Just discovering St. Vincent. This is a brilliant composition.

@dethmaul

36w↑4

I discovered her on SNL on the work tv on shift. I stopped dead to watch it. Maybe 2013?

@JSlice-gk5br

35w↑1

about a decade

@esteovo7910

32w↑1

same here!

@schnitzelmopi

19w

Ah hell yeah dude. Welcome! I come back here often. Been here for a decade. Austin, TX native.

@imtonysopro

16w

Please check out The Hood Internets Digital Humpty.

1 More Replies...

@HermitMoth

9y↑239

Love this. It's like modernized 80's music. Not saying it's unoriginal at all, because it's totally awesome and unique. There's just some influences that shine though like The Talking Heads which is cool.

@MrIkesimba

9y↑8

Unique?!?! Laurie Anderson was doing this same pretentious shit 30 years ago.

@peacefulwarrior444

9y↑7

Teenage Hermit I hear some Kate Bush in this. :)

@pacatrue

9y↑8

Teenage Hermit She works with David Byrne of Talking Heads frequently.

@mumabird

9y↑16

+Rolman80 80 lmfao
you're like:

"things i hate

1 negativity

2 lists

3 irony"

@WillGo7

9y↑2

+Rolman80 80 Bro, she's saying you hate this song, then ironically list all the qualities of this song as things you like in 80's music, then repeat that you hate this song.

1 More Replies...

@haethem3788

4y↑374

When she says "ya" i really felt that

@ROB-ew6wg

3y↑3

or "whaaats the point"

@beaudweiser

3y↑3

@Turin_Turumba

Ya?

@nadiakodes

12w↑1

Type O Negative 💚

@DangerKennyB

9y↑35

Saw St. Vincent in concert opening for the Black Keys this past month. Hadn't heard very much of her before then, but hot damn, I'm a fan now. Lots of great guitar work. This song is so damn catchy, too.

@jakedambach4622

9y↑11

I bet she put on a better show than the Black Keys, she jams live.

@coolangel834

9y↑4

I saw her in Austin with the Black Keys and was really sad when she left the stage :(

@maybeonemore

7y↑1.1K

It's like Prince and Bowie had a baby...and David Bryne was the nanny.

@berliner0

3y↑13

Hell yes

@sheldonmontgomery9767

3y↑9

Wrong

@jobberforlife

3y↑23

VERY Byrne-ish

@ahenathon

3y↑5

So that is why I felt appealed from the first sound.

@somebraveapollo8211

3y↑12

Eno is the ever-present wisdomly grandfather who Annie has the closest bond with, and Steve Albini is the weird uncle with an abstract mind who she never connected with until adolescence and gave her her first guitar.

43 More Replies...

@samuroot

10y↑22

This is true ArtPop

@paddy7812

2y↑23

I’m only just discovered St.Vincent in the last few weeks and may I say OMFG!!! You My Dear are a huge breath of fresh air!! Outstanding!! Finally someone new AND original!!!

@BoontarikaSripom

9y↑38

I'm very thankful for my music junkie friends introducing me to St. Vincent~ The sound is refreshing, and the guitar work is a personal favorite. Love Love Love 🎶

@yunusbiyik9949

9y↑2

LOVE LOVE LOVE YES

@yunusbiyik9949

9y↑2

yes yes yes

@yunusbiyik9949

Boontarika honey love love love love love

@eXiLe824

2y↑27

I remember back when this dropped, we had MTVU in my dining hall in college. After like 6 months straight of Steve Aoki they randomly played this video. You could see everyone in there look up from their phones at the TV, like a spell had been broken. Thank you St Vincent.

@frey78

2y↑53

St. Vincent opened for Roxy Music on their 50th anniversary tour last week. "Digital Witness" was her opener. It was SO AMAZING live.

@sebguitarist345

2y↑1

Yeah man, I saw her in austin and dallas this week, and goddamn, I don't think anyone will ever be able to top those two shows, or any of her shows, ever.

@spencereng

8y↑1.3K

Trumpets need to be in more songs.

@dominique_tea

8y↑32

Sounds more like a Barry Sax or a Trombone to me

@spencereng

8y↑5

You might be right : )

@bobthecob8501

8y↑34

+Dominique Temple it's all three. You could distinguish the trumpets by their higher notes, the saxophones by the slurs and the trombone because it played low

@razrv3lc

8y↑7

Trombones can slur just as easily as a saxophone, if not easier considering they're played by slide.

@ryanwilliams9892

8y↑4

those are bari saxes playing in the beginning

16 More Replies...

@MeganLandry_musician

10y↑15

Annie will always be a huge musical influence for me, everything she does is just so stellar

@heartscurrent

7y↑814

i can't believe st vincent invented music... iconic...

@bwuakbwuak9223

4y↑13

This a good comment

@jayfoster5984

4y↑4

Did Mike's Mic write this comment ?

@iwantaoctosteponmyneckbut3545

4y↑32

There've been a lot of comments with this same template: "I can't believe ______ invented ______, iconic [or 'what an icon']"
And I haven't seen a single fucking one that's older than a year and a half

I think you started a trend.

@lasseheller9863

3y↑6

@I want AOC to step on my neck, but Are you Ben Shapiro?

@cameroncorp

3y↑2

@Räudiger Rüdiger lmao 😭

1 More Replies...

@LouiseEtienne

8y↑543

Margaret Atwood is a woman of many talents.

@prettyalina7237

8y↑8

LOLLL

@joemama4866

8y↑1

i dont get it

@LouiseEtienne

8y↑6

+Joe Mama I know where to get it if you want it. ;o)

@ArtModaHTX

8y↑3

And the Eagle Eye award goes to...

@ApocalypseMoose

8y↑6

10/10

11 More Replies...

@2001spacebaby

7y↑527

it looks like one of the black mirror episodes for me

@51stcenturygirl

5y↑1

hah my first thought too :)

@frankwolftown

Which one?

@turtlemouth

4y↑3

Yeah. St. Vincent's world was like an alpha version of San Junipero.

@nomeaknat

8y↑346

The most brilliant artist to fly over everyones heads.

@hunger993

5y↑3

Bullshit. Art is about communicating an idea.

@h.goodwin5682

5y↑22

@hunger993 if that's not what this video and song is doing than what is it to you?

@anirose6807

4y↑20

hunger993 do you know what the song is about? Social media and technology creating dissatisfaction and numbness in its user’s lives. It seems the message went over your head.

@CK-fv5ps

2y↑1

@Ani Rose This

@hauntingthegrave

2y↑1

Just discovered it, it's okay, not bad at all, just very pop-y, but that's the vibe

1 More Replies...

@HipsterYoda

8y↑41

I love St Vincent's work especially this song. So catchy

@EnanMaldonado

10y↑51

I saw her in concert, I was very close to the stage and I touched her hand. She's absolutely stunning -I'm not even kidding. Best show I've ever seen. What an amazing experience.

@fittingly

10y↑1

Yeah. Well. Did you touch her (fishnetted) legs, bro?

S'wat it's really all about, you know.

@BostonianBroker

you havent been to any good concerts then..

@erikrulez17

49w

agreeed

@lb456

18w

@@BostonianBroker You're from Boston - you're fairly fucking clueless on just about everything.

@eastlake93

10y↑14

She is proof that there are still artist out there making good music and artist. I love her.

@josecxrnxlx

8y↑51

Annie is a musical genius.

@quite1enough

1y↑4

this gem is sadly a bit forgotten today ;c

@Jayv430

1y↑4

True. Still the most viewed vid on the official channel tho, and one of the most plays on Spotify. Los Ageless always comes up as her most popular song (and while it’s brilliant and worthy of the claim) it’s datas a little obscured by it being featured in tv soundtracks. Think it’s safe say Digital Witness still gets the attention it deserves

@spookygremlins

9y↑30

I'm obsessed with this song...

@dakotasings666

Me too I've always loved it

@funkychild550

3y↑152

my friend’s mom played this song in the car when i was 12 and i forever thank her for letting me find this artist

@fandomcringebucket

1y↑6

yoooooooo my dad played st. vincent's performance of the song on the bbc and I've never been the same since.

@ianryan7547

10y↑8

If St. Vincent was a Pokemon Gym Leader, she'd be an electric type gym-leader; no question.

@Jimmcgurn

9y↑13

This woman is a genius. Just got home from a St. Vincent show. Mind blown.

@BrianDePalmaII

7y↑31

Was kind of weird listening to this the first time but after a while I started to love this song

@ThomasFyrehart

8y↑175

Must admit the more I listen to this the more it sounds like she uncovered some unrecorded Talking Heads song and decided to record it herself. Which isn't a bad thing in the slightest.

@Bruhbeuh123

100% YES 😀

@JasonBunting

3y↑3

Or, both her and the Talking Heads channeled the same muse... She simply channeled it for a song or two, whereas they channeled much more, quantity-wise, from the same.

@Jarela

@Jason Bunting Reminds me of early Tori Amos.

@SamWhamBamTheMan

3y↑13

How does this only have 9mil views?!? Deserves hundreds of millions

@michaelbrown5382

4y↑8

0:55 that Moogy- sounding bass - TASTY!

@GamerzPro1231

10y↑35

this song really grows on you.

@suckingcat11

10y↑3

I've listened so much since I've heard it this week.

@NdustrialN8

10y↑11

Totally agree, I actually didn't like this song much when I first listened to it, but something always made me come back & loved it a little more each time. And now I can't stop listening to it.

@JoshBruns

10y↑1

"What's the point of even sleeping?" lol goes through my head every night.

@officialbandofsilver

4y↑8

I can't believe I found this video! Saw this years ago waiting in line at a theme park somewhere, but I couldn't hear the audio. All I remembered about it was a lady singing while looking up and to the side and people marching with the camera pretty far away. I found it really captivating and wanted to watch the full thing, but I couldn't find it. Of course it would be St. Vincent making such a cool video!

@Chickenboy-pg4lz

26w↑1

Can't believe I'm just finding this now. This is brilliant

@BUCS001

10y

SPECK - TACK - YAH - LURE ! ! ! Best song I have heard in decades !

@PappaBear_yt

20w↑1

This really hits different! 🤯🤯🤯
I'm hooked, listening to it at least 10 times a day - being a digital witness on my own...
If only I knew what the windows look like...? 🤔🤷🏼

@SplashAttackTCG

10y↑7

She is such a beauty!

@TiaElster

9y↑270

The first time I listened to this, I was like "Uh. What. No........."
I listened to it a second time. Okay, maybe.
Went and listened to a lot of her other songs, came back... AND YAAAAASSSS SLAAAAY

@nataliehan2163

9y↑9

Exactly the same response for me :)

@RoccoDelRey

9y↑2

yeah this is true me with her in general. a year ago i had 2 songs from her on my computer, that i kinda liked. then i bought an album and another..and then the new one. i love basically every track. tho i had to pass on the album with david byrne..not really my speed

@maddigood2936

8y↑3

Literally me xD

@Iusedtoberik

Same

@macarenarivera1

same😂 actually scare me first

5 More Replies...

@meghanwrosch2757

3y↑8

I’ve never found “Yah” so catchy!!

@andreana6585

8y↑29

Back when I first heard this song I thought it was ridiculous and awkward but I couldn't stop watching this video. Then something clicked. It's completely genius.

@tas6029

9y↑7

St. Vincent is a true artist, wether you want it or not, she writes beautiful and meaningful lyrics. Those texts tied to a creative and crazy production make incredible songs like this one and most of her discography.

@brianmatthews6284

4y↑1

Conspicuously talented.

@KellyOKellyComedy

10y↑14

I love her unusualness.

@nbieghler

4y↑13

Crazy how a person with her impeccable facial aesthetics also turns out to be a brilliant musician & songwriter.

@TokinTaylor

8y↑9

I first heard her on rock n roll hall of fame covering lithium with Dave and Krist, I've only fallen more in love with her music ever since <3

@AndrewHerdman-vz7hi

52w↑3

I was listening to this album 9 years ago and the tune has been stuck in my had ever since (And I couldn't remember the name) I'm glad I've got the video now!!!

@thecharmingone369

51w↑1

It's a good song

@mdaddy9474

4y↑1

Them joints are ready. Nice rolling kids

@XX-ul8fo

1y↑1

Brilliant with my eyes wide open

@utubeleplague

9y↑10

Why people say this is pretentious? It's just good music, and just fuckin listen to it

@TAYLORHWALL

3y↑4

That's one infectious groove going down right there! I merely stumbled upon this track, and GOD-DAMN it did not disappoint! Bravo! cue applause

@vanadium789

This is a trip and I am high enough as it is. So visually spectacular...

@brianmatthews2503

2y↑4

Easily one of the most inventive musicians I have ever had the pleasure to listen to. 👍🏼

@troy36273

10y

i really... really love that hair. The hair's amazing, and so is St. Vincent. Thrilled she's still making music :D

@RunBoy

ST. VINCENT IS AMAZING!!!!

@brulism

10y↑18

shes so hot
yea

@ajisilaos

2y↑1

Her Eyes are so intense and expressive!!!!!!!

@lilithhiddenvillain5086

13w

I love that every album she puts out is completely different in genre and vibe to anything else, and yet they're always recognisably St Vincent.

@mdaddy9474

4y↑1

Those joints are ready

@ciaranppp

digital witness is one of the best songs of human creation

@juju-vl7oj

3y↑5

I can't believe this was 7years ago..

@seannuh

10y↑27

might as well call this 'The David Byrne Effect'
I love it #StVincent

@AshleyJWoods

10y

SHE'S SO GOOD, I CAN'T EVEN

@Normiiiiiiiii

5y↑1

that joint rollin

@diamoond11

6y↑269

@scarlettbarrera4479

4y↑2

Thx u so much for dis :D

@carolineheckyeah

10y↑1

I love the Clockwork Orange vibe the visuals in this music video have. So awesome.

@ronniesanders711

8y↑747

my hair in the morning

@netherhaileygaming4631

8y↑1

Amen!

@karenn8718

8y↑2

ikr

@TheNnnnnnnnnnkkkkkkk

7y↑3

Yeah

@denn606

7y↑11

Ronnie Sanders my hair when I had hair

@jankafekete5079

Ronnie Sanders
tbh my hair everytime..

4 More Replies...

@jadaeve4112

10y↑8

I Luv St. Vincent <3 <3

@somnolentverve2183

8y↑8

She has absolutely beautiful eyes, I was staring at them the whole time.

@GagaBoy1346

7y↑9

I love you, Annie! The originality in this video speaks to me on so many levels. Educating our society and showing us that we have become slaves to the technology of this generation!

@electrafroot344

6y↑3

St. Vincent is such an icon and this video is genius.

@carriehoward8718

2y↑1

Incredible video. Like an Edward Hopper painting.

@pinata6262

6y↑1

phenomenal

@face2facechick

10y↑18

At first I thought this song was super weird, but the more I listened to it, she's speaking the truth. Great song, and the beat is killer

@wxsuperman38

4y↑4

the guitar has a strong prince vibe....great song

@lessthanzero8522

2y↑1

I accidently stumbled across a video of Annie doing a Beatles cover of Dig a Pony years ago, ..i honestly had not heard of her privious to seeing that video...and from that moment on, ive been hooked! I love her.
I also heard she was born in Tulsa, Okla..where im from.

@katshura007

3y↑3

Long time ago when making essay about 1984, I listen to this

@marianoesa

4y↑2

i'm officially in love with you :) Greetings from Argentina!

@juangarcia4457

Her smile is beautiful

@Terragiggles

9y↑770

fuck, I love when she says, "yeah."

@jesalbert42

8y↑1

+Andrew Ward Yeah.

@ashidbt9164

+Jean Rodriguez y@.

@marktrinidadrios8782

+Jean Rodriguez Ya!!!!

@cristianaiustina3573

8y↑1

yeah :3

@Kkatss

8y↑1

.....yeah..

14 More Replies...

@micaiah8486

5y↑4

One of the best songs of all time.

@MRJ12744

10y↑3

Dear god, I am digging this beat so much. How could someone not?

@sunsetstreetz

32w

Bro this SLAPS

@AnnikaOrne

10y↑17

I honestly never get sick of this song. It's fantastic. St. Vincent is fantastic.

@naxito999

49w

NO NO NO

@ottovonbismarck6310

5y↑3

St. Vincent is so commanding and beautiful.

@theperfectimperfect

10y↑8

that guitar in the chorus, wow

@helenablackcat

10y↑4

GRANDE GUITARRISTA!!! ARTISTA MARAVILHOSA,
BRUTALMENTE MARAVILHOSA!

@alexandrsu8418

2y↑1

When God wants to say something, HE speaks through people like YOU

@mfcodes

3y↑1

I just heard St Vincent for the first time like seven days ago and I fucking loved this right away.

@thecharmingone369

51w↑1

This song is a bop

@johnyahle7409

3y↑2

I like St. Vincent.

@frickenchickencookie

10y↑6

I love the synth in the chorus near the end. This song is a grower. Took me a couple listens to enjoy.

@paulelliott3220

9y↑3

Great video and Annie looks amazing in it
Song is so good it's been in my head for weeks
Superb album too - St Vincent 🔝😎

@Gabriel-lt8bo

Her aesthetics are always so GORGEOUS and her songs are BOPS :)

@JohnOrbit

3y↑4

This song helps reaffirm my desire to document my entire life on social media. Thanks, Annie!

@teodorasavoiu4664

3y↑2

I think the point was to make you question that desire. Unless you're being sarcastic and I missed it?

@JohnOrbit

3y↑1

@Teodora Săvoiu I was being cheeky. I love Annie and this song is amazing... and eerily accurate.

@pkjoesd

6y↑1

I keep rewinding to that eye roll at 2:25. I don't know why but I can't stop watching it.

@quriOusmOOn

8y↑3

This is a banger, love, love, love!

@captainclayman

10y↑21

What's with the haters? I like this, she doesn't just keep putting out the same thing over and over, she does something new and different with each album.