Clark joined Sufjan Stevens' touring band in 2006, bringing with her a tour EP entitled Paris Is Burning. It contains three tracks, including a cover version of Jackson Browne's These Days.
Clark released her début album, Marry Me, 10 July 2007 on Beggars Banquet Records. Named after a line from the cult-hit television show Arrested Development, the LP features appearances from drummer Brian Teasley (Man or Astro-man?, The Polyphonic Spree), Mike Garson (David Bowie's longtime pianist), and horn player Louis Schwadron (The Polyphonic Spree).
In 2008 Clark was nominated for three PLUG Independent Music Awards: New Artist of the Year, Female Artist of the Year, and Music Video of the Year, and on 6 March 2008, she won the Female Artist of the Year award.
Her second album for 4AD, entitled Actor, was released on 5 May 2009. It was written entirely by Clark and produced by Clark and John Congleton of The Paper Chase.
The Strange Mercy Songfacts reports that Clark wrote her third album in Seattle. She decamped to the Northwestern city to escape from the information overload she was experiencing at home and recorded Strange Mercy in a studio provided by Death Cab For Cutie drummer Jason McGerr. The album was released by 4AD on September 12, 2011 and peaked at #19 on the Billboard 200, making it her first Top 20 LP.
2) A pseudonym of singer-songwriter Vincent Bernardy, who has written and recorded music since 1980. see also St. Vincent Folk
3) A singer/songwriter from Victoria, Australia.
Champagne Year
St. Vincent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I secretly expected
A choir at the shore
And confetti through the falling air
I make a living telling people what they want to hear
It's not a killing, but it's enough to keep the cobwebs clear
It's not a perfect plan
But it's the one we got
It's not a perfect plan
But it's the one we got
'Cause I make a living telling people what they want to hear
And, boy, I tell you, it's gonna be a champagne year
The first verse of "Champagne Year" by St. Vincent seems to convey a sense of disappointment and disillusionment. The singer appears to have learned a lesson, perhaps from a past mistake, but despite this knowledge, she still expects something magical to happen. She anticipates a celebratory moment akin to a choir at the shore and confetti falling through the air. However, this moment never arrives, and she is left to question the reality of her situation. In the next verse, we discover that the singer makes a living telling people what they want to hear. She admits that it's not the perfect plan, but it keeps the cobwebs clear. The repetition of the phrase "it's not a perfect plan, but it's the one we got" serves to emphasize that this is not the life she imagined, but rather the one she has to work with.
The chorus of the song takes on a slightly different tone. The singer admits that her living is not a killing, but it's enough for her to get by. She then declares that despite the imperfections of her job and her life, it's going to be a champagne year. The use of the phrase "champagne year" creates a sense of luxury and celebration, almost as if she is mocking her own life by implying that even in the worst of times, she still has something to celebrate. Overall, "Champagne Year" seems to be a subtle critique of the struggles and disappointments that can come with pursuing one's dreams, and the need to find success and fulfillment, even in imperfect circumstances.
Line by Line Meaning
So I thought I'd learned my lesson
I believed that I had already gained enough experiences and wouldn't repeat past mistakes
But I secretly expected
Despite my knowledge, I still had hopes and dreams for the future which I kept hidden
A choir at the shore
I imagined a grand celebration with a choir singing at the beach
And confetti through the falling air
I anticipated a joyous moment with colors and confetti raining down from above
I make a living telling people what they want to hear
My career involves pleasing others by presenting information they want to believe rather than the truth
It's not a killing, but it's enough to keep the cobwebs clear
My job may not make me rich, but it's adequate to clear my debts and keep my life running
'Cause it's not a perfect plan
Although my work is satisfying, it's not foolproof and comes with its own set of flaws
It's not a perfect plan
My current situation is not ideal and contains imperfections
But it's the one we got
Despite its drawbacks, it's the only plan we have, so we make the best of it
'Cause I make a living telling people what they want to hear
The repetition of this line emphasizes the author's reliance on her profession and its effects on her outlook for the future
And, boy, I tell you, it's gonna be a champagne year
Despite the lack of a perfect plan, I predict that this year will be one of celebration, marked by extravagance, and success
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Anne Erin Clark
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind