Fast Slow Disco
St. Vincent Lyrics


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I sway in the place to a slow disco
And a glass for the saints
And a bar for the road

Am I thinking what everybody's thinkin'?
I'm so glad I came, but I can't wait to leave

Slip my hand from your hand
Leave you dancin' with a ghost
Slip my hand from your hand
Leave you dancin' with a ghost

There's blood in my ears
And a fool in the mirror
And the pain of mistakes couldn't get any clearer

Am I thinking what everybody's thinkin'?
I'm so glad I came, but I can't wait to leave

Slip my hand from your hand
Leave you dancin' with a ghost
Slip my hand from your hand
Leave you dancin' with a ghost

(Don't leave me to slow dance to death)
(Don't leave me to slow dance to death)
(Don't leave me to slow dance to death)
(Don't leave me to slow dance to death)




(Don't leave me to slow dance to death)
(Don't leave me to slow dance to death)

Overall Meaning

In the first verse of St. Vincent's song "Slow Disco," the singer describes being at a slow, melancholy dance with a drink in hand. She contemplates whether others at the event are thinking the same thing she is - that they are glad they came but are also eager to leave. In the chorus, the singer decides to slip her hand from her partner's and leave them dancing with a ghost, indicating a desire to move on from the relationship or situation that she finds herself in. The bridge describes the singer's despair, with the blood in her ears indicating a feeling of being overwhelmed and the "fool in the mirror" symbolizing her disappointment with herself.


The song's title is interesting because it has multiple meanings, as "slow disco" can refer to both the pacing of the music and the act of dancing at a disco slowly, almost painfully. The song is part of St. Vincent's 2017 album "MASSEDUCTION," which was produced by Jack Antonoff. Antonoff has worked with a number of high-profile artists such as Taylor Swift and Lorde. "Slow Disco" was released as a single in April 2018 and was accompanied by a music video directed by Zev Deans. The video features a solitary man performing a dance in an abandoned music hall.


The song has been covered by a number of artists, including Kelly Clarkson, who performed her own interpretation of the track on an episode of her talk show in 2019. In addition, "Slow Disco" was remixed twice: once as a faster, more uptempo version titled "Fast Slow Disco," and again as a piano-driven ballad called "Slow Slow Disco." St. Vincent has described the three versions as representing different degrees of intoxication. The chords for the song are as follows: Am, C, G, F.


Overall, St. Vincent's "Slow Disco" is a poignant exploration of the complex emotions people experience in relationships and the struggle to move on from them. The song's haunting melody and vivid imagery will continue to resonate with listeners for years to come.


Line by Line Meaning

I sway in the place to a slow disco
I am indulging myself in a slow disco and letting the rhythm take over me.


And a glass for the saints
I have a drink in my hand, probably for a saint or someone special.


And a bar for the road
I am ready to leave and hit the road after enjoying myself.


Am I thinking what everybody's thinkin'?
I wonder if I'm the only one feeling this way.


I'm so glad I came, but I can't wait to leave
I enjoyed being here, but now I just want to leave.


Slip my hand from your hand
I let go of your hand.


Leave you dancin' with a ghost
I leave you dancing alone, feeling as if you are dancing with a ghost of a person who has left you behind.


There's blood in my ears
My ears are ringing, probably from too much loud music.


And a fool in the mirror
I look at myself in the mirror and feel like a fool for something I did or didn't do.


And the pain of mistakes couldn't get any clearer
The pain of my mistakes is so intense and obvious that I cannot ignore it.


(Don't leave me to slow dance to death)
I don't want to be left dancing alone, feeling empty and sad.


(Don't leave me to slow dance to death)
I am pleading not to be left alone to die slowly, metaphorically.


(Don't leave me to slow dance to death)
I am scared of being abandoned and being forced to face my fears and sorrows on my own.


(Don't leave me to slow dance to death)
I need someone by my side, I can't bear the thought of being alone and hopeless.


(Don't leave me to slow dance to death)
I don't want to end up feeling miserable and helpless while I'm trying to enjoy myself.


(Don't leave me to slow dance to death)
I don't want to be deserted by the person who's by my side and used to give me comfort.




Lyrics © WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC, Spirit Music Group
Written by: Annie Clark, Joy Elizabeth Williams

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@fabulousrulz

I sway in place to a slow disco
And a glass for the saints and a bow for the road
Am I thinking what everybody's thinkin'?
I'm so glad I came, but I can't wait to leave?
Slip my hand from your hand
Leave you dancin' with a ghost
Slip my hand from your hand
Leave you dancin' with a ghost
There's blood in my ears and a fool in the mirror
And the bay of mistakes couldn't get any clearer
Am I thinking what everybody's thinkin'?
I'm so glad I came, but I can't wait to leave?
Slip my hand from your hand
Leave you dancin' with a ghost
Slip my hand from your hand
Leave you dancin' with a ghost
Don't it beat a slow dance to death?
Don't it beat a slow dance to death?
Don't it beat a slow dance to death?
Don't it beat a slow dance to death?
Don't it beat a slow dance to death?
Don't it beat a slow dance to death?



@nomchelvan8233

I sway in the place to a slow disco
And a glass for the saints
And a bar for the road
Am I thinking what everybody's thinkin'?
I'm so glad I came, but I can't wait to leave
Slip my hand from your hand
Leave you dancin' with a ghost
Slip my hand from your hand
Leave you dancin' with a ghost
There's blood in my ears
And a fool in the mirror
And the pain of mistakes couldn't get any clearer
Am I thinking what everybody's thinkin'?
I'm so glad I came, but I can't wait to leave
Slip my hand from your hand
Leave you dancin' with a ghost
Slip my hand from your hand
Leave you dancin' with a ghost
Don't it beat a slow dance to death?
Don't it beat a slow dance to death?
Don't it beat a slow dance to death?
Don't it beat a slow dance to death?



All comments from YouTube:

@darienrumpumper8926

Still one of the most beautiful haunting melodious songs to date.

@tee21137

More true than ever…

@passepartout

No one has ever been happier sweating in the middle of a bunch of bears than Annie

@awittierusername

Annie from League of Legends

@allmaybeone1620

Challenge accepted.

@yaochao3680

I’d be ok with this.

@swesttttt

And the bears themselves. Pretty damn happy

@varadero5337

GURL ... I live in Hawaii , I landed in Sitges unknown to me in the middle of BEAR WEEK . This boy here , Skinny and not a hair in my body .... I was totally ignored and got on a Plane from Barcelona to Berlin....Oh , Berlin Heavenly Devauchery

9 More Replies...

@memonk11

It’s nice to see St Vincent finally look happy in a video.

@laurahulya

Not until the end tho lol

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