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 dรฉbut 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.
Happy Birthday Johnny
St. Vincent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Intended it as a cautionary tale
You said you saw yourself inside there
Docketed like a two manual
Remember one summer we walked in Times Square
I showed you the zombies with hundred-inch stares
You took a big, set your hotel on fire
We took the blame, took the bags to the train
Happy Birthday, Johnny
Wherever you are
Happy Birthday, Johnny
Wherever you are
The last time you called it was on New Years' Eve
You asked me for dough to get somethin' to eat
Since we last spoke, you live on the street
Yeah, I wouldn't believe all the shit that you've seen
Happy New Year, Johnny
Is it 23?
Happy New Year, Johnny
Are the lights on the trees?
When I said, "let me think," and you yelled through your teeth
Accused me of actin' like all royalty
Always for show, no true charity
You saw me on magazines and TV
But they only knew the real version of me
Only you know the secrets, the swamp, and the fear
What happened to blood, our family?
Annie, how could you do this to me?
Of course, I blame me
When you get free, Johnny
I hope you find peace
The song "Happy Birthday Johnny" by St. Vincent is a melancholic ballad that tells the story of a friendship that seems to have weakened over the years. The first stanza starts with a reference to a Christmas gift that the singer gave to Johnny, the recipient of the song. She gave him a book by Jim Carroll, intending it to be a warning, but he saw himself in the pages. The book, "The Basketball Diaries," was a biography of Jim Carroll's teenage years and was made into a film in 1995 with Leonardo DiCaprio playing the lead role. The second line of the stanza, "Docketed like a two manual," is a reference to organ keyboards with two manuals that operate independently, representing multiple aspects of oneself.
In the second stanza, the singer reminisces about a summer where they walked in Times Square and saw people with hundred-inch stares. Johnny set the hotel they were staying in on fire, and they took the blame and left quietly. The chorus follows the lines "Happy Birthday, Johnny, wherever you are," indicating that this song is a birthday message to someone who is no longer around or has become difficult to reach. The lyrics do not explain why Johnny is distant, but they do paint a picture of a man with a troubled past.
In the third stanza, the singer talks about a past New Year's Eve conversation with Johnny. He called her asking for money to buy food, and she wondered if he was 23 years old. The chorus repeats, with the singer hoping that Johnny finds peace. The final stanza reveals that Johnny sees the singer as someone who is only interested in image, with no sincere interest in helping others. Johnny knows the "secrets, the swamp, and the fear" and asks what happened to their family, directing a question to Annie, possibly a member of their family. The song ends with a sad acknowledgement that Johnny may not find peace despite his eventual release from whatever situation he is in.
Line by Line Meaning
Remember one Christmas I gave you Jim Carroll
I gave you Jim Carroll's book as a cautionary tale.
Intended it as a cautionary tale
The book was intended to warn you of the dangers of drugs.
You said you saw yourself inside there
You saw yourself reflected in the book's characters.
Docketed like a two manual
You were controlled by your addiction like a musical instrument.
Remember one summer we walked in Times Square
We walked together in Times Square one summer.
I showed you the zombies with hundred-inch stares
I showed you the people with blank, lifeless stares.
You took a big, set your hotel on fire
You burned down your hotel room in a drug-fueled haze.
We took the blame, took the bags to the train
We took responsibility for your actions and fled the scene.
Happy Birthday, Johnny
Wishing you a happy birthday, Johnny.
Wherever you are
Regardless of your current location or situation.
The last time you called it was on New Years' Eve
You contacted me on New Year's Eve the last time.
You asked me for dough to get somethin' to eat
You asked me for money to buy food.
Since we last spoke, you live on the street
Since we last talked, you have been homeless.
Yeah, I wouldn't believe all the shit that you've seen
I can't imagine what you have been through.
Happy New Year, Johnny
Wishing you a happy New Year, Johnny.
Is it 23?
Asking if he is still 23 years old.
Are the lights on the trees?
Asking if he can see the Christmas lights.
When I said, "let me think," and you yelled through your teeth
When I hesitated to answer, you accused me of being condescending.
Accused me of actin' like all royalty
You accused me of acting entitled and out of touch.
Always for show, no true charity
You thought my charitable acts were only for publicity and not out of genuine concern for others.
You saw me on magazines and TV
You saw me in the media.
But they only knew the real version of me
The public only knows part of my true self.
Only you know the secrets, the swamp, and the fear
You are the only one who knows my darkest secrets and deepest fears.
What happened to blood, our family?
What has happened to our relationship as family members?
Annie, how could you do this to me?
You are blaming Annie for the current state of affairs.
Of course, I blame me
I take some responsibility for our current situation.
When you get free, Johnny
When you get free from your addiction or imprisonment, Johnny.
I hope you find peace
Wishing Johnny to find inner peace and contentment.
Lyrics ยฉ Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Hipgnosis Songs Group
Written by: Annie Clark, Jack Antonoff
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ycaroandrade7777
Lyrics:
Remember one Christmas I gave you Jim Carroll
Intended it as a cautionary tale
You said you saw yourself inside there
Docketed like a two manual
Remember one summer we walked in Times Square
I showed you the zombies with hundred-inch stares
You took a big, set your hotel on fire
We took the blame, took the bags to the train
Happy Birthday, Johnny
Wherever you are
Happy Birthday, Johnny
Wherever you are
The last time you called it was on New Years' Eve
You asked me for dough to get somethin' to eat
Since we last spoke, you live on the street
Yeah, I wouldn't believe all the shit that you've seen
Happy New Year, Johnny
Is it 23?
Happy New Year, Johnny
Are the lights on the trees?
When I said, "let me think, " and you yelled through your teeth
Accused me of actin' like all royalty
Always for show, no true charity
You saw me on magazines and TV
But they only knew the real version of me
Only you know the secrets, the swamp, and the fear
What happened to blood, our family?
Annie, how could you do this to me?
Of course, I blame me
When you get free, Johnny
I hope you find peace
@StVincent95
My boyfriend and I at the time used to listen to this religiously. His named happened to be Jonathan. He passed away about 2 years ago and I still remember his voice following these lyrics to this day. I'll always love him.
@littlemissmichele9254
Oh I'm so sorry x
@RB-.-
alec is a boys name though
@artbonacorse3000
@@RB-.- then what
@earlisonline
:(
@jackshel
Sorry Alec >
@MrSensical
It's 2021 and Masseduction is STILL coming out. Damn.
@brokengirlsrus
This song wrecks me. My little brother, John, (I called him Johnny when we were kids) died last year of an accidental overdose. He was 23. I hadn't talked to him since the year before his death. I tried to help him with his addiction, but he kept going back to old habits. I didn't have much money to give, but he started stealing from me, again, and I couldn't help him anymore.
I can only assume who the Johnny is in this song and the situation behind it. But the lyrics speak so much to me about the Johnny I lost. The last line especially.
"Of course, I blame me. When you get free, Johnny, I hope you find peace."
@b1tchespressed26
I send you so much love โค๏ธ
@brokengirlsrus
@@b1tchespressed26 thank you, that means alot