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.
Human Racing
St. Vincent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's been years and still no sign
But, I'm keeping hope alive
Juliet, how you been?
You look like death
Like you sure could use some rest
From this place
Human racing
And the faces of people who pound at your door
They'll always want more
They want more
Hummingbird, what's the word?
Are you still your mothers child
Or have you found yourself a flower?
Flower child, you're still wild
Under a harvest moon
Can we eat of all the fruits
Of our youth?
Tell the truth now
Your heart is a strange little orange to peel
What's the deal?
What's the deal?
Mary, dear, how you feel?
Are you lost without your lamb?
You know I think I understand
Little lamb, what's your plan?
Greener pastures in the sky?
It's a shame you want to die, know why
Just to find you've been blinded
To the greenest of pastures they're right here on Earth
For what it's worth
You're not the first to break my heart
You're not the first to break my heart
You're not the first to break my heart
You're not the first to break my heart, oh
The lyrics to "Human Racing" by St. Vincent speak to the struggles of trying to navigate and find one's place in the world. The song is written in the form of a series of questions directed to different people, including Romeo, Juliet, Hummingbird, Flower Child, Mary, and Little Lamb.
The first stanza begins with a question to Romeo, asking where he has gone and expressing the hope that he will return. The second question is directed to Juliet, noting that she looks tired and offering her a break from the chaos of life. The chorus brings in the theme of human racing, and the constant pressure people feel to keep up and succeed. The faces of the people who "pound at your door" symbolize the never-ending demands and expectations of society.
The third stanza questions whether Hummingbird has stayed true to their roots, or has gone off in a different direction. The fourth question is directed at Flower Child, who is still wild and free under the light of the harvest moon. The stanza ends with a question about whether they can savor the fruits of youth or if they will let them go to waste.
The fifth stanza addresses Mary, who has lost her lamb, and expresses empathy for her loss. The final question is directed at Little Lamb, who wants to die to find greener pastures. However, the song urges the listener to recognize that the greenest pastures are right here on earth, and to not let the pressures of life blind them to the beauty of the world.
In conclusion, "Human Racing" by St. Vincent is a poignant reflection on the human condition, highlighting the desire for a sense of purpose and fulfillment in life, while also acknowledging the pressures and expectations that can make it difficult to find real satisfaction.
Line by Line Meaning
Romeo, where'd you go?
Asking for the whereabouts of a person named Romeo
It's been years and still no sign
It has been a long time and the person has not shown up
But, I'm keeping hope alive
Despite the long wait, the singer is still optimistic
Juliet, how you been?
Checking on the well-being of a person named Juliet
You look like death
Juliet's appearance is not good, possibly due to stress or illness
Like you sure could use some rest
It seems like Juliet needs to take a break and relax
From this place
The singer is suggesting that Juliet may need to step away from her current situation
Human racing
Referring to the fast-paced and competitive nature of modern life
And the faces of people who pound at your door
People who constantly demand your attention and time
They'll always want more
These people will never be satisfied and always demand more from you
They want more
Reiterating that these people have insatiable demands
Hummingbird, what's the word?
Asking a person named Hummingbird what is going on with them
Are you still your mothers child
Asking whether Hummingbird is still close to their mother
Or have you found yourself a flower?
Asking whether Hummingbird has found someone special
Flower child, you're still wild
Addressing someone who is free-spirited and adventurous
Under a harvest moon
In a dreamy and romantic setting
Can we eat of all the fruits
Can we enjoy the pleasures of life to the fullest?
Of our youth?
While we are still young and able to enjoy them?
Tell the truth now
Encouraging someone to be honest
Your heart is a strange little orange to peel
Suggesting that someone's emotions and feelings are complex and difficult to understand
What's the deal?
Asking for an explanation or clarification
Mary, dear, how you feel?
Checking how someone named Mary is feeling
Are you lost without your lamb?
Asking whether Mary feels incomplete or lost without someone or something in her life
You know I think I understand
The artist empathizes with Mary's situation
Little lamb, what's your plan?
Asking what someone named Little Lamb intends to do
Greener pastures in the sky?
Whether Little Lamb is hoping for a better life after death
It's a shame you want to die, know why
Expressing sadness that Little Lamb may be contemplating suicide
Just to find you've been blinded
Suggesting that death may not necessarily bring the peace and happiness Little Lamb seeks
To the greenest of pastures they're right here on Earth
There are opportunities for happiness all around, it is not necessary to seek it beyond life
For what it's worth
A way of saying 'just so you know'
You're not the first to break my heart
Assuming a tone of resignation and declaring that one has already experienced heartbreak before
You're not the first to break my heart
Repeating the previous line for emphasis
You're not the first to break my heart
Repeating the previous line for emphasis
You're not the first to break my heart, oh
Adding an emotional emphasis to the last line
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Anne Erin Clark
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind