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.
Krokodil
St. Vincent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sweet krokodil, dil, dil, dil
Never had guts for much
Never had fun
Never was much for lives
But you're mine, by the sharp
Of my fucking teeth!
I need to bite
Sweet krokodil, dil, dil, dil
I need to bite
Sweet krokodil, dil, dil, dil
Shut up so I can think
Damn nerves, damn everything
Never was much for love
But you're mine, by the shine
Of my bloody teeth!
I need to bite
Sweet krokodil, dil, dil, dil
I need to bite
Sweet krokodil, dil, dil, dil
And when it starts to sting
Don't worry, gotta be clean
Never was much for sing
But you're mine, by the sharp
Of my fucking teeth!
I need to bite
Sweet krokodil, dil, dil, dil
I need to bite
Sweet krokodil, dil, dil, dil
Oh!
In St. Vincent's song "Krokodil," the lyrics describe a person who is addicted to the dangerous drug krokodil, which is known to be highly addictive and can cause severe damage to the body. The person in the song is driven by their need for the drug, using violent language to express their desire to consume it ("I need to bite/Sweet krokodil"). They are consumed by their addiction, feeling unable to find joy in life without the drug, and are willing to do whatever it takes to get it ("Never had guts for much/Never had fun/Never was much for lives/But you're mine").
Throughout the song, the person's desperation and willingness to do whatever it takes to get their fix become increasingly apparent, from their urges to bite and the violent language they use to describe their addiction to their dismissal of love and passion in favor of their obsession with the drug. The chorus repeats multiple times, underscoring the significance of their addiction and the power it holds over them.
Overall, "Krokodil" is a haunting and intense portrayal of addiction and the lengths that individuals may go to in order to satisfy their cravings. It's a powerful reminder of the dangers of substance abuse and addiction, and the importance of seeking help when struggling with these issues.
Line by Line Meaning
I need to bite
I feel the urge to indulge in a destructive addiction
Sweet krokodil, dil, dil, dil
Referring to the drug Krokodil, which is a cheap, synthetic version of heroin
Never had guts for much
Despite being a timid person, I'm now desperate for a fix
Never had fun
I've led a dull life with no enjoyment or thrill until I got addicted to this drug
Never was much for lives
I've never found a purpose or meaning to my existence
But you're mine, by the sharp
The addiction to this drug is so strong that it has taken control of me
Of my fucking teeth!
Reiterating the idea that the addiction has a powerful grip on me
Shut up so I can think
I need silence to focus on my addiction and get my fix
Damn nerves, damn everything
I am fully consumed by my addiction, and everything else in my life is insignificant
Never was much for love
I've never been good at giving or receiving love
But you're mine, by the shine
The drug has become my obsession and source of affection
Of my bloody teeth!
The redness of my drug-induced gums emphasizes the intense hold of my addiction
And when it starts to sting
Referring to the physical and emotional pain that accompanies addiction
Don't worry, gotta be clean
This line is ironic as it reveals the singer's inability to quit the drug
Never was much for sing
I've never been good at expressing myself through music or song
But you're mine, by the sharp
The drug controls every aspect of my life, including my creativity and passions
Oh!
An exclamation of elation, as the addiction has taken over and overwhelmed the artist
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Anne Clark
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Micah Buzan ANIMATION
she goes absolutely NUTS when she plays this live. it's really funny and a bit scary.
azukiazalea
SHE'S A VERY GOOD ACTRESS...PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW THIS B.S. IS GOING ON. IM TRYING TO LEGALIZE OPIATES...I NEED NO KROKADIL. IM GLAD TO KNOW WTF IT DOES!
MrTeknikality
YOURE EVERYWHERE, ALL OF RADIOHEAD VIDEOS AND HERE TOO
Ryan Wagner
This song is seriously the funniest song to skate to. It's fast pace and fill with tons of adrenaline, she should definitely collaborate with the Mars Volta
Taylor Angelique
this song is just too awesome. Im replaying like crazy. always will forever love annie clark and st. vincent <3
Brian Chval
I'm trying to think of what a scene in a movie with this music would look like, but I don't think you can get anything this intense.
boxboxelder
i have this on repeat. LOUD. this is sweet.
HumanMonolith
Are there any other St. Vincent songs like this? I'm new to her and while I love most of what I've heard, this song takes the cake, sort of reminds me of a female-sung Death From Above 1979!
delphiote
When she plays this song live, prepare for beautiful chaos.
ELCNUmorFnaMehT
Listen to Krokodil, don't shoot it! Stay safe kids!