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.
Mary
St. Vincent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I was smoke white papers
Smelling us from next door
I know they hate us
Why the fuck they calling my phone
I'm on a hiatus
Saying that they love me but they don't
Mary Jane gon' save us
And we smoking on this weed
What i need baby roll a swisher sweet
We smoking down
That Mary Jane
No slowing down while we heal our pain
Mary Jane done helped me in so many ways
When I'm not wit you it don't feel the same
Always together we can't stay away
She gon' hold me down through the rain days
Cause not nobody there to tell me it'll be okay
Police pull me over and take you away
Why they wanna gives us time
Why they wanna see us pay
I'll be okay
When it's you then me
And we smoking on this weed
What i need baby roll a swisher sweet
We smoking down
That Mary Jane
No slowing down while we heal our pain
Roll up
Smoke up
I need to flick my lighter
Roll up
Smoke up
Truth is that I like her
Roll up
Smoke up
I need to flick my lighter
Roll up
Smoke up
Truth is that I like her
You then me
And we smoking on this weed
What i need baby roll a swisher sweet
We smoking down
That Mary Jane
No slowing down while we heal our pain
When it's you then me
And we smoking on this weed
What i need baby roll a swisher sweet
We smoking down
That Mary Jane
No slowing down while we heal our pain
The lyrics to St. Vincent's song "Mary" revolve around the theme of finding solace and escape through marijuana, personified as Mary Jane. The lyrics suggest that the singer has moved on from smoking blunts and now prefers white papers, indicating a shift in their lifestyle. They are aware that others may disapprove or hate them for their choices, as implied by the line "I know they hate us." Despite this, when Mary Jane is present, they feel protected and loved, symbolizing the healing power of marijuana for them.
The lyrics also touch upon the singer's reliance on Mary Jane to cope with pain and loneliness. They express that smoking together creates a bond and a sense of unity, emphasizing the importance of companionship in their journey. The reference to police pulling them over and taking Mary Jane away alludes to the legal repercussions and societal judgment associated with marijuana use. However, the singer reassures themselves that they will be alright, implying a determination to continue their relationship with Mary Jane despite the obstacles they may face.
Overall, the lyrics of "Mary" suggest that the singer finds comfort, love, and a sense of belonging through their connection with marijuana. It serves as a coping mechanism and a source of strength, allowing them to navigate through their pain and feel a sense of unity in their life.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't smoke blunts no more
I have stopped smoking marijuana cigarettes
I was smoke white papers
I now prefer smoking marijuana rolled in thin white papers
Smelling us from next door
People can detect the scent of marijuana coming from our place
I know they hate us
I am aware that some people dislike us
Why the fuck they calling my phone
I wonder why people keep bothering me by calling my phone
I'm on a hiatus
I am taking a break from certain activities
Saying that they love me but they don't
Some individuals claim to love me, but their actions prove otherwise
Mary Jane gon' save us
Marijuana is going to save us or provide solace
When it's you then me
When we are together
And we smoking on this weed
And we are consuming marijuana
What i need baby roll a swisher sweet
What I require is for you to roll a marijuana blunt using a Swisher Sweet cigar
We smoking down
We are continuously smoking marijuana
That Mary Jane
Referring to marijuana as Mary Jane
No slowing down while we heal our pain
We are not halting our marijuana consumption while using it to alleviate our emotional suffering
Mary Jane done helped me in so many ways
Marijuana has proven beneficial to me in various ways
When I'm not wit you it don't feel the same
When I am not with you, life is not as enjoyable
Always together we can't stay away
We always feel the need to be together and cannot separate
She gon' hold me down through the rain days
Marijuana is going to support me during challenging times
Cause not nobody there to tell me it'll be okay
Because there is nobody else present to assure me that everything will be fine
Police pull me over and take you away
Law enforcement stops me and confiscates my marijuana
Why they wanna gives us time
Why do they want to imprison us?
Why they wanna see us pay
Why do they desire to see us punished or suffer consequences?
I'll be okay
I will be fine
Roll up
Prepare a marijuana joint
Smoke up
Inhale the smoke from the marijuana joint
I need to flick my lighter
I require a lighter to ignite the marijuana joint
Truth is that I like her
Honestly, I enjoy consuming marijuana
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Vincent Hamer
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
M H
The fact that LeBron is STILL best friends with these guys says a lot about him as a person!
Selfish Stockton
@Raymond William it’s not hating if it’s true
MopSquaaa Tony
So true I went to school with a NFL running back and he forgot about all the brothers he played with and only kept in touch with a few unathletic white Greek kids. He ain’t get his brothers not 1 game ticket or even a night out
Colonel Gibbs
E BANKS they r best friends
Chewpa Miverga
True wade and AD are his bestfriends same as this guys i bet he visits them on the lowkey.
Clash of Ryan james
Travis his great teamate
Litigation Man
I see a lot of potential on this LeBron kid... hope he makes it to the NBA
uncl3luk3
Eh..... 1st round bust. Putting my house on it
Mercy of David
This comment is for his son now
Kyle Lowry
@Nigel Hinds genius