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.
Masseduction
St. Vincent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Playin' knockoff soul
A punk rock romantic
Slumped on the kitchen floor
Nuns in stress position
Smokin' Marlboros
Lolita is weeping
The bride is beautiful
(Masseduction)
I can't turn off what turns me on
(Masseduction)
I can't turn off what turns me on
(Masseduction)
I hold you like a weapon
(Mass destruction)
I don't turn off what turns me on
(Masseduction)
I can't turn off what turns me on
(Masseduction)
I can't turn off what turns me on
(Masseduction)
I hold you like a weapon
(Mass destruction)
I don't turn off what turns me on
Smilin' nihilist met
Angry glass half full
Drinkin' Manic Panic
Singin' Boatman's Call
Teenage, Christian virgins
Holdin' out their tongues
Paranoid secretions
Fallin' on basement rugs
(Masseduction)
I can't turn off what turns me on
(Masseduction)
I can't turn off what turns me on
(Masseduction)
I hold you like a weapon
(Mass destruction)
I don't turn off what turns me on
(Masseduction)
I can't turn off what turns me on
(Masseduction)
I can't turn off what turns me on
(Masseduction)
I hold you like a weapon
(Mass destruction)
I don't turn off what turns me on
Oh, what a bore to be so adored
Oh, what a bore to be so adored
(Masseduction)
I can't turn off what turns me on
(Masseduction)
I can't turn off what turns me on
(Masseduction)
I hold you like a weapon
(Mass destruction)
I don't turn off what turns me on
(Mass destruction)
(Mass destruction)
(Mass destruction)
(Mass destruction)
(I don't turn off what turns me on)
(Mass destruction)
(Mass destruction)
(Mass destruction)
(Mass destruction)
The song "Masseduction" by St. Vincent is a commentary on the paradoxical duality of love and destruction. The lyrics describe a punk rock romantic who is slumped on the kitchen floor, smoking Marlboros and holding their lover like a weapon. The juxtaposition of religious imagery and sexual themes, such as the nuns in stress position and the teenage, Christian virgins holding out their tongues, highlights the conflicting emotions and desires that can consume relationships. The "Black saint, sinner lady" character represents the push and pull between good and evil, and the singer admits that she cannot turn off what turns her on, despite the potential for mass destruction.
The chorus repeats the idea that the singer cannot turn off what turns her on and that she holds her lover like a weapon that has the potential for mass destruction. The bridge includes the lament that being so adored can be a bore, suggesting that the same intensity of passion that is a source of attraction can also become suffocating and overwhelming.
Overall, the song conveys a sense of obsession and danger, and highlights the complicated nature of desire and love. The vivid imagery and clever wordplay create a layered and thought-provoking commentary on the nature of human relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Black saint, sinner lady
A person who embodies both good and bad qualities
Playin' knockoff soul
Creating a subpar imitation of a musical genre
A punk rock romantic
Someone who has a rebellious spirit but also believes in love
Slumped on the kitchen floor
Feeling defeated and broken
Nuns in stress position
Religious figureheads feeling strained and uncomfortable
Smokin' Marlboros
Indulging in unhealthy habits
Lolita is weeping
Turning point in the relationship where someone is vulnerable and emotional
The bride is beautiful
Despite being in a potentially dangerous or unhealthy situation, there are still moments of beauty and love
(Masseduction)
Being swept up in a powerful force or influence that is controlling
I can't turn off what turns me on
Unable to resist temptation or desire, even if it is harmful
I hold you like a weapon
Using love or a relationship as a way to gain power over someone
(Mass destruction)
The destructive power of love or desire
Smilin' nihilist met
Meeting someone who has a pessimistic view of life but still manages to find joy
Angry glass half full
Feeling anger or frustration but still seeing some good or positive aspects of life
Drinkin' Manic Panic
Engaging in reckless behavior or indulging in escape mechanisms
Singin' Boatman's Call
Finding solace in music or art during difficult times
Teenage, Christian virgins
Young people who hold strict religious beliefs and may feel conflicted about their desires
Holdin' out their tongues
Appearing submissive or obedient but still holding onto their own desires
Paranoid secretions
Distrustful or fearful responses to love or desire
Fallin' on basement rugs
Engaging in intimate or risky behavior in a secluded or unhealthy environment
Oh, what a bore to be so adored
Feeling trapped or bored by the intense attention or affection of someone else
(Mass destruction)
The destructive power of love or desire
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Hipgnosis Songs Group
Written by: Anne Erin Clark, Jack Antonoff
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@idkhowtobe
Black saint, sinner lady
Playin' knockoff soul
A punk rock romantic
Slumped on the kitchen floor
Nuns in stress position
Smokin' Marlboros
Lolita is weeping
The bride is beautiful
(Masseduction)
I can't turn off what turns me on
(Masseduction)
I can't turn off what turns me on
(Masseduction)
I hold you like a weapon
(Mass destruction)
I don't turn off what turns me on
(Masseduction)
I can't turn off what turns me on
(Masseduction)
I can't turn off what turns me on
(Masseduction)
I hold you like a weapon
(Mass destruction)
I don't turn off what turns me on
Smilin' nihilist met
Angry glass half full
Drinkin' Manic Panic
Singin' Boatman's Call
Teenage, Christian virgins
Holdin' out their tongues
Paranoid secretions
Fallin' on basement rugs
I can't turn off what turns me on
(Masseduction)
I can't turn off what turns me on
(Masseduction)
I hold you like a weapon
(Mass destruction)
I don't turn off what turns me on
(Masseduction)
I can't turn off what turns me on
(Masseduction)
I can't turn off what turns me on
(Masseduction)
I hold you like a weapon
(Mass destruction)
I don't turn off what turns me on
Oh, what a bore to be so adored
Oh, what a bore to be so adored
I can't turn off what turns me on
(Masseduction)
I can't turn off what turns me on
(Masseduction)
I hold you like a weapon
(Mass destruction)
I don't turn off what turns me on
@heyfeddde
Queen of releasing videos after winning and performing at the Grammys
@soaribb32
I didn't even know that
@aussiefirestorm
Must have known Greta Van Fleet was going to get screwed! Best rock song WTF???
@Angry20Something
@@aussiefirestorm I'm a St Vincent fan, and I'd have to agree with you there. Maybe this could have fit into the Alternative or Pop categories.
@MrUndersolo
Vega Prototype He was a fan. Saw her on tour and said she was one of the best working musicians today.
@cas-ke8nj
dua and st. vincent are so gay for each other
@kyunii6916
Finaly some christian music I can hear around my parents
@coreygriffith
Jesus
@thelumiart.
Christ
@BeauregardHall
Mas