A pseudonym of Annie Clark (b. 28 Sept 1982), a USA multi-instrumentalist s… Read Full Bio ↴A pseudonym of Annie Clark (b. 28 Sept 1982), a USA multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter. She was a member of The Polyphonic Spree and Sufjan Stevens' touring band. Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, she began playing the guitar at the age of 12 and as a teenager worked as the tour manager for her uncle's band Tuck & Patti. She grew up in Dallas and attended Lake Highlands High School, graduating in 2001. Following this, she went on to attend Berklee College of Music, dropping out 3 years later. Soon after this, she joined The Polyphonic Spree. In 2003, during her time at Berklee, she released an EP with fellow students, entitled Ratsliveonnoevilstar.

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.

My Love
St. Vincent Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

No, don't be gone
Love has just begun
It's not the same as it once was
Though seas may rage I'll still stand stood
He knows the way
But I won't see to stay
Into the mind of me and signs of me
The reasons I've been blinded

Take me away to the place that I need to be
But please don't take my love away
Many friends go away but one still stays
Don't leave my side
I want to be alive, into your arms again
I know it's said
Your love is deeper than all
She won't be long
But I'm not very strong
Anyone else would do, to see us through
Though me and life would never knew
Go send me out, to the stream
That will lead me to
To You
But please, I ask
Don't let me begin to leave
Let me stay

Please stay
Don't take my love away

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of St. Vincent's "My Love" address a plea to a loved one not to go away. The singer acknowledges that love is not what it used to be, but she is determined to stand firm even in the face of storms. She is aware that her loved one knows the way, but she is not ready to give up and wants to be taken to the place she needs to be. She fears that the reasons for her blindness may become apparent if her love goes away. She acknowledges that she has lost many friends along the way but wants her loved one to stay by her side. She yearns to be in his arms again and she knows his love is deeper than all others. Though his return may be imminent, she still needs him to stay as she is not very strong.

The song ends with the singer pleading not to be sent away, that she wants to stay and for her love not to be taken away. These lyrics show a deep vulnerability on the part of the singer as she confesses to being in a state of partial blindness that may become even more pronounced if her love goes away. It is also a testament to the importance of people in our lives, especially when we feel weak and vulnerable. "My Love" acknowledges that people need other people to thrive and be happy.

Line by Line Meaning

No, don't be gone
I don't want you to leave

Love has just begun
Our love is still new and fresh

It's not the same as it once was
Our relationship has changed and evolved over time

Though seas may rage I'll still stand stood
Even amidst difficulties, I will remain steadfast

He knows the way
God has a plan for us

But I won't see to stay
I am resistant to staying in one place

Into the mind of me and signs of me
I am reflecting on my inner thoughts and actions

The reasons I've been blinded
I am struggling to see things clearly

Take me away to the place that I need to be
I want to be taken to where I belong

But please don't take my love away
I am afraid of losing my connection to you

Many friends go away but one still stays
People come and go, but our love remains