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.

One Step
St. Vincent Lyrics

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Sometimes I feel confident like I'm in control
Rolling out in Vegas and landing every roll.
But lately I ain't winning. It's snake eyes every time.
I'm losing and I'm down to my last dime.

{Chorus}

Now every day I hope and pray to make it through one more.

As the winter wind rushes in and chills me to the core.
I've lost so much that nothing is all I've got to lose
It's one day till tomorrow, and one step ahead of the blues.

Don't tell me that I'll be alright that's something you don't know.
Or tell me not to be uptight or not to let it show.
My confidence is sliding this I know is true, I'm barely just one step ahead of the blues.

{Chorus}

Now every day I hope and pray to make it through one more.
As the winter wind rushes in and chills me to the core.
I've lost so much that nothing is all I've got to lose
It's one day till tomorrow, and one step ahead of the blues.

{Chorus}

Now every day I hope and pray to make it through one more.
As the winter wind rushes in and chills me to the core.
I've lost so much that nothing is all I've got to lose
It's one day till tomorrow, and one step ahead of the blues.

It's one day till tomorrow and one step ahead of the blues.

Overall Meaning

In the lyrics to the song "One Step," St. Vincent expresses a feeling of vulnerability and desperation. The first verse begins with a sense of confidence and control, as the singer describes rolling the dice in Vegas and always coming out on top. However, this feeling quickly changes as she reveals that recently she hasn't been winning. It seems like luck has turned against her, and she's losing everything, down to her last dime. This sets the stage for the theme of uncertainty and struggle throughout the song.

The chorus reflects the singer's daily struggle to make it through, as she hopes and prays for another day. The mention of the winter wind rushing in and chilling her to the core adds a metaphorical layer to the lyrics, symbolizing the hardships she faces. She has lost so much that she feels like she has nothing left to lose. But despite her struggles, she continues to push forward, acknowledging that she's just one step ahead of the blues.

The second verse reveals the singer's frustration with empty words of assurance. People telling her that everything will be alright or to relax and not show her distress doesn't provide any comfort. Her confidence is wavering, and she knows it's true. Again, she emphasizes her precarious position of being barely one step ahead of the blues.

Overall, "One Step" portrays a sense of vulnerability, desperation, and the daily struggle to keep going despite the constant setbacks and losses. It highlights the emotional toll of trying to stay one step ahead of the challenges and hardships that life throws at us.

Line by Line Meaning

Sometimes I feel confident like I'm in control
Occasionally, I experience a sense of assurance where I believe I have power over my circumstances.

Rolling out in Vegas and landing every roll
Engaging in a risk-taking adventure in Las Vegas and consistently achieving successful outcomes.

But lately I ain't winning. It's snake eyes every time
However, recently I have been facing constant failures and unfavorable outcomes.

I'm losing and I'm down to my last dime
I am continuously experiencing losses and now have almost no financial resources left.

Now every day I hope and pray to make it through one more
Presently, I wake up each day with the desire and plea to survive another day.

As the winter wind rushes in and chills me to the core
When the cold winter breeze intensifies and deeply affects me.

I've lost so much that nothing is all I've got to lose
Having suffered significant losses, I have reached a point where I have nothing left to risk.

It's one day till tomorrow, and one step ahead of the blues
Only a day separates me from the future, and I am barely managing to stay ahead of feelings of sadness and despair.

Don't tell me that I'll be alright that's something you don't know
Please refrain from attempting to assure me of a positive outcome as you cannot truly understand the situation.

Or tell me not to be uptight or not to let it show
Furthermore, do not advise me to remain calm or hide my emotions.

My confidence is sliding this I know is true, I'm barely just one step ahead of the blues
My self-assurance is diminishing, and I am well aware of this fact. I am only managing to stay slightly ahead of feelings of sadness.