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.
Paris Is Burning
St. Vincent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Send my cinders home to mother
They gave me a medal for my valor
Leaden trumpets spit the soot of power
They say, "I'm on your side
"When nobody is, 'cause nobody is
"Come sit right here and sleep
"While I slip poison in your ear"
We are waiting on a telegram
To give us news of the fall
I am sorry to report
Dear Paris is burning after all
We have taken to the streets
In open rejoice revolting
We are dancing a black waltz
Fair Paris is burning after all
Enclosed in this letter there's a picture
Black and white for your refrigerator
Sticks and stones have made me smarter
It's words that cut me under my armor
They say, "I'm on your side
"When nobody is, 'cause nobody is
"Come sit right here and sleep
"While I slip poison in your ear"
We are waiting on a telegram
To give us news of the fall
I am sorry to report
Dear Paris is burning after all
We have taken to the streets
In open rejoice revolting
We are dancing a black waltz
Fair Paris is burning after all
Dance poor people, dance and drown
Dance fair Paris to the ground
Dance poor people, dance and drown
Dance fair Paris, ashes now
Dance poor people, dance and drown
Dance fair Paris to the ground
Dance poor people, dance and drown
Dance fair Paris, ashes now
Dance poor people, dance and drown
Dance fair Paris to the ground
Dance poor people, dance and drown
Dance fair Paris, ashes now
The song "Paris is Burning" by St. Vincent is a hauntingly beautiful ballad that speaks to the idea of societal collapse and the complicity of those in power. The lyrics suggest a metaphorical fire that has gripped Paris, and the implications of the fire are clear throughout the song. The lyrical content is dark, but it also speaks to the resilience and defiance of individuals against the power structures that seek to keep them down.
The first verse of the song speaks of the singer attempting to bring an end to the war, and being given a medal for valor, only to see the power structures of society continuing to spit soot into the air. The second verse juxtaposes the idea of those in power being on your side, while simultaneously poisoning your mind against your own interests. The chorus of the song reinforces the idea of societal collapse, with Paris burning after all, and people taking to the streets in open revolt. The closing lines of the song suggest that people dance, even as they drown, and that Paris has been reduced to ashes.
The song is a commentary on the relationships between power structures and the disenfranchised, and of the way that those in power seek to perpetuate their control. It also speaks to the idea of resilience and defiance in the face of oppression, and the way that people will continue to fight for their rights even in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
I write to give word the war is over
I am announcing that the battle is done and communication has been reestablished.
Send my cinders home to mother
Return my burnt remains to my mother for her to mourn my death.
They gave me a medal for my valor
I was awarded for my bravery in combat.
Leaden trumpets spit the soot of power
The instruments of war and politics are dirty and corrupt.
"I'm on your side
When nobody is, 'cause nobody is
Come sit right here and sleep
While I slip poison in your ear"
I am a fake friend who will betray you by whispering harmful things into your ear while you rest trusting me.
We are waiting on a telegram
To give us news of the fall
I am sorry to report
Dear Paris is burning after all
We are anticipating news of the city's fate and it is sad to say that Paris is indeed being destroyed.
We have taken to the streets
In open rejoice revolting
We are dancing a black waltz
Fair Paris is burning after all
We have publicly rebelled and are celebrating destructing Paris by dancing.
Enclosed in this letter there's a picture
Black and white for your refrigerator
Sticks and stones have made me smarter
It's words that cut me under my armor
I have included a photo with this message as a keepsake. I have developed a more robust tough skin after dealing with physical harm, but the verbal abuse hurts me more.
"I'm on your side
When nobody is, 'cause nobody is
Come sit right here and sleep
While I slip poison in your ear"
I am a fake friend who will betray you by whispering harmful things into your ear while you rest trusting me.
Dance poor people, dance and drown
Dance fair Paris to the ground
Dance poor people, dance and drown
Dance fair Paris, ashes now
I urge the lowly to continue dancing until they are submerged, drowned, and burned with Paris.
Dance poor people, dance and drown
Dance fair Paris to the ground
Dance poor people, dance and drown
Dance fair Paris, ashes now
I urge the lowly to continue dancing until they are submerged, drowned, and burned with Paris.
Dance poor people, dance and drown
Dance fair Paris to the ground
Dance poor people, dance and drown
Dance fair Paris, ashes now
I urge the lowly to continue dancing until they are submerged, drowned, and burned with Paris.
Lyrics © Takwene LLC, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Iricom US Ltd, Songtrust Ave
Written by: ANNE ERIN CLARK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind