Pay Your Way In Pain
St. Vincent Lyrics

Whoa-oh
Introduction to the theme of the song regarding the need to perform strenuous tasks in life to achieve one’s goals.

You got to pay your way in pain
It is required to experience hardship, discomfort or suffering to succeed.

You got to pray your way in shame
In addition, one may need to subject themselves to humiliation or embarrassment during the journey.

Ooh, I went to the store, I was feeling kinda hungry
Describes a struggle where the artist needs food, but does not have the means to purchase it.

But, didn't have the money and the shelves were all empty
The artist is unable to find something to eat even if they had money.

So I went to the bank to ch-ch-check my checking
The singer checks their account to see if they have enough money to buy food.

The man looked at my face, said, "We don't have a record"
The bank employee tells the singer that they do not have a bank account.

Oh no, you thought we had forgotten
The artist is reminded that they will face difficulties due to their situation.

The show is only getting started
The journey or struggle has only just begun.

The road is feeling like a pothole
The path ahead is bumpy and challenging.

Sit down, stand up, head down, hands up and
The singer is instructed to change their position or demeanor multiple times.

Give me what I want
The artist needs to give what is demanded of them.

(What do you want, what do you want?)
Repeated response to the demand to give what is wanted.

You know what I want
The singer knows what is expected of them.

You relax baby
Sarcastic remark indicating that the singer should not expect relief from the difficulties they face.

I, I, I wanna be loud
The artist desires to assert themselves despite their struggles.

(Pay)
Chorus indicating that one must pay the price.

(Pain)
Chorus indicating that the price may involve experiencing discomfort, suffering or hardship.

(Pray, shame)
Chorus indicating that one may also need to subject themselves to humiliation, embarrassment or prayer.

So I went to the park just to watch the little children
The artist visits a park to distract themselves from their situation.

The mothers saw my heels and they said I wasn't welcome
The artist is judged and not accepted by others due to their appearance.

So I, I went back home, I was feeling kinda queasy
The artist returns home feeling sick or uneasy.

But all the locks were changed, my baby wouldn't see me
The singer is metaphorically locked out of what is most important to them.

Oh no, you put your finger on it
The artist is reminded of their situation.

The stove is only gettin' hotter
Difficulties are increasing with time.

The sun is gotta, gotta melt you
The heat from the struggles will wear one down.

Stand up, sit down, hands up, break down
The singer is instructed to change their position, and may feel like they are breaking down.

I wanna be loud (what do you want, what do you want? Shame)
The artist still wants to be heard despite the humiliation or embarrassment they may have experienced due to the struggle.