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.
The Laughing Man
St. Vincent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm in love (I see, so how can I help you?)
I can hear the angels sweeping
So why do I feel like sleeping?
Little birds, little birds
Chirp, chirp, chirp
Singing like the day is perfect
I know you're gone
You left the scene
Heaven had more important things
But I can't sleep
I know you'd know exactly what I mean
If life's a joke
Then I'm dying laughing
Brown liquor
Why not? Sure
Like the heroines of Cassavetes
I'm underneath the influence daily
Remember when (remember when)
We were kids (just kids)
Best of friends (best of friends)
All grass stains and chicken dinners
Menthol mouths and secret stitches
Half pipes and PlayStations
Suicidal ideation
I know you're gone
You dropped the scene
Left all of your guitars to me
But I can't play
I know you know exactly what I'm saying
If life's a joke
Then I'm dying laughing
The lyrics to St. Vincent's song "The Laughing Man" seem to explore themes of love, loss, and the complexity of emotions. The opening lines of "9-1-1, I'm in love, I can hear the angels sweeping, so why do I feel like sleeping?" suggest a sense of contradiction and confusion. Despite being in love and surrounded by positive things, the singer still feels weary and perhaps disconnected from their emotions.
The mention of "little birds chirping" and "singing like the day is perfect" highlights a contrast between the idyllic and the singer's perception of it as "psychotic." This may suggest a feeling of detachment or disconnect from the world around them.
The lyrics then shift to reminiscing about times spent with a friend and the nostalgia of their childhood. The mention of "grass stains and chicken dinners" and "half pipes and PlayStations" evoke a sense of innocence and carefree days. However, the line "suicidal ideation" introduces a darker element, hinting at deeper struggles and pain.
The repetition of "I know you're gone" and references to the friend leaving the scene and leaving their guitars imply that the friend may have passed away. The singer expresses an inability to fully move on, unable to sleep or play the guitars left behind.
In the final lines, the singer acknowledges that their friend would understand their feelings, suggesting a deep understanding and connection. The phrase "if life's a joke, then I'm dying laughing" can be interpreted as a bittersweet acknowledgement of the absurdity and irony of life, while simultaneously acknowledging the pain and loss they feel.
Overall, the lyrics of "The Laughing Man" reflect a complex mix of emotions, exploring themes of love, loss, nostalgia, and the struggles of navigating through life's challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
9-1-1 (9-1-1, what's your emergency?)
I'm in a desperate situation and I need help.
I'm in love (I see, so how can I help you?)
I have strong feelings for someone and I don't know how to handle it.
I can hear the angels sweeping
I can sense something peaceful and divine.
So why do I feel like sleeping?
Despite the tranquility around me, I feel exhausted and unenergetic.
Little birds, little birds
Small, innocent beings.
Chirp, chirp, chirp
Their cheerful, repetitive sounds.
Singing like the day is perfect
Expressing joy as if everything is flawless.
But to me they sound psychotic
However, their sounds seem unsettling and unsettling to me.
I know you're gone
I am aware that you are no longer here.
You left the scene
You departed from this world.
Heaven had more important things
The afterlife had more significant matters to attend to.
But I can't sleep
Nevertheless, I find it impossible to rest.
I know you'd know exactly what I mean
You would completely understand my thoughts and emotions.
If life's a joke
If existence is nothing more than a humorous play.
Then I'm dying laughing
Then I am experiencing extreme amusement, even in the face of death.
Brown liquor
Spirits with a brownish hue.
Why not? Sure
Why not indulge in them? Certainly.
Like the heroines of Cassavetes
Similar to the strong and complex female characters in Cassavetes' films.
I'm underneath the influence daily
I regularly find myself under the influence of substances.
Remember when (remember when)
Recalling a past memory.
We were kids (just kids)
We were young and innocent.
Best of friends (best of friends)
Extremely close companions.
All grass stains and chicken dinners
Our childhood days filled with outdoor play and shared meals.
Menthol mouths and secret stitches
The feeling of cold, minty breath and hidden physical wounds.
Half pipes and PlayStations
The excitement of skateboarding ramps and video game consoles.
Suicidal ideation
Thoughts and contemplation of ending one's own life.
You dropped the scene
You abandoned this existence.
Left all of your guitars to me
You entrusted me with your beloved instruments.
But I can't play
Sadly, I lack the ability or desire to play them.
I know you know exactly what I'm saying
You possess a clear understanding of my words.
If life's a joke
If the purpose of life is mere amusement.
Then I'm dying laughing
Then I am finding great amusement even as I approach death.
Lyrics © WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Annie Clark, Jack Antonoff
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
MacArthur Radio
This one may be the saddest for me, it made me cry. It just perfectly captures that feeling of melancholy and a numb bitterness that can come when you get older and shit happens
Jack Shelley
It's ok, i'm old too and like it.
Jefferson Twirk
This psychedelic sound is awesome. I’m just getting into St Vincent so I don’t know if this is representative of her overall catalogue, but it’s pretty exciting for me to hear new music that sounds old but isn’t. Like this.
Current Resident
She's very mercurial. Her sound changes a lot.
Nathan Wolfe
@Lesedi Phaahla its sorta like actor in terms of mix but actor was way less busy and much cleaner in sound.
Lesedi Phaahla
@Nathan Wolfe and actor?
Nathan Wolfe
@King of Carrot Flowers ohh i gotcha!
King of Carrot Flowers
@Nathan Wolfe I couldn't agree more! My comment was directed at OP, somewhat adding more trivia to the ideas you already presented, ideas I share as well :)
joe a
such a gorgeous chord progression and then those lyrics HIT you... "if life's a joke, then i'm dying laughing!" like damn
Shawn Bay
The moment I heard “Grass stains and chicken dinners, menthol mouths and secret stitches, half-pipes and PlayStation, suicidal ideation.”
I realised how heartbreakingly real this song is.