Rattlesnake by St. Vincent Lyrics Meaning – The Wilderness Within Unveiled

You can view the lyrics, alternate interprations and sheet music for St. Vincent's Rattlesnake at Lyrics.org.

Lyrics

Follow the power lines back from the road
No one around so I take off my clothes
Am I the only one in the only world?
Oh oh, oh oh, oh oh, oh oh, whoa

I see the snake holes dotted in the sand
As if the Seurat painted the Rio Grande
Am I the only the one in the only world?
Oh oh, oh oh, oh oh, oh oh, whoa

Sweatin’, sweatin’
No one is behind me
Sweatin’ sweatin’
No one will ever find me

The only sound out here is my own breath
And my feet stuttering to make a path
Am I the only one in the only world?

Is that the wind finally picking up?
Is that a rattle sounding from the brush?
I’m not the only one in the only world
Oh oh, oh oh, oh oh, oh oh, whoa

Runnin’, runnin’
Runnin’ rattle behind me
Runnin’, runnin’
No one will ever find me
Runnin’, runnin’
Runnin’ rattle behind me
Runnin’, runnin’
No one will ever find me
Sweatin’, sweatin’
Sweatin’ rattle behind me
Runnin’, runnin’
No one will ever find me
Sweatin’, sweatin’
Sweatin’ rattle behind me
Runnin’, runnin’
No one will ever find me

The track ‘Rattlesnake’ by St. Vincent is a masterclass in musical storytelling, weaving a complex tapestry of sound and symbolism. The song, with its pulsing beat and haunting lyrics, takes the listener on a primal journey of self-discovery, solitude, and the ever-present threat of hidden danger.

Annie Clark, known professionally as St. Vincent, isn’t one to shy away from exploring her inner psyche through her music, and ‘Rattlesnake’ stands as a powerful testament to that exploration. The lyrics recount an almost mythic encounter with nature that serves as a brilliant metaphor for the perils of vulnerability and the potency of untamed life.

Stripped Down to the Soul – Nature’s Vulnerable Confessional Booth

The opening lines of ‘Rattlesnake’ set a scene of raw exposure. Clark describes a daring communion with the wild, underscored by her decision to stand vulnerable and unadorned within a vast landscape. This imagery represents more than just physical nakedness; it’s indicative of an artist laid bare to the world, braving the elements without a guise.

The stark emptiness that surrounds the song’s protagonist underscores the human quest for authenticity. In a world overflowing with artifice and expectations, the act of peeling back society’s layers to find one’s true self becomes an act of courageous defiance.

Echoes of the Serpent – Foreboding and the Finity of Solitude

The mention of snake holes and the subsequent confrontation with a rattle indicate an unforeseen danger, breaking the illusion of solitude. It serves as a fierce reminder of the unpredictable nature of life. The song plays with the dichotomy of seeking solitude and finding oneself in the company of peril, drawing a parallel to the way one’s inner demons can surface when left alone with one’s thoughts.

St. Vincent’s portrayal of the rattlesnake evokes not only the fear of the unknown but also the innate survival instinct present in all humans. This artistic choice signals that the presence of danger, while often unwelcome, can reveal the most visceral and genuine facets of our being.

Through the Lens of Seurat – Pointillism in Lyrics and Sound

Invoking the art of Georges Seurat, St. Vincent bridges the divide between visual and auditory experiences. Just as the French post-impressionist used thousands of painted dots to create a coherent image, Clark layers sounds and words to construct her narrative. The reference to Seurat’s pointillism in ‘Rattlesnake’ subtly reflects a broader theme of perspective and perception.

The landscape meticulously described in the song is like a mirage, composed of individual parts that form an enigmatic whole. The ‘Rio Grande’ painted by sand and snake holes is both real and metaphorical, suggesting that life’s entirety is a composite of fragmented memories and moments.

Heartbeats and Footsteps – Syncopation of Fear and Discovery

The palpable rhythm of ‘Rattlesnake’ mirrors Clark’s accelerating heartbeat, as she becomes acutely aware of her own breath and the rhythm of her footsteps. This musical mimicry creates a visceral experience for the listener, transforming the song into a firsthand account of both terror and revelation.

Each thumping beat and quickened tempo reflects a dual state of consciousness: the thrill of discovery against the pounding dread of pursuit. St. Vincent orchestrates this dance of contrasts throughout the song, thrilling the listener with a symphonic depiction of escape and endurance.

The Hidden Meaning Behind the Rattle – An Auditory Hallucination?

What begins as a seemingly external threat may, in fact, mirror an internal struggle—the rattle, a metaphor for the persistent anxiety that ricochets through the human mind. This layers the song with a psychological depth, transforming the rattlesnake from a literal danger into a figment of the psyche, signifying how personal fears can take on a life of their own;

Thus, ‘Rattlesnake’ transcends its surface narrative to engage with the listener’s own rattles, those that slumber in the subconscious until stirred. St. Vincent’s lyrics prompt us to consider our innermost fears and the isolation that can come from confronting them head-on, ensuring the track’s haunting resonance long after the final note plays.