Dilettante

St. Vincent's song 'Dilettante' is a haunting exploration of longing, connection, and the elusive nature of relationships. The repeated invocation of 'Elijah' suggests a plea for attention and presence, highlighting a sense of urgency and impatience. The imagery of 'sharks swimming in the red' evokes danger and tension, setting a tone of unease and anticipation. This sense of waiting and the fear of being left behind is palpable throughout the song, as the narrator grapples with feelings of estrangement and the desire for closeness.

The term 'dilettante' itself refers to someone who dabbles in a field without serious commitment, which can be seen as a metaphor for the transient and superficial connections that the narrator experiences. The lines 'Slow down, dilettante / So I can limp beside you' suggest a struggle to keep up with someone who is always moving, always changing, and never fully present. This creates a dynamic of imbalance and yearning, where the narrator is constantly trying to catch up and be part of the other person's world.

The metaphor of 'a party I heard through a wall' and 'watching you through a keyhole' further emphasizes the theme of distance and separation. The narrator is always on the periphery, never fully included or able to participate in the life of the person they are addressing. This sense of being an outsider looking in is compounded by the plea to 'not forget where we crawled from,' suggesting a shared history or origin that is at risk of being overlooked or forgotten. The song's closing lines, 'What is so pressing / You can undress me, anyway,' encapsulate the vulnerability and desperation for intimacy, even if it means exposing oneself completely.