This is my fav song so far. so for me to try and explain would probably ruin the song since its so beautiful

well, this site called "song MEANINGS"

i love this song but i believe the song says "human flaw" not, "human fault"

i love this song but i believe the song says "human flaw" not, "human fault"

It's a bit of a throwback to another era almost, with a modern twist that St. Vincent get's right on the spot everytime.

hearing this makes me wonder what person inspired it. the lyrics are heartbreaking, yet classy. beautiful =)

the things we do for love... this song reminds me of myself.

This song is about her having lost someone she loves, and is being silly and superstitious hoping to somehow get that person back, but she realizes that she has to take real action if she wants that to happen.

This song is about her having lost someone she loves, and is being silly and superstitious hoping to somehow get that person back, but she realizes that she has to take real action if she wants that to happen.

This song is about her having lost someone she loves, and is being silly and superstitious hoping to somehow get that person back, but she realizes that she has to take real action if she wants that to happen.

I think this song has many different layers of meaning to it. In order to properly convey what I believe the meaning to be (that is, in my own person opinion) it requires a breakdown of the lyrics.
The beginning is fairly straightforward. Someone else pointed out something about superstition, and for the most part that is correct. Amulets and charms are generally indication of superstition, in this case, small items that hold some meaning to her - hopes that they will have an effect on the outcome of some situation. The part about false alarms is confusing, most likely it ties back into lyrics further into the song about being human. We all have expectations, distrusting nature. False alarms is a good way of putting it.
The chorus is purely beautiful. She dances to make the rain come, I.E. she acts a certain way to get what she needs. She smiles to keep everything from falling apart. She takes what she can get as far as love goes, and uses it to keep herself going by telling her that love is the real deal.
The second part of the song is extremely straightforward, with the exception of the last part. She says she hopes they won't be forgotten, but she already has a hard time staying focused on their needs. "What was your question?"
And the very last part of the bulk of the song reflects that nothing physical, or superstitious, can correct human nature. Our tendencies of selfishness and illusion ruin a beautiful thing, the only thing that can keep people together for the purpose of this song. Love.

Then ending chorus, I imagine, is her reflection of the past as she is now alone. Scraping up what love she can find in the rest of the world.
It might be difficult to handle! But I imagine she doesn't mean just one person. If any of her other songs are an indication (with slight parody aside) she is a fickle lover.