Birth in Reverse

"Birth in Reverse" is a song written^[1] and performed by St. Vincent, issued as the lead single from her fourth album, St. Vincent. A video featuring the audio was released on December 9, 2013 (2013-12-09), one day prior to the single's official release.^[3] A music video was released on December 16, 2014. On May 17, 2014 (2014-05-17), St. Vincent performed the song on the season finale of Saturday Night Live.^[4][5]

"Birth in Reverse"
Single by St. Vincent
from the album St. Vincent
A-side	"Digital Witness"
Released	December 10, 2013 (2013-12-10)[1]
Recorded	2013
Genre	Dance-rock[2]
Length	3:15
Label	Loma Vista Republic
Songwriter(s)	Annie Clark[1]
Producer(s)	John Congleton
St. Vincent singles chronology
"Krokodil" (2012) "Birth in Reverse" (2013) "Digital Witness" (2014)
Music video
"Birth in Reverse" on YouTube

Music video

The music video for "Birth in Reverse" was directed by Willo Perron, who was also the creative director for artwork surrounding St. Vincent. The video shows Annie Clark dancing and playing guitar along to the song against a starry background.^[6]

Critical reception

The song has received critical acclaim from critics. Devon Maloney of Pitchfork called the song "vibrant",^[7] while Robin Smith of PopMatters commented that the song was "meant to be understood" and complimented the song's "space-fabric-ripping guitar".^[8] "Birth in Reverse" placed 56th on The Village Voice's 2014 Pazz & Jop critics' poll.^[9]

Track listing

7" vinyl

Side A

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Digital Witness"	3:22

Side B

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Birth in Reverse"	3:15

Digital download

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Birth in Reverse"	3:15

References

1. "Birth In Reverse – St. Vincent – Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved May 20, 2014.
2. "St. Vincent just keeps getting better". The Brandeis Hoot. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
3. "St. Vincent – Birth In Reverse (OFFICIAL AUDIO)". YouTube. Retrieved May 20, 2014.
4. "Jay Z, Solange Fight Mocked, St. Vincent Stuns with New Songs During 'Saturday Night Live' Season Finale". Billboard. May 18, 2014. Retrieved May 20, 2014.
5. Joyce, Colin (May 18, 2014). "Watch St. Vincent's Bewitching 'SNL' Performance – Music News". Spin. Retrieved May 20, 2014.
6. Reed, Bryan (December 17, 2014). "St. Vincent Rips Galaxy-Spanning Guitar Solo in 'Birth in Reverse' Video". Rolling Stone. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
7. Maloney, Devon (December 9, 2013). "St. Vincent: "Birth in Reverse" – Tracks". Pitchfork. Retrieved May 20, 2014.
8. Smith, Robin (25 February 2014). "St. Vincent: St. Vincent". PopMatters. Retrieved May 20, 2014.
9. "The Village Voice's 42nd Pazz & Jop Music Critics' Poll: The Last Word on the Year in Music". The Village Voice. Retrieved February 15, 2015.