Saturn
James McAlister Lyrics


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Meloncholy creature
Paranoid secret
Hypothetic victim of prediction
I'll consume the child that trails me

The youngest of children
A cannibal addiction
Innocent victim
Bite mark, body part
When in secret siege
We eat them

Tell me I'm evil
A Capricorn creature
A chemical addiction
First incision
Take this body
Bloodshed for you

Tell me I'm evil
Invisible people
Continual affection for my action
Vampire creature
First born seeker

Ah ah ah, now
Ah ah ah, now

Tell me I'm evil
Tell me I'm not the name of love
Tell me I'm evil
Tell me I'm not the face of god

Tell me I'm evil
Tell me I'm not love
Tell me I'm evil
Tell me I'm not love

Where there's joy
I bring you trespass
Where there's light
I bring you darkness
Where there's health
I bring affliction
Where there's hope
I bring misfortune

Ah ah ah, now
Ah ah ah, now
Tell me I'm evil
Tell me I'm not love
Tell me I'm evil
Tell me I'm not love





(Love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to James McAlister's Saturn delve into the psyche of a disturbed individual who is struggling with their own identity and actions. The opening line, "Melancholy creature," sets the tone for the overall mood of the song. The individual is consumed by thoughts and emotions that are leading them down a dark path. The next line, "Paranoid secret," reveals to the listener that the individual is hiding something from the world, possibly even themselves. The line "Hypothetic victim of prediction" could signify that the individual feels as though they were always destined to become this type of person, trapped by uncontrollable fate. The final line of the first verse, "I'll consume the child that trails me," is a disturbing image that suggests the individual is not only a danger to themselves but also to others.


The second verse paints the picture of the individual's crimes in a more tangible way. The reference to a "cannibal addiction" and "innocent victim" make it clear that the singer has taken the lives of others. The line "When in secret siege, we eat them" hints at the notion that the singer is not acting alone but may be part of a larger group or even a cult. The chorus repeats the phrase "Tell me I'm evil," which indicates that the individual is aware of their actions and may be seeking validation or acceptance for their deeds. The lines "Invisible people, continual affection for my action, vampire creature, first born seeker" all suggest that the individual is looking for a community that shares their twisted desires.


The final verse takes a more anthemic turn as the singer declares themselves to be the opposite of everything that brings joy and hope into life such as love or god. The repetition of the phrase "Tell me I'm not love" reinforces the singer's desire to be acknowledged for their deplorable acts. The song ends on the refrain, "Ah ah ah, now, Tell me I'm evil, Tell me I'm not love," underscoring the theme of seeking validation and a sense of belonging.


Line by Line Meaning

Meloncholy creature
I am feeling sad and depressed like an animal in the wild who is preyed upon.


Paranoid secret
I am scared of something that I can't talk about.


Hypothetic victim of prediction
I am imagining that I will be a victim of something that could happen in the future.


I'll consume the child that trails me
I will destroy anything that comes near me, like a predator eating its prey.


The youngest of children
The most innocent and helpless victims.


A cannibal addiction
An obsession with destroying and consuming the innocent.


Innocent victim
Someone who has done nothing wrong and doesn't deserve to be hurt.


Bite mark, body part
The physical evidence of my violence and destruction.


When in secret siege
When I am attacking and destroying in secret.


We eat them
We destroy and consume the innocent.


Tell me I'm evil
I need acknowledgment of my wickedness and wrongdoings.


A Capricorn creature
A reference to the astrological zodiac sign Capricorn, which is associated with determination, responsibility, and caution.


A chemical addiction
I am addicted to the destructive chemicals in my brain when I hurt others.


First incision
The first cut I make when I begin to attack someone.


Take this body
I am offering someone's body to use for my destructive means.


Bloodshed for you
I hurt and kill for your benefit, to impress you or gain your approval.


Invisible people
People who are not seen or heard, who are vulnerable and easily ignored.


Continual affection for my action
I continue to feel good about my destruction and violence even when it is hurting others.


Vampire creature
A reference to the mythical vampire who feeds on blood and represents the dark side within us all.


First born seeker
I am the first to seek out and destroy the innocent.


Where there's joy
Where there is happiness and positivity.


I bring you trespass
I bring you destruction and negative energy when things are good and joyful.


Where there's light
Where there is goodness and purity.


I bring you darkness
I bring you negativity and evil when things are light and good.


Where there's health
Where there is wellness in body and mind.


I bring affliction
I bring you sickness and suffering when you are healthy.


Where there's hope
Where there is optimism and positivity about the future.


I bring misfortune
I bring you despair and hardship when you are hopeful and optimistic.


(Love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love)
A chorus that is in stark contrast to the rest of the song, highlighting the overwhelming presence of love despite the destruction and negativity in the world.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Sufjan Stevens, Bryce D. Dessner, James J. Mcalister, Nico Muhly

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@Lt.852

Saturn (Lyrics)

Meloncholy creature
Paranoid secret
Hypothetic victim of prediction
I'll consume the child that trails me
The youngest of children
A cannibal addiction
Innocent victim
Bite mark, body part
When in secret siege
We eat them
Tell me I'm evil
A Capricorn creature
A chemical addiction
First incision
Take this body
Bloodshed for you
Tell me I'm evil
Invisible people
Continual affection for my action
Vampire creature
First born seeker
Ah ah ah, now
Ah ah ah, now
Tell me I'm evil
Tell me I'm not the name of love
Tell me I'm evil
Tell me I'm not the face of god
Tell me I'm evil
Tell me I'm not love
Tell me I'm evil
Tell me I'm not love
Where there's joy
I bring you trespass
Where there's light
I bring you darkness
Where there's health
I bring affliction
Where there's hope
I bring misfortune
Ah ah ah, now
Ah ah ah, now
Tell me I'm evil
Tell me I'm not love
Tell me I'm evil
Tell me I'm not love



All comments from YouTube:

@DriftwoodScarecrow

"The subject of the album is not just the wilderness of outer space, but the interior space of human consciousness and how it engages with divinity, depravity, society and self—what does it mean to be human? This existential question rings clear from the opening lyric: “What’s right and what’s wrong?” The 75 minutes of music that follow provide a complex thesis: to be human is to be a total mess. The result of this creative alliance is a musical and aesthetic journey as far-reaching as its subject: from lush piano ballads to prog-rock political anthems, curious electronic back-beats to classical cadenzas, the vast musical styles seek to explore the diversity and mystery of our cosmos."- 4AD

@chandinipotnuru9426

This is a wonderful analysis 😭

@velvetclaw2316

I think it’s his best album - it’s definitely my favourite

@King_of_carrot_flowers

There's something so magical about the way the beat drops when Sufjan sings the word 'God'.

@tylerkupcho18

The first time I listened to this my body shot straight through the roof and I ascended to the rings of Saturn

@SemiShweet

THE RINGS OF SATURN ARE WHY

@scottpalmer7724

Such a good song - everything Sufjan touches is gold.

@mabuel12

Sisyphus says hi.

@CouveTJ

So true.

@idonthaveaname42

​@@mabuel12king midus feels threatened

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