A relative old hand, Stevens has been toggling between intimate work - abou… Read Full Bio ↴A relative old hand, Stevens has been toggling between intimate work - about love, family, religion - and widescreen art projects since 2000. His new album takes elements of both strains, adding a political dimension to a discussion of spiritual crisis: "we're losing faith in society, government, leadership, basic social institutions, ourselves."

America
Sufjan Stevens Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Is it love you're after?
A sign of the flood or one more disaster?
Don't do to me what you did to America
Don't do to me what you did to America

I have loved you, I have grieved
I'm ashamed to admit I no longer believe
I have loved you, I received

I have traded my life for a picture of the scenery
Don't do to me what you did to America
Don't do to me what you did to America

I give it all up in laughter
The sign of the cross awaiting disaster
The dove flew to me like a vision of paranoia
The dove flew to me like a vision of paranoia

I have loved you like a dream
I have kissed your lips like a Judas in heat
I have worshiped, I believed
I have broke your bread for a splendor of machinery
Don't look at me like I'm acting hysterical
Don't look at me like I'm acting hysterical

I have worshiped, I have cried
I have put my hands in the wounds on your side
I have tasted of your blood
I have choked on the waters, I abated the flood
I am broken, I am beat
But I will find my way like a Judas in heat
I am fortune, I am free
I'm like a fever of light in the land of opportunity
Don't do to me what you did to America
(Don't do to me what you do to yourself)
Don't do to me what you did to America
(Don't do to me what you do to yourself)
Don't do to me what you did to America
(Don't do to me what you do to yourself)
Don't do to me what you did to America
(Don't do to me what you do to yourself)

Don't do to me what you did to America
Don't do to me what you did to America
Don't do to me what you did to America
Don't do to me what you did to America

Don't do to me what you did to America
Don't do to me what you did to America

Don't do to me what you did to America
Don't do to me what you did to America

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Sufjan Stevens's song "America" evoke themes of love, loss, disillusionment, and a sense of collective identity. The opening lines, "Is it love you're after? A sign of the flood or one more disaster?" suggest a search for love and connection, while also alluding to the tumultuous events that have shaped America's history.

The repeated plea, "Don't do to me what you did to America," reflects a fear and resistance to experiencing the same pain and destruction that America has endured. It carries a sense of betrayal, as if someone has acted in ways that have hurt and damaged both the person speaking and the country itself.

The song also touches on the artist's personal experiences and feelings of loss and disbelief. "I have loved you, I have grieved. I'm ashamed to admit I no longer believe," expresses a deep emotional connection that has been marred by disillusionment. The imagery of trading one's life for a mere picture of the scenery suggests a longing for something more substantial and authentic.

In the later verses, Stevens presents paradoxical and conflicted feelings. He likens himself to Judas, a figure associated with betrayal, and acknowledges the intense emotions he has experienced. The lines, "I have kissed your lips like a Judas in heat," reveal a complex mix of love and deceit.

The final lines of the song convey a sense of resilience and determination. Though broken and beaten, there is a belief in finding a way forward amidst the chaos and confusion. The reference to being "like a fever of light in the land of opportunity" captures the inherent hope and striving for success that can be found in the American spirit.

Overall, "America" is a deeply introspective and introspective song that explores the personal and collective struggles of love, disillusionment, and the complexities of national identity.

Line by Line Meaning

Is it love you're after?
Are you seeking genuine love?

A sign of the flood or one more disaster?
Is it a signal of a catastrophic event or just another misfortune?

Don't do to me what you did to America
Please don't repeat the same mistakes you made with America

I have loved you, I have grieved
I have experienced both love and sorrow in this relationship

I'm ashamed to admit I no longer believe
Regrettably, I have lost faith in what we had

I have loved you, I received
I have accepted your affection

I have traded my life for a picture of the scenery
I have exchanged my existence for an illusion of beauty

I give it all up in laughter
I relinquish everything with a facade of amusement

The sign of the cross awaiting disaster
The symbol of faith anticipating a calamitous event

The dove flew to me like a vision of paranoia
A fearful hallucination, the dove approached me

I have loved you like a dream
I have adored you as if in a reverie

I have kissed your lips like a Judas in heat
Similar to a traitorous Judas, I passionately kissed you

I have worshiped, I believed
I have revered and had faith in you

I have broke your bread for a splendor of machinery
I have consumed the sustenance you provided, only for a superficial grandeur

Don't look at me like I'm acting hysterical
Please don't regard me as if I'm being irrational

I have worshiped, I have cried
I have idolized you and shed tears

I have put my hands in the wounds on your side
I have touched the scars on your body

I have tasted of your blood
I have sampled your essence

I have choked on the waters, I abated the flood
I have struggled with overwhelming challenges, trying to mitigate the damage

I am broken, I am beat
I am shattered and defeated

But I will find my way like a Judas in heat
Nevertheless, I will navigate my path desperately, like a passionate traitor

I am fortune, I am free
I possess luck and freedom

I'm like a fever of light in the land of opportunity
I resemble an intense illumination in a place full of possibilities

Don't do to me what you did to America
Please don't repeat the same actions you inflicted upon America

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Sufjan Stevens

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS

No Related Genres

More Genres

No Artists Found

More Artists Load All

No Albums Found

No Tracks Found

PT12M29S

Genre not found

Artist not found

Album not found

Search results not found

Song not found

Most interesting comments from YouTube:

Eros Thanatos

4y↑156

Official lyrics

Is it love you’re after?
A sign of the flood or one more disaster
Don’t do to me what you did to America
Don’t do to me what you did to America
I have loved you, I have grieved
I’m ashamed to admit I no longer believe
I have loved you, I received
I have traded my life for a picture of the scenery
Don’t do to me what you did to America
Don’t do to me what you did to America
I give it all up in laughter
The sign of the cross awaiting disaster
The dove flew to me like a vision of paranoia
The dove flew to me like a vision of paranoia
I have loved you like a dream
I have kissed your lips like a Judas in heat
I have worshipped, I believed
I have broke your bread for a splendor of machinery
Don’t look at me like I’m acting hysterical
Don’t look at me like I’m acting hysterical
I have worshipped, I have cried
I have put my hands in the wounds on your side
I have tasted of your blood
I have choked on the waters, I abated the flood
I am broken, I am beat
But I will find my way like a Judas in heat
I am fortune, I am free
I’m like a fever of light in the land of opportunity
Don’t do to me what you did to America
Don’t do to me what you do to yourself

Geronimo Jehoshaphat

4y↑102

I believe he's holding a mirror up and asking the most vital and difficult questions:

Why are we not in harmony?

How are you complicit?

What did you insist upon others that you failed to follow yourself?

Have you betrayed your fellow neighbor in paranoid hypocracy?

Have you been manipulated to be part of the problem and none of the solution?

Has mercy been supplanted by vanity?

Do you suppose ownership over what is humane?

Who have you personally dehumanized and oppressed to suppose your liberties?

What have you emphasised to suppress?

How you look at America may have to do with how you see yourself in respect of others. Is it with graciousness?

Don't value me like you've valued America.

All comments from YouTube:

Magdalena Maginot

4y↑1.5K

He ditched writing an album for every state to just writing an album for the whole country

Crystal Jat

4y↑8

Dude your comment is lit haha

Moric Wilson

4y↑4

Song*

Strusz Music

4y↑2

Beat me to it.

MattAttack

4y↑4

based rym comment stealer

Brad Norris

4y↑14

"Fuck it." Sufjan, probably

14 More Replies...

exit timing

4y↑686

Sufjan’s back to remind us how painful and joyous it is to have him in our lives ❤️

Murmie

4y↑6

Wow, a feeling I was never able to put into words until you said that! Thank you haha

Camille Gefvert

4y↑2

Precisely

Neil Johnson

yes. so much yes.

Jeff James

4y↑1

He is like our soul if it talks👍🏻❤️😎

SensoriaMaRia

4y↑6

@Jeff James our souls can talk. I disagree that Sufjan reminds us how painful life can be. Those reminders are swallowing us and our planet whole. He reminds us that we are allowed to feel all of it; from suffering to any form of feeling free of it. Even if for a moment. Love to ALL.

16 More Replies...

Alasdair Kennedy

4y↑38

I love how the song grows more exasperated, then becoming utterly bleak when the dark ambience kicks in, before showing a slight glimmer of brightness and hope at the end. A true whirlwind of emotions.

Sophia Tinapay

4y↑216

Sufjan really translates his grievances into art.

aliff

4y↑6

Not the first time he did it, and hopefully it's not going be his last.

eduardo ramirez

4y↑74

The last two minutes of this song are the part that hit me the most, because after the ominous and sinister noise, it feels like Sufjan is raising a lament for his wounded country that also is a prayer for its healing. Absolutely heartbreaking, but quite hopeful as well.

A F D M

4y↑1

i was thinking of this theory

Tessa Rae

🖤

E Dalzell

4y↑647

The fact this could be literally any genre makes it even more exciting. Is it folk? Electronic? Rock? Hip hop? Literally no clue

HHOO PPLLAA

4y↑120

* gunshot *
This is America

loolynewbie

4y↑44

Is it folk? Yes. Electronic? Yes. Rock? Yes. Hip hop? Yes. Classical? Yes.

perpetuated

4y↑35

Him and King Gizzard are trying to complete the Ultimate Genre Bingo Card!!

Sam Wellborn

4y↑12

Same thought. The footnotes on the Asthmatic Kitty website indicate contributions from the frontman for Serena-Maneesh, which pulls together alternative rock and noise pop. "Love Galaxy," their latest single, is funky and electronic a la Jamiroquai. Exciting stuff!

hoemogenic ☁️

4y↑1

@aaron we could only wish

26 More Replies...

Kert Antal

4y↑68

the most valuable thing in Sufjan's music is the magical world it creates. The lyrics are honest and it's from the Earth, but while I listen to it, it's like listening to an alternate universe's musical creator, maybe from a better world than ours. How many musicians can do that?

Jacob Jones

4y↑2

Honestly not many. This dude is extremely gifted. But he's a good steward with it.

karen.f

4y↑74

I am broken
I am beat
But I will find my way like a Judas in heat

Welcome back, Suf. You were truly needed.

osr

I'm like a fever of light in the land of opportunity

Miele Mark

4y↑13

The ending is so hauntingly beautiful. Sufjan will never cease to make me feel so many different feelings when I listen to his music all in just one song.

ButterflyTsunami

4y↑24

This song is amazing. And it's PERFECT as an album closer. This makes me so excited to hear what comes before it. "America" is a mix of his previous work. We get elements of Age of Adz, Planetarium, C&L, and Illinoise here. Lyrically and musically. It is Sufjan Stevens through and through.
This album is called The Ascension and the last song is pretty much Sufjan saying he doesn't believe in "God" anymore. And that religion has destroyed America. It fits the theme of the album title. Seems like Sufjan has found a more personal spiritual place within himself, not reliant on the Christian god. This is just my interpretation, maybe I'm reading into it too much? Either way this track is excellent and gets a perfect score from me. 10/10

Timothy Jones

4y↑10

He quotes the Bible a lot on his blog. I don’t think he’s given up on authentic Christianity but on the “American Christianity” that does not align with the Bible.

Anthony Telles

4y↑5

Pretty sure Sufjan still believes in God. America, not so much. I think much of the song is Sufjan singing AS America; i.e. "I have broke your bread for a splendor of machinery" or "I am fortune, I am free." America seems as though it is being torn apart; the singer's prayer is that God will not also destroy him.

Jonathan

It lacks something new.

ButterflyTsunami

4y↑1

@Jonathan We have to look at it in context to where it is on the album. Also I think Sufjan is saving the best for last.

Timothy Jones

Anthony Telles i think you’re right.

1 More Replies...

Sherri Demeyere

4y↑4

Thank you! It’s beautiful!
I’m proud you wrote a song for America!

L V

4y↑15

talented, brilliant, incredible, amazing, show stopping, spectacular, never the same, totally unique, completely not ever been done before, unafraid to reference or not reference

SensoriaMaRia

4y↑75

Ah. There it is! That incomprehensible yet longed for connection to the Divine & each other. Sufjan, I view you as one of the last living mystics. You share your gift generously. You share the messages you receive right into the heART of us. I made an oath: I will live to see you in concert. Terminal disease stopped me as I battle through. But here I am. I will live. I will die. Not yet. Love to ALL.

Elsa Matos

4y↑2

Love to you back. Much love. You will.

Zembla Films

4y↑2

Love you brother or sister. Go see Sufjan live. You will

Lulu Cottontails

4y↑2

Wishing you well, love from London

jfranks1295

2y↑1

This stranger in flesh sends you, and us all, love in spirit.

SensoriaMaRia

2y↑1

To all who sent me and each other such Love in this comment thread; you are sacred souls! It is Divine to open our Spirits and do the "work" of Love. It's really not work when you realize all that is good and Godly is rooting you on! Forgive my delay in response, please. I nearly passed in July of 2021 and then had a massive stroke. It's taken quite a while to get some pieces of "me" back. God is in control. Yes, I believe God wants me to keep fighting. In faith, I try my best every day to be fully alive! My prayer or a "make a wish" before I pass is to see Sufjan perform live and meet him. I'd like to give him an embrace and show him #radicalgratitude for helping me and SO many in their battles with hardships. I end by sharing something I've learned first hand: LOVE REMAINS! It really remains. I love you, all! MaRia

omalila

4y↑34

Love you, Sufjan. Your music has been an important part of my spiritual journey in the last couple of years, my ascension. It has helped me go deeper and deeper to the place where emotions are pure and raw, where pain and love are inseparable and where the deepest kind of healing takes place that's absolutely fearless in its childlike innocence and willingness to feel whatever needs to be felt.

Ramesh Devasi

Listen his love song for osho, my rajnessh, his spiritual master

omalila

@Ramesh Devasi I've listened to it many times, it's so beautiful.

Atteirrum

Respect to your comment!

Bd Manus

4y↑32

This is a tragic tale of the loss of the idea of America, but the idea is different for every individual. Each of us have a picture in our minds of what our America should look like, sometimes we can create it together, while other times it crashes like waves on the rocks. Although the image is near, somehow it always remains just out of reach.

sucroseskulls

Such a beautiful way of putting it, thank you.

lcs

4y↑59

2005 - Illinois
2010 - The Age of Adz
2015 - Carrie and Lowell

These three will be a tough act to follow, I really hope The Ascension delivers!

Edit: Ooh this was lovely, especially the ending 🥺💖

Brendan O'Keefe

4y↑13

Every 5 years he creates a masterpiece

Yellowdog23

4y↑1

Brendan O'Keefe Oath

Gabrielle Dennis

4y↑2

And Michigan

Tim Cox

For me:

Illinois
Age of Adz
Michigan
The Avalanche
Carrie & Lowell
Seven Swans
Everything else

aliff

4y↑5

This is such a powerful song. I hope the new album will be just as great.

A House of Kindling

4y↑4

With a casual listen the end might seem long, But in the right moment it’s Perfect.

I’ll remember the night of July 3rd 2020. I lay with my friends around a bonfire by the sea. We each smoked our socially distanced bowls. It was the end of the night and I played this song. It rung out across the ocean. It overtook is. It fused with this moment in history. We lay still in our own space carried by wild sounds that ebbed and flowed with lapping waves.

And those last notes. They left us stunned. They’re not happy or hopeless. They are primordial and human. Beautiful sadness. A knowing that despite the pain, we’ll always push on.

Title by Artist

4y↑9

I wasn't here when this went live, but I'm reading the chat replay while I listen. And it fills my humble heart with suf-joy to witness so many people feeling the same things I am, about this song, this country, and this life. It's such a strange time to exist and I appreciate being able to feel a little less alone whenever possible. Love y'all~

micheckcheck

4y↑29

12 minutes of sadness, nostalgia and hope. My boy never dissapoints :).

Josh Mills

4y↑19

I want to build a fortress to protect this artist's spirit from the nightmare that we've descended into. But then we wouldn't get this exquisite Art.

Elsa Matos

4y↑17

You're on to something else here. This is breath-taking, new, but also a deepening of The Age of Adz and Carrie & Lowell. A truer version of Sufjan Stevens, if that is possible. You travel inside and return with your unique voice to haunt us with beauty.

MrMoonlightmile

4y↑2

Wow .. What a musically insightful song .. such a grand sound with simplistic lyrics that literally rip at the core of ones soul . What a great way to start off his new album X

HOPELESS Ent.

4y↑1

I suggest you listen to Earth. I feel like this is a similar take to that other work Sufjan collaborated in.

Dante Amarantes

4y↑10

I am so excited. I have no idea what's to come, but finally some peace among the chaos of 2020!
I'm so glad to be alive on the same time as Sufjan and be able to appreciate his music as it's still being released.

l

4y↑42

thank you Sufjan for single-handedly redeeming 2020 I CAN’T WAIT

Sumehra Hoq

4y↑4

is anyone else practically obsessed w Sufjan🥺? i literally need to his voice every freaking day and god knows how many times i replayed the 10 hr long version of Mystery of Love🥰

Ivan Koldunov

4y↑1

amen amen amen

Nir

4y↑37

Another masterpiece on our way

wayne younger

4y↑4

Doubt, wonder, fear, disenchantment, sounds like the new American faith in spades. Thanks Sufjan!

Mark O'Reilly

4y↑126

If you queue to “Fourth of July” immediately after this, the two songs blend together quite literally.

Laura Rose

4y↑1

its really nice!!

Scott Phillips

4y↑13

I noticed the synth was the same melody from 4th of July. That song makes me cry every time I listen to it.

Natsai J.G

It also works vice versa

Ad am

I’ll have to try!

TM

4y↑1

I mean it fades out but I feel you

J P

4y↑1

Thank you for your service Suf!!!!

Flori Albert

4y↑213

Five years without a regular album since "Carrie and Lowell" and now two albums in the same year?

that's my man

The Ghost

4y↑32

Well even tho it was made before, there was Planetarium and I don't count Aporia as an actual album too. It was only instrumental and seemed more like a side project. But I'm super pumped for this one

JRD Nudist Gaming

4y↑6

@The Ghost Aporia wasn't wholly instrumental. There was The Runaround. Also, there was the Decalogue with Timo Andres.

windlife

4y↑5

Yeah but the Greatest Gift.

Carlos Suarez

4y↑2

@JRD Nudist Gaming Loved The Decalogue. Best shit ever!

ashers2ashers

@The Ghost I agree with all you've said, but also agree with the sentiment in comment by @Flori Albert.
I've not listened to Aporia tons (nor have I listened to Enjoy Your Rabbit lots).
I guess 2020 is like 2010, when he released The Age of Adz and All Delighted People EP. Except that EP was not like the "side project" of Aporia, as it sounded more like most of his other stuff than The Age of Adz did, and was hardly an EP at over 60 minutes long, making it longer than other acoustic albums he's released. Not to mention that I absolutely love both of those 2010 releases. /end ramblings

2 More Replies...

Sj604

4y↑3

I needed a song like this. I’ve been trying to find the words to help me understand the anger and anguish in my faith crisis. No one does lamenting nearly as well as Sufjan Stevens.

Robert Davidson

It's a fascinating journey that can go on and on, not necessarily stopping with a loss of faith.

Judson Kolk

I feel you. Keep on keeping on

Bri Rakotz

4y↑2

Once again, I can't find the words to describe the emotions I feel listening to his music. Like being completely anxious but totally at peace at the same time.

Marmo

4y↑17

"Hi Sufjan could you please paint us a picture of the sunset of western civilization?"
"Sure, here a song of 12 minutes"

Yen Boeing

4y↑1

This gives me goosebumps.

Mass Distraction

4y↑7

This is awesome, carries on the vibe and atmosphere from Carrie & Lowell live shows. Dig it 👌

Loren Peterson

4y↑4

I love the sonic landscape of this. Makes me really excited to see how the rest of the album is mixed and constructed Sufjan always delivers.

M

4y↑1

I can already tell this is going to be incredible. Thank you for all your work over the years<3

d

2y↑3

Given recent events in the U.S, this song is hitting a little harder..

Anjali Jha

4y↑13

Sufjan's songs are what takes me to my safe space

Moumita Debnath

4y↑8

This goes on repeat. Inspiring to do bold things, little things that count, for me even if not for many, life is supposed to be lived for ourselves and not to show off what we have or we don't. It is always the right time to be good to each other and find the right people to do the craziest things with, it is about standing up as a country among others (and not against) to show our true colours as humans that can do great little things. :)
This is what I have learnt from the 12:32 long melody. Love you.
Your music adds something so essential to my living.

[REDACTED] [REDACTED]

4y↑4

This was amazing, Sufjan never disappoints

CHIARA RGH

4y↑11

This is better that what I expected, as always he did a great job

Lindsay Nichols

4y↑1

He's an incredible artist!

Jefferson Power

4y↑2

iconic, hypnotic, alchemical, healing...cultural therapy...the power of art, music , words and film fused!

Combardus

4y↑4

Thank you for blessing us with this Sufjan

MARINA DE ARAUJO

4y↑1

Sufjan wonderful as always!!! Can´t await to hear the entire album!!!

Eros Thanatos

4y↑156

Jeff Johnson

4y↑10

They're in the description.

Eros Thanatos

4y↑12

@Jeff Johnson They weren't when I posted that 😅 I only noticed after

Pat N

4y↑7

Eros Thanatos I appreciate you posting them. Didn’t see them in description at first either!

lungfish

4y↑3

Sounds to me like he is denying Christ. sad!

04hutchn

4y↑2

@lungfish so sad, yes. We are close to the end, jesus will return soon, I hope he accepts jesus before the end

8 More Replies...

Shivani

Pure art ❤

Ryan Francisco

4y↑2

I cannot wait to hear what you've made for us this time. I love all of your music and you can tell that it's all from your heart and soul.

Club Kerry NYC podcast - DJ Kerry Poynter

4y↑8

I'm obsessed with this song. It feels emotionally timely for me as a U.S. citizen, living in the middle of Central Illinois, that thinks my country is so f*cked right now.

cool fish

4y↑4

So so excited to see what this is! I mean I have quite a lot of faith that it'll be amazing, but he's such a multifaceted artist that we really have no idea what this will sound like, and that makes it even more exciting!

ZimmerSquash

4y↑9

The end bit with the pianos sound like sufjan's "Even the Earth Will Perish and the Universe Give Way" in the Silver and Gold christmas album.

I really like that he still makes droney sounds and music. They're not his most popular but they are still very beautiful and contemplative

#ᛕURtŴaŕᑎe尺мovIέ

4y↑14

this feels so huge and cinematic, very excited for the record.

paul cosgrove

4y↑1

God is in the house

sonali

4y↑1

I love Sufjan’s music, it’s nothing like anything ❤️

I Give It A

4y↑3

I Give It A... 9.3 Outta 10

The layers are really beautiful and impressive, and the words cut deep, as usual. I bet it will be amazing live. While I hope there are better tracks on the album, I'm content with this

Sandra Sofiah Sexton

4y↑1

How I love this poignant work which fully express the deep pain and confusion I harbor in my heart for our country. May God continue to bless your endeavors, dear son of a spiritual sister I will always remember with love.

Atlanta Film Series

4y↑1

Can he be more amazing?
Can’t wait to hear the entire album!

Duha Najem

That’s what a true musician is. In love with your music. 💗👏🏻

Nóra Ilona

4y↑3

It's a complete musical crying session when one is just no longer able to cry.
Thank You for your service.

Samantha Santacruz

4y↑5

A LOT OF ART IS COMING! I CAN'T WAIT UNTIL SEPTEMBER TO LISTEN TO THE REST OF EL ALBUM ❤️

Lulu Cottontails

4y↑1

Another masterpiece, there's nobody like Sufjan, please play in London soon, we love you!

Mario Cuauhxicalli

For me, this song starts in the center of a revolution or perhaps civil war, but the bard manages to escape and is able to ascend and thus transcend to other dimensions, and in the end finds peace. I love how this song is Sufjan at his best! Lots of ADZ, Carrie and Planetarium all in one, all in balance. We need to find a balance as a species. Balance is important. Thank you Sufjan for channeling this message! You are Seer Extraordinaire!

Giulia Escuciato

4y↑1

Arte. 💙 (🇧🇷)

yourmomenem

4y↑8

I’ve been in and out of sickness and mental illness for roughly 20 years, I was miraculously healed from both but never had I ever felt such dread beginning in 2019, and it all started while I watched my neighbor’s American flag flapping violently in a windstorm as a metal chain clanged loudly against the flagpole. That’s when I realized that I was never sick, it was my country fooling me the whole time.

Ramesh Devasi

America killed osho, hear his second song, my rajnessh aka osho.

Júlio Lima

4y↑5

so excited to hear it
the world needs new from sufjan stevens rn

Blue Simons

4y↑1

Woah this blew me away! Lyrics are too powerful.

Luiggi Bernabe Beteta

4y↑3

Ahhh..!!! Love this song... Instrumental is amazing.. 🤙✨♥️🙌

June Asiimwe

This song is a wondrous journey. Thank you Sufjan.

Graham Exton

Splendid! I cannot wait for the rest of the album.

Geronimo Jehoshaphat

4y↑102

qwertyasdkl

4y↑8

Y'know, it's interesting, I agree with you that to me it feels like the people your questions are directed at have not valued America, and what America means to me. What's so incredible about this song and this video I feel like is that as you said, it's like holding a mirror, and you will see in it what you see as "America". I feel like what I saw was similar to what you saw, because I have had the same questions.

I think that maybe what we need to become in harmony again is an answer to that question that we can all share. It feels like powerful forces have driven apart people who could otherwise agree about what America is and should be. And I agree with you also that part of the heart of America - at least to me - is the duty for us ourselves to get to know our neighbors, and to come together with them to try to make America what it should be.

or at least thats what I'm trying to do in this youtube comments section, god help me XD

Khin Thazin

4y↑5

love this whole analysis - and i too believe sufjan is aiming at something larger in the context of the historical and current global movements in which the US is involved

Liana Ville

4y↑2

octagonproplex I can’t even put into words how your words formulated into these questions gave me goosebumps. You need to share your voice, your heart, your lucidity to the world. You are contributing to the transformation of this new birth of our earth . Thank you.

Meowmeow

In this based on the idea that we need to be more 'moral' (whatever it means in how you see it) or is this a call to be more rational about our self-interest?

lee oliver

4y↑1

can’t stop coming back to this 🥺

Magic Luna

Jajajaj

Riley Thompson

god this was incredible. i'm so so so excited to listen to the entire album!!! 💖💖 thank you, sufjan

Ambrose Reed

this is fascinating, I can't wait to hear more of the album

JoyStone

I love it!

Jackie Decker

Literally my favorite human being. What a treasure he is.

Norwall Norwall

4y↑59

Is it even 4th of July if Sufjan doesn’t drop a 12 and half minute song?

dawn janvrin

4y↑2

If it is 4th of July without it, I don't want to know. <3

Jeff James

4y↑3

I love this new song from Sufjan. I have kissed you like Judas in heat...love the analogy. You are otherworldly Suf, light, illumination, evervessant. 🙏🏼🤟🏽😘😀🤩❤️

Sophia Schier-Hanson

4y↑3

Jesus. With everything going on right now, this song feels like it's scraping my soul out. Holy shit is it ever bleak, even compared to Sufjan's normal stuff. With the pervasive sense of abandonment by God and doubt that He exists at all, this song leaves you with absolutely no source of hope left to cling to in the middle of an already brutally bleak time. Carrie and Lowell was SAD, but this is almost physically painful. =(

Sophia Schier-Hanson

Me a year ago was a bit dense— this isn’t so much about God as giving up a FALSE god of nationalism. And since we just left Kabul...

Agostina Alvarez

4y↑4

OH MY GOD YES KING BLESS US WITH YOUR ANGELIC MELODIES FROM HEAVEN

Mitali Sharma

3y↑1

this is so wonderful

Jürgen Naeve

i love Sufjan, always great work!

Quincy MB

4y↑31

Holy smokes! Somebody get me a difribulator, I was not expecting to also get a new album of Suf Jams this year.

dinner

4y↑1

Share that difribulator with me, would you? :)

Curadhan Powell

Maybe the ONLY good thing to happen in 2020?

Agam Asraf

Sufjan, you are a genius.♥️

ElderberryVA

4y↑23

I want it to just be him sobbing into a microphone for 3 hours

I would still blast it every day tho

Terrence Rosebloom

4y↑9

Am i the only one who thinks that the collaboration of Sufjan Stevens and Lana Del Rey would be absolutely STUNNING?

JRD Nudist Gaming

A bit more likely that one might think. Sufjan's worked with Ryan Lott, who's worked with Woodkid, who's worked with Lana Del Rey. It could happen.

moody

4y↑2

don’t give me hope, i’ll only suffer until it happens lol

je ne sais pas

4y↑2

The day this happens will be the greatest day of my life.

One Door Films

Probably not a good idea, the amount of reverb on each of their vocals would cause a cataclysmic sinkhole in the centre of the universe.

Schmeldwick smith

4y↑1

I love this song. It's exquisite. I just worry that it could be used by "both sides". This is a scary time.

big ol'

lol

Flor Sandoval

Me gusta mucho que algunos sonidos no estén bien temperadossssssssssss. Gracias <3

Toddmary Bërn

4y↑8

I think Sufjan Stevens is saying that his anguish but unlimited of the loss of believing in God. It’s personal but it’s planetary. “I have loved you, I have grieved, I’m ashamed to admit I no longer believe ... I am fortune, I am free.” Transcendence!!

mandy

4y↑1

This is a beautiful song.

ElBandor

4y↑79

Imagine Sufjan playing America, Djohariah, Impossible Soul and Blue Bucket Of Gold (With epic outro) in one concert. It will be half over after these songs.

loolynewbie

4y↑3

And All Delighed People

Brian Dickson

Ryan Smith A favourite Sufjan song of mine too!

loolynewbie

And My Rajneesh!!!!1!1!

Florply Worbler

But how about a concert filled entirely only with the short instrumental tracks off of Illinoise that the major songs together.

A glorious 3 minute romp.

1 More Replies...

philou

America va cloturer l'album The Ascension, et j'avoue que la fin de America est absolument magistral comme seul Sufjan sait le faire, il est le plus fort de tous les artistes actuels

thinktwice

4y↑6

I think at the moment Sufjan would be the only artist that I would travel to any point of the continent to see him performing live. ps: in my case that is Europe. Hope to see you some day. xx