Come on! Feel the Illinoise
Sufjan Stevens Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Oh, great intentions
I've got the best of interventions
But when the ads come
I think about it now

In my infliction
Entrepreneurial conditions
Take us to glory
I think about it now

Cannot conversations cull united nations?
If you got the patience, celebrate the ancients
Cannot all creation call it celebration?
Or united nation, put it to your head

Oh, great white city
I've got the adequate committee
Where have your walls gone?
I think about it now

Chicago, in fashion, the soft drinks, expansion
Oh, Columbia
From Paris, incentive, like Cream of Wheat invented
The Ferris Wheel

Oh, great intentions
Covenant with the imitation
Have you no conscience?
I think about it now

Oh, God of Progress
Have you degraded or forgot us?
Where have your laws gone?
I think about it now

Ancient hieroglyphic or the South Pacific
Typically terrific, busy and prolific
Classical devotion, architect promotion
Lacking in emotion think about it now

Chicago, the New Age, but what would Frank Lloyd Wright say?
Oh, Columbia
Amusement or treasure, these optimistic pleasures
Like the Ferris Wheel

Cannot conversations cull united nations?
If you got the patience, celebrate the ancients
Columbia

I cried myself to sleep last night
And the ghost of Carl, he approached my window
I was hypnotized, I was asked
To improvise on the attitude, the regret of a thousand centuries of death

Even with the heart of terror and the superstitious wearer
I am riding all alone, I am writing all alone
Even in my best condition, counting all the superstition
I am riding all alone, I am running all alone

And we laughed at the beatitudes of a thousand lines
We were asked at the attitudes they reminded us of death
Even with the rest belated, everything is antiquated
Are you writing from the heart? Are you writing from the heart?

Even in his heart the Devil has to know the water level
Are you writing from the heart? Are you writing from the heart?
And I cried myself to sleep last night
For the Earth, and materials, they may sound just right to me

Even with the rest belated, everything is antiquated
Are you writing from the heart? Are you writing from the heart?




Even in his heart the Devil has to know the water level
Are you writing from the heart? Are you writing from the heart?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Sufjan Stevens' "Come On Feel The Illinoise!" offer a complex commentary on modernity and progress, weaving together references to Chicago, ancient civilizations, and global politics. The song opens with Stevens expressing his "great intentions" to do good in the world, yet acknowledging how easily he is distracted by "ads" and "entrepreneurial conditions." He questions whether conversations and collaborations can truly bring about unity and progress, and wonders if the God of Progress has forgotten humanity.


Throughout the song, Stevens juxtaposes the modern era with ancient history and classical influences. He references the Ferris Wheel, Cream of Wheat, and Frank Lloyd Wright, all of which are associated with Chicago's rapid modernization in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Yet he also alludes to hieroglyphics, South Pacific cultures, and classical architecture, suggesting that contemporary society may be lacking in the emotional and spiritual richness of the past. The song's final verse takes a haunting turn, with Stevens describing himself as "riding all alone" and questioning whether he is truly writing from the heart.


Overall, "Come On Feel The Illinoise!" provides a thought-provoking exploration of the complexities of modernity, progress, and artistic expression. The song blends together a wide range of references and influences, creating a multi-layered commentary on the human condition.


Line by Line Meaning

Oh, great intentions
The singer has good intentions


I've got the best of interventions
They have the best possible actions planned


But when the ads come
Their intentions are compromised when faced with advertising


I think about it now
The artist reflects on their actions and motivations


In my infliction
In their current state


Entrepreneurial conditions
They are in a business environment


Take us to glory
They strive for success


I think about it now
The artist still contemplates their actions


Cannot conversations cull united nations?
Can't meaningful discussions bring countries together?


If you got the patience, celebrate the ancients
Celebrate the past if you're willing to put in the effort


Cannot all creation call it celebration?
Can't everyone celebrate together?


Or united nation, put it to your head
Think of unity in your decision making


Oh, great white city
An address to Chicago


I've got the adequate committee
They have the right resources for success


Where have your walls gone?
Questioning the disappearance of certain structures in the city


Chicago, in fashion, the soft drinks, expansion
Chicago has been expanding its influences in fashion and soda companies


Oh, Columbia
A reference to the city of Columbia, Illinois


From Paris, incentive, like Cream of Wheat invented
Chicago was inspired by Paris and invented products like Cream of Wheat cereal


The Ferris Wheel
A reminder of the famous Ferris Wheel from the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago


Covenant with the imitation
Agreement to follow in the footsteps of others


Have you no conscience?
Questioning the moral fiber of those who do not follow their good intentions


Oh, God of Progress
An address to the concept of progress


Have you degraded or forgot us?
Questioning whether progress has left them behind


Where have your laws gone?
Questioning the lack of regulation in the face of progress


Ancient hieroglyphic or the South Pacific
Referencing ancient cultures


Typically terrific, busy and prolific
Busy lifestyles and high productivity


Classical devotion, architect promotion
Valuing classic art and promoting architecture


Lacking in emotion think about it now
Reflecting on the lack of passion in modern society


Chicago, the New Age, but what would Frank Lloyd Wright say?
Chicago is embracing modernity, but the artist wonders what a famous architect would think


Amusement or treasure, these optimistic pleasures
Enjoying the simple and optimistic things in life


Like the Ferris Wheel
Referencing the iconic ride once again


I cried myself to sleep last night
The artist was upset and emotional the night before


And the ghost of Carl, he approached my window
A metaphor or symbol for something concerning the artist


I was hypnotized, I was asked
The artist was entranced or captivated and prompted


To improvise on the attitude, the regret of a thousand centuries of death
To express their thoughts on the regrets and tragedies of the past


Even with the heart of terror and the superstitious wearer
Even in the face of fear and superstition


I am riding all alone, I am writing all alone
The singer feels isolated and is working on their own


Even in my best condition, counting all the superstition
Despite trying their best, they are still influenced by superstition


And we laughed at the beatitudes of a thousand lines
They found humor in others' attempts at explaining life's mysteries


We were asked at the attitudes they reminded us of death
The attitudes they encountered were somber and linked to mortality


Even with the rest belated, everything is antiquated
Even with others behind, everything seems outdated to the artist


Are you writing from the heart? Are you writing from the heart?
The singer questions the authenticity of their own creations


Even in his heart the Devil has to know the water level
The singer reflects on the knowledge and power within everyone's hearts


And I cried myself to sleep last night
Reiterating their emotional state


For the Earth, and materials, they may sound just right to me
The artist values the natural world and physical objects just as much as other things in life




Contributed by Joshua B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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