Flint
Sufjan Stevens Lyrics


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It's the same outside,
Driving to the riverside.
I pretend to cry,
Even if I cried alone.
I forgot the start.
Use my hands to use my heart.
Even if I died alone.
Since the first of June,
Lost my job and lost my room.
I pretend to try,
Even if I tried alone.
I forgot the part.




Lose my hands to lose my heart.
Even if I died alone.

Overall Meaning

In the song "Flint" by Sufjan Stevens, the lyrics describe a sense of desolation and isolation. The lines "It's the same outside, driving to the riverside" suggest a lack of change and monotony in the singer's surroundings. The phrase "I pretend to cry, even if I cried alone" evokes a feeling of forced emotion, as if the singer is trying to convince others or even themselves that they feel something. This idea is continued in the second verse when the singer says "I pretend to try, even if I tried alone." The repetition of "even if" emphasizes the idea that the singer is willing to go through the motions even if no one is watching or cares.


The lines "I forgot the start. Use my hands to use my heart" and "I forgot the part. Lose my hands to lose my heart" suggest a confusion or disorientation. The repeating structure of these two lines emphasizes a sense of frustration or despair. The phrase "use my hands to use my heart" could also be interpreted as a reference to crafting or creating art as a means of expression. Overall, the song paints a picture of someone who is going through the motions of life but doesn't necessarily feel like they are truly living or experiencing anything.


Line by Line Meaning

It's the same outside,
The environment is unchanging.


Driving to the riverside.
Traveling towards a body of water.


I pretend to cry,
Feigning emotions of sadness and despair.


Even if I cried alone.
Despite being by myself, I would still shed tears.


I forgot the start.
I cannot remember the beginning or the origin of something.


Use my hands to use my heart.
Expressing and acting on my emotions through physical means.


Even if I died alone.
Even in death, I would still be by myself.


Since the first of June,
Starting from the first of June and continuing on.


Lost my job and lost my room.
No longer having employment and a place to live.


I pretend to try,
Faking attempts and efforts.


Even if I tried alone.
Even if I put in effort by myself.


I forgot the part.
I cannot recall a specific component or detail.


Lose my hands to lose my heart.
The loss of physical abilities affecting the emotional state.


Even if I died alone.
Even in death, I would still be solitary.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: SUFJAN STEVENS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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