The One I Love
Sufjan Stevens Lyrics


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Move me
Move like the waters I cannot drink
I have lost my patience
Make me an offer I cannot refuse

Move through to me
Show me the face of all of my dreams
Was it all for nothing?
Make me an offer I cannot refuse

Move through to me
Move like the ghost of a hazardous demon
Was it all forgiven?
Make me an offer I cannot refuse
(An offer I cannot refuse, cannot refuse, cannot refuse)
(Cannot refuse, cannot refuse, cannot refuse)
(I cannot refuse, I cannot refuse)
(I cannot refuse, I cannot refuse)

Move like a centipede (move like a centipede)
Foolish as I am, follow my lead
I have lost my preference
Make me an offer I cannot refuse

Move through to me
Show me the face of the radical dream
There's no time for innocence
Make me an offer I cannot refuse

(I cannot refuse, I cannot refuse)
(I cannot refuse, I cannot refuse)

Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh,
Ha, hm, hm-hm

Shall you refuse me? (Shall you refuse me?)
Show me the face of the radical dream
There's no time for severance
Make me an offer I cannot refuse

Shall you abuse me? (Shall you abuse me?)
Show me the grace of a natural king
Lord, I need deliverance
Make me an offer I cannot refuse
(Cannot refuse, cannot refuse)

Make me an offer I cannot refuse
(Cannot refuse, cannot refuse)
Make me an offer I cannot refuse




(Cannot refuse, cannot refuse)
Make me an offer I cannot ref-

Overall Meaning

The song "The One I Love" by Sufjan Stevens is an enigmatic and haunting song that speaks about a desire for something unknown, and the frustration and desperation that comes with that desire. The opening lines, "Move me, move like the waters I cannot drink, I have lost my patience, make me an offer I cannot refuse" is a plea to be moved, to be taken out of a state of stagnancy and into action. It suggests a desire for change, but also a lack of direction or agency to make that change happen.


The second verse continues this theme of searching for something, "Show me the face of all of my dreams, was it all for nothing? Make me an offer I cannot refuse." Here, the singer is asking to be shown the face of their dreams, to understand if their aspirations are meaningless, and to be offered something that will reignite their passion.


The third verse shifts to a more ominous tone, "Move like the ghost of a hazardous demon, was it all forgiven? Make me an offer I cannot refuse." The imagery in this line is unsettling, and the offer desired is one that cannot be refused. The song ends with repetition of the phrase "make me an offer I cannot refuse" and leaves the listener with a sense of unease, suggesting that whatever the desired offer is, it may come at a significant cost.


Line by Line Meaning

Move me
Inspire me to take action.


Move like the waters I cannot drink
Make a substantial impact, like water in a desert region.


I have lost my patience
I am weary from waiting.


Make me an offer I cannot refuse
Give me a compelling reason to act now.


Move through to me
Make a deep, personal connection with me.


Show me the face of all of my dreams
Reveal my deepest desires and aspirations to me.


Was it all for nothing?
Did my efforts fail to bring about anything positive?


Move like the ghost of a hazardous demon
Move with a frightening and dangerous power.


Was it all forgiven?
Has my past been forgiven and cleared away?


An offer I cannot refuse, cannot refuse, cannot refuse
An irresistible offer that I cannot turn down.


Move like a centipede (move like a centipede)
Move quickly and with many legs, like a centipede.


Foolish as I am, follow my lead
Despite my shortcomings, trust in my guidance.


I have lost my preference
I am no longer sure of what I want.


Show me the face of the radical dream
Reveal a revolutionary, life-changing vision to me.


There's no time for innocence
This is a time for action, not passive purity.


Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, Ha, hm, hm-hm
Non-verbal interlude or expression of emotion.


Shall you refuse me? (Shall you refuse me?)
Do you dare to turn me down?


Show me the face of the radical dream
Reveal a revolutionary, life-changing vision to me.


There's no time for severance
We cannot afford to be separated or disconnected.


Shall you abuse me? (Shall you abuse me?)
Do you dare to take advantage of me?


Show me the grace of a natural king
Demonstrate the qualities of a noble, virtuous ruler.


Lord, I need deliverance
I am in need of rescue and salvation.


Make me an offer I cannot refuse
Provide me with an opportunity that I am unable to reject.


Make me an offer I cannot refuse


Make me an offer I cannot refuse


Make me an offer I cannot refuse




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Sufjan Stevens

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

wren n

that hat is ridiculous I love him

Justin Brushett

that was fucking ridiculously good..... how he is that brilliant is beyond me. i hate the fact that no one gets his reference :(

estcreep

I really like his version though R.E.M.'s original one is also brilliant

TheBoss2332

He always seems real nervous when he knows he is on camera.

Elina

So simple, yet so wonderful to listen to <3

Solertia

The way he introduced the song reminded me of Andy Kaufman.

RedQueenInWonderland

i hate that no one reacts to his lame joke at the beginning. hahaha.

Anne Pyle, bird lover

Every time I hear the line I laugh harder than before

Dan_Reiman

I was able to see Sufjan live once so far in my life, I have never been to a greater performance in my life. He is absolutely amazing.

Gabrielle Bradshaw

One of my favourite R.E.M tracks

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