Sufjan Stevens is an American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. His debut album A Sun Came was released in 1999 on the Asthmatic Kitty label, which he cofounded with his stepfather. He received wide recognition for his 2005 album Illinois, which hit number one on the Billboard Top Heatseekers chart, and for the single "Chicago" from that album. He received an Academy Award nomination in 2018 for Best Original Song for "Mystery of Love" from the movie Call Me by Your Name.
Stevens has released albums of varying styles, from the electronica of Enjoy Your Rabbit and the lo-fi folk of Seven Swans to the symphonic instrumentation of Illinois and Christmas-themed Songs for Christmas. Stevens makes use of a variety of instruments, often playing many of them himself on the same recording, and writes music in various time signatures. Although his songs periodically feature Christian themes, he has repeatedly stated an intent to separate his beliefs from his music.
“I am a man with a heart that offends
with its lonely and greedy demands.”
"John My Beloved"
Lyrics, Carrie and Lowell (2015)
"John Wayne Gacy, Jr."
Lyrics, Illinois (2005)
“Rest in my arms
Sleep in my bed
There's a design
To what I did and said”
"Vito's Ordination Song"
Lyrics, Michigan (2003)
“There's only a shadow of me
In a manner of speaking, I'm dead”
"John My Beloved"
Lyrics, Carrie and Lowell (2015)
"Death with Dignity"
Lyrics, Carrie and Lowell (2015)
“Art is… a reflection of a greater divine creation. There really is no separation.”
Secular, Sacred, or Both?, 2005-07-11, 2006-08-25, Bowman, Kate http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/commentaries/secularsacreddivide.html,
"All of Me Wants All of You"
Lyrics, Carrie and Lowell (2015)
“Thinking Outrageously,
I Write in Cursive”
"The Predatory Wasp of the Palisades Is Out to Get Us!"
Lyrics, Illinois (2005)
"Come On! Feel The Illinoise!"
Lyrics, Illinois (2005)
“If I miss my chance, I didn't even try
I'm not one to regret Christmas in July.”
"Christmas in July" (2006)
Lyrics, Others
“Since it's Christmas, let's be glad
Even if your life's been bad,
There are presents to be had.”
"It's Christmas! Let's Be Glad" (2006)
Lyrics, Others
"Did I Make You Cry On Christmas Day? (Well, You Deserved It!)" (2005)
Lyrics, Others
“Seek His face, He'll never let you down.
Worship grace, He'll never let you down.”
"God'll Ne'er Let You Down" (2001)
Lyrics, Others
Context: Planes will crash, He'll never let you down.
So maybe there's a crash coming for the ground,
Seek His face, He'll never let you down.
Worship grace, He'll never let you down.
“I forgive you mother; I can hear you
And I long to be near you
But every road leads to an end”
"Death With Dignity"
Lyrics, Carrie and Lowell (2015)
"The Only Thing"
Lyrics, Carrie and Lowell (2015)
“It's been a long long time since I've memorized your face.”
"Futile Devices"
Lyrics, The Age of Adz (2010)
“When I die, when I die, I'll rot.
But when I live, but when I live,
I'll give it all I've got.”
"Age of Adz"
Lyrics, The Age of Adz (2010)
“When I was three
Three, maybe four
She left us at that video store”
"Should Have Known Better"
Lyrics, Carrie and Lowell (2015)
“I love you more than the world can contain
in its lonely and ramshackle head.”
"John My Beloved"
Lyrics, Carrie and Lowell (2015)
“Ah, ah,
Beautiful is the mother.
Ah, ah,
Beautiful is her son.”
"Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabelle"
Lyrics, The Age of Adz (2010)
“Some part of me was lost in your sleeve
Where you hid your cigarettes”
"Eugene"
Lyrics, Carrie and Lowell (2015)
“At least I deserve the respect of a kiss goodbye.”
"I Walked"
Lyrics, The Age of Adz (2010)
"Fourth of July"
Lyrics, Carrie and Lowell (2015)
"To Be Alone with You"
Lyrics, Seven Swans (2004)
"Casimir Pulaski Day"
Lyrics, Illinois (2005)
"Get Real Get Right"
Lyrics, The Age of Adz (2010)
"Casimir Pulaski Day"
Lyrics, Illinois (2005)
"Romulus"
Lyrics, Michigan (2003)
"God'll Ne'er Let You Down" (2001)
Lyrics, Others
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