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Sufjan Stevens — Chicago
Album: Illinois
Avg rating:
7.1

Your rating:
Total ratings: 4065









Released: 2005
Length: 6:01
Plays (last 30 days): 3
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I fell in love again
All things go, all things go
Drove to Chicago
All things know, all things know
We sold our clothes to the state
I don't mind, I don't mind
I made a lot of mistakes
In my mind, in my mind

You came to take us
All things go, all things go
To recreate us
All things grow, all things grow
We had our mindset
All things know, all things know
You had to find it
All things go, all things go

I drove to New York
In a van with my friend
We slept in parking lots
I don't mind, I don't mind
I was in love with the place
In my mind, in my mind
I made a lot of mistakes
In my mind, in my mind

You came to take us
All things go, all things go
To recreate us
All things grow, all things grow
We had our mindset
All things know, all things know
You had to find it
All things go, all things go

If I was crying
In the van with my friend
It was for freedom
From myself and from the land
I made a lot of mistakes
I made a lot of mistakes
I made a lot of mistakes
I made a lot of mistakes

You came to take us
All things go, all things go
To recreate us
All things grow, all things grow
We had our mindset
All things know, all things know
You had to find it
All things go, all things go

You came to take us
All things go, all things go
To recreate us
All things grow, all things grow
We had our mindset (I made a lot of mistakes)
All things know, all things know (I made a lot of mistakes)
You had to find it (I made a lot of mistakes)
All things go, all things go (I made a lot of mistakes)
Comments (468)add comment
This song stops me in my tracks every time it comes on.

I made a lot of mistakes...

Just a lovely song.
Posted 2 weeks ago by Hea!    [ Reply ]
Love this album and this remix:

https://soundcloud.com/torsmas...
Posted 3 months ago by surfool    [ Reply ]
 annds wrote:

Falls under the category of: Don't know exactly why this one rings a bell, but it does. 



Right. Talking of ringing bells: The trombones in the end made me lift this 7 -> 8 
Posted 3 months ago by longliverp    [ Reply ]
He released an EP of alternate takes of this track ("The Avalanche"). Each one is as brilliant as the next and could easily have been the 'definitive' version. Straight 10 for me. 
Posted 4 months ago by siqbal    [ Reply ]
Been hearing the music used in an IL state ad to promote tourism. 
I still avoid the fecking state if at all possible.
Posted 5 months ago by jpfueler    [ Reply ]
I gotta see this sometime!

Illinoise On Stage

Posted 5 months ago by awhfman    [ Reply ]
That album title though! 
Posted 5 months ago by renegade_X    [ Reply ]
 awhfman wrote:

What? There's going to be Broadway musical for Illinoise?
And I hope he is doing better since his diagnosis.



Saw the musical. If you are a fan it's a must! So many tears. Of joy. Of remorse. So complex.
Posted 5 months ago by SigmaBetaTooth    [ Reply ]
Just...magic 
Posted 7 months ago by siqbal    [ Reply ]
What? There's going to be Broadway musical for Illinoise?
And I hope he is doing better since his diagnosis.
Posted 7 months ago by awhfman    [ Reply ]
 dgavenda wrote:

Can't listen to this w/o thinking of Little Miss Sunshine.  Such a great song and movie too. 



...its also used in the soundtrack of the first season of "The Bear". Had it in my head for two weeks straight after watching the episode...
Posted 8 months ago by wd_schocke    [ Reply ]
Can't listen to this w/o thinking of Little Miss Sunshine.  Such a great song and movie too. 
Posted 10 months ago by dgavenda    [ Reply ]
 Grayson wrote:

How many mistakes can a young lad make? 

...or lass; infinite

Posted 11 months ago by xcranky_yankee    [ Reply ]
 annds wrote:

Falls under the category of: Don't know exactly why this one rings a bell, but it does. 



A touch of Snow Patrol, maybe?  No harm in that.
Posted 11 months ago by pktinkler2984    [ Reply ]
Not sure if it’s the app but I’ve got Patty Griffin and Robert Plant singing instead of Sufjan. Wouldn’t complain either way though; just an observation. :-)
Posted 1 year ago by Jonathon    [ Reply ]
wonderful tune from a truly brilliant album
Posted 1 year ago by tm    [ Reply ]
 annds wrote:

Falls under the category of: Don't know exactly why this one rings a bell, but it does. 



I like to think it's the collective human psyche that he/we are tuning in to 😊
Posted 1 year ago by ed_cardiff    [ Reply ]
How many mistakes can a young lad make? 
Posted 1 year ago by Grayson    [ Reply ]
 bahalana wrote:

My mom was a Northern Illinois girl, and I was born and mostly raised there outside of Chicago. For years I meant to share this album with her, I think she would've enjoyed it even if it was more "modern" than her tastes ran. There are some really delightful references to things only an Illinoian would get. Unfortunately I never did and she passed. Regrets Mom.



Condolences to you and family.  I found out the same way—we never have enough time.  
Posted 2 years ago by xkolibuul    [ Reply ]
urk
Posted 2 years ago by vandal    [ Reply ]
 scrubbrush wrote:

Isn't the album name spelled wrong in the info section? The album is called "Illinoise" on the cover but RP shows "illinois"  



From Wikipedia:

Illinois (styled Sufjan Stevens Invites You to: Come on Feel the Illinoise on the cover; sometimes spelled as Illinoise)

There, clear as mud!
Posted 2 years ago by Hippostar    [ Reply ]
What a pleasant, uplifting song.
Posted 2 years ago by igotitmade2k    [ Reply ]
If his name was Bob Stevens, would this song be as interesting?
Posted 2 years ago by Hippostar    [ Reply ]
 scrubbrush wrote:

Isn't the album name spelled wrong in the info section? The album is called "Illinoise" on the cover but RP shows "illinois"  



Person 1: Hear that noise? 

Person 2: What noise?

Person 1: Illinoise!

My dad used to love that joke. So this seems to be an old dad joke. Miss you dad.
Posted 2 years ago by Kajukenbo    [ Reply ]
I own the 1st version of the album cover with Superman flying, then retired after Stevens’ label, Asthmatic Kitty, opted to remove Superman from future pressings after its lawyers met with DC Comics.
Posted 2 years ago by nicknt    [ Reply ]
I'd love to hear more Sufjan on RP.
Posted 2 years ago by newbolddrive    [ Reply ]
this was in the opening credits of a Netflix show and I can't recall the name
Posted 2 years ago by jim_walsh    [ Reply ]
I chose to not buy this CD with Superman flying across the scene. Probably should have done so, since it was recalled due to copyright issues. Stupid stuff runs the world.
Posted 3 years ago by bam23    [ Reply ]
 juditsd wrote:

is it really necessary to say everything 2timess it really necessary to say everything 2timess it really necessary to say everything 2timess it really necessary to say everything 2timess it really necessary to say everything 2timess it really necessary to say everything 2timess it really necessary to say everything 2timess it really necessary to say everything 2times??  :)



Nothing's necessary, nothing's necessary
But some things are fun, but some things are fun
We can choose to have fun, we can choose to have fun
Posted 3 years ago by zinzarin    [ Reply ]
Isn't the album name spelled wrong in the info section? The album is called "Illinoise" on the cover but RP shows "illinois"  
Posted 3 years ago by scrubbrush    [ Reply ]
My mom was a Northern Illinois girl, and I was born and mostly raised there outside of Chicago. For years I meant to share this album with her, I think she would've enjoyed it even if it was more "modern" than her tastes ran. There are some really delightful references to things only an Illinoian would get. Unfortunately I never did and she passed. Regrets Mom.
Posted 3 years ago by bahalana    [ Reply ]
 Queue wrote:

I really don't know why, but I like this...



Are you making a mistake?
Posted 3 years ago by Webfoot    [ Reply ]
 lizardking wrote:

Props, Skid_Mark, well stated "I don't like it" comment.  I think I'm in the "I get it" crew now, still takes a certain mood to want to hear it, like right now.  LLRP!!


Well done RP listeners! A fine example of how to have a reasonable discussion without offending anyone.  
Posted 3 years ago by nomnol    [ Reply ]
I like that he doesn't plough the same furrow, but this one's a miss for me.
Posted 3 years ago by Edweirdo    [ Reply ]
 vandal wrote:
I heard this song again
it still blows, it still blows  
drove me to drinking
it still blows, it still blows  
I sold my soul not to hear it
I lost my mind, lost my mind
this song is a mistake
it hurts my mind, hurts my mind

Disagree entirely with the sentiment, but great post!
Posted 3 years ago by mread    [ Reply ]
A nursery rhyme
Posted 3 years ago by aonley    [ Reply ]
 bangon wrote:


Where is this clip from?  If it's from a movie I would like to see it. 
 
For real? It's Animal House. A modern classic to a certain generation.
Posted 3 years ago by TLynneHenry    [ Reply ]
OMG  

That my young one is from Animal House.

See it now.
Posted 3 years ago by DanFHiggins    [ Reply ]
 sfyi2001 wrote:

                  

 

Where is this clip from?  If it's from a movie I would like to see it. 
Posted 3 years ago by bangon    [ Reply ]
 sfyi2001 wrote:

 
Agree 100%
Posted 4 years ago by gregskrtic    [ Reply ]
As with all things, this too will go.
Posted 4 years ago by jwallstrom846    [ Reply ]
The production and writing on this song is just amazing.  Amazing.
Posted 4 years ago by Relayer    [ Reply ]
 kevrey wrote:
A little repetitive, repetitive, repetitive...
 

You might almost think he intended that.
Posted 4 years ago by zinzarin    [ Reply ]
 Randomax wrote:
He's got a great christmas album........played all season around my hood........all original too, no cheesy covers.

 

Unless you count the appearance of Love Will Tear Us Apart inside Christmas Unicorn.  
Posted 4 years ago by zinzarin    [ Reply ]
Strong Songs Podcast has a great analysis of this song and why it works so well:

https://strongsongspodcast.com...
Posted 4 years ago by stevesaw    [ Reply ]
Hello Polyphonic Spree.
Interesting that St. Vincent played with both Sufjan Stevens and the Spree.
And that Bill often plays Secret Machines, yet another band lifted up by Polyphonic Spree.
Yay for Dallas and the Deep Ellum sound of nearly thirty years ago and of Deep Ellum some sixty years before that which has nothing to do with Sufjan Stevens but what the heck , worth a mention.
Posted 4 years ago by chinaski    [ Reply ]
tune!
Posted 4 years ago by cillianbyrne    [ Reply ]
I really don't know why, but I like this...
Posted 4 years ago by Queue    [ Reply ]
now the theme for "The Politician"
Posted 4 years ago by rascal    [ Reply ]
Falls under the category of: Don't know exactly why this one rings a bell, but it does. 
Posted 4 years ago by annds    [ Reply ]
 Skid_Mark wrote:


Thanks.  No offense taken, my comment was intentionally over the top.

It's not the lyrics as much as his "sound" that bothers me about this tune, and almost everything else I've heard from him.  

I have no doubt that he's talented, there's just something that really bugs me about his music.  Maybe I'll "get it" sometime in the future, but for now, I'll pass.

 
 
Props, Skid_Mark, well stated "I don't like it" comment.  I think I'm in the "I get it" crew now, still takes a certain mood to want to hear it, like right now.  LLRP!!
Posted 5 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
Sounds like a missing song from Godspell...
Posted 5 years ago by tsundeen    [ Reply ]
 ankanpaul024 wrote:
8
 
I'll go +1 and join you there....Sufjan's music is growing on me, he seems like an interesting cat....Long Live RP!!
Posted 5 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
8
Posted 5 years ago by ankanpaul024    [ Reply ]
He's got a great christmas album........played all season around my hood........all original too, no cheesy covers.

Posted 5 years ago by Randomax    [ Reply ]
Coldplay?? I dislike coldplay.....
Posted 5 years ago by wymoree    [ Reply ]
bUBLE gUM kA ka!
Posted 5 years ago by surfrider4life    [ Reply ]
Drivel
Posted 5 years ago by droos    [ Reply ]
A little repetitive, repetitive, repetitive...
Posted 6 years ago by kevrey    [ Reply ]
 sfyi2001 wrote:


 

this is, sir/maam, sfy, pure genius. i've still laughing as i type this. ha!
Posted 6 years ago by jambo    [ Reply ]
 westslope wrote:
So what are lyrics about?

The song came a little too early to be an ode to Barack Obama. 

 
pizza.  wonderful chicago pizza!  wudditsabout
Posted 6 years ago by LinThizzy    [ Reply ]
So what are lyrics about?

The song came a little too early to be an ode to Barack Obama. 
Posted 6 years ago by westslope    [ Reply ]

                  

Posted 6 years ago by sfyi2001    [ Reply ]
 kylieh wrote:
Love this whole album...
 
Me too. Very me too.
Posted 7 years ago by Ahnyer_Keester    [ Reply ]
 {#Yes}luismond wrote:
nice {#Neutral}

 


Posted 7 years ago by 1wolfy    [ Reply ]
nice {#Neutral}
Posted 7 years ago by luismond    [ Reply ]
Bill says the last song, Hozier — Like Real People Do, appears to be about zombies and he follows up with a Sufjan song that isn't They Are Night Zombies!! They Are Neighbors!! They Have Come Back From The Dead!! Ahhhh!? Missed opportunity! ;P
Posted 7 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
Love this whole album...
Posted 7 years ago by kylieh    [ Reply ]
 Agreed...really good

WonderLizard wrote:
Gotye - Somebody That I Used to Know
Xavier Rudd - Mana
Alison Brown Quartet - Mambo Banjo
Sufjan Stevens - Chicago

Brilliant set. One of the many, many reasons I listen to RP.

 

Posted 7 years ago by rascal    [ Reply ]
Turn it up!  Quintessential RP track.

What a character:
Sufjan Stevens performing, July 2016
Posted 7 years ago by mread    [ Reply ]
 Steely_D wrote:
I have no idea why this song triggers a visceral sadness, but I just accept it...

You know St. Vincent played guitar with this guy? 

 
Most songs on Illinois elicit a visceral sadness.  It might be that Sufjan admits to crying in almost every song (or, in this song, suggests that he might be crying)
Posted 8 years ago by Hey_Porter    [ Reply ]
Some Sufjan! Nicely done Bill. Keep on surprising me, I'll always listen. I've turned on so many of my friends to this.
Posted 8 years ago by randyblew    [ Reply ]
Reminds me of Elbow
Posted 8 years ago by bb_matt    [ Reply ]
 copymonkey wrote:

No offense, but I think you've got bad read on this. Consider words like irony and nuance. An artist should always be searching. If you listen to Sufjan's latest, you'll see he's still looking for answers, and expressing that in a very powerful way.

 

Thanks.  No offense taken, my comment was intentionally over the top.

It's not the lyrics as much as his "sound" that bothers me about this tune, and almost everything else I've heard from him.  

I have no doubt that he's talented, there's just something that really bugs me about his music.  Maybe I'll "get it" sometime in the future, but for now, I'll pass.

 
Posted 8 years ago by Skid_Mark    [ Reply ]
Dear Sufjan,

Stay away from the South & West Sides if you're going to Chicago...It's a friggin' WAR ZONE THESE DAYS! 
Posted 8 years ago by treatment_bound    [ Reply ]
" If I could get my shit together,
I could write commercial jingles." 
Posted 8 years ago by jhorton    [ Reply ]
 chyk5 wrote:

Well said! This kid is immensely talented.

  In my mind, in my mind...

He's gonna' be YUGE!

Posted 8 years ago by jhorton    [ Reply ]
 copymonkey wrote:

No offense, but I think you've got bad read on this. Consider words like irony and nuance. An artist should always be searching. If you listen to Sufjan's latest, you'll see he's still looking for answers, and expressing that in a very powerful way.

 
Well said! This kid is immensely talented.
Posted 8 years ago by chyk5    [ Reply ]
 Skid_Mark wrote:
This song makes me think of megachurches, insipid lyrics on gigantic screens, and people with arms raised, giving it up for Jesus.

No offense intended if that's anyone's thing, but everything I've heard from this guy sounds a little too much like watered down wussy "contemporary" Christian music to me.
 

 
No offense, but I think you've got bad read on this. Consider words like irony and nuance. An artist should always be searching. If you listen to Sufjan's latest, you'll see he's still looking for answers, and expressing that in a very powerful way.
Posted 8 years ago by copymonkey    [ Reply ]
I suppose he's abandoned his "fifty states" project, which I once calculated, at his rate of production, would have taken us to some time after 2090. Still, it was a pretty good idea.
Posted 8 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
This song makes me think of megachurches, insipid lyrics on gigantic screens, and people with arms raised, giving it up for Jesus.

No offense intended if that's anyone's thing, but everything I've heard from this guy sounds a little too much like watered down wussy "contemporary" Christian music to me.
 
Posted 9 years ago by Skid_Mark    [ Reply ]
 Steely_D wrote:
I have no idea why this song triggers a visceral sadness, but I just accept it...

You know St. Vincent played guitar with this guy? 

 
Many, many of his tracks do the same for me. It's not dark though, just a soft and peaceful sadness. Enjoy the motion in your soul as much as I am...
Posted 9 years ago by OceanBlue    [ Reply ]
is it really necessary to say everything 2timess it really necessary to say everything 2timess it really necessary to say everything 2timess it really necessary to say everything 2timess it really necessary to say everything 2timess it really necessary to say everything 2timess it really necessary to say everything 2timess it really necessary to say everything 2times??  :)
Posted 9 years ago by juditsd    [ Reply ]
Nope, still sucks.
Posted 9 years ago by jhorton    [ Reply ]
Blissful! Love Sufian...
Posted 9 years ago by Dav3thedog    [ Reply ]
{#Crown}
Posted 9 years ago by Azrica    [ Reply ]
 Mattan wrote:
Funny guy: https://blogs.walkerart.org/walkerseen/2014/02/19/valentines-message-im-your-man-love-sufjan/
 
That is really cool. :)
Posted 9 years ago by Ahnyer_Keester    [ Reply ]
Love this song.  Also love Chitty Bang's hip hop cover as well.
Posted 9 years ago by kylieh    [ Reply ]
Funny guy: https://blogs.walkerart.org/walkerseen/2014/02/19/valentines-message-im-your-man-love-sufjan/
Posted 9 years ago by Mattan    [ Reply ]
Love those horns!! Almost sounds like a Dandy Warhols song....


Posted 9 years ago by hempmandan    [ Reply ]
Ha. I like this set:

Andrew Bird - Pulaski At Night
Sufjan Stevens - Chicago

I'm wondering if the next one might be from Chicago Transit Authority? Or maybe Great Lakes Swimmers?

This is kind of fun. Bill, you have a great job. Enjoy yourself! 
Posted 9 years ago by Ahnyer_Keester    [ Reply ]
Phenomenal song. Sufjan may have made a lot of mistakes, but this song wasn't one of them. 
Posted 9 years ago by carolinamoon1980    [ Reply ]
 Bultaco wrote:
 WonderLizard wrote:
Gotye - Somebody That I Used to Know
Xavier Rudd - Mana
Alison Brown Quartet - Mambo Banjo
Sufjan Stevens - Chicago

Brilliant set. One of the many, many reasons I listen to RP.


I guess it's on tape.........forever. Same set tonight.

Not a criticism, Bill, believe me!

Michael 

 
Same set - will the brilliance ever fade?
Posted 9 years ago by RandomousJam    [ Reply ]
Gif of people encased in balls, bouncing

Sufjan, we have a ball just for you...
Posted 9 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
 WonderLizard wrote:
Gotye - Somebody That I Used to Know
Xavier Rudd - Mana
Alison Brown Quartet - Mambo Banjo
Sufjan Stevens - Chicago

Brilliant set. One of the many, many reasons I listen to RP.

 
I guess it's on tape.........forever. Same set tonight.

Not a criticism, Bill, believe me!

Michael 
Posted 9 years ago by Bultaco    [ Reply ]
Thanks for the PSD feature, RP.
Posted 10 years ago by ScottN    [ Reply ]
This entire album is a solid 10.
Posted 10 years ago by Ahnyer_Keester    [ Reply ]
I liked this song enough when I heard it that I immediately went to check out the rest of the album and some earlier ones. Yeah ... never again. I do still like this though.
Posted 10 years ago by peregrin    [ Reply ]
 Steely_D wrote:
I have no idea why this song triggers a visceral sadness, but I just accept it...

 
I feel the same, and i like it...
Posted 10 years ago by ColdBear    [ Reply ]
 KaraokeVox wrote:
interesting take on blues...not the same ol black voice mimick
 
Wait...what?
Posted 10 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
Love this transition.  - Chicagoan
 
Posted 10 years ago by Susan_Amati    [ Reply ]
Gotye - Somebody That I Used to Know
Xavier Rudd - Mana
Alison Brown Quartet - Mambo Banjo
Sufjan Stevens - Chicago

Brilliant set. One of the many, many reasons I listen to RP.
Posted 10 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
I have no idea why this song triggers a visceral sadness, but I just accept it...

You know St. Vincent played guitar with this guy? 
Posted 10 years ago by Steely_D    [ Reply ]
interesting take on blues...not the same ol black voice mimick
Posted 10 years ago by KaraokeVox    [ Reply ]
Does not correspond to the city -- should not be called "Chicago"
Posted 10 years ago by lkovathana    [ Reply ]
You have made a lot of mistakes... One of them being making this song. 
Posted 10 years ago by ch83575    [ Reply ]
 ScottN wrote:
PSD.. comes close to earning my only "1". 
*bump*
Posted 10 years ago by ScottN    [ Reply ]
No likey.
Posted 10 years ago by FourFortyEight    [ Reply ]
Never heard this before - love it
Posted 10 years ago by Lacapella    [ Reply ]
*sigh*

...another could'a-been-decent song wrecked by the inability of the vocalist to carry a melodic tune.

-- Is singing a lost art?  I wouldn't think so, because the back-up chorus is OK.

4.
Posted 10 years ago by Honeyko    [ Reply ]
BIG MISTAKE - Mister Stevens!
Posted 10 years ago by Stingray    [ Reply ]
PSD.. comes close to earning my only "1".
Posted 10 years ago by ScottN    [ Reply ]
Very good! 
Posted 10 years ago by g3diego    [ Reply ]
Now I'm going to go listen to the WHOLE album.... just that good
 
Posted 10 years ago by ckcotton    [ Reply ]
I'm sorry, but Sufjan just does not put me in the mood: 

Charles Addams cartoon: Addams family pouring boiling oil on Christmas carols
Posted 10 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
I've mad aolt of mistakes.






lol
Posted 10 years ago by coolpeople_rule    [ Reply ]
{#Heartkiss}    Love this song.   A Lot.
Posted 10 years ago by Peter_Bradshaw    [ Reply ]
Love this song!
Posted 10 years ago by astapen    [ Reply ]
When this came out and I was hearing him on RP it was a magical time for me and many people in Tokyo; I can never forget it -- Thanks!
Posted 11 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
 justin4kick wrote:
I had to check instantly what my rating was for this song. Oh I see a 9. What a good taste I have. {#Wink}

 
In the exact same boat! It had been a while, and it was nice to hear this one again.
Posted 11 years ago by zair99    [ Reply ]