Sufjan Stevens - Concerning the UFO Sighting Near Highland

[bnortonm]

As much as I love "chicago", "seers tower", zombies, and "John Wayne Gacy" this song is my favorite on the album

[depaderico]

this is a fucking badass video for that song. congratulations, sir/madam.

[LouisEyeV]

This song makes me want to crawl beneath my sheets by the window on a rainy day, and look on watching the cars go by in the dark with their headlights streaming in, believing that i will one day live on the sky, and that i will be a UFO visting earth, a place i once called home

[TehChuckeh]

For those who are wondering what the hell the time signature of this piece is, the beginning could be written as : 9/4 + 17/8 + 17/8 + 13/8. Then it changes at some point.

Have fun counting.

[deepcut66]

lovely yummy fuzziness ... mmm. cocoon :)

[harryallard]

this is a beautiful song about a UFO sighting, yet people still manage to go miles off topic with their stupid arguments about Christianity in the comments section! This song, album, artist and subject are all incredible. Perfect.

[rexmundi2012]

The text of this song reads to me like a remembrance told around a fire, many years later, by someone who was alive when the earth-shattering "Event" happened (as in the memory of "then to Lebanon - Oh, God!" as being something one remembered seeing on television - and the grown-ups nervously talking about - as a child).

The references to the "flashings at night...the sirens grow and grow..." makes me think of distant explosions on the horizon and in the clouds...and police cars in the night.

[thesadester12]

Such a beautiful song

[yamikapipi]

me encanta



[chebef]

muy buena sugerencia

[LOCUTORFG]

Lo que gustan mirar los calle 13

[Arkano87]

Brilliant!!

[systerdewynter]

Wonderful music, lovely video... Thank you :-)

[xcourtney1990]

Underoath in Switzerland, Belgium and England's video took me here :o)

[kevin04scotland]

Sufjan, I want to learn piano because of you. I'm going to get a keyboard next time I have some spare money and try to learn this song...

[coolidgejosiah]

@kevin04scotland me too! I have been wanting to learn simply because of this album

[clayguy33]

Well done. Dust devils have always captured me too. :)

[jymdavis]

@clayguy33 Those Dust spirals are on Mars. Taken from NASA imagery on the red planet. Very cool.

[Tyegerald]

This may be the most beautiful song I have ever heard.

[CharlotteMerry]

Sounds a bit like England by the National.

[granderuga]

I'd like Sufjan would chose that as its official clip... <3

[granderuga]

The perfect clip for this Sufjan wonderful song.

[Kannski5]

Wonderful... means something special special...

[linkkaao]

this is a wicked beautiful video for a lovely beautiful song ‎~ play, repeat, play, repeat, feel a little heavy, then heavier, then soft & touched & left wanting more

[jeeepiswww]

an extremely beautiful song, makes me cry. and you've done nothing but justice to this song with your video :)

[coolcooja]

what's the time signature

[Astral1980]

Sufjan played this on Saturday in Oslo, and he cried at the end. He didn`t make a big deal out of it, but just as he finished a tear fell on the piano. Magic.

[muzicluva0]

beautiful

[Nihilix13]

A haunting song and a haunting video. Truly a work of art laid on top of another work of art. Thanks for filling my 'revenant' fix...

[DingusSquatfordSr]

You made a great video to this song, jymdavis. It's just as haunting and lovely as the song.

[Maximillion666]

I thank you all for the comments i have received from my post. Its hard not to get emotional thinking my post has touched people like it has. My mother would have smiled. Ill keep looking at the stars and hope she is having fun on her adventures :)

[PatrickRob82]

@Maximillion666 I hope your mom can see your heart and how deeply you love her still. My brother died a few years back and I too have fantasies about him zipping around in the great beyond. I can't be sure if it's real, but a part of me believes it is! I think your mother would be proud and honored by her child's love. I hope you will keep that positive thinking alive for her, hold her memory close to you and be reminded to love those that are still here with the ferocity that you gave your mom.

[BabeayAlphaaa104]

hey_Âný0nE_wÀnnÅ_chÂt_wîth_mE_­Ï_feèl_sò_løÑëlY_t0dåy♪

[poweruomo]

Thank you so much for this deep and pulsing interpretation of one of my favorite songs ever, you are an Artist, your video is so linked to the song and so unique... Im glad you did it

[pentuope]

Incredibly beautiful.

[Erikuzuma]

what the hell is that tornado that appears at 1:21?

[cheliotmeowot]

I live near Highland :) 

[rbh1138]

This song and The Transfiguration, are both song about the same thing. This song is more about the imagery of it, then the events. It actually has nothing to do with "Aliens."

[ishallbemagnificent]

Nice video dude.

Excellent work.

[granderuga]

Complimenti per la scelta delle immagini. Abbinamento meraviglioso.

[surfcottage]

superb!

[eternalshoegazer]

Took me months and months to find out who wrote this and the name of the song - I'm pretty darn happy that I've eventually managed :)

Reckon some albums will be getting bought!

[LizAndScottShow]

Beautiful video to beautiful song.

[Gimmer3]

Cool

[pkdukesnides1]

this song is so incredibly beautiful. three stars, the Holy Trinity.

[TheTC10]

this song makes me unafraid to die... <3

[Islingtonians]

crowbyrd...remember this song...and all the paranormal files we tried to find all the time...some days I just fucking miss you. Can't listen to this song anymore without crying...even though it's about aliens, I know you love that about me.

~The wife you left

Or maybe you were abducted by aliens

One can always hope.

[quagmisterx]

@Islingtonians you made me cry manly tears

[Islingtonians]

@quagmisterx : Strong men...also cry. :)

(refer to the Big Lebowski)

[albertelliswearengen]

My mom died and I like this song, thumbs up plz

[Bernardusaurus]

@albertelliswearengen wtf? fag.

[labowskidave]

@albertelliswearengen sick dude

[Snipto]

@albertelliswearengen Cheap trick. But thumbs up for you.... and your dead mom.

[IROHny]

favorite

[Erikuzuma]

listening to this song alone at 1:30 am scares the crap out of me

i just noticed that... now everything i hear is an alien O.O

[dwdavenport]

This is one of my many favorites from Sufjan! Just amazing

[screenster]

Beautiful......

[penkacik]

Great!

[MichaelIanJoiner]

The time signature for this song is absolutely ridiculous!

[Gidthekid803]

@MichaelIanJoiner Its like that in like every one of his songs haha

[SUPERGRASS1000]

@MichaelIanJoiner ?

[MrLiamOne]

@SUPERGRASS1000 it alternates between like 8/8+1/16, 7/8+1/16 9/8+1/16 and 6/8

[MrLiamOne]

@MichaelIanJoiner it changes way too much, but it is so good haha

[beliefactionnexus]

@MichaelIanJoiner yeah it is. i played it live and had to adjust. singing and counting doesn't work that well!! cheers.

[TehChuckeh]

@MichaelIanJoiner As a drummer I like a rhythmic challenge so I transcribed the song. I won't lie, I had a hard time. It starts in:9/4 (or 18/8 if you wanna count 8ths) + 17/8 + 17/8 + 13/8.

[JamesMajdali]

I think this is the only song that has induced chills in my body so hard that I actually convulse every time I listen to it. Eargasm.

[darth1994]

When the revenant came down

We couldn't imagine what it was

In the spirit of three stars

The alien thing that took its form

Then to Lebanon, oh God

The flashing at night, the sirens grow and grow

Oh, history involved itself

Mysterious shade that took its form

Or what it was, incarnation, three stars

Delivering signs and dusting from their eyes

[TheGreatTheseus]

I live in Highland, and this sighting was just about the most exciting thing that ever happened here.

[gizmo12345678910]

this will always remind me of you rachel.

[PeachykeenLNG]

@gizmo12345678910 *HUGS*

[gh4roks09]

@gizmo12345678910 Rachel.... Bonner?

[hybridtechowns]

i have a friend whos a musician, and if he tells me to buy an album i buy it, and he told me to buy this one and im glad i did, its simply epic!

[Islingtonians]

Expansive beauty....

incantations...three stars...:)

[dan54166]

@liquemascis u should just stop commenting

[liquemascis]

i like the visual art... the music made me cringe. i would prefer more looming suspense...

[themoviegoer]

I got my Sufjan Stevens tickets today. Only 30 bucks a piece, show at the Tabernacle on Saturday, November 6th. If you want tickets, you better hurry!

[oneplaneforonepeople]

beautiful... Brilliant.... i love it.. definitly

[YourThanet]

The first, and best song, on that album.... Amazing.

[ShareYourUnderwear]

When they visit, they will be so awesome in so many different ways that anything we ever thought was cool, will them make us ashamed.

[ilooklikeppl]

@ShareYourUnderwear Naa they gave up on us years and years ago...

[herrrob14]

The white flowing dress fits the old-fashioned feel of the piano.

[johnnystarrysky]

lovely atmospheric video. well done.....the art of Less is More!

[sandravacclie]

this is a rele cool and wierd video! but i love the song so much! i herd one of his songs on the Friday Night Lights Vol.2 Soundtrack!! but i dont remeber the name of it lol!?

[IndigoEric]

Often times the light ships we see and describe as UFO's are really the E.T.'s body of light, something we all have hidden away, waiting to be claimed again. When we see UFOs we are seeing spirits, we are seeing God, we are seeing our true potential.

[kidcopernicus]

This looks like it was shot on an old Fisher-Price camera - the one that uses cassette tape. Some really beautiful images...

[DeeJayDeeCee]

When the day comes that the other life beings show themselves to us, it will be very beautiful and all time will stand still. We will all be one with eachother in the same mindset. There will no longer be black or white or you v.s. me. We will continue to prosper and the world will be a better place, trust me. We are in dark times at the moment but we will survive and make it through and they are helping us along the way. Life is more beautiful than we all can even imagine.

[Chooify]

Is this "Alien Footage" Real on description it says this was made with a toy camera we need more info on this footage!

[lalalaMyOwnWorld]

This calms me C:

i love it!

[FullHouseFTW]

Highland Is near Scott Air Force Base though so that could be the reason there are so many "UFO" sightings.

[FullHouseFTW]

Hahahaha! I live in Highland! I remember when the UFO sighting happened! It's sad thAt that's all Highland is known for... It's such great town!!

[hungboys]

Humans only see 1/6 of their surroundings. So I think this song is about humans being oblivious and when they finally catch something. They think it is a UFO. When really it is unexplained. Like the lyrics "when the revenant came down, we couldn't imagine what it was". I think Sufie believes it was more benevolent spirits trying to stir humans out of oblivion. (his opinion)

[noe1244]

this song is gives a realy good atmosphere in my head :)

[JasperSteering]

Really good video, enjoyed it alot. It captured the...aura? ambiance? vibe?--I dunno, one of those words--of the song perfectly.

[OnlyVideoGuyOnEarth]

@juice1026 In England and a lot of other places it's dd/mm/yy. Plus, it makes a lot more logical sense.

[MasterMark123]

great job with the video and his music .. it was respectfully done and bathed the lyric without taking over with flash ... trying to make your own point. well done jymdavis. have you gotten any comment from Sufjan ?

[Arkano87]

Lindo!

[effreus]

Good point Hoodedfigure831 for even the word says that his followers are "aliens" on earth, as in foreigners! nice one sufjan!

[Hoodedfigure831]

I might be mistaken, but I'm pretty sure this song is about the second coming of jesus. A revenant is a being that comes back in ghost form, three stars (trinity), god taken form in this "alien".

[thepet3r]

That might be true, but I think there was also an actual sighting as suggested in the title. Either way, it's a good listen... and a pretty good video too. clever.

[JNieckarz]

You are correct!

[ncorky52]

@Hoodedfigure831 Nice thought but there was a real UFO sighting in Highland and Lebanon Illinois

[StrictlyGrimeBeats]

brilliant

[SOGGYmilktoast]

eI know I have a strong opinion but its still brewing! I liked it!

[StratoCatser]

what the time signature!

[IgnisWander]

wow...at "three stars" I got the biggest wave of goosebumps ever. Chillingly beautiful lyrics mr sufjan

[2012nugget]

I am leaving confused...

[Maximillion666]

This song always makes me smile. I started listening to the album at the time my mom was dieing of liver failure. Id take the local transit bus up to the hospital as it snowed that December listening to the album.

My Mom was into the paranormal so i like to think of her and her dog that passed shortly after her as flying around space with the ET's when i hear this song :)

[joydivision21]

good song@Maximillion666

[masteren87]

@Maximillion666 Thank you

[xsplice]

@Maximillion666 sorry for your loss.

[kawaiimelody]

@Maximillion666 that warmed my heart.

[steveo565]

@Maximillion666 just like listening to this song, reading that was truly beautiful.

[eowxpain]

@Maximillion666 sorry man shes in a better place im sure.

[TheMra18]

@Maximillion666 i'm sorry to hear that about your mother. your viewpoint is very sweet and shows great soul, much kudos to you. and this is an incredibly beautiful song i agree. good tidings my friend.

[Erikuzuma]

@Maximillion666 If your comment wasn't so touching, I would make fun of you for not being able to spell "dying".

[PullingTeeth1]

@Erikuzuma

You indirectly did by pointing it out.

[Erikuzuma]

@PullingTeeth1 I did didn't I? XD

[gothicromance45]

@Maximillion666

That's inspirational .

I'm sorry about your mom .

[spectrum99122]

@Maximillion666 Wonderful and inspirational thought..... wish it were true mate, but thanks anyway.

[PatrickRob82]

@spectrum99122 I don't normally get into this sort of thing but it seems you implied that this person's ideas about his mom's afterlife aren't true or real. I'm not saying they are, but to imply that you know they aren't makes you come across as a presumptuous twat. None of us know what happens when we pass. Your comment was neither compassionate nor grounded in any kind of human knowledge. Perhaps you were trying to be helpful but you sounded condescending and cruel.

Think before you type.

[spectrum99122]

@PatrickRob82 And bad language makes you right I suppose. Well I did have major heart surgery and was technically dead (sorry no white lights or anything supernatural) so I have had some experience you might say. But being brain dead makes you more qualified I guess (;>

[PatrickRob82]

@spectrum99122 I apologize for my language. I do stand by what I said though. You honestly don't see that your implication was unnecessary and cruel? Ive known people close to me who HAVE had profound near death experiences. The fact that you didn't qualifies you in no way to condescend to people like you have. Especially towards a person doing nothing more than sharing a hope about his dead mother... you just felt it your duty, I suppose to interject with your little smug comment. Pitiful....

[spectrum99122]

@PatrickRob82 Shame we cant just agree to disagree on life after death experiences (or lack of).

Suggest you watch the Tony Blair Vs Christopher Hitchens debate on YouTube. It opens up the argument in a far more profound way than ours can.

[PatrickRob82]

@spectrum99122 You seem to be missing my point. I happen to be agnostic, but again my point isn't the validity of your beliefs, mine ore the person you were rude to. IT WAS THE FACT THAT YOU WERE RUDE. Get it now?????

[spectrum99122]

@PatrickRob82 Whatever, Mr fence sitter.

[LAARDK]

@Maximillion666

That is so touching and beautiful. I have no words.

[nofx84]

if the alien invasion is this beautiful, i welcome it

[starrynight472]

I agree. This is beautiful.

[noctomania]

@nofx84 i agree full heartedly

[noctomania]

@nofx84 i agree fully

[jadiius]

@nofx84 =)

[juice1206]

@CrystaalHanson do you mean 12/21/2012?

mm/dd/yyyy fyi

[scroomboes]

we used this song as our theme song to our schools production of "the last days of judas iscariot" at the end. its in a one-act format though. made my heart melt even though i was a demon statue who stood there for the longest of time.

[CherryDropsMoi]

BRILLIANT video, really compliments the song SO well. :) I like the sound of the toy camera you used, and the result is wonderful! Just...just brilliant stuff. :D Keep it up!

[ivpet1963]

Amazing!!! 100 x 5*****!!!

[shmuelechad]

this is an awesome video

[lillimarleennight]

oh my god. I love it. SO much.

[Zeldafan1981]

I love this song and the video was great also. Great job

[MissAlexanderina]

the first 14 seconds of this video are the most beautiful I have ever seen (in music videos that is).

Thank you so much for sharing this with us all. I love Sufjan, you have portrayed his deep messages well, leaving much to the imagination, and tugging insistently at the heart.

Videos like this shouldn't merely grace youtube, have you checked out vimeo?

[laurenviolet]

beautiful song. his voice is so haunting it makes me sad. oh :(

[CalebTheGatekeeper]

this music is so gentle i wonder if it would make a good lullaby.

[YacubH2961]

love the native american music at the beginning

sufjan is so good.

[rodriguezplayer]

wtf is the intr0 ? and what d0es this have t0 d0 with uf0s

[trs523]

this video is like that simpson's episode, the xfiles one... when it turns it it's Mr Burns running around in the woods, thought it is thought he's an alien. I hope someone knows what i'm talking about

[Clancy700]

i know what you're talking about :)

[butt0nup]

Totally love that episode.

[dropintospace]

@trs523

when Mr Burns is on acid in the woods and his pupils are the size of dinner plates... first saw that episode while on shrooms and thought i had dreamt it up.

[PauloMaurin]

i get you, trs. radioactivity from a nuclear plant can give you a green-tint glow. Excellent.

[MidGroundInertia]

i really want to learn how to play this song!

[acfg59]

great job -love the cinematography.  :)

[Jazzicall]

thats so good! I made mine pretty much the same, with the same song since i LOVE this song. good job:D

[StarsConspire]

Perfect partnership of video and song.

[JZS71]

Nice work, a job well done.

[arapaho14]

I love this song. I'm busy writing a paper, and it's nice to have music like this in your head when you're writing a 12 page Victorian Lit. paper, lol.

[vannybannany]

beautiful video. matches the gorgeous song.

[jdfmurphy]

just beautiful!

[captainawesomega33]

reminds me of more of a spirit than an alien

[drummerboy10289]

very interesting...although i always imagined it being very colorful and flashy

[EverythingSufjan]

beautiful song, nice video :)

[RichardBLongly]

Good job! B\

[shazigami]

very well done video :D captures the mood of the song nicely...

[kpm1969]

The video is a solid accompaniment to the song which balance a weird/tense time signature with an overall feel of calmness. Your video accomplishes the same: on the surface there is a sense of calm, but an undertone of tension. The conclusion is fantastic.

[risserz2k]

simply wonderful. i'll never forget when i first heard this song. xo

[llewcat]

yeah I'm with you on that ^^

[XveggieXfreakX]

I could listen to this song every day of my life and never get tired of it. Beautiful.

[alacon28]

1:41 voice change

[beccabee108]

So i know that this song is about Illinois, but when ever i hear it i think of driving to the coast in oregon because the first time i heard it thats what i was doing and it almost captures the beauty of oregon!!!! love the video!!!!!

[alltycham]

This is a beautiful song. Well done !

[BecomingTheGrace]

the piano in here is so pretty!!!

[nathan13531]

it's only "65/16" at the beginning......he's improvising it....

[biggalbalin]

the time signature of this song is crazy!

it's 65/16 (4+14+17+17+13)

only Sufjan, right?

[bluskies4me]

Awesome 5*!