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You have to be kidding me. This song is a joke. It is not an homage to the U.P., it is an insult. It isn't tongue in cheek ala Randy Newmann's "Rednecks." It is just a very lame and very classist song. It isn't in any way insightful and just seeks to fill bland stereotypes about Yoopers. Mr. Smarty Pants Stevens poking fun at the rubes up north. Poor form.
I'm sorry you feel insulted but it wasn't Sufjan portraying a stereotype. The guy is singing an autobiographical song about his father, who lived in the upper peninsula for a time. He lived with his father after living with his mother for a while, and the lyrics are from his experience.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
I like the song but now that you mention it, this is definitely a very condescending song. It will give everyone the impression that everyone who lives in the upper peninsula lives in poverty like the character of the song. Also, his implication that shopping at K-Mart and buying shoes from Payless something only poor people do really gets on my nerves. I'm not poor and I get my shoes at Payless.
hes just singing about a certain group of people, like trailer trash by modest mouse would be more condescending but hes writing from experience and truth
Hey man, I have an excellent recording of the performance from the night before. If you'd like to have it, just let me know however you feel like and I'll hook you up. Did they play Majesty Snowbird at your show?
Seriously?! All I can say is that I'm happy someone writes about the UP, eh? I literally freaked out, good times. I love my Yooperness. And Sufjan does, too.
Fantastic!!
dreamingsleeping 1 year ago
this song did me good today on the bus
BlueFreq 2 years ago 2
guitar riffs from heaven
bnash2002 2 years ago 4
This comment has received too many negative votes show
You have to be kidding me. This song is a joke. It is not an homage to the U.P., it is an insult. It isn't tongue in cheek ala Randy Newmann's "Rednecks." It is just a very lame and very classist song. It isn't in any way insightful and just seeks to fill bland stereotypes about Yoopers. Mr. Smarty Pants Stevens poking fun at the rubes up north. Poor form.
dmpelletier 3 years ago
I'm sorry you feel insulted but it wasn't Sufjan portraying a stereotype. The guy is singing an autobiographical song about his father, who lived in the upper peninsula for a time. He lived with his father after living with his mother for a while, and the lyrics are from his experience.
madkaye 3 years ago 7
This comment has received too many negative votes show
I like the song but now that you mention it, this is definitely a very condescending song. It will give everyone the impression that everyone who lives in the upper peninsula lives in poverty like the character of the song. Also, his implication that shopping at K-Mart and buying shoes from Payless something only poor people do really gets on my nerves. I'm not poor and I get my shoes at Payless.
ratmfan223344 3 years ago
hes just singing about a certain group of people, like trailer trash by modest mouse would be more condescending but hes writing from experience and truth
rodekill27 2 years ago
poverty is everywhere, deal with it. besides, kmart & payless are american pastimes/stereotypes. Its a story about reality, not your's tho.
conjon11 2 years ago
Hey man, I have an excellent recording of the performance from the night before. If you'd like to have it, just let me know however you feel like and I'll hook you up. Did they play Majesty Snowbird at your show?
bafcats 3 years ago
Good that the Uppers are getting love besides us Trolls.
kikih2o4 3 years ago
LOVE those guitar riffs!
TheBoss2332 3 years ago 4
i like this version much more than the album version. both are great but this one tugs the heartstrings a bit more.
expandyourmind2006 4 years ago 3
Seriously?! All I can say is that I'm happy someone writes about the UP, eh? I literally freaked out, good times. I love my Yooperness. And Sufjan does, too.
gustergirl 4 years ago 6
Art really does elevate life.
NedSchneebly6 4 years ago 3
Oh my God.
junkbondtrader1500 5 years ago