The Seer's Tower - Sufjan Stevens

[Twinbladel1]

Is this a religious song?

[DownOnMyLuck]

God this guy is appalling.

Bad, depressing music with a stupid and illusory message.

It's not "deep" because of some "hidden message" or allegory. It's "dumb" because there's nothing there.

[jennnafoster]

This is painfully beautiful.

[loserbiotch2]

He is very influenced by God, obviously. I get this feeling when I listen to his music that he's from a religious backgroung...but some of the stories he tells about his past make it seem as though he was sort of a wandering teenager.

[johnsonyourfired]

Why did the Coexist comment get counted as spam? I thought it was appropriate.

[ikuda92]

How can this amazing song exist except through the power of a higher being?

[BrodieLewin16]

@ikuda92 Through the mind of Sufjan Stevens?

[johnsonyourfired]

I think people saying people won't get the full depth of the song without being religious is ridiculous. Art can be interpreted however you want. How do you know Sufjan even wrote this from a religious standpoint.

[murielglass]

@johnsonyourfired when you know God, He permeates everything you do. you can't detach it from anything you do.. especially something so intimate, as art. the Spirit God blew into us is the very reason art even exists at all.

[johnsonyourfired]

@murielglass No. I'm very religious. I can "detach" god from anything I want. I have composed multiple songs, written billions of poems, and not one about god. It's completely jaded and silly to think that this song can only be interpreted one way and one way only. For all we know, this song could be about rubber duckies. The only person who knows the meaning and story behind every single line in this song is Sufjan.

[murielglass]

@johnsonyourfired I'm not saying all songs are about God, it goes deeper than that. it has nothing to do with interpretation. it has to do with the origin of the human spirit, and the fact that if it is creative at all, it is because it has something (albeit a very small part) of the Creator in it. (gen 2:7)

you can't detach God from anything because He's the reason everything exists. just because it's not an obvious, explicit relation doesn't mean there is no relation.

[BeFirstnotWorst]

I don't understand, why this song doesn't has any more views! It is way better than Justin Bieber's, Rebacca Black's etc.!

[Mrs2011317]

Whoever doesn't like sufjan stevens is mental!!

[entwangled]

<3

[puffinpatch]

DOHHHHH. I only just realised The Seer's Tower is a pun on the Sears Tower. I feel very stupid now. One of my very favourite Sufjan songs. Sublime.

[kidcopernicus]

A sweet man with his honest soul soaring above as a herald for all who seek truth and revel in the this life's rich pageant (thanks MS). It's not important this man's beliefs, but let his words and songs tell a story, and be moved. There is a power above us all - I don't know if his name is Emmanuel or Allah or simply Mother. But somehow I know these songs prove it true - penetrating my heart. Lift your heads for a moment, from the rabble and din. Be moved....

[mondaybanana]

why can't everyone stop talking about religion and just enjoy the song?

[deathbyheadphones]

Such a moody song :') I love it. He has such a talent.

[richard030265]

great music, great comments!

[dreamincolor27]

the reason i love this song so much, despite not really believing in god is that it proves to me just how beautiful humans can be. sufjan's faith is glorious and the way he shows it in his music makes him and his songs even more wonderful, no matter what your beliefs are.

[magicalhats15]

I think it might be conceited to believe that nonreligious people will have the same depth of experience listening to religious music, as religious people. Knowing that there is a thing, what Sufjan Stevens believes is his relationship with God, is not the same thing as having a relationship with God. With religious music, it's the difference between observing, and experiencing. Which is not to say that nonreligious people can't enjoy the music.

God Bless.

[oficerleeroy13]

@magicalhats15 I think it might be conceited to think that only religious people will truly appreciate Sufjan's music.

[magicalhats15]

@oficerleeroy13 Maybe.  It depends on what you mean by truly. If you mean, truthfully, i'm sure non religious people can truthfully appreciate sufjan steven's music which has religious references. If you mean maximally appreciate, I do not think it is conceited to say that religious people will appreciate the religious references in his songs which have religious references more. That religious people would feel more impact at hearing the name "Emmanuel" should go without saying, I think.

[Pinesol23]

religion can be quite poetic

[musingsofanoddity]

Seriously can't stop listening to this song. The ending is so chilling. I wish he sang the last few lines a few more times.

[cooldudeman14]

I think the reason why even an atheist can appreciate music that talks about god is that its not about loving god, its about loving something bigger than you that you can be a part of. Its the spirituality of it.

[Cypher858]

@cooldudeman14 or the music is just good... seriously.

[cooldudeman14]

@Cypher858 well ya that's definitely true, but i mean i like the lyrics for the other reason too

[Pinesol23]

@cooldudeman14 Well said, but on the other hand, the music just sounds nice

[destroythemartyr]

the only reason why I get depressed listening to Sufjan, is that I feel I'll never make anything in my life, as beautiful as the music he creates. Every one of his songs just punches you in the chest.

[xXKittyxBonesXx]

Sufjan is purely amazing.

[kellylizzz]

<3333 So much. Aigoo, he's amazing.

[muahahaha101]

People should nto mind his relifiouse beliefs. Yes, he puts them into his music. I am an athiest, but i love his music and lyrics. They ring throughout me, even if i dont agree with some of the things he says.

[MezzanineFiction]

This song can be either full of mourning or full of hope. I love it for that. such incredible, passionate music. I don't care about how people live their lives as long as they don't harm others with their beliefs. it takes a lot of courage to hold strong to faith in this time when science is so strongly believed in. People fight over truth. The pope says that two truths cannot oppose each other and still be true. I hope that people will begin to realize that there is not a singular answer.

[deutoronic]

So I left the house, and I went to an appointment. I got out, and passed a starbucks. It hit me, that I didn't have a cup of coffee or send you anything this morning. So I went to starbucks, free wifi ftw. And, I guess I thought about you a little bit too.

[karimillion]

im normaly a hip hop guy, n i rap n shit...but this music just puts me in a different world,makes me realize thingz i dont even think about normaly,pure respect to u sufjans.....n dont hate,apriciate

[izzySlim85]

I am completely consumed by this

[mateogalandesoto]

Christianity and Atheism are not incompatible. Indeed, atheism is required. I fear that truth is all but forgotten.

[IRLKids79]

This song inspires me

[IcyScythe]

sends chills down my spine every time

[jldkrank]

Haunting, sends chills downs the spine. "Oh my my mother, she betrayed us but my father loved and bathed us."

[countbleck123]

His music is so good, but to someone who doesn't appreciate his works, these songs seem depressing. I hate how nobody I know likes this music! GAH!

[ldixon11]

Oops - sorry - I accidentally hit the down-thumb on countbleck123's comment - so add +2 to the tally!

Like some other indie artists, Sufjan's work might be more appreciated by those who love classical music, than by those who love pop music.

[weststep]

@countbleck123 ...I feel your pain haha

[MJJpwns777]

@countbleck123 im pretty sure saying "nobody" likes his music is a very wrong statement. Every one of my friends and I love him and I meet ppl all the time who do as well.

[chortles48]

@MJJpwns777 He said "Nobody I know."

[MJJpwns777]

@chortles48 Ah... true, thank you

[PaladinCuts]

@countbleck123 Its ok it can be your best keept secret.

[czech698]

a military organization may be quite correctly compared to a cone, of which the base with the largest diameter consists of the rank and file; the next higher and smaller section of the cone consists of the next higher grades of the army, and so on to the apex, the point of which will represent the commander in chief

[klspratlin]

So sad...

[mercurybiatch]

I love Sufjan Stevens...He HAS to come to germany sometime so I can listen to him live!

[bjornothebesto]

Or Holland :D

[SioNoodles]

It's on the Album "Illinoise"

[sinjinhaze]

It's actually called.. "Come on Feel the Illinoise."

[UnderBlessed]

this song is depsressing. But good.:)

[CelestialAndromeda]

This song reminds me of Chris Garneau's "In The Afternoon" both brilliant of course!

[araxar]

I don't know why people care about Sufjans beliefs. I'm personally a very strong atheist, but damn the music that Sufjan puts out is AMAZING!

[hititpinback]

Couldnt have said that better myself

[mercurybiatch]

Your comment really deserves all that good ratings ;).

[cruzerbruiser128]

@araxar I totally agree. Good music is good music.

[Sukuraidogai]

lol how can you be a "strong" atheist? Your belief that an afterlife doesn't exist is much stronger than the average anti-believer?

[brendanrhys]

@Sukuraidogai There's a difference between passively not believing in something and actively standing against it

[araxar]

@Sukuraidogai

Yes, there are different degrees of commitment to a belief for everyone.

[Sukuraidogai]

@araxar We're talking about commitment to disbelief here. What you've just stated is extremely obvious.

[byronissexy]

@araxar Lol, I'm an Atheist too, and most Christian music pisses me off but I can't help but love Sufjan's music. I even own the Christmas album.

[OpenEyes00]

@araxar i couldnt imagine being a very strong atheist. the hopelessness and pointlessness i would feel. the wanting to give up immediately when i understood the first truth. because atheism and truth are complete enemies. when you discover one true truth atheism breathes fear and emptiness into it.

[araxar]

@OpenEyes00

I choose to think differently. But it's people like you that cause this deep separation in the world when it comes to beliefs. It's people like you that instill a hatred for anyone who believes differently then you do. People like you that would care what this song is about, the message it conveys - then choose to either ignore the song or embrace it accordingly. I don't understand people like you.

[Tibbert67]

@OpenEyes00 Lord of the rings would blow your f**k'n mind! If you need stories and make believe to find 'hope' and a 'point' to life, look no further....... makes more sense than the bible, FACT! (i dont condone the reading of wizzards)

[OpenEyes00]

@Tibbert67 it will blow your f**k'n mind the day you realize you should have believed in those stories and make believe. it will be a very mind blowing and humbling experience.

[Tibbert67]

@OpenEyes00 hahahaha! 'IF' such a day comes, thats ''IF''! i'll ask for forgiveness..... I hear they're into that....... Till then tho i'll keep on questioning everything and make my own mind up!! Those who blindly follow religious texts clearly didn't read them properly!!! Try picking up a science book once in a while!!

[MrAlienSexpanther]

@OpenEyes00 beleive in your self............... no1 else......... have faith in your own mind..... in your own connection with the world......... and give no other man credit for your link with the conciousness....... if you have to beleive in stories it proves your mind is weak.... god is love and love is god...... the universe is god.... god is you..... god am i

[OpenEyes00]

@MrAlienSexpanther i completely respect your views. but do you honestly give yourself credit for the intricate details of the universe and everything in it? or who or what do you believe designed and brought it into being? honest question. no attack, i just would like to know.

[meboz67]

@araxar Omg, i couldn't possibly agree more. Share the love.

[Philly2002]

@araxar How can you be a STRONG atheist? You must have supernatural intelligence.. even greater than Carl Sagan who himself said he wasn't smart enough to be an atheist, so he was agnostic.

You must really have faith in your belief.

[14bodies14]

@Philly2002 atheist- non-believer or someone with disbelief of any god(ess) or gods(esses)

Not meaning to be a bitch. Just correcting.

[JRayMalcolm]

@14bodies14 ya, but it is impossible to prove or disprove the existence of a god so to be an atheist you must have the same illogical belief as say a Christian. This makes every atheist a hypocrite and extremely unintelligent. I think thats what philly was saying?

[14bodies14]

@JRayMalcolm possibly but what about fossils and such proving evolution? There isn't a fossil of a god that i know of anyway.

[JRayMalcolm]

@14bodies14 evolution wouldn't matter if you don't exist anyway, and an atheist cant prove he exists. but there are no fossils of God because he's not dead.and evolution is only a theory and definitely not the strongest one out there.

[phinharry]

@JRayMalcolm how in gods name is evolution not the strongest out there? religious institutions incase you haven't noticed don't try and deny evolution but attempt to reconcile faith and spirituality and evolution because how can you deny something so evident.

[JRayMalcolm]

@phinharryno, in the way of theories. evolution isn't like gravity where it's undeniable. and I dont care for "religious institutions" I listen to scripture alone, but there are groups such as 'answers in Genesis' that have come up with plenty of strong evidence.

[Ledcraft]

@phinharry

exactly. denying evolution is ignorant. if instead of fearing biology we study it, we can find evidence of god from the cellular level on up

[tacibals]

@araxar same here.atheist to the bone but care when its about sufjan

[kowtpr187]

@araxar no god?no design...no heart...no soul.

[gogolplex74]

@araxar Are you really 100% sure God doesn't exist?

I believe he does but I'm not obviously absolutely sure about that

That's just strange

[shhmellshlikeasshhhh]

@araxar

I am too , but Sufjan blows me away!

[MorningMrSun]

@araxar Not an Athiest yet. lol But i like none-the-less. Yes?

[singer0o]

sufjan you the man

[MsAngelchick]

wow, im really starting to like this sufjan guy!

[crapchucky111]

this is my fav song ever my dad is taking me to americas got talent and i'm gonna sing this song on the show!

[fightthesnakes]

What a lovely song...

[Hakon275]

I love you man,

I really do

[harrytheblurfan]

this song is so haunting, it's not like the other songs i've heard on [i]illinois[/i], in contrast to songs like 'come on! feel the illinoise!' and 'they are night zombies!!...' this song is very minimal with its instruments and its musics, it seems to be based solely around the vocals rather than the piano.

[Christoph30Berlin]

awesome song!! i love it

[lobsterthecannibal]

i love the double meaning in the title. sufjan is endlessly talented.

[laZydaiZy212]

What is is?

[sponsellerfd]

always mysterious, haunting, beautiful, soothing- his music

[COFEEPILLS]

Love this song :) A year and 1 day up!

[bignectar82]

love this song.. I like the fact that he is obviously religious but keeps his public opinions on the topic private.. the way it should be..

[beauceron]

Why is someone forbidden to express their religious opinions, like they are free to express any other opinion they hold? It certaily seems atheists are free to publicly express their anti-religious opinions. I think you mean he's not preachy or judgmental about it, but subtle.

[bignectar82]

did i say it was forbidden for someone to express their religious opinions? No. I could not care whatever someone believes in. I simply stated that I personally like the fact that he keeps his opinions to himself. And dont assume that I am an atheist.

[beauceron]

"did i say it was forbidden for someone to express their religious opinions? No."

Well...yeah, you did. You said you liked that he:

"keeps his public opinions on the topic private.. the way it should be"

Why should it be like that? And he hardly keeps his opinions on the matter private, considering the conent of his songs. Religious people (and I am not particularly religious) have free speech rights too and should be free to excersize them although many atheists seem to disagree.

[bignectar82]

All i was trying to convey was that I am not interested in what Sufjan Steven's or any other artist's religious stance is, it is irrelevant to me. It is like a blind person asking what colour your skin is? Why do they need to know? Sufjan obviously feels the same way when he refuses to divulge information about his own beliefs in interviews..

Every person has unique beliefs and I respect that..Most of the time I think it is irrelevant for other people to be privy to that information.

[depolarized]

need 2 know to understand the message he is conveying in his art

[sirbick]

if your not intrested that dont listen to him...

[M4insanity]

I'm and atheist, and i agree with you.

[whguh]

bignectar 82......one of the few sane comments I've read on youtube

Thank you

[whguh]

beaceron.....you seem angry you have an argument to voice, and you're going to voice it. If you reread what was written you may find you're chanting a free speech mantra against an honest personal opinion.

[HPL4]

Please don't assume that atheists through their beliefs on others, stereotypes never do anyone any good.

[Vile84412]

haha, nor does bringing up religion in any fashion on within internet comment threads seem to do anyone any good :)

no opinion on it besides that...

[sirbick]

its one this to not have religous beliefs but to go around preaching how your an atheist just makes you a dueche

[IncaRoad01]

First time I heard this tune it moved me to tears ... that doesnt happen often.

[depolarized]

not christian, but he sings this so well, i can't help but to listen

[techercat]

Beautifully haunting.

[emopeth]

this song makes me calm, really beautiful i must say.

[myflyingknickers]

mystic song..reminds me to William Blake's Poetry...beautiful...

[snufffanatic]

Very clever title

[RorySinn]

does anyone else think this sounds like it was written about the dark tower series?

[DivinityWithin144]

I simply adore his connections between his music and God throughout his songs. Its simply terrific.

[carmangeria]

and the rest:

Oh my mother, she betrayed us, but my father loved and bathed us.

Still I go to the deepest grave,

Where I go to sleep alone

[Kapowo]

I can hear him saying that first part very quietly at 3:39. At least with my headphones on.

This is a great song.

[carmangeria]

In the tower above the earth, There is a view that reaches far Where we see the universe, I see the fire, I see the end. Seven miles above the earth, There is Emmanuel of mothers. With his sword, with his robe, He comes dividing man from brothers. In the tower above the earth, we built it for Emmanuel. In the powers of the earth, we wait until it rips and rips. In the tower above the earth, we built it for Emmanuel.

[Miime57]

Magnifique.

[ScreamingQuietly23]

Definitely A great artist!

[live4ever01]

Thanks! it was filmed from the coach when i was in Auvergne (a region of France ^^)

I love Sufjan Stevens btw :D

[StevenJosephChrist]

terre haute

[Labirint]

troppo bella sta canzone!

very wonderfull!

[noetreznor2]

La Chanson est exellent

La cancion es exelente