I don't care if he's gay or not. But what pisses me off is that people assume that just because he's not married or doesn't have children, this means he's gay. Grrr :L
Why are so many people so passionately, profoundly determined to prove that ... he ... is ... not ... gay? Why is it necessary to be absolutely sure 24 hours a day that Sufjan Stevens is 101% heterosexual? I don't get it. Is it really necessary to know that a singer is heterosexual in order to enjoy his music?? Is only music by heterosexuals worth listening to? I can't figure this thing out.
@iwantsifegold I see where you're coming from, but I don't think he sounds like a jackass so much as he is speaking for the camera: he is not being real. Eventually when he starts talking about the Detroit music influence his eyes light up a little bit- he also (from this interview) just looks like a very self-absorbed person. Some people are.
@starkDeath I can see how you would think he's self-absorbed here, but he does make the point that he uses personal history as a starting point because he feels it's the most reliable. He always works with lots of people and having been lucky enough to have seen him live in Dublin, he was fun and outgoing and very warm. But as a true artist, he must be introspective too, don't you think?
the song Owl and the Tanager is about being a boy loving another boy who hurt him, cheated him, and told his secret; this is such a beautiful song regardless of his true sexuality, who cares, hes amazing.x
Of course he's gay. Done. As a young artist he needs to be careful about trying to be clever by being silly. People who need to feel impressive are never impressive.
@TheBoss2332 If that one facebook account that wears is name is his real account, then it says he is engaged to some woman that's also on facebook. who knows.
awesome interview....i think the same way about song writing and he helped me explore/understand those ideas better..i love when the interviewer gets them to talk about their song-writing and approach thx sufjan
I don't think it's wrong to care about Sufan's personal life or to speculate BASED on his lyrics? He wrote them, and we're the one's interpreting them and buying his music and whatnot.
I don't think his privacy should be invaded, HOWEVER, if he's concerned about people thinking he is gay, he would obviously write lyrics that weren't so queer-sounding. He is still writing those lyrics, so I doubt he cares about what a few people think about him and his sexuality on the Internet.
Doesn't he sing about Jesus? Chicago, You are the rake, to be alone with you, out of egypt etc (Hebrew Bible reference), and many others all seem to be about and coincide with Christian theology. though, i am very glad that he doesn't call his music christian music. That word is a blinder for a lot of people. He gets to the raw essence of Christ with his music. Praise the Father, the Creator of music and all things good! Peace!
@mouthbeats11l2l His music is heavily influenced by Biblical and spiritual concepts, but I know of other artists who are inspired by religious literature/folklore in their musical lives yet lead personal lives absent of strong religious/spiritual preference. Also, if Sufjan Stevens is indeed Christian, it's just as possible that he is gay; vice-versa. Homosexuality and Christianity shouldn't be mutually exclusive.
@Cerbi01 haha, well he's pretty DAMN sexy, and clearly boys think so too. Why wouldn't they? Obviously the boys want him gay and the girls want him straight.
I friggin hate stuff like this! Because it happens to me all the time! No one know's he's gay! So why tell everyone like you know him? Leave him alone! Nobody likes it when you infer their sexuality! So I'm not going to guess but judging by ninety percent of his songs he's straight. Like every song in illinois! lol
@johnsonyourfired john wayne gacy jr from illinois is about a serial killer who raped and murdered young boys and he says "and in my best behaviour, i am really just like him....."
the predatory wasp of the palisades is out to get us" is about his best friend that according to the lyrics he was "in love" with, "touching his back with my hand, i kiss him" O_o
then put this with futile devices, a good man is hard to find, to be alone with you, the owl and the tanager,
@masterexploder112255 Oh! Here are the lyrics! in John Wayne Gacy Jr. He means that he has done awful things in his life.
In the Predatory Wasp of the Palisades is Out to Get Us he is comforting his friend, obviosly because he is very young and been stung by a wasp. That one is EXTREMELY OBVIOUS!
Futile Devices He is saying that he loves his friend when he's in a bad situation. Why would it be gay if he loves him like his brother?
I'm running out of letters and don't want to waste my time. bye
@johnsonyourfired did i make you cry on christmas (well you deserved it) (maybe) etc there is a pretty strong essence of gayness, what you obviously dont understand is we re not judging him its just a mere curiousity because he s never come out as being homosexual but his lyrics tend to lean that way sometimes, and if he is gay then thats perfectly ok, god even i would turn gay for him, hes freakin amazing!! but im still sticking by my idea that hes just bisexual
@masterexploder112255 Hahaha, Dude he's not gay. Listen to his music, and tell me one lyric by him that has "a pretty strong essence of gayness." You just don't now how to understand lyrics. You think the one time he says something a little weird it means exactly what you think. But there is a deeper meaning behind it, that you obviously can't understand.
@johnsonyourfired im pretty sure that the only person that 'knows how to understand his lyrics' is him so implying that you know any better is pretty ignorant, all im saying is I believe he might possibly maybe be gay im not judging him, im just undecided after listening to predatory wasp of the palisades and then other stuff like supersexywoman or impossible soul
you said that the illinois album didnt have any songs that suggested any gayness when he wrote a song about a gay serial killer so...
@johnsonyourfired AND BTW! ive now decided after listening to the owl and the tanager that he is at least 90% not gay so that should make you feel better
Why the hell do people care if Sufjan is gay or not? Does that give you some kind of smug satisfaction? Just enjoy the beautiful music his beautiful soul has gifted us, and keep your prejudices to yourself :)
@gruntsbaneook Honestly, I didn't care until I started seeing homophobic comments about him. Now I hope he is gay just so he could make those people shut the fuck up. The heteronormative assumptions do put me off a bit.
Sufjan is beautiful in every aspect he's shared with us.
Speaking only for myself, I feel a connection with him because of the way he is soft spoken, thoughtful, and how his lyrics are so beautiful, conflicted, filled with pain and joy. In my experience, people I identify with in this manner, who are reserved about their private love life, are gay. I'm gay. I do not mean to demean him in anyway.
People who think that this speculation is mean-spirited should reevaluate their own prejudices.
I don't know why people feel the outright need to call him out as a homosexual. So what if he is or not? Sure he has one song about a guy crush at, so do The Killers (Andy You're a Star) but Brandon Flowers isn't gay. But either way, it distracts form the hidden musical gem that Sufjan is. His music is is gospel like in a way-- it's eerily uplifting tones and angelic trumpet usage makes his music transcend normal compositions.You don't hear that often.
and ignoring it all to make a snyde irrelevant remark that he 'must be gay' is absolutely preposterous. And @plica06 so what if he is gay? What difference does it make? Sexuality does not determine character, and people need to learn to drill that notion into their thick skulls.
he's such a brilliant guy. you can tell he puts so much heart and thought and soul into his music. i love how he compares detroit to his stepsibling, that's kind of cute.
@Adrhodes, To Be Alone With You is a song about Jesus, hence "you gave your ghost" and, "to be alone with me you went up on a tree" (cross) and "you gave your body to the lonely" and "I'll never know the man who loved me" it's an obvious biblical allusion, as are most of his songs. He is most definately NOT gay. Sad that you dont understand the majority of his lyrics, because that's the entirety of the song.
I don't know why people like to infer that's he might be gay. A man wears wings and all of a sudden he's homosexual? Beyond that I can't see why people think of him in that way. He's clearly some sort of Christian, but he's not being overt about it. He's not letting Contemporary Christian Music restrain his ability, and all music lovers should admire that.
i agree with you. i feel like sufjan stevens either doesn't know, doesn't care, and/or doesn't plan on sharing any of that stuff with the public. and i admire him for that. his music is too good to be corrupted by the media.
@smallmaniac I'm not sure how you concluded that he must be "some sort of Christian". Pointers to his sexual orientation are far more loud in this interview than his religious beliefs (if he has any at all). It's not about the wings either. It's his voice and mannerisms that might make some suspect he is gay. I doubt he is tho.
@plica06 I came to that conclusion by listening to several of his songs such as Oh God Where Are You Now, Seven Swans, Vito's Ordination Song, For the Widows In Paradise..., and God'll Ne'er Let You Down.
@smallmaniac You commented that people shouldn't think he's gay because he's wearing wings. So I assumed you were questioning why people would think he was gay after just watching this interview in which there are no Christian references.
@plica06 I don't think that the wings are the only reason people think that. Many if not most comments on youtube are made out of ignorance and I thought the most ignorant reason for thinking he's gay would be him wearing the wings.
He doesn't think he has the capacity to write symphonic pieces??? The B.Q.E. is an incredible symphonic piece with 7 movements and a View-Master reel! Was he kidding? What an inspiring songwriter, wish i could write half as good as him.
i dont really care about the gay thing. the point is his ability to diversify his music and to celebrate his musical and lyrical genius. if youre not into that, youre not into it. i just believe he is an exceptional musician.
man..... I FUCKIN LUV SUFJAN STEVENS! WHO CARES IF HE'S GAY OR NOT!!!!!! IT DOESNT MATTER WUT DOES MATTER IS HE'S AMAZING! (well i would rather him not be gay but thats cuz i think he's amazingly beautiful but that doesnt matter i would still luv and respect him if he wuz gay)
So you are really gay? Honest, had I known that, I wouldn't have responded to you. I expect gays to be defensive.
If someone called you disgusting, fat, pimple faced, and ugly, you be a little hurt (I expect you to say no, so don't bother). But it is not wrong to be ugly. Likewise, if someone called me gay, I would be hurt. But being gay is not wrong.
If you attempt to be encouraging or inspirational, you can say that it shouldn't bother people like me, but it does. So that is that. Bummer.
I can see that. If the person calling you gay is using the word (incorrectly) to mean dumb or lame, then offense is natural. Or if they themselves think that homosexuality is a lesser state then that could also be insulting. It sounds like you are open-minded when it comes to sexual diversity. If that is the case, then thank you.
I love the quietness of him. I like it when straight men don't feel the need to be overtly masculine or aggressive or even blatantly assertive. I like it when people take a backseat to their own egos. And Sufjan doesn't always do that, I've read interview where he's somewhat haughty about his intelligence, but hey, nobody is perfect : )
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
Strongest, it is an insult to be thought of as gay when you are perfectly straight. I take it you are gay. If you are straight, wouldn't you be offended if someone thought you were gay? duh you would. Any straight man would agree.
Nick, I don't believe every straight man would find that insulting and I would encourage you to be careful when speaking for an entire population. I do think that being misperceived by another person can be disconcerting, but when that happens it can be fixed with a simple, "No, actually I'm straight." And then both parties can move on with their lives. I don't see why one would take offense from that.
May I ask, what is it that you would find insulting if someone thought you were gay?
@ridemyspiral his voice reminds me of Maynard James Keenan's, the lead singer for TOOL its so soft and lyrical they could both talk me to sleep lol (i still dont think hes straight but, im gonna go with bisexual hahaha)
I have to admit, there is only so much of his music that I can listen to. I don't find it terribly uplifting. :/ And his voice doesn't budge too far outside of the whispery tone aside from "Oh my Goood" (John Wayne Gacy Jr.) I imagine that 50 American state-inspired albums would be fairly consistent. He is talented, I don't deny that. He can play lots of instruments, and write wonderful lyrics, but there's something lacking... the energy is too reserved? I can't put my finger on it...
john wayne gracy jr. is a good song.. but you're right, i think he could use an orchestra to add that extra edge to it, like he wants to, but he clearly just wants to make easy listening soft beautiful music which isn't bad....but it's not good for every single song.... my suggestion, stop using flutes, start using bagpipes
If you haven't already checked it out, I recommend his earliest album A Sun Came. It's a really interesting mix of styles and arrangement--runs the gamut from Eastern-influenced to edgier, rougher songs. A few of the tracks on there are random noise (Rice Pudding?!), others are hilarious but awesome (Super Sexy Woman), and there are some real standouts (We Are What You Say, Dumb I Sound, Joy! Joy! Joy!). A really cool album.
I disagree , i think he is a true legend , a marvelous songwriter BUT he puts too much on his albums , he should be tougher with his choices... i still think 7 swans is in my top 10 albums , ever. i amquite old and have very disverse tastes .. so my choices are discerning.. i love this guy even though i class myself as a skeptic
Yeah I can see what you mean, but I think that sort of watered-down-ness is part of his style, it's kind of set back sort of like a place that's always safe I guess, I respect that he doesn't do a lot of random wackiness, he seems very true to his sound
i can not believe he has so little music theory, his harmonies and chordal progressions are genius, and i love his use of texture, especially in out of egypt
def see the detroit flavor in his music.....looking back at motown n funk brothers directly corollate into his way of making music. at least in my mind.....
i see most of his songs as having a certain powerful undercurrent to them that can easily be lost in the melodic beauty that is his music......
from enjoy your rabbit to illinois n all in between i definitely encounter this message that sufjan, like the old heads of detroit tried to convey...or maybe im just dilirious lol.
He's not gay. He has a girlfriend. He's a beautiful individual. Geez ppl.
theycallmemattytee 1 week ago
I don't care if he's gay or not. But what pisses me off is that people assume that just because he's not married or doesn't have children, this means he's gay. Grrr :L
TheBottleofsand 3 weeks ago
He was born in 1st July 1975 as I'm !
handal1973 1 month ago
Why are so many people so passionately, profoundly determined to prove that ... he ... is ... not ... gay? Why is it necessary to be absolutely sure 24 hours a day that Sufjan Stevens is 101% heterosexual? I don't get it. Is it really necessary to know that a singer is heterosexual in order to enjoy his music?? Is only music by heterosexuals worth listening to? I can't figure this thing out.
jarabaa 4 months ago 4
@jarabaa
Homophobic Christians abound.
xLordOfTheFliesx 1 month ago
The only reason I wish he was / is gay its because we could make the perfect couple, Im sure of it =)
davidlimabrasil 4 months ago
That picture everyone brings up is of his sister and her two kids. He isn't married and is probably gay.
FictionWeLiveIn 5 months ago
Sufjan Stevens is so damn driven and talent. My hero.
megatonydeath 5 months ago
those wings are pretty AWESOME!!!!!!!!!
bessangel45 6 months ago
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bessangel45 6 months ago
Is it me or does he sounds like a jack ass?
iwantsifegold 6 months ago
@iwantsifegold I see where you're coming from, but I don't think he sounds like a jackass so much as he is speaking for the camera: he is not being real. Eventually when he starts talking about the Detroit music influence his eyes light up a little bit- he also (from this interview) just looks like a very self-absorbed person. Some people are.
starkDeath 4 months ago 2
@starkDeath
I see is a shame he has potential yet he is not going as far as he does.
iwantsifegold 4 months ago
@starkDeath I can see how you would think he's self-absorbed here, but he does make the point that he uses personal history as a starting point because he feels it's the most reliable. He always works with lots of people and having been lucky enough to have seen him live in Dublin, he was fun and outgoing and very warm. But as a true artist, he must be introspective too, don't you think?
lombmusic07 1 week ago
@iwantsifegold its you
begemotnozri 3 months ago
oh..guy before totally had the same idea 4 days ago..i look like an idio.t now.
ehh might as well copy him, make it look like i planned it.
long live the stevens!
kissmechickenbreath 6 months ago 3
dude he is one of a kind. i mean, who talks in a genuinely serious tone with wings on their back? he's amazing.
kissmechickenbreath 6 months ago 5
@kissmechickenbreath hahaha touche
xn6 5 months ago
only sufjan stevens can say that stuff while wearing plastic bird wings and seem like a totally serious musician. long live the stevens
joelitohugs101 6 months ago 3
no way! I have the same outfit.
cmatthews926 6 months ago
i have to say...this man is probably the most talented artist out today. pound for fuckin pound.
matthewjamal 7 months ago
the song Owl and the Tanager is about being a boy loving another boy who hurt him, cheated him, and told his secret; this is such a beautiful song regardless of his true sexuality, who cares, hes amazing.x
rayneval 8 months ago 2
I just want to hang out with him for just one day. Or one hour.
ShareYourUnderwear 8 months ago 8
Of course he's gay. Done. As a young artist he needs to be careful about trying to be clever by being silly. People who need to feel impressive are never impressive.
ICEPEDITION 8 months ago
our obsession with sexuality is bull shit
wasteofpaint27 8 months ago 4
He's not gay, he's married and has two kids.
dusty6467 9 months ago
@dusty6467 He is not married and he does not have any children (that he has said anything about).
TheBoss2332 9 months ago 9
@TheBoss2332 asthmatickitty(dot)com/images/sufjanstevens/sufjan_xmas_dennyrenshaw(dot)jpg This may be some indication of his martial status + kids.
NightRanger77 8 months ago
@NightRanger77 No, that photo shoot was staged. That is not his wife or children but I think that image is what confuses a lot of people.
TheBoss2332 8 months ago 14
@TheBoss2332 If that one facebook account that wears is name is his real account, then it says he is engaged to some woman that's also on facebook. who knows.
cinestar2 7 months ago
@cinestar2 I don't know what page you are referring to but it's probably fake.
TheBoss2332 7 months ago 8
awesome interview....i think the same way about song writing and he helped me explore/understand those ideas better..i love when the interviewer gets them to talk about their song-writing and approach thx sufjan
JR1840 9 months ago
Great music!
TheJbach 9 months ago
Sufjan is amazing. What an inspiration!
somethingorange 10 months ago
I don't think it's wrong to care about Sufan's personal life or to speculate BASED on his lyrics? He wrote them, and we're the one's interpreting them and buying his music and whatnot.
I don't think his privacy should be invaded, HOWEVER, if he's concerned about people thinking he is gay, he would obviously write lyrics that weren't so queer-sounding. He is still writing those lyrics, so I doubt he cares about what a few people think about him and his sexuality on the Internet.
kives1985 10 months ago 3
trumpet solo!!
TheMwalk 1 year ago
Doesn't he sing about Jesus? Chicago, You are the rake, to be alone with you, out of egypt etc (Hebrew Bible reference), and many others all seem to be about and coincide with Christian theology. though, i am very glad that he doesn't call his music christian music. That word is a blinder for a lot of people. He gets to the raw essence of Christ with his music. Praise the Father, the Creator of music and all things good! Peace!
mouthbeats11l2l 1 year ago 24
@mouthbeats11l2l His music is heavily influenced by Biblical and spiritual concepts, but I know of other artists who are inspired by religious literature/folklore in their musical lives yet lead personal lives absent of strong religious/spiritual preference. Also, if Sufjan Stevens is indeed Christian, it's just as possible that he is gay; vice-versa. Homosexuality and Christianity shouldn't be mutually exclusive.
Perrin530 5 months ago
@mouthbeats11l2l Madonna and Lady Gaga have sung about Jesus Christ. Doesn't mean his music is for the 'father' or whatever you're talking about.
TheAnimaBoy 4 months ago
YAWN
underc0n 1 year ago
@underc0n yawning usually means that you're fatigued and you need to go to sleep rather than commenting it on a video
NadiaOzneroled 1 year ago
@NadiaOzneroled comments have been enabled for a reason, right? so i'm sure whether i type when i'm weary or not it really doesn't affect you.
underc0n 1 year ago
So whenever I read Richard Bach's Illusions I always think of Donald Shimoda as Sufjan Stevens.
ariadne42 1 year ago
holy crap looking at all these comments, I would've thought that his sexuality is more interesting than his music... :\
Cerbi01 1 year ago 3
@Cerbi01 haha, well he's pretty DAMN sexy, and clearly boys think so too. Why wouldn't they? Obviously the boys want him gay and the girls want him straight.
caithiggs 1 year ago 2
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TheJbach 9 months ago
i love how he still wears wings when he plays stuff from seven swans. it's great
maddystardust 1 year ago
Comments like "he must be gay" tell you more about the ignorance and prejudice of the person making the comment.
spangle69 1 year ago 2
I friggin hate stuff like this! Because it happens to me all the time! No one know's he's gay! So why tell everyone like you know him? Leave him alone! Nobody likes it when you infer their sexuality! So I'm not going to guess but judging by ninety percent of his songs he's straight. Like every song in illinois! lol
johnsonyourfired 1 year ago
@johnsonyourfired john wayne gacy jr from illinois is about a serial killer who raped and murdered young boys and he says "and in my best behaviour, i am really just like him....."
the predatory wasp of the palisades is out to get us" is about his best friend that according to the lyrics he was "in love" with, "touching his back with my hand, i kiss him" O_o
then put this with futile devices, a good man is hard to find, to be alone with you, the owl and the tanager,
masterexploder112255 1 year ago
@masterexploder112255 Oh! Here are the lyrics! in John Wayne Gacy Jr. He means that he has done awful things in his life.
In the Predatory Wasp of the Palisades is Out to Get Us he is comforting his friend, obviosly because he is very young and been stung by a wasp. That one is EXTREMELY OBVIOUS!
Futile Devices He is saying that he loves his friend when he's in a bad situation. Why would it be gay if he loves him like his brother?
I'm running out of letters and don't want to waste my time. bye
johnsonyourfired 1 year ago
@johnsonyourfired did i make you cry on christmas (well you deserved it) (maybe) etc there is a pretty strong essence of gayness, what you obviously dont understand is we re not judging him its just a mere curiousity because he s never come out as being homosexual but his lyrics tend to lean that way sometimes, and if he is gay then thats perfectly ok, god even i would turn gay for him, hes freakin amazing!! but im still sticking by my idea that hes just bisexual
masterexploder112255 1 year ago
@masterexploder112255 Hahaha, Dude he's not gay. Listen to his music, and tell me one lyric by him that has "a pretty strong essence of gayness." You just don't now how to understand lyrics. You think the one time he says something a little weird it means exactly what you think. But there is a deeper meaning behind it, that you obviously can't understand.
johnsonyourfired 1 year ago
@johnsonyourfired im pretty sure that the only person that 'knows how to understand his lyrics' is him so implying that you know any better is pretty ignorant, all im saying is I believe he might possibly maybe be gay im not judging him, im just undecided after listening to predatory wasp of the palisades and then other stuff like supersexywoman or impossible soul
you said that the illinois album didnt have any songs that suggested any gayness when he wrote a song about a gay serial killer so...
masterexploder112255 1 year ago
@johnsonyourfired AND BTW! ive now decided after listening to the owl and the tanager that he is at least 90% not gay so that should make you feel better
masterexploder112255 1 year ago
would he not take off the shagging wings?!
pedro4lola 1 year ago
@pedro4lola
I wouldn't even take it off when I have to sleep. Those wings are awesome.
Cerbi01 1 year ago 2
Did he just use his name as an adjective? XD
oywidapoodles 1 year ago
@oywidapoodles he said "symphonic direction". :)
willz0rz1 1 year ago
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@oywidapoodles he said "symphonic direction". :)
willz0rz1 1 year ago
Why the hell do people care if Sufjan is gay or not? Does that give you some kind of smug satisfaction? Just enjoy the beautiful music his beautiful soul has gifted us, and keep your prejudices to yourself :)
gruntsbaneook 1 year ago 55
@gruntsbaneook Honestly, I didn't care until I started seeing homophobic comments about him. Now I hope he is gay just so he could make those people shut the fuck up. The heteronormative assumptions do put me off a bit.
oywidapoodles 1 year ago 4
Sufjan is beautiful in every aspect he's shared with us.
Speaking only for myself, I feel a connection with him because of the way he is soft spoken, thoughtful, and how his lyrics are so beautiful, conflicted, filled with pain and joy. In my experience, people I identify with in this manner, who are reserved about their private love life, are gay. I'm gay. I do not mean to demean him in anyway.
People who think that this speculation is mean-spirited should reevaluate their own prejudices.
benegeseritwhore 1 year ago
douches...he's not gay Casimir Pulaski Day is about his old girlfriend...look it up
laxgoalie5115 1 year ago
@laxgoalie5115 It's not autobiographical, but yes, it's about a boy and a girl.
salutemyshortsnow 1 year ago
I want that shirt. Where do you get a shirt like that?
acidmusculargrapes 1 year ago
I want that shirt! Someone tell me what kind of shirt that is.
acidmusculargrapes 1 year ago
i want that shirt! Someone please tell me what in the world that shirt is or where to get it.
acidmusculargrapes 1 year ago
I only care if he's gay or not because it changes how I visualize his stories. I personally think he isn't gay.
kellylizzz 1 year ago
I don't know why people feel the outright need to call him out as a homosexual. So what if he is or not? Sure he has one song about a guy crush at, so do The Killers (Andy You're a Star) but Brandon Flowers isn't gay. But either way, it distracts form the hidden musical gem that Sufjan is. His music is is gospel like in a way-- it's eerily uplifting tones and angelic trumpet usage makes his music transcend normal compositions.You don't hear that often.
NeonPandaCrumbs 1 year ago
HAVE MY BABIES!!!!!!!!!!
wishywashydark 1 year ago 3
I think he is gay, but is that a bad thing?!
c2bed 1 year ago
@c2bed I think he's married and has kids with a woman.
Totalmachine09 1 year ago
@Totalmachine09 I think you're wrong.
c2bed 1 year ago
@c2bed No pretty sure I'm right but whatever
Totalmachine09 1 year ago
@c2bed NO it is not a bad thing. being gay is NOT a bad thing. and yes, he is gay...people get over it already.
theboywiththecoin 1 year ago
@theboywiththecoin -their is a youtube video of his wedding and a woman is in the icon photo ill view it next
soulkiss1001 1 year ago
@theboywiththecoin how do you know he is gay?
1337Ravage 1 year ago
His life is so random...and it's cool. =D Hahaha
BlankRainbow 1 year ago
and ignoring it all to make a snyde irrelevant remark that he 'must be gay' is absolutely preposterous. And @plica06 so what if he is gay? What difference does it make? Sexuality does not determine character, and people need to learn to drill that notion into their thick skulls.
katydidmeow 1 year ago
@smallmaniac I agree. But I also believe that after listening to the actual interview about what a fascinating and intuitive individual Stevens is
@plica06
katydidmeow 1 year ago
He is so... inspiring....
I love how he doesn't try you know? He's just amazing. ah!
amelamusic 1 year ago
This guy is enlightened
Innercitylightsband 1 year ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
I like some of his music, But damn he just preachers way to much......
Loved his rare covers of rock bands such as iron maiden and sex pistols, But there few and far between.
roydriver74 1 year ago
he's such a brilliant guy. you can tell he puts so much heart and thought and soul into his music. i love how he compares detroit to his stepsibling, that's kind of cute.
k213389 1 year ago
sufjan is so amazing he makes the best music humans have heard sense the beatles and neil young and Beethoven
codycdoo 1 year ago
@Adrhodes, To Be Alone With You is a song about Jesus, hence "you gave your ghost" and, "to be alone with me you went up on a tree" (cross) and "you gave your body to the lonely" and "I'll never know the man who loved me" it's an obvious biblical allusion, as are most of his songs. He is most definately NOT gay. Sad that you dont understand the majority of his lyrics, because that's the entirety of the song.
HighCharityMadWorld 2 years ago
@HighCharityMadWorld
I don't know why people like to infer that's he might be gay. A man wears wings and all of a sudden he's homosexual? Beyond that I can't see why people think of him in that way. He's clearly some sort of Christian, but he's not being overt about it. He's not letting Contemporary Christian Music restrain his ability, and all music lovers should admire that.
smallmaniac 1 year ago 3
@smallmaniac
i agree with you. i feel like sufjan stevens either doesn't know, doesn't care, and/or doesn't plan on sharing any of that stuff with the public. and i admire him for that. his music is too good to be corrupted by the media.
passthespazplz 1 year ago 6
@smallmaniac I'm not sure how you concluded that he must be "some sort of Christian". Pointers to his sexual orientation are far more loud in this interview than his religious beliefs (if he has any at all). It's not about the wings either. It's his voice and mannerisms that might make some suspect he is gay. I doubt he is tho.
plica06 1 year ago
@plica06 I came to that conclusion by listening to several of his songs such as Oh God Where Are You Now, Seven Swans, Vito's Ordination Song, For the Widows In Paradise..., and God'll Ne'er Let You Down.
smallmaniac 1 year ago
@smallmaniac You commented that people shouldn't think he's gay because he's wearing wings. So I assumed you were questioning why people would think he was gay after just watching this interview in which there are no Christian references.
plica06 1 year ago
@plica06 I don't think that the wings are the only reason people think that. Many if not most comments on youtube are made out of ignorance and I thought the most ignorant reason for thinking he's gay would be him wearing the wings.
smallmaniac 1 year ago
@HighCharityMadWorld
Dude, I think Sufjan Stevens is too smart to not know that his lyrics sound gay. The song lyrics are homoerotic. Doesn't mean he's gay though.
kives1985 1 year ago
You're awesome Sufjan. Now please tell me where you got that shirt/jacket? I want it so bad.
homogenic97 2 years ago
@homogenic97
Odds are hey made it. He's that awesome.
smallmaniac 1 year ago
i love those wings he wears on stage!
musiclover1342 2 years ago
what's the name of the venue? which town/city?
fer cryin out loud.
virtualskye 2 years ago
I think its Austin city Limits. There's a video of the whole performance up here, and he says they're in Austin
voluptamors 2 years ago
He doesn't think he has the capacity to write symphonic pieces??? The B.Q.E. is an incredible symphonic piece with 7 movements and a View-Master reel! Was he kidding? What an inspiring songwriter, wish i could write half as good as him.
OKcomp 2 years ago 2
i dont really care about the gay thing. the point is his ability to diversify his music and to celebrate his musical and lyrical genius. if youre not into that, youre not into it. i just believe he is an exceptional musician.
condonmusic 2 years ago
man..... I FUCKIN LUV SUFJAN STEVENS! WHO CARES IF HE'S GAY OR NOT!!!!!! IT DOESNT MATTER WUT DOES MATTER IS HE'S AMAZING! (well i would rather him not be gay but thats cuz i think he's amazingly beautiful but that doesnt matter i would still luv and respect him if he wuz gay)
LeeluFairy 2 years ago 3
WTF are these comments about?!
Shut the hell up and watch the video! In case you didn't notice, Sufjan Stevens is up there...comment on HIM!
SeeSarahGo 2 years ago 5
So you are really gay? Honest, had I known that, I wouldn't have responded to you. I expect gays to be defensive.
If someone called you disgusting, fat, pimple faced, and ugly, you be a little hurt (I expect you to say no, so don't bother). But it is not wrong to be ugly. Likewise, if someone called me gay, I would be hurt. But being gay is not wrong.
If you attempt to be encouraging or inspirational, you can say that it shouldn't bother people like me, but it does. So that is that. Bummer.
Nickthejedi1 2 years ago
I can see that. If the person calling you gay is using the word (incorrectly) to mean dumb or lame, then offense is natural. Or if they themselves think that homosexuality is a lesser state then that could also be insulting. It sounds like you are open-minded when it comes to sexual diversity. If that is the case, then thank you.
strongestintheworld 2 years ago
Comment removed
KissMyAssWMG 2 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Go away, YouTube pseudo-intellectuals !
KissMyAssWMG 2 years ago
is there seriously a discussion going on about his orientation????
he's openly gay. duh! look at his lyrics! ("the predatory wasp of the palisades" for instance, but there other songs as well)
jgehl 2 years ago
Sufjan switches voices. On to be alone with you, for instance he says "you gave up a wife and a family" but the narrator of the song is a woman.
Adrhodes442 2 years ago
Comment removed
Tcat5310 2 years ago
Jgehl, how is that gay? It was from a dream he had anyway.
Nickthejedi1 2 years ago
i think he's so lovely
trisarahtoppz 2 years ago 3
This comment has received too many negative votes show
love sufjan, but the wings?
joeburton77 2 years ago
He's the head songbird. That's the reason for the wings. Sounds funny/strange but that's definitely the thought behind it.
heavenboundpunk 2 years ago
lol what is he wearing?
dbfydtn 2 years ago
go oboe whooooooooot
foxfighter107 2 years ago 2
I love the quietness of him. I like it when straight men don't feel the need to be overtly masculine or aggressive or even blatantly assertive. I like it when people take a backseat to their own egos. And Sufjan doesn't always do that, I've read interview where he's somewhat haughty about his intelligence, but hey, nobody is perfect : )
ridemyspiral 2 years ago 53
its cuz he's rely smart
eikogo 2 years ago
lyke totes! olololololololol
ridemyspiral 2 years ago
so for sure straight? its absolutely unimportant but i can't personally decide whether i think he's really straight or not!
LeblaunkDeAlau 2 years ago
Why would you think he's gay? Because he has wings and sings about birds? Please.
It is a shame when you can't express yourself without being judged as gay.
Nickthejedi1 2 years ago
and how he described the relationship between him and his best friend as a child inspired me to think about it.
Not about the wings. Not about how he's been writing alot of material about birds for an upcoming album.
LeblaunkDeAlau 2 years ago
It's also a shame that being thought of as gay is considered a bad thing.
strongestintheworld 2 years ago
Comment removed
Tcat5310 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Strongest, it is an insult to be thought of as gay when you are perfectly straight. I take it you are gay. If you are straight, wouldn't you be offended if someone thought you were gay? duh you would. Any straight man would agree.
Nickthejedi1 2 years ago
Nick, I don't believe every straight man would find that insulting and I would encourage you to be careful when speaking for an entire population. I do think that being misperceived by another person can be disconcerting, but when that happens it can be fixed with a simple, "No, actually I'm straight." And then both parties can move on with their lives. I don't see why one would take offense from that.
May I ask, what is it that you would find insulting if someone thought you were gay?
strongestintheworld 2 years ago
Comment removed
Nickthejedi1 2 years ago
By the way, thanks for the encouragement! :)
Nickthejedi1 2 years ago
@ridemyspiral
I like it when straight men have sex with other men
tenorsarek 1 year ago 2
@ridemyspiral i like thuggy gay dudes.
philipsmog 1 year ago
@ridemyspiral thanks! haha I'm like that in a nut shell.
Darin847 1 year ago
@ridemyspiral his voice reminds me of Maynard James Keenan's, the lead singer for TOOL its so soft and lyrical they could both talk me to sleep lol (i still dont think hes straight but, im gonna go with bisexual hahaha)
masterexploder112255 1 year ago
a real artist, thank God
Herderszoon 2 years ago 3
I have to admit, there is only so much of his music that I can listen to. I don't find it terribly uplifting. :/ And his voice doesn't budge too far outside of the whispery tone aside from "Oh my Goood" (John Wayne Gacy Jr.) I imagine that 50 American state-inspired albums would be fairly consistent. He is talented, I don't deny that. He can play lots of instruments, and write wonderful lyrics, but there's something lacking... the energy is too reserved? I can't put my finger on it...
gracekeown 2 years ago
john wayne gracy jr. is a good song.. but you're right, i think he could use an orchestra to add that extra edge to it, like he wants to, but he clearly just wants to make easy listening soft beautiful music which isn't bad....but it's not good for every single song.... my suggestion, stop using flutes, start using bagpipes
wickedradicalmandude 2 years ago
I get what you're saying but i think that's his "safe space" and as he evolves he'll start venturing outwards.
I really don't think his whispering fakes intimacy. I think that the intimacy of his lyrics demand whispering...
kagrandamarda 2 years ago 2
If you haven't already checked it out, I recommend his earliest album A Sun Came. It's a really interesting mix of styles and arrangement--runs the gamut from Eastern-influenced to edgier, rougher songs. A few of the tracks on there are random noise (Rice Pudding?!), others are hilarious but awesome (Super Sexy Woman), and there are some real standouts (We Are What You Say, Dumb I Sound, Joy! Joy! Joy!). A really cool album.
NYnkeeGrl 2 years ago 2
an amazing album :]
airportjr 2 years ago
well until you do, don't say anything. and limited? no... listen to enjoy your rabbit. listen to his orchestra arrangments
nikezooms 2 years ago
I disagree , i think he is a true legend , a marvelous songwriter BUT he puts too much on his albums , he should be tougher with his choices... i still think 7 swans is in my top 10 albums , ever. i amquite old and have very disverse tastes .. so my choices are discerning.. i love this guy even though i class myself as a skeptic
clemzzz 2 years ago
Yeah I can see what you mean, but I think that sort of watered-down-ness is part of his style, it's kind of set back sort of like a place that's always safe I guess, I respect that he doesn't do a lot of random wackiness, he seems very true to his sound
williestratton 2 years ago
i think he looks like steve carrells cousin
wickedradicalmandude 2 years ago 15
or maybe shia lebouf
bcgabriot 2 years ago
I've always thought he looked a bit like Clive Owen.
TheBoss2332 2 years ago 20
@TheBoss2332 Agreed. The resemblance is uncanny.
Lagunadestevo 1 year ago
@wickedradicalmandude who woulda thought Steve Carrell would have such a hot cousin?
lucasboden 1 year ago
i find him adorable and want to jump his bones simultaneously. there is no one else that instills this in me.
LookAtTheStars 2 years ago 4
no one person eh? hormones will do that.
calvinmontgomery 2 years ago
you're probably right. but i don't mind.
LookAtTheStars 2 years ago
i wanna feel his eyebrows
dondempezar 2 years ago 9
based on this comment, i love you.
fallheartkiller 2 years ago
hahaha i agree. dondempezar, that is amazing. and fallheartkiller, you have good taste in humor.
bearandbunsbro 2 years ago
so hot. sighhhhhhh
zephyr84 2 years ago 3
I love sufjans music
its so weird to hear him not singing lol
robs70986987 2 years ago 2
i want to have his babies.
dga1987 2 years ago 5
he doesnt want yours, slut
marxistsoldier 2 years ago 4
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahhaah
Jourtneyy 2 years ago
hahahaha
AliceGlassMakesItHot 2 years ago
lewl.
calvinmontgomery 2 years ago
I love this gentleman;
But I have to admit
As an oboe player myself
That his oboe skills
Are not that fantastic... :-\
fuliguline 2 years ago
Well, they are sufficient, aren't they?
He doesn't claim to be a pro (fantastic)...
BugEyes85 2 years ago
he looks as if he still were in highschool, it's hard to believe he plays about 20 musical instruments
elinapaula 2 years ago 3
I know eh! But I think he's 33. He looks much younger.
pollyethylene 2 years ago 10
a little bit silly to say this, but wow, sufjan is very cute.
filtercurve 2 years ago 33
he looks like an angel in every way haha
benegeseritwhore 2 years ago 12
i can not believe he has so little music theory, his harmonies and chordal progressions are genius, and i love his use of texture, especially in out of egypt
philphie 2 years ago 7
unf
valwhite9032 2 years ago
I fell in love again.
GEAKTE 2 years ago 5
All things go , All things go
I drove to chicago
all things grow , all things ....
pouidg 2 years ago
We had our mindset,
All things know, all things know
You had to find it,
All things go, all things go.
donthurtme117 2 years ago
Great upload! Was this done when he played Austin City Limits? The uniform is familiar.
danibabani09 2 years ago
Yes, the was after the show I believe.
TheBoss2332 2 years ago
def see the detroit flavor in his music.....looking back at motown n funk brothers directly corollate into his way of making music. at least in my mind.....
i see most of his songs as having a certain powerful undercurrent to them that can easily be lost in the melodic beauty that is his music......
from enjoy your rabbit to illinois n all in between i definitely encounter this message that sufjan, like the old heads of detroit tried to convey...or maybe im just dilirious lol.
jamoore1217 2 years ago 2
um... wings!
juanchato1 3 years ago 2
Didn't you know? Sufjan Stevens is an angel.
MissingStrings 3 years ago 11
was the uniform for one of his tours.
Vin2241 3 years ago 3