Sufjan Stevens - You Are the Blood

[ceomyers]

Here is an opinion that is a FACT: This song is bliss.

[sumshee]

As MasterMark said, the music is remarkable, although I am newly familiar. I need to hear more. Will I ever be able to get up from the computer; SO much good music. This one REALLY drove me to do a search.

[RyeEye555]

This is a song to the Earth, to Her blood.

[Afirebison]

sounds like he can't let go of somebody who he loves that friend zoned him and its killing him inside

[WhatTheFallacy]

thanks goldie <3

[TheAboutLastNight]

well, thank you bo burnham. this guy is amazing:)

[darkhart78]

listen to this shit trippin bawls.... FUCK!

[drnkmunk]

I dig all 3 versions, the way this remix just drops into the groove and keeps you there. Probably gonna end up on a twilight soundtrack though

[meanquestion]

I'm not sure how I feel about there being an ad on something that wasn't uploaded by Asthmatic Kitty / Red Hot. 

[blasterdize]

this song is about reeincarnation. to die and to be born again. as many times as you press play.

[jtdswhc]

00:00 - 00:30

34783643940 Dubstep songs...?

[MiraculousTechnique]

This song changed my life.

[KenXtreme725]

yayyyyy youtube fights...

in other news, good song

[omglolahh]

most passionate song I can think of.......I love it

[EliasJTracy]

I enjoy Sufjan's version quite a bit, but I do believe everyone should check out the simplistic charm of the Castanet's original. It's only fair.

[HawaiiMan98]

I like this song

[Claudestclaire]

perfection @9:07

[blackluckycharms]

I still feel that this should have been on Fight Club..it's the song I listened to while reading it..and damn that was amazing a feeling when you get to that big climax of the story and you hear this fucking song. So amazing.

[JohnTheFaun]

This was the first Sufjan Stevens song I ever heard. I'm glad it was.

[suneesunshine22]

The chills in my spine...his voice makes me feel like I'm floating.

Thank you Sufjan for being you & thank you for the music you create. The connection I feel when I listen to this man's music is like nothing I've ever known. It's obnoxious. It's lovely. It's authentic. I hope I grow up to be half of what you have become. Such genius artwork coming from a man who didn't learn to read or write until something like the 3rd grade.

[lombmusic07]

love can make you unwell

[masterexploder112255]

this song has a whole range of genres in it, but indie is not one of them, just saying

[Athenator]

This is a masterpiece!

[dirtyfilthytart]

Sufjan is a tasteful man. And he likes castanets enough to do a cover. He doesn't do many covers - he writes a lot of very good songs himself. Get it?

[tript0ne]

totally like : )

[crazydude159]

Super headdy trippy braaaa....but really it is a good song haha

[bmedina715]

sounds oddly like the live version of 'like spinning plates'. in any case, great song

[protectyaneck13]

is this used in a movie

[shentalrenea]

@urasmuck actually, Sufjan is a great person to look up to. Check him out before making accusations.

[kaylashalaylaaaaa]

i looooove the original version, but i like this one too because sufjan expanded the lyrics and added his own and they are beautiful.

[cypress187666999]

This is a masterpiece!!! What Incredible talent

[urasmuck]

It is SICK !!!

IT IS A DISTURBED MIND THAT WILL SPREAD TO OUR YOUTH.

[Freakish108]

shit i got goosebumps throughout

[jakeupstudios]

whats that echoey sound that starts at around 4:38?!

[marie4565]

<33

[Hovenaut]

Sounds like the bastard grandson of Frank Zappa and Ethel Merman.

[bigpimpdaddy69]

this is so ecletically insane. it goes in nearly every direction there is. its seriously all over the place

[TheGreatAvocado]

holy crap guys, i listened to his other songs and they are like so happy and all but this is fucking deeeep. o_o

he's genius

[meme14th]

@TheGreatAvocado its a cover u know

[TheGreatAvocado]

@meme14th ohh ok makes sense

but its still a very good song

[JohnTheFaun]

I'm a huge Radiohead fan, I hope people listening to music like this can agree Radiohead is a huge influence to many creative artist. I've been kinda set on them. Stuck to them because I felt nothing else. Of course there is other groups I really enjoy. I wish I would of come a cross Sufjan Stevens sooner. I don't know what I'm saying. I'll just say I feel very complete, and when I get goose bumps that means I dig a song. Thank God for good music that still thankfully still is alive today.

[wildcard061]

The fact that Sufjan Stevens can cover as song as emotionally overflowing and heart shattering as this and not lose any of the power it has over me is a testament to both the Castanets' original and Sufjan Stevens musical prowess.

[fumblenuts64]

fucking sick.

[DoWorkSon314]

rapper, The Game samples this for his new track

[MisstakeXhorroR]

this is a good cover. sufjan is a talented artist.

[pianoperson60]

I fucking LOVE this man's music...I've listened to him for about four or five years now, but I only just saw him live in Boston a few weeks back. I sometimes feel disappointed seeing bands live, as they often can't hold their own on stage and I wind up wishing I was just listening to the CD. Sufjan was the exact opposite, and feel that he really got me to appreciate his newest album, Age of Adz, much more.

[intherein]

Ray Raposa - you are the blood.

[kellsiebby]

I am dancing to this song with my dance company :) It's beautiful!

[Happywiki]

Fucking freaking awesome

[VelvetShow]

this song gives me fucking shivers

[KnownLingo]

Excellent cover, no doubt; but, nothing beats the organic nuances of the original Castanets rendition. Sufjan may as well just call this his own--so many people have never heard the original, which baffles me!

[owenhullinger]

@MasterMark123 Welcome to the world of Sufjan! I'm so happy you found the light! Haha! But I really do agree with you--he's a musical genius!

[MasterMark123]

I am new to Sufjan Stevens . I have only heard a few of his older songs here on YT. He was coming to Boston so for the hell of it .. I bought a single ticket.. not really knowing what I was to expect.. On November the 11th , 2010. 10 mins into the concert I discovered that I, a 55 year old man was witnessing a young musical genius ! it's been 3 days since the new concert and I am still goose bumps.

[helloxlife]

@MasterMark123 You should definitely check out all of his work... It's life-changing. The state albums (Illinois and Michigan) are so different from, say, his latest album, Age of Adz. Yet they are all genius, and they all are inherently Sufjan-esque in a way no one could ever mimic.

[elara55]

@MasterMark123 I was there too! It was a fantastic experience. I go and see him every time he comes around...and it's not often.

[Pawnbroker12]

@MasterMark123

I was there too! so great. i like how both teens and adults can enjoy the same music

[Elperdedor49]

very appropriate for an album made for AiDS awareness

[TheGreatAvocado]

10000000000000000000000 STARS

[joejjohnston]

Is this the best song ever??

[TheJUSTJAMI]

@joejjohnston

Yes. Yes it is.

[leidri]

OH . MY . GOD . The same emotion that i ve felt the first time i heard Prodigy !

[looneYeah]

... apeing thom yoke

[SarahRunner2]

<3 love this song

[Calicocelot]

this is the best song i've heard all year. thank you sufjan.

[kllamour]

This is NOT emo, it just sounds like he's been hanging out with David Crowder and maybe Radiohead.

[AntwaanMusic]

Genius! does anybody know how these electronic sounds are made please?

[gs155953]

@AntwaanMusic - synthesizers

[algraproductions]

EPICCCCCCCCCCCCC

[darrenfaber]

This song is about Communion.

[xLordOfTheFliesx]

@darrenfaber

Prove it.

[darrenfaber]

This is about Communion, by the way.

Jesus Christ, Body and Blood.

[effrepublicans]

Like I said in posts before, Sufjan is the best talent out of the great state of Michigan. Better then Eminem, Kid Rock, Stevie Wonder, Jack White etc

[GabbanaStylez]

@effrepublicans

hey he isnt better than jack dude

[etteilujelleon]

amazing, beautiful song

[bgtheiceberg]

lol  I swear y'all are so uptight about Game sampling this song. No one cares if he ever listened to the original or not, as long as the originators of the song don't have a problem with it no one else should either.

Also, Cool & Dre sampled the beat for Game, so if you're gonna get mad at The Game you should also get mad at them for giving him the beat.

[chriscich]

Sounds like a Radiohead / Aphex Twin song.

[Joshie909]

listen to the games song

game-you are the blood

[tmoneyBKLYN]

@Joshie909 yeh that shit is real, i download the mixtape yesterday

[Rodney10106]

@Joshie909 yea It go hard I Hard it

[scunnysum]

@Joshie909 Fuck yeah that shit is heavy as fuck, BREAK LIGHTS OUT NOW!!!

[logic33157]

@Joshie909 he ruins the song... the only type of rap that works on this song is the "Buck 65" remix... please I hope "gangster" rappers stay away from indie music. It doesn't mix at all.

[SirDiiirty]

@logic33157 yea but people who like "gangster" rap think game killed this beat

[logic33157]

@SirDiiirty Of course people who like "gangster" rap are gonna think he killed the beat. The point is "The Game" has no appreciation for indie music, i bet he hasn't even listened to the song where his sample came from

I don't have a problem with remixes, or sampling, or none of that. But if you dont show appreciation for that type of music, stay away. Its like me doing graffiti over a portrait of Mona Lisa or something yea it can look cool but it ruins the art.

[serth3]

@logic33157 I agree with the others here that Game made really good use of this song on the Brake Lights mixtape. To say that he "has no appreciation for indie music" is honestly the opposite of the truth. He had to like the song in order to use the beat.

Saying that rap should stay away from indie music is musical bigotry. Why not think of it in the sense that more people are listening to the original song because of how chilling the sample on the mixtape was (myself included)?

[logic33157]

@serth3 Game obviously doesn't listen to indie music, as a rapper myself, I'm almost 100% sure Game doesn't know who Sufjan Stevens is. His producer just got this beat, and showed it to him. Never said rap should stay away from indie music, "gangster" rap yes.

Please listen to the official remix to this song, on the same album.

"Buck 65 Remix (ft Sufjan Stevens) - Blood Pt 2 - (22 of 31)"

the link: watch?v=Hq5YtipSjsw

Listen to that one please, hope you get what I'm saying.

[BearAttackFilms]

@serth3 I think one reason people hate it is because A hip hop artist is taking all the creativity and hard work of some other artist and getting tons of money and attention from it and it makes you facepalm when you play Imogen heaps Hide and Seek for example and someone gets all excited and goes "I LOVE THE GAME/LIL WAYNE"

[serth3]

@BearAttackFilms You can't really say that in this instance because this is a cover of the original song by The Castanets. He ripped the entire song off and only added in some crazy sound effects (which are quite abrasive in my opinion). Besides, Game took a very small portion of the song and made it into a beat. He then wrote his verses and used the chorus as the hook. If you ask me it's almost all creativity on Game's part.

[azimuth457]

@serth3 Actually, I find the two versions very different. The main tune between vocals is the most noticeably different to me. He used the layers of instrumentation at his disposal to his advantage and made more vocal harmony. I know that the melody and lyrics are the exact same, but there's a lot of differences in it. Saying Sufjan "ripped off the original song" just makes it sound like he didn't add any of his own creativity, when he most certainly did. If you can't hear it, I am truly sorry.

[serth3]

@azimuth457 Your self rightiousness and condescension are so overpowering... I never said I couldn't hear the difference between the two of them. In fact, I said that he took the song and added sound effects. I like this song. please don't jump down my throat for thinking otherwise. I wish you could find the comment that started the debate in the first place. I'm sure it would undo your dismissal of my musical prowess.

[azimuth457]

@serth3 My, my, you certainly don't need to go so far as to say I am in any way condescending. I only voiced my opinions, pointed out the parts of the song where I agree with you, and pointed out the parts where I do not. I didn't say you don't like the song, and I didn't say you have no musical prowess. If anything, you are the one jumping down people's throats here.

[serth3]

@azimuth457 If you say so :-) Happy Independence Day, friend.

[azimuth457]

@serth3 But thank you for replying with your overreaction, I'm glad to have a reason to listen to this song again.

[xLordOfTheFliesx]

@serth3

A piano is not a "sound effect".

[serth3]

@xLordOfTheFliesx -______- good call, chief. Leave it to youtubers to try and find any possible flaw in your argument and then exploit it. I was only making a point about my opinion on the song, not trying to write a peer reviewed analysis of it. But sincerely, thank you for taking the time to correct me.

[xLordOfTheFliesx]

@serth3

Just pointing out a pretty basic inconsistency/untruth in your analysis. Opinions are groovy and all that, so no problems there. There's no need to get upset, brother/sister. Anger is bad for our health: so, peace! Also, what's a "youtuber"? Someone who uses YouTube? If so, aren't we all, here?

[Tim8tei]

@serth3 Could you tell me the exact name of the song, because there  are multiple songs on that mixtape. :)

[Tim8tei]

Oh I just found it.

[logic33157]

@SirDiiirty Listen to Games remix and then listen to this "official" remix that is actually on the album.

Buck 65 Remix (ft Sufjan Stevens) - Blood Pt 2 - (22 of 31)

No this isn't spam don't flag me,

watch?v=Hq5YtipSjsw

[shaynescope]

@logic33157 buck 65 is a awesome rapper. the centaur, nuff said.

[tootiekorps]

rock on freaky bro.rock on freaky bro.rock on freaky bro.rock on freaky bro.rock on freaky bro.rock on freaky bro.rock on freaky bro.rock on freaky bro.rock on freaky bro.rock on freaky bro.rock on freaky bro.rock on freaky bro.rock on freaky bro.rock on freaky bro.rock on freaky bro.rock on freaky bro.rock on freaky bro.rock on freaky bro.rock on freaky bro.rock on freaky bro.rock on freaky bro.

[onered812]

For which I travel

[DrMadrigal]

Wandering, repetitive, aimless, self-indulgent. Should be about half as long. He seems to think if you just throw everything you can think of into the pot, something tasty will HAVE to come out. And I guess because he's Sujan Stevens, people will believe him. Truth be told, this is pretty shitty. If this is where he's going, I can wait for his next album.

[qu1et]

@DrMadrigal Just curious -- have you listened to his second album, "Enjoy Your Rabbit"? How would say this compares to his work on that album?

[DrMadrigal]

@qu1et All I've heard are Michigan, Illinoise, and the BQE. Next on the list is Seven Swans, which I believe is the simpler side of him that I enjoy. I should probably give Enjoy Your Rabbit a try.

[qu1et]

@DrMadrigal I'm curious what your thoughts on that album will be. I hear some similarities between the "glitchy" segments of You Are the Blood and Sufjan's earlier work.

[PierceMarratoo]

@DrMadrigal every reason you have for disliking this songs are the very same reason's that I love it. I guess its like they say, opinions are like assholes...hahaha.

[MuseCod]

Wait, I'm not high... Why am I listening to this

[leeuniverse]

This actually SUCKS..... And I like a couple of Sufjan's songs. I mean, you are getting a bit to much into the "esoteric" bull, to where all you are doing is "rambling", not real art anymore.

[Antithesis209]

@leeuniverse WHo says rambling isn't art?

I like the sound of rambling...

[PierceMarratoo]

@Antithesis209 Just because they sit confortably between their past and their future does not make them present. Be not a machine but a wild feral creature. Pay no mind to the authority of man because kings are for ordinary people. We have seen the glowing eyes of the sun and care little for metal's touch. We are born to ramble. We are bound to ramble and in the end we will call on death and darkness in pursuit of life and light.

[Antithesis209]

@PierceMarratoo yeah, like that.

[1aura12]

@PierceMarratoo That's very good. What's that from? :)

[PierceMarratoo]

@1aura12  thanks. its from my brain.

[1aura12]

@PierceMarratoo what's that from? I love it.

[oakfire12]

i love really long indy songs like this. any other fans wanna recomend some more of their favourites????????

[ladyxxxlazarus]

@oakfire12 Bright Eyes, Devendra Banhart, The Bravery. That's where I would start.

[motiv311]

does anyone know where i can find the piano sheet music for this song? i don't care if it's the castanets version or this version, i've been searching for both and can't find it anywhere.

[cmallon135]

this is amazing! holy shit.

[limcosmetics]

yes, yes i agree to all these puff piecees! love this guy beside my girl friend;)

[mrsillyable]

Sufjan's new stuff looks INCREDIBLE. 'Too Much Love' and 'Impossible Souls' (they'd better get recorded and released) might change the way we think about songs. I don't think I'm being hyperbolic, either. Sufjan's the only songwriter around who's able to hold the interest for longer than 5 minutes. (Yes, INCLUDING Radiohead.) It's properly exciting.

[Pawnbroker12]

this is a perfect example of the sign of a real artist; they don't tell you, they show you. The emotion and sorrow is more clearly evident here than in any "emo" song i've heard where the singer rants about their problems. this is one of the saddest, angriest, and most beautiful songs i've ever heard.

[passthespazplz]

@Pawnbroker12 showing instead of telling perfectly describes him. his lyrics are usually very deep and full of multiple meanings in every word, so sometimes it's difficult to find the time to really appreciate the incredible music behind it. but since this song has the same lyrics over and over, the listener can really hear the dynamics and mood changes throughout the song

[hojima]

@Pawnbroker12 Emotion in music is created by sound, by tone, not by lyrics. Lyrics are the refuge of a weak musician to convey emotion. Words are simply symbols, music is.

[Pawnbroker12]

@

alright calm down there Shakespeare it's just a song.

[whatoneknows]

love this song. wasn't aware it was a cover. Either way, great edit job and ear for the sound

[BaronVonSneak]

So fucking epic.

[SponsoredbyDuffBeer]

this song is siicckkkk

[Fujikapesta]

this is such an amazing song. sufjan is so freakin talented!

[emily51805]

just glorious

[darklordsma]

I could listen to this for hours

[zapzgz]

just amazing... a masterpiece just like majesty snowbird by sufjan too

[youngmachete]

7:33 on...

[JemminyJangles]

i hate to say it but i think i like this one better too...

[Avery1231]

Sufjan Stevens is amazing

Nothing more to be said than that

[shaynescope]

this is stunning.

just amazing.

[BlastAudio]

track is nuts

[Sightless666]

Love it love it love it

[CiceroCrane]

This version is much fuller, richer, altogether better than the Castanets version...

[slisenberger]

this sounds like radiohead.

that's good

[Kiowary7]

This is SOOO TRUE!

I said exactly the same

[laurelalia1]

man, when you watch this on the Itunes visualizer....awesome....

[quietearthtube]

Charles Ives kissed the Buddha's belly and out sprang Sufjan Stevens. Yep, I really like this guy. Keep on rockin' , dude.

[VivedAmour]

mm interesting

[EyeEatPandas]

And then the crowd goes wild.

[quazibolo]

wow. i really like the castanets version but this is so good too

[MondoDeSauce]

An amazing piece of music...

[indieLietuva]

love this!

[lladsbid]

sufjan needs to get off his ass and release another proper album, I don't want to hear about a train and I don't even care if it's about a state. Just so longas it's as good as Illinoise

[depolarized]

he has some new music out live.... age of adz is very good

[zimbloggy]

@lladsbid While i want another album, he isn't just sitting around doing nothing, he is touring. He could just be too busy right now to record another album.

[passthespazplz]

@zimbloggy HE'S TOURING?!??!!?! FOR GOD'S SAKE WHERE

[kpoehlke]

@zimbloggy you are right, he's busy. Though I'm quite sure he's not touring. He is too busy managing his record label, asthmatic kitty. I really hope we do see a release soon too.

[kingcam0775]

@lladsbid

Your wish is his command

[buttdread]

i get it....but not as good as original.

[drew2012]

You're just not creative enough to respect the greatness of this song.

;P

[Myrmelie]

Wow, Sufjan does progressive stuff. Absolutely fantastic version. From 6:05 it's so great I can't find words to it.

I'd love to hear/see him performing this live.

[beer94]

reminds me of space dementia

[fashionandmusic921]

the opening reminds me of bjork

This is a cool remix.

[Naenia2]

holy crap this is a good song. never listened to it the whole way through till just now.

[ranice]

The piano section at the end sounds like Chopin.

[pandamusica]

i was trying to figure out if its originally by sufjan or if its taken from a piano piece. if its sufjan hes sooo even more amazing

[fonkdasnyguh]

originally by castanets i believe

[ikillhippies]

yeah, my thoughts exactly

[mrmooz]

@ranice there is a tiny bit in the end also which sounds like franz liszt - la campanella

[summergypsy1]

this song is a roller coaster

[CrimsonEmpire]

who did the original?

[MixedProject]

Castanets did the original.