Sufjan made a huge mistake of not singing the last part of the song.... "on my best behavior, I am really just like him... And underneath the floor boards is where we hide our secret sins....
This song depresses me so much.For the teenagers who never got the chance to finish their just starting lives.But in a way I feel empathy for John Wayne Gacy, you can't just think of the people he killed...Sure it's sad...But think about it, John was physically beat daily, his dad never approved of him and was drunk 24/7. He had brain trauma, and he was also raped and molested himself...I still- even after all of that happening to me, wouldnt go insane. Some people done have much will I guess :(
John Wayne Gacy actually killed a man who cooked breakfast and was waking him up to a set table, he had a knife in his hand after cutting bacon and John Wayne mistook it for something else when woken suddenly and killed the dude.. So sad.. makes me anyways
This is not my account my bf left it logged in so ignore the name but I been studying serial killers for a while now and some are as sane as some of us but something goes wrong and boom it hits or some had horrible child hoods the zodiac was actually very smart it showed that in alot of what he did but because of the sick things done they are said to be insane
He said he wanted to humanize a serial killer. The human race kind of shrugs away from people who commits crime and blames it on the fact that they aren't sane. But there is this notion Sufjan puts out there that anyone can turn and commit such a crime. It can happen to anyone.
In an interview he said something about this song being to do with the fact all humans are able to commit murder and have what it takes to do so but only some actually do. And that's why he is able to feel somewhat sorry for John Wayne Gacy.
wow..is it really necessary to make comments like that? just because you dont like the song..or what it is saying, doesnt mean you need to disrespect the other person views
yes lets all judge him....judge the quality of the performance which we have paid to see....cant people just take music for what it is.....just listen to the forward on the vinyl of Roy Harpers "i hate the white man"....
Because of Sufjan's 50 states project the person in the song he is referring to is the actual John Wayne Gacy Jr. Gacy grew up in Illinois, and Sufjan wanted to write a meaningful song that tied the both of them together. And he isn't comparing himself to Gacy. If you would take some time to do some research, Sufjan is a pretty religious christian and the message behind the song is that we are all sinners when we come before go and that is how he is "just like him."
I don't think that religious is the right word here. "Religious" implies legalism and ritual. I would say Sufjan is a solid, sincere Christian, and a follower of Christ in the most genuine of ways. He loves Jesus and loves people... I think.
@atomsever My interpretation is that we are all sinners with hidden trangressions. That's a more Christian take, though I don't purport to be a "Christian" by modern organized religious definition.
This song was actually written about a 1980s British Indie pic, about a retard who gets 50k from his parents who then abandon him...its called "Jeremiah Goes", the tie-in to Gacy is only superficially related to the substance of the message, in the movie, the main character is murdered by a Gacy copycat...Sufjan and his step-dad, Lowell, used to watch it when Sufjan was growing up
apparently you're the dumb one. the lyrics are based on john wayne gacy jr and how he compares himself to him. John Wayne Gacy Jr was the killer. Do your research.
im pretty sure he doesnt mess up on a line.. he stops and changes smt probably because he felt something, all that humming and high pitched singing is very heart felt and dont think he would change the song up because he messed up.. idk just my opinion
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I seriously hope you're not trying to tell me I'm wrong because I don't think the lyrics are very good:
"Twenty-seven people
Even more, they were boys
With their cars, summer jobs
Oh my God
Are you one of them?"
Is this well-written? Are you serious? There are some good passages, like the first four lines, but they come together because of a good rhyme, not because it's poetry.
The lyrics are direct and the message is extremely powerful. Were you listening or just looking up lyrics online? Who cares what words look like on paper if they are going to be sung.
You couldn't have picked a worse passage out of the song to highlight his poor writing. Those lines, and I'm just speaking for myself, speak so much with so little. Do you know the story of John Wayne Gacy Jr.? The lines which you picked are so incredible - they highlight the fact that the people who Gacy took were normal people with cars, summer jobs, etc. Then he says, "Oh my God, are you one of them?" Is God amidst something as tragic as Gacy's murders? Deeper than anything you could write.
Dude. Songwriting is not about rhymes. Maybe in rap but certainly not in other music. It helps and it makes the lyrics sound better but ultimately the words to a song are only good as the idea they convey to you.
The lyrics are REALLY powerful. The lyrics you cited are pretty minimalistic and to me it looks like you believe minimalism is bad. Sometimes a little is a lot and the bare honesty of the words hold a lot of heaviness.
omg Izdigger5 u did not seriously compare this song to jason mraz, how the hell did this song remind u of "im yours"? there style of music is SO different
ur comparing a stupid, typical, mainstream love song to a song that explores the mind of a murderer and how he destroyed not only those boys but the lives of all around him, he talks about something so dark and turns it hauntingly beautiful
please tell me this was just a social experiment to see peoples reactions to such an ignorant comment
This song is scary, because until the end you almost feel sorry for him. Until it hits you, that these messed up serial killers can be just like normal people at times like you and me.
The First Time I heard This song I was in my Guitar class. My Teacher told the whole class to try and guess what the song was about it. About five lines in I was certain This song was about Gacy. I heard "Sufjan Stevens" Goes from town to town collecting information, like town stories then makes songs about them.
The first time i heard this song, it seriously overwhelmed me. It's beautiful, in such an eerie way. A beautiful melody talking about such a...just ugly crime. Just crazy.
I'm pritty sure he messed up the song. The first time I thought he got over-whelmed and started to cry but he isn't ment to say "are you one of them?" twice and that's why you get the improvisation with the scales instead of the "and on my best behaviour, I am really" you know the rest.
research on the brains of those who are serial murderers has concluded that they all have a common link in the way their brains are wired, the person only shows traits of a murderer when they are exposed to a violence trigger in the early stages of childhood development, which is why not all abused children are murderers.
however, the doctor that examined John Wayne Gacy's brain after his execution supposedly found no anamolies. Also, the psychiatrist that spent extensive time with him during his stay on death row found that his psychological profile was like nothing ever seen, and did not fit any usual serial killer profiles
Actually, funkyjuice007, Those were the same people.Dr. Morrison I belive was the name.I'm a student of anthropologie, and studying how murderers enviroment related to what they became really interests me.
Yes, I know he was extremely sick, no healthy person kills and rapes over 30 people. As far as having an abusive father goes, im sure there have been thousands of people with physically abusive parents who didnt go and brutally murder 33 boys. If you can explain to me how he was "remarkable" or "misunderstood" go for it. Fact is, he was a sexual predator and murderer and nothing can ever merit that behavior.
Sounds very beautiful...only more introspective stuff I can think of Sigur Ros...Its so hard to touch Sigur Ros in my book musically...but Sufjan comes close if you take into account his songwriting
I was referring to the Music...I have mad respect for Sufjan but I've seen them both live and Sigur Ros is just so much better and the music so much deeper. I know Sufjan can only do so much, but Jonsi's voice has such a unique falsetto and not to mention the entire band plays so many different instruments (Glockenspiel, Xylophone, Marimba, Cello, Electric guitar with the Cello bow???!) Sigur Ros are the most unique and talented band I've ever seen live-and I've seen some insanely talented bands
They are playing the U.S. at Bonaroo this year and will blow people away. Too bad I will be in Iraq again before June rolls around but I'm sure they will mindfuck that audience with the aural experience of thier short, smoked out lives. They will throw away thier Grateful Dead records and follow a truly interesting sound
actually an electric guitar played with a cello bow is nothing new or significant. i know led zeppelin used to do that, who knows who else, perhaps even before them?
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
No shit sherlock. I never said it was new. As I know other bands have used all those instruments. Jimmy Page used the bow from time to time and JPJ used the mandolin and pipe organ and mellotron as well. I was referring to the entire band of sigur ros being far above the competition today
alright : D! but the "No shit sherlock" definitely wasn't necessary. i wasn't speaking condescendingly, and...i don't think the tone of it was either.
I can't believe you actually got three negative ratings for being the mature one! You presented a fact, and three people get mad. I tell you, this world is going to get worse if the the kids, and adults sadly, don't mature up! Good for you though Nightowl!
This is such a beautiful portrait of the human condition. Yes, Gacy was murder and did some terrible things. But, what Stevens is saying is that he is, and we all are, sinners just like Gacy no matter how terrible we may think he is compared to ourselves.
You are correct in my opinion. At the end he says, "and in my best behaviour I am just like him. Look beneath the floor boards for the secrets I have hid." He simply says it, he is as much of a sinner as John Wayne Gacy Jr. and he too has secrets hidden, like many of us. A sin is a sin, no sin is bigger or less, all sins are equal and we are as much of sinners as John Wayne Gacy Jr. Do not mistake me for preaching, those were just facts to try to prove what I am saying.
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i dont find this funny its like almost amking fun of something really disturbing. poor children that had to suffer for john wayne gacy's disturbing and disgusting pleasures
I'm not a native english-speaking person but I do play and sing this song the same way he does and I can feel the images when I sing it with my eyes closed and what I'm feeling then is creepy. Illinoise and its songs are like a book except that you create images from the listening not from the reading. This song is great yet freakin' creepy.
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what is it with standing in front of an odience.,., sorry my spelling might be wrong. Play your music to the ones you love... why try the world? ok. evrybody does it.
What's wrong with standing in front of an audience, may I ask? What's wrong with sharing your music with people that love it and wanna hear it? I don't understand you, seriously.
I don't remember crying or having anyone near me cry at that point ... but if it makes it seem all that much more powerful, then let's just go ahead and assume someone was. ;-)
Ypsilanti, MI - out Upper Penninsula, MI - out Chicago, IL - in Decatur, IL - in Jacksonville, IL - out Jackson, MI - in Metropolis, IL - out Holland, MI - in Sturgeon's Bay, WI - in Crystal Lake, IL - in Detroit, MI - out Flint, MI - out Sault St. Marie, MI - out Romulus, MI - out Highland, Il - out Lincoln, IL - in
he definitely looks like he's in agony singing this. poor guy. it comes with territory.. you write a creepy song, eventually you have to sing it. haha.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
Funny how assholes feel the need to bitch about Christianity. If it wasn't for Christianity there would be NO Western Civilization and no forum for you to bitch about anything.
I'm neither condoning nor condemning Christianity here because my opinion doesn't make a huge difference on the whole... but to say western civilisation wouldn't exist without Christianity is the height of ignorance. While it wouldn't be the same, people would of still excelled. Please don't call people assholes and then retort with such an idiotic, irrational sweeping assumption.
What are you replying to? Anyhow, western civilisation would NOT 'of' [sic.] been the same w/o Christianity -- it was the peculiar and volatile mix of Platonic and Aristotelian Greek philosophy and Christian doctrine that drove some of the best philosophers ever to do some great work. And we have things like "Ockham's Razor" and debates about free will (see Augustine's writings) because of it. Sure, people would've excelled, as you say, but...
"Christianity is stupid. Give up. Smart people don't believe in magic only sheep. I love Sufjan despite his fantastical need for a daddy in the sky. This is my favorite song be him."
Sufjan made a huge mistake of not singing the last part of the song.... "on my best behavior, I am really just like him... And underneath the floor boards is where we hide our secret sins....
jdodd1223 1 month ago
As soon as I heard this song, I looked up he John Wayne Gacy was, and I was unbelievably fascinated with him.
allisyagami1122 2 months ago
This song depresses me so much.For the teenagers who never got the chance to finish their just starting lives.But in a way I feel empathy for John Wayne Gacy, you can't just think of the people he killed...Sure it's sad...But think about it, John was physically beat daily, his dad never approved of him and was drunk 24/7. He had brain trauma, and he was also raped and molested himself...I still- even after all of that happening to me, wouldnt go insane. Some people done have much will I guess :(
IGotAPagina 5 months ago
John Wayne Gacy actually killed a man who cooked breakfast and was waking him up to a set table, he had a knife in his hand after cutting bacon and John Wayne mistook it for something else when woken suddenly and killed the dude.. So sad.. makes me anyways
DonnMills 5 months ago
This song just hurts my heart):
mmmbopgirl123 6 months ago
this song makes me sad beyond belief and the live is even more fragile and quiet gahh i can't handle it.
meiandra 8 months ago
The endings my favourite part. And he didn't even sing it.:(
MrRiverBeaver 8 months ago
may i get the lyrics please
familygirl93 9 months ago
i think i just fell in love. no concerts coming up though stupid europe tour :(
livelaughlovemissy 9 months ago
wow he way overshoots the first high note
CrimsonEmpire 10 months ago
sufjan stevens wears the stupidest fuckin' hats sometimes. But he can do it because he's sufjan stevens.
CrimsonEmpire 1 year ago 6
@LLAFox lol so i guess than the people in SF were lucky gacy was in IL.
rammstein11004 1 year ago
@rammstein11004 lol ya seriously
CrimsonEmpire 1 year ago
those people in SF don't know who in the hell john wayne gacey was lol they were to busy smoking weed and dropping acid.
rammstein11004 1 year ago
This is not my account my bf left it logged in so ignore the name but I been studying serial killers for a while now and some are as sane as some of us but something goes wrong and boom it hits or some had horrible child hoods the zodiac was actually very smart it showed that in alot of what he did but because of the sick things done they are said to be insane
GenocydeRoM 1 year ago
I don't understand why he didn't start up again after he messed up
LordDutty 1 year ago
This is such a haunting piece. I'm always taken by a Sufjan Stevens song and then after I learn more about it I feel myself completely changed by it.
sprtrmp88keys 1 year ago 2
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i love human kazooing to this song<3
Fenstar 1 year ago
He said he wanted to humanize a serial killer. The human race kind of shrugs away from people who commits crime and blames it on the fact that they aren't sane. But there is this notion Sufjan puts out there that anyone can turn and commit such a crime. It can happen to anyone.
damarapratt 1 year ago 7
i love harmonizing to this song<3
trisarahtoppz 2 years ago 2
@trisarahtoppz no way me too! When I'm in the car and I'm listening to this I love to sing the harmony!
CrimsonEmpire 1 year ago
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why is he singing about john, gacy would have dildo raped this little guitar playing pretty boy in a second
sammy13576 2 years ago
He is explaining how no matter how bad gacy was that in gods eyes he is just as bad
131314 2 years ago 2
In an interview he said something about this song being to do with the fact all humans are able to commit murder and have what it takes to do so but only some actually do. And that's why he is able to feel somewhat sorry for John Wayne Gacy.
It's something like that... lol
noobyharry 2 years ago
wow..is it really necessary to make comments like that? just because you dont like the song..or what it is saying, doesnt mean you need to disrespect the other person views
rebl4lfe 2 years ago
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nobody is perfect. he's just a guy who's making music. but I think he is a sad guy :(
journeymansjourney 2 years ago
yes i think he messed up you can see it in his face, but that doesn't mess the song
hectorleon87 2 years ago 3
stunning performance.
mhmmitskiera 2 years ago 2
i feel like he didn't mess up it seemed kindof intentional
kellydaspenda 2 years ago
What did he "mess up" on? I didn't catch it.
quicheee 2 years ago
After the second verse he says "Are you.." and cuts himself off. In the song he says "Are you one of them?" after the first verse only,
dangTree 2 years ago
which is silly because it fits there anyway, he should have just done it anyway.
chandru1103 2 years ago
yes lets all judge him....judge the quality of the performance which we have paid to see....cant people just take music for what it is.....just listen to the forward on the vinyl of Roy Harpers "i hate the white man"....
notjustastoner 2 years ago
it's a song brokenimages. Stop taking things so seriously.
LastFalconFan 2 years ago
for the secrets i have hid.
katknows 2 years ago
One of his best compositions. Awesome!
luislondon 2 years ago 3
Absolutly!... I Love it!:)
thelegendmarko 2 years ago
I DIED AND WENT TO HEAVEN and of course by that I mean I listened to sufjan stevens
GrahamGilmore20 2 years ago 4
what line did he mess up on?
LastFalconFan 2 years ago
2:36
xImSoSickx 2 years ago
beautiful.
ashotinthedark10 2 years ago
Why do people always argue on YouTube comments? lolz. Seriously. If you don't like the music, don't watch search the video and watch it. ha.
camohr00lz 3 years ago 31
A-MEN haha
fenderplyr9009 3 years ago
@camohr00lz
You have to watch it in order to know you don't like it, genius.
BChomemovies 1 year ago
It's a pity the harmony at the end of the song isn't on the album. Lovely.
MorlaTheNothing 3 years ago 2
Because of Sufjan's 50 states project the person in the song he is referring to is the actual John Wayne Gacy Jr. Gacy grew up in Illinois, and Sufjan wanted to write a meaningful song that tied the both of them together. And he isn't comparing himself to Gacy. If you would take some time to do some research, Sufjan is a pretty religious christian and the message behind the song is that we are all sinners when we come before go and that is how he is "just like him."
WantedAuthority 3 years ago
Its humility ... from a biblical stance telling a lie is just as bad as what Gacy did.
But its hard for people to grasp that because we are human.
mrmonkeybuns 3 years ago
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Well I liked the guy until you said pretty religious Christian... darn.
h4t0r4d3 3 years ago
Don't worry, I've seen interviews of him. He is definitely too smart to be considered a "pretty religious Christian".
mikefiore6 3 years ago
Christianism has nothing to do with smartness
It is a way of life
kroekman6 2 years ago
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a sad way of life.
MikkelThaUberHomie 2 years ago
...you mean Christianity? or intelligence?
AndTheRestWillFollow 2 years ago
haha double PWN
ElNaztyBlanco87 2 years ago
lol, a very intelligent comment....
notjustastoner 2 years ago 2
I don't think that religious is the right word here. "Religious" implies legalism and ritual. I would say Sufjan is a solid, sincere Christian, and a follower of Christ in the most genuine of ways. He loves Jesus and loves people... I think.
rockyrock 3 years ago 20
@rockyrock He manages to feel compasion for a serial killer so i think that's a safe assumption.
Arthurmax180 1 year ago
@Arthurmax180 hes telling the story of John Gacy not feeling compassion, he probably means im just like him because of how well he fit into society.
atomsever 1 year ago
@atomsever My interpretation is that we are all sinners with hidden trangressions. That's a more Christian take, though I don't purport to be a "Christian" by modern organized religious definition.
pvviews 1 year ago
@pvviews you have a good point.
atomsever 1 year ago
@rockyrock yes!
toob2toob 1 year ago
@rockyrock I don't find any of his music even remotely 'Christian' or whatever that is nowadays
TheAnimaBoy 4 months ago
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god doesnt discern between sins , one sin is the same as another or sufjan is a serial killer ... has the FBI checked him out yet ?
brokenimages 2 years ago
This song was actually written about a 1980s British Indie pic, about a retard who gets 50k from his parents who then abandon him...its called "Jeremiah Goes", the tie-in to Gacy is only superficially related to the substance of the message, in the movie, the main character is murdered by a Gacy copycat...Sufjan and his step-dad, Lowell, used to watch it when Sufjan was growing up
elomo22 3 years ago
Isn't the tune similar to Simon And Garfunkel's "The Boxer"? The rhythm is different but the chords seem the same...
MrWipcarrot 3 years ago
aparently you guys dont know who john wayne gacy jr was. wow.
Gaim 3 years ago
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he wasnt john wayne gacy jr you fool stevens is saying that HE is john wayne gacy jr
the actuall killer is named john wayne gacy
aperently you are the one who doesnt know who gacy is.
f00l.
IFinishedLast 3 years ago
apparently you're the dumb one. the lyrics are based on john wayne gacy jr and how he compares himself to him. John Wayne Gacy Jr was the killer. Do your research.
Gaim 3 years ago 3
yeah simply listening to the lyrics would have told you that...
ahartline808 3 years ago
The killer is actually named John Wayne Gacy, Jr. So yeah, let's not call people fools.
CatScratchPub 3 years ago 3
im pretty sure he doesnt mess up on a line.. he stops and changes smt probably because he felt something, all that humming and high pitched singing is very heart felt and dont think he would change the song up because he messed up.. idk just my opinion
LostShad0w 3 years ago 2
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First time I heard this song, I hated it.
The lyrics were poorly written and the melody reminded me of the song I'm Yours by Jason Mraz.
But after a few listens, it started growing on me. I still can't stand the lyrics, but the music and some of the melody is pretty good
Izdigger5 3 years ago
the lyrics are the best part..story is well written and dramatic.
kowtpr187 3 years ago
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I seriously hope you're not trying to tell me I'm wrong because I don't think the lyrics are very good:
"Twenty-seven people
Even more, they were boys
With their cars, summer jobs
Oh my God
Are you one of them?"
Is this well-written? Are you serious? There are some good passages, like the first four lines, but they come together because of a good rhyme, not because it's poetry.
Izdigger5 3 years ago
"Is this well-written? Are you serious?"
The lyrics are direct and the message is extremely powerful. Were you listening or just looking up lyrics online? Who cares what words look like on paper if they are going to be sung.
NathABurg 3 years ago 2
P.S. Clearly this song didn't do much for you. However, everyone else on the list thinks the song kicks ass. My opinion: you are wrong ;).
NathABurg 3 years ago 2
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Ok, I'm not going to argue with you any more since you're going to use that as an argument. Are you really that superficial?
As I said, some passages come together because of good rhyming, and that obviously goes to show that trite storytelling can work in a song.
But I'm just trying to understand what people love about this song, not discuss songwriting.
And if you meant the My opinion thing as a joke, I'm laughing my ass off.
If not, I'll go sit in a corner and suck on my thumb ;)
Izdigger5 3 years ago
You couldn't have picked a worse passage out of the song to highlight his poor writing. Those lines, and I'm just speaking for myself, speak so much with so little. Do you know the story of John Wayne Gacy Jr.? The lines which you picked are so incredible - they highlight the fact that the people who Gacy took were normal people with cars, summer jobs, etc. Then he says, "Oh my God, are you one of them?" Is God amidst something as tragic as Gacy's murders? Deeper than anything you could write.
nagyovafan 3 years ago 5
Ummm, get off the stage Izdigger5. No one wants to hear the thumb sucker pretend they know music. You obviously are lost on the subject.
Studyupstart 3 years ago
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treos152 3 years ago
Dude. Songwriting is not about rhymes. Maybe in rap but certainly not in other music. It helps and it makes the lyrics sound better but ultimately the words to a song are only good as the idea they convey to you.
MTVrocks 3 years ago
This song was written AGES before Mraz's song, and they sound nothing alike. This is a brilliant solution to a gruesome story.
Conclusion: You are a putz.
xalmostfoundx 3 years ago
The lyrics are REALLY powerful. The lyrics you cited are pretty minimalistic and to me it looks like you believe minimalism is bad. Sometimes a little is a lot and the bare honesty of the words hold a lot of heaviness.
BahLahLah 3 years ago 4
how the fuck does this sound anything like sucha shitty pop tune?
shmoislegend47 3 years ago
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treos152 3 years ago
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omg Izdigger5 u did not seriously compare this song to jason mraz, how the hell did this song remind u of "im yours"? there style of music is SO different
ur comparing a stupid, typical, mainstream love song to a song that explores the mind of a murderer and how he destroyed not only those boys but the lives of all around him, he talks about something so dark and turns it hauntingly beautiful
please tell me this was just a social experiment to see peoples reactions to such an ignorant comment
treos152 3 years ago 3
This song is scary, because until the end you almost feel sorry for him. Until it hits you, that these messed up serial killers can be just like normal people at times like you and me.
kane966 3 years ago 4
The First Time I heard This song I was in my Guitar class. My Teacher told the whole class to try and guess what the song was about it. About five lines in I was certain This song was about Gacy. I heard "Sufjan Stevens" Goes from town to town collecting information, like town stories then makes songs about them.
I think thats pretty cool, This Song is AMAZING!
xAMSCRAYx 3 years ago
did ya figure that out when he said john wayne? pshhhhh
IFinishedLast 3 years ago
such a beautiful about such a disgusting person
girliehun 3 years ago
The first time i heard this song, it seriously overwhelmed me. It's beautiful, in such an eerie way. A beautiful melody talking about such a...just ugly crime. Just crazy.
neonbibles 3 years ago 3
I feel the exact same way.
This song is breathtaking.
I ran along the beach to this song and I was taken somewhere else.
The paradox is simply stunning.
FeltDrummer023 3 years ago 2
Great song - the first step to resolve issues is enlightenment, and that is what is happening in this post. It is right.
simonmallinson 3 years ago
this song always makes me cry
especially when my fried plays it
miraculousdraculous 3 years ago
amazing song
ummmm not alll serial killers are messed up
i mean
anyyone can kill 37(somewhere around there) people
and hide the bodys
and be perfectly sane
right?
lawl
caiti catastrophic
tiptontigerette 3 years ago
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what a bunch of pathetic loosers...go and get a life you sad people...oh yeah this all you have......pathetic
sweevo11 3 years ago
I'm pritty sure he messed up the song. The first time I thought he got over-whelmed and started to cry but he isn't ment to say "are you one of them?" twice and that's why you get the improvisation with the scales instead of the "and on my best behaviour, I am really" you know the rest.
What do you think?
Beckett0made 3 years ago
ce ne fossero in italia di autori di questo spessore. grande sufjan
alfiemaster 3 years ago
research on the brains of those who are serial murderers has concluded that they all have a common link in the way their brains are wired, the person only shows traits of a murderer when they are exposed to a violence trigger in the early stages of childhood development, which is why not all abused children are murderers.
chandru1103 3 years ago
however, the doctor that examined John Wayne Gacy's brain after his execution supposedly found no anamolies. Also, the psychiatrist that spent extensive time with him during his stay on death row found that his psychological profile was like nothing ever seen, and did not fit any usual serial killer profiles
funkyjuice007 3 years ago
Actually, funkyjuice007, Those were the same people.Dr. Morrison I belive was the name.I'm a student of anthropologie, and studying how murderers enviroment related to what they became really interests me.
CrackRockSteady91 3 years ago
that was fucking beautifull
fedeparkour 3 years ago 4
This was incredible. Personally, John Wayne Gacy creeps me out A LOT, but this did him justice.
Now, Sufjian should do a song on Jeffrey Dahmer.
TodonoMiko 3 years ago
A magical song about a remarkable,misunderstood man.
ericidle999 3 years ago
Haha, you what?
sexlexicamy 3 years ago
seriosuly? He killed 27 people and sexually assaulted them. Nothing remarkable or misunderstood about him as far as im concerned
reppin72rap 3 years ago 2
seriously? He was extremely sick and his father had abusive habits. People overlook everything except whats bad.
degausser505 3 years ago
Yes, I know he was extremely sick, no healthy person kills and rapes over 30 people. As far as having an abusive father goes, im sure there have been thousands of people with physically abusive parents who didnt go and brutally murder 33 boys. If you can explain to me how he was "remarkable" or "misunderstood" go for it. Fact is, he was a sexual predator and murderer and nothing can ever merit that behavior.
reppin72rap 3 years ago
Sounds very beautiful...only more introspective stuff I can think of Sigur Ros...Its so hard to touch Sigur Ros in my book musically...but Sufjan comes close if you take into account his songwriting
arvydas0069 3 years ago
Sigur Ros!? Really!?
It's hard to be real introspective when you make up 90% of the words you are singing.
xxthemarsvoltaxx 3 years ago
I was referring to the Music...I have mad respect for Sufjan but I've seen them both live and Sigur Ros is just so much better and the music so much deeper. I know Sufjan can only do so much, but Jonsi's voice has such a unique falsetto and not to mention the entire band plays so many different instruments (Glockenspiel, Xylophone, Marimba, Cello, Electric guitar with the Cello bow???!) Sigur Ros are the most unique and talented band I've ever seen live-and I've seen some insanely talented bands
arvydas0069 3 years ago
They are playing the U.S. at Bonaroo this year and will blow people away. Too bad I will be in Iraq again before June rolls around but I'm sure they will mindfuck that audience with the aural experience of thier short, smoked out lives. They will throw away thier Grateful Dead records and follow a truly interesting sound
arvydas0069 3 years ago
actually an electric guitar played with a cello bow is nothing new or significant. i know led zeppelin used to do that, who knows who else, perhaps even before them?
nightowl4064 3 years ago
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No shit sherlock. I never said it was new. As I know other bands have used all those instruments. Jimmy Page used the bow from time to time and JPJ used the mandolin and pipe organ and mellotron as well. I was referring to the entire band of sigur ros being far above the competition today
arvydas0069 3 years ago
alright : D! but the "No shit sherlock" definitely wasn't necessary. i wasn't speaking condescendingly, and...i don't think the tone of it was either.
nightowl4064 3 years ago 2
I can't believe you actually got three negative ratings for being the mature one! You presented a fact, and three people get mad. I tell you, this world is going to get worse if the the kids, and adults sadly, don't mature up! Good for you though Nightowl!
Nickthejedi1 3 years ago 5
he uses his voice as another instrument. That voice of his is amazing.
theonefreeman12 3 years ago 2
no, it is a bowed guitar.
rootvalue 3 years ago
he does use a bowed guitar, yes.
theonefreeman12 3 years ago
Why don't they just let him do his solo?
thechaoticist 3 years ago
nice sounding son
TNGRepublican 3 years ago
This is such a beautiful portrait of the human condition. Yes, Gacy was murder and did some terrible things. But, what Stevens is saying is that he is, and we all are, sinners just like Gacy no matter how terrible we may think he is compared to ourselves.
brenden7 3 years ago 4
You are correct in my opinion. At the end he says, "and in my best behaviour I am just like him. Look beneath the floor boards for the secrets I have hid." He simply says it, he is as much of a sinner as John Wayne Gacy Jr. and he too has secrets hidden, like many of us. A sin is a sin, no sin is bigger or less, all sins are equal and we are as much of sinners as John Wayne Gacy Jr. Do not mistake me for preaching, those were just facts to try to prove what I am saying.
Nickthejedi1 3 years ago
i think murder is "more" of a sin than say stealing a pack of gum.
reppin72rap 3 years ago 3
I don't think Sufjan is making fun of it...I think he is acknowledging it...
It was a terrible thing, you can tell by the emotion in his voice that knows that.
irisxx3 3 years ago 6
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i dont find this funny its like almost amking fun of something really disturbing. poor children that had to suffer for john wayne gacy's disturbing and disgusting pleasures
muchipoo 3 years ago
SHUTUP HE IS GOD!
drewski470 3 years ago
very sad but such a good song.
Flavoredrums 3 years ago
this is an awesome song ......wow
mwd1209 4 years ago
LOL, he said an extra line!
"Are you--..." *slowly steps back*
It's ok Soof, I mess up on that part everytime I sing along! :p
SovietVV 4 years ago
This is an amazing song. Everyone has secrets that they don't want revealed. I have to admit, chills ran down my spine when I heard this.
ajgomez08 4 years ago
ummm of course it's creepy.
it's about frickin john wayne gacy.
the fat guy who dressed like a clown, kidnapped, tortured and raped young men and boys and then hid their bodies in his crawlspace.
ballsacktyrant 4 years ago 2
this is haunting..
people say its creepy
but really
its a beautifully bitter song..
such sad lyrics :(
killthestuff 4 years ago 2
this song is too disturbing. Which is a pity cos the tune is fantastic. But really, its just too freakin creepy, as someone before me put it.
cellardoor70 4 years ago
I'm not a native english-speaking person but I do play and sing this song the same way he does and I can feel the images when I sing it with my eyes closed and what I'm feeling then is creepy. Illinoise and its songs are like a book except that you create images from the listening not from the reading. This song is great yet freakin' creepy.
themeanstar 4 years ago 6
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what is it with standing in front of an odience.,., sorry my spelling might be wrong. Play your music to the ones you love... why try the world? ok. evrybody does it.
agustahera 4 years ago
what are you saying?
AGLane 4 years ago
I love you AGLane
agustahera 4 years ago
What's wrong with standing in front of an audience, may I ask? What's wrong with sharing your music with people that love it and wanna hear it? I don't understand you, seriously.
MusicAdd4ever 2 years ago
Best song ever.
rbgreen04 4 years ago
Sufjan is awesome. But this song creeps me out a little. It's a very sad song though...
IMABBALLPLAYER 4 years ago 5
That's why I like it.
mateus2 4 years ago 2
epic
holycrappitstravis 4 years ago
at the point where he says,"oh my god"
where you or someone near you crying because i thought i could hear it. It somehow made that line even more powerful if that was possible.
musicwhenthelightsgo 4 years ago 2
I don't remember crying or having anyone near me cry at that point ... but if it makes it seem all that much more powerful, then let's just go ahead and assume someone was. ;-)
oysteryogurt 4 years ago
Hehehe, yeah, I heard a sniffle.
Sanbud 3 years ago
wow. if i was there... i would cry.
he just melts you inside, Sufjan.
kohlert13 4 years ago
I am a puddle, then. I am close to tears every time I listen to anything of his.
Aubbikins 4 years ago 2
yeah i hear sobbing fully i do, well picked up, but maybe i ehar it cause you mentioned it, i cant tell, someones doin soemthing though
adamschneider 4 years ago
brakey87 you're diarrea
zortreyonderey 4 years ago
yeah 33
gezaklaat 4 years ago
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StevenJosephChrist 4 years ago
i am in love. i am in love. i am in love.
tjgurl222 4 years ago
i think it was 33 people... am i right
tylerwuzhere13 4 years ago
yes but the police found 27 people dead in the crawl-space in his house
broses456 4 years ago
Yes, they found 27 people in the sewers and 6 others in the river near his house. Creepy.
Delphiii 4 years ago
yes... but i think i can forgive him
(sufjan not gacy.)
yeahmso 4 years ago
he definitely looks like he's in agony singing this. poor guy. it comes with territory.. you write a creepy song, eventually you have to sing it. haha.
sullenity 4 years ago
Yeah, I saw him at BAM earlier this month too. After he played it he said he was had really creeped himself out, and he was gonna stop playing it.
DukeLychee 4 years ago 2
that is a shame...but at least we still have Barn Owl, Night killer and Majesty Snowbird to enjoy....as well as..every...other...Sufjan song.
supradude7891 4 years ago
Yep. Every...single..song...he...ever....writes.
TheLycheeDuke 4 years ago
so good live
typ0graphy 4 years ago
beautiful
Itylwith 4 years ago
why isnt he playing it anymore?
moonlitknight1 4 years ago
other than the fact its about a serial killer? idk, you're right. it's a pretty normal song.
bbp4life34 4 years ago
I Saw him too at BAM. It was fantastic, great, conceptual and popular.
Sufjansss 4 years ago
I just saw him yesterday at BAM in NYC. He said he's gotta put an end to this song. He's not going to be playing it anymore. =[
XOXObekaXOXO 4 years ago
What does that have to do with Sufjan Stevens and how much better he is than you?
bssn300 4 years ago
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Funny how assholes feel the need to bitch about Christianity. If it wasn't for Christianity there would be NO Western Civilization and no forum for you to bitch about anything.
bujorick 4 years ago
how could we ever know..
Monorail01 4 years ago
I'm neither condoning nor condemning Christianity here because my opinion doesn't make a huge difference on the whole... but to say western civilisation wouldn't exist without Christianity is the height of ignorance. While it wouldn't be the same, people would of still excelled. Please don't call people assholes and then retort with such an idiotic, irrational sweeping assumption.
wdxdino 4 years ago 4
What are you replying to? Anyhow, western civilisation would NOT 'of' [sic.] been the same w/o Christianity -- it was the peculiar and volatile mix of Platonic and Aristotelian Greek philosophy and Christian doctrine that drove some of the best philosophers ever to do some great work. And we have things like "Ockham's Razor" and debates about free will (see Augustine's writings) because of it. Sure, people would've excelled, as you say, but...
dnmehay 4 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
fuck religion its a joke u fool
brakey87 4 years ago
Just like your spelling.
SadEyedSoldier 4 years ago 2
haha
musicwhenthelightsgo 3 years ago
i love how he hits the note off key. and sings the wrong lyrics. makes him even more charming
:*
ridemyspiral 4 years ago
his voice is just perfect live. no recording wizardry, no 'correction' software, just flawless vocal chords. amazing :)
20franky 4 years ago 5
"Christianity is stupid. Give up. Smart people don't believe in magic only sheep. I love Sufjan despite his fantastical need for a daddy in the sky. This is my favorite song be him."
Do I n