 Illinois (2005) [ larger cover art ] |
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Musicbrainz DBI'm not afraid of the black man running
He's got it right, he's got a better life comin'
And I don't care what the Captain said
I fold it right at the top of my head
I lost my sight and the state packs in
I follow my heart and it leads me right to Jackson
(Oh Keller, oh oh oh oh)
She gave us a medal she gave us a map
(Oh Canner Row, oh oh oh)
If seeing is right, then look where you're at
I'm not afraid of Nichol's Park
I ride the train and I ride it after dark
And I'm not afraid to get it right
I turn around and I give it one more try
And I said things that I meant to say
The bandstand chairs and the Dewey Day Parade
I go out to the Golden Age
The spirit is right and the spirit doesn't change
(Oh Keller, oh oh oh oh)
She gave us a mirror, she gave us a map
(Oh Canner Row, oh oh oh)
If seeing is right, then look where you're at
Andrew Jackson! All I'm asking
Show us the wheel, and give us the wine
Raise the Banner, Jackson Hammer!
Everyone goes to the capitol line
Colored Preacher, nice to meet you!
The spirit is here, and the spirit is fine
Education! Ask the nation!
You gave us our sight and the hearing is fine
Andrew Jackson! All I'm asking
Give us the wheel, and give us the wine
| maubus (Sao Paulo, Brazil) | Posted: May 24, 2011 - 13:45 horstman wrote: Eat Thai much? I disagree with the cactus comment but it made me laugh! |
| aelfheld | Posted: May 24, 2011 - 13:43 titanium667 wrote: Sufjan bashing is prohibited. Is maiming considered bashing? |
| whtahtefcuk (Flagstaff, AZ, USA) | Posted: May 24, 2011 - 13:43 They have there own sound... like it! |
| Helchat (150 miles southwest of Paradise) | Posted: Mar 22, 2011 - 11:21 sirdroseph wrote: Love me some Sufjan!! Agreed! I can't believe how relatively old this album is now  Getting older bites lol |
| horstman (Syracuse, New York) | Posted: Dec 18, 2010 - 09:41 vandal wrote: I would sooner defecate a flaming cactus than listen to this too precious, marketing construct masquerading as an indie artist. Eat Thai much? |
| lmic (Harmless Little Bunny) | Posted: Nov 16, 2010 - 15:58 I like this one. |
| catsoup (Euclid, OH) | Posted: Nov 16, 2010 - 15:58 titanium667 wrote: Sufjan bashing is prohibited. Yes, throwing a bash in his honor is unlikely if he keeps putting out this dreck. Too long, too slow, waay too boring. |
| Businessgypsy (Deepest, Darkest Florida) | Posted: Nov 16, 2010 - 15:58 vandal wrote: I would sooner defecate a flaming cactus than listen to this too precious, marketing construct masquerading as an indie artist. Oooo, great subject for his next song! Can't wait. |
| Zeito (Sieur du Lhut) | Posted: Jul 12, 2010 - 07:13 I hear he has been working in The Nationals studio on an actual new album. I cannot wait to hear me some new Sufjan! |
| titanium667 (Oakmont, PA USA) | Posted: Jun 10, 2010 - 10:42 Sufjan bashing is prohibited. |
| sirdroseph (Tokyo) | Posted: Jun 10, 2010 - 10:33 Love me some Sufjan!! |
| dedawson (You never know where you're going til you get there) | Posted: May 09, 2010 - 16:50 Before dumping on this incessantly, check out the Austin City Limits take. Truly inspired! http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4221164594405566437# |
| On_The_Beach (Vancouver BC, Bud) | Posted: Feb 03, 2010 - 21:31 peter_james_bond wrote: AdyMiles wrote: boring repetitive trash What's boring to some may be interesting to others. Without some repetition, music would be much less accessible and enjoyable. One person's trash is another person's treasure. Please don't feed the troll. He makes the same stupid comment re virtually every song on RP. Remember physicsgenius? He could at least be witty on occasion. No such luck with this clown. |
| RadioDoc (Chicagoland) | Posted: Jan 03, 2010 - 09:58 copymonkey wrote: Yeah—GREAT marketing. Get yourself a quirky, artsy, weirdo who makes the music HE wants to make on the banjo!! You'll make hundreds!! By the way—Love the Sufjan. No, all you need is to co-opt a few "indie music critics" to fluff your bland, formulaic cookie-cutter gimmick into an ironically commercial iTunes success. Then wait for the money to roll in from the brain-dead iPod Nation. I hear alcohol works best with the "critics". |
| Xeric (Montana) | Posted: Jan 03, 2010 - 09:57 Significantly less irritating than a lot of his other music. Sorry. That's as kind as I can be. I tried. If this doesn't end pretty soon, I'll have to retract the above. EDIT: Interesting that Bill has omitted the "e" in the album title. Nice try, Bill.  |
| vandal (arriving somewhere, but not here. . .) | Posted: Oct 20, 2009 - 06:23 copymonkey wrote: Yeah—GREAT marketing. Get yourself a quirky, artsy, weirdo who makes the music HE wants to make on the banjo!! You'll make hundreds!! By the way—Love the Sufjan. Hmmm. . . where in my comment was the implication that his was a successful marketing strategy?  |
| peter_james_bond (Lunenburg, NS) | Posted: Sep 01, 2009 - 08:24 AdyMiles wrote: boring repetitive trash What's boring to some may be interesting to others. Without some repetition, music would be much less accessible and enjoyable. One person's trash is another person's treasure. |
| AdyMiles (Wolverhampton, UK) | Posted: Aug 30, 2009 - 14:34 boring repetitive trash |
| AcesUp (Athens, Georgia) | Posted: May 27, 2009 - 12:09 Yeah, yeah. Well, say what you like about the man's ethics, he's a balls-to-the-wall businessman. Beat ya any way he can. Straight for the jugular. Very effective. copymonkey wrote: Yeah—GREAT marketing. Get yourself a quirky, artsy, weirdo who makes the music HE wants to make on the banjo!! You'll make hundreds!! By the way—Love the Sufjan. |
| copymonkey (in the northeast, but not near anywhere cool) | Posted: May 27, 2009 - 11:57 vandal wrote: I would sooner defecate a flaming cactus than listen to this too precious, marketing construct masquerading as an indie artist. Yeah—GREAT marketing. Get yourself a quirky, artsy, weirdo who makes the music HE wants to make on the banjo!! You'll make hundreds!! By the way—Love the Sufjan. |
| philbertr (Hurricane Target Florida) | Posted: Mar 25, 2009 - 07:20 vandal wrote: I would sooner defecate a flaming cactus than listen to this too precious, marketing construct masquerading as an indie artist. jedley wrote: Didn't you just vow to shit a flaming cactus a coupla songs back? That he did. I think he has anal-retentive issues. |
| jedley (milan, italy) | Posted: Mar 25, 2009 - 07:19 vandal wrote: I would sooner defecate a flaming cactus than listen to this too precious, marketing construct masquerading as an indie artist. Didn't you just vow to shit a flaming cactus a coupla songs back? |
| WonderLizard (2,755.46 mi. due east of Paradise) | Posted: Mar 25, 2009 - 07:18 Kid's a stone genius. |
| andsoitgoes | Posted: Feb 21, 2009 - 18:28 I was just wondering over the last few days if he would ever tour again, but found out he was spending a lot of time in Japan, which makes me think that the whole "50 records/50 states" idea might not fly so well. Every time I hear this song, I love it. Actually, that's true for all of his songs. I'm not religious at all, but some of his religious songs (The Transfiguration) are amazing. So much emotion, and belief just for the sake of belief, not to try and push an ideal onto others in a forceful way.. Anyway, glad this song came on again. Hope there's another few Sufjan plays to hit RP :) |
| miamizsun (New Digs in Fort Lauderdale(3261.3 Miles SE of RP), FL) | Posted: Dec 20, 2008 - 10:41  |
| tm (Atlanta) | Posted: Dec 20, 2008 - 10:36 Excelsior and Vandal need to have their meds adjusted methinks... Always so negative kids, it's painful to see your poison spewing everywhere on this site. |
| dboseman | Posted: Oct 18, 2008 - 07:53 Beautiful! I was stunned the first time I heard this and it's still a treat to hear it. My favorite S.S. song. |
| Excelsior | Posted: Jul 15, 2008 - 12:30 vandal wrote: I would sooner defecate a flaming cactus than listen to this too precious, marketing construct masquerading as an indie artist.  |
| vandal (arriving somewhere, but not here. . .) | Posted: Jul 15, 2008 - 12:09 I would sooner defecate a flaming cactus than listen to this too precious, marketing construct masquerading as an indie artist. |
| ca1vinandhobbes (Atlanta, GA) | Posted: Jul 15, 2008 - 12:04 Wow, a Sufjan song people actually like! I'm a big fan. Try reading some of the comments on his other songs. Quite a polarizing artist here on RP. Ditto more Sufjan please! |
| wferrier (Johnson City, New York; Home of the Factory) | Posted: Jul 15, 2008 - 12:04 I'm not afraid of the black man running He's got it right he's got a better life coming I don't care what the captain said I fold it right at the top of my head I lost my sight and the state packs in I follow my heart and it leads me right to Jackson Oh Keller oh oh oh She gave us a medal she gave us a map Oh Canner Row, oh oh oh If seeing is right, then look where you're at I'm not afraid of Nichol's Park I ride the train and I ride it after dark I'm not afraid to get it right I turn around and I give it one more try I said things that I meant to say The bandstand chairs and the Dewey Day parade I go out to the golden age The spirit is right and the spirit doesn't change Oh Keller oh oh oh She gave us mirror she gave us a map Oh Canner Row, oh oh oh If seeing is right then look where you're at Andrew Jackson, all I'm asking Show us the wheel and give us the wine Woohoo! Woohoo! Raise the banner, Jackson hammer Everyone goes to the capitol line Woohoo! woohoo! Colored preacher, nice to meet you! The spirit is here and the spirit is fine! Woohoo! Woohoo! Education, ask the nation You gave us our sight and the hearing is fine Woohoo! woohoo! Andrew Jackson all I'm asking Give us the wheel and give us the wine |
| dboseman | Posted: Jul 15, 2008 - 12:03 I was stunned the first time I heard this a couple of years ago. He was on Austin City limits a while back and opened with this song. What a talent! |
| thewiseking (New York, New York) | Posted: Jul 15, 2008 - 12:03 " i'm not afraid of the black man runnin" play that at the goddamned convention! |
| AMH (Dayton, OH) | Posted: May 13, 2008 - 13:00 More Sufjan please. |
| thewiseking (New York, New York) | Posted: May 13, 2008 - 12:54 have not heard this in awhile. forgot how good it is. |
| FlamingLotus (South Austin, baby!) | Posted: May 13, 2008 - 12:52 catchy! :) |
| nigelr (Coffs Harbour, Australia) | Posted: Apr 12, 2008 - 00:36 betterdaze wrote: I love the sound of this. So much to listen to in it, and the more I hear it the more I like it.
Perfect comment betterdaze, total agreement. |
| WonderLizard (2,755.46 mi. due east of Paradise) | Posted: Mar 11, 2008 - 13:03 It's been a couple of years since Illinois--so when's the next one coming out? At this rate he'll be 150 before he finishes all 50 states... |
| betterdaze | Posted: Mar 11, 2008 - 13:02 I love the sound of this. So much to listen to in it, and the more I hear it the more I like it. |
| musikalia (Somewhere (over the rainbow)) | Posted: Jan 08, 2008 - 14:24 Wow, this singer and song and totally new to me; this is the very first time I've heard this. I like! An 8 straight away! |
| Paul_in_Australia (Melbourne) | Posted: Sep 04, 2007 - 22:51 I wonder what Kate Bush makes of this? |
| Nuvola_Rossa (Venice, Italy) | Posted: Jul 04, 2007 - 00:37 I love this album: he's one of my favorites singers, I hope maybe one day he'll come in Italy... Eels do it, so... why not? |
| Nuvola_Rossa (Venice, Italy) | Posted: Jul 04, 2007 - 00:37 I love this album: he's one of my favorites singers, I hope maybe one day he'll come in Italy... Eels do it, so... why not? |
| nshifley | Posted: Sep 30, 2006 - 16:16 Why does he always have to make the production so smooth and sleepy-sounding? It works with songs like "John Wayne Gacy" and the UFO song, but kind of drags down stuff like this. |
| crowhog2000 (Cincinnati, Ohio USA Baby) | Posted: Jun 11, 2006 - 14:22 keep 'em comin' SufYawn  uno mas uno...... |
| fine_citizen (Chicago, IL) | Posted: Jun 11, 2006 - 13:38 Do people get the reason for initially putting Superman on the album cover? On the southern tip of Illinois is Massac County. Their county seat is called Metropolis, and their big tourist draw is a huge Superman statue in front of their city hall, and a little museum with tons of Superman memorabilia across the street, donated to the city by an avid individual collector (I happen to have a Metropolis, IL magnet from the museum on my refrigerator, complete with Superman logo). As an Illinoisan, thought I would make that my perhaps meaningless information tidbit of the day. pianocomposer wrote: My wife went to school in Jacksonville, IL. I know most of the references (Nichols park, for instance). We went to Champaign/Urbana and saw sufjan's band support this album. it was great. they all dressed up as fighting illini cheerleaders and did cheers (seriously). and they are all great musicians. he's a freakin genius. I love this album...this whole thing. I got lucky and have a copy with superman on the cover before DC comics forced them to pull that image off due to copyright infringements (assholes!). This particular song is one of the top 5 on the album, out of 23. The entire album is way off the charts. check out metacritic if you don't believe me. |
| dgavenda (Chicago) | Posted: Jun 11, 2006 - 13:30 Sufjan is the man. Thanks Bill for opening my eyes to Sufjan. Good stuff. |
| loud_family_fan | Posted: Jun 11, 2006 - 13:29 Much better than the rest of this set. Finally a good song! |
| Mari (Broome, WA) | Posted: Apr 28, 2006 - 20:06 ... The spirit is here and the spirit is fine! ...  ...
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| pianocomposer (Mendocino) | Posted: Apr 22, 2006 - 13:22 This song about Jacksonville is from the Illinoise album--duh! Therefore, it is about Jacksonville, IL, not FL, not TN. Nichols Park and the School for the Blind are in Jacksonville, IL. Ferris wheels are made in Jacksonville, IL. |
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