Sufjan Stevens

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
It's been a long, long time
Since I've memorized your face
It's been four hours now
Since I've wandered through your place
And when I sleep on your couch
I feel very safe
And when you bring the blankets
I cover up my face

[Bridge]
I do
Love you
I do
Love you

[Verse 2]
And when you play guitar
I listen to the strings buzz
The metal vibrates underneath your fingers
And when you crochet
I feel mesmerized and proud
And I would say I love you
But saying it out loud is hard
So I won't say it at all
[Outro]
Very long
You might also likeBut you are the life I needed all along
I think of you as my brother
Although that sounds dumb
And words are futile devices

If you are looking for a deeply personal and introspective song that deals with the complexities of platonic and intimate relationships, look no further than "Futile Devices" by Sufjan Stevens. Featuring in his album "The Age of Adz," the song has garnered critical acclaim for its honest portrayal of love and the complexities that come with it.

About Futile Devices

"Futile Devices" is a beautiful and poetic song that opens Sufjan Stevens' album "The Age of Adz." The song explores the subject of love and the various kinds of relationships that exist between individuals. In particular, the song deals with the struggle of finding one's way through a relationship with a male "friend." The lyrics take a deep dive into the complexities of the narrator's feelings towards this person and how they are affected by elements of internalized homophobia.

The song is driven by a dreamy and ambient sound that perfectly complements the intimate and introspective nature of the lyrics. The instrumentation is understated and provides a serene backdrop while allowing the lyrics to take center stage.

Stevens' singing is both tender and raw, perfectly capturing the emotion of the song. His vocals are accompanied by acoustic guitar picking and atmospheric synths. The listener is taken on a journey through the narrator's emotional landscape as he contemplates the different types of love he feels towards his friend.

Throughout the song, the narrator grapples with the complexity of love, and how it can manifest itself in different ways. The central theme of the song revolves around the struggle of finding oneself in a relationship and how that relationship can sometimes challenge one's own deeply held beliefs about love and intimacy.

The lyrics of the song showcase Sufjan Stevens' mastery of language and poetic sensibilities. The gentle metaphors and tender imagery of the song evoke feelings of introspection and contemplation. Stevens' words perfectly capture the nuanced and complicated emotions that come with relationships, making the song both an emotional and intellectual experience for the listener.

Despite dealing with deeply personal and emotive themes, the song has a universal quality that makes it relatable to anyone who has ever grappled with the complexities of love and relationships.

In closing, "Futile Devices" is a poignant and profound piece of music that deals with the complexities of platonic and intimate relationships. The song is both an emotional and intellectual experience, showcasing Sufjan Stevens' mastery of language, poetic sensibility, and musical craftsmanship.

• Release Date: October 12, 2010
• Artist: Sufjan Stevens