Fourth of July. We're still in the month of July and although it's not the fourth, I'm glad we're still in July for now. Around late June my spirit subscription expired and I just went along with whatever they gave me whilst shuffling the music. For some reasons unknown to me, this song played. Fourth of July by Sufjan Stevens.
I hope he has someone to give him a hug cause this song is extremely beautiful and sad at the same time.
It's like a deep dive into the feelings. It's all about emotions and contemplation, like staring up at the stars and getting lost in your thoughts. The lyrics hit you right in the heart, painting a picture of loss and reflection that really gets you thinking. I had to spend some minutes going through the lyrics, wondering what kind of hell this man had faced, what kind of grief he had to go through to write this.
When you listen to "Fourth of July," it's like taking a trip through someone's memories and regrets. The vibe is both chill and heavy, making you stop and ponder life's big questions. The imagery in the song is so vivid, you can almost see the scenes playing out in your mind. It's like a gentle nudge to appreciate the little things and not sweat the small stuff.
I tried to decode the lyrics and this was what I concluded:
The lyrics starts with the rapid spread of death, probably relating to a fever. Steven questions what he could have done to prevent the loss of a loved one and wished he could be a source of comfort or protection like the sky on the fourth of July. I also think this fourth of July was the day his loved one died? I'm not sure
Steven asked who he was writing this song to or who it was dedicated to "why do you cry" probably suggesting a deep emotional pain and longing. Steven apologizes for leaving but justifies that it was a necessary decision. The reference to Versailles, a symbol of grandeur and beauty, serves as a poignant contrast to the speaker's emotional state.
The lyrics of this song is so beautiful, a powerful exploration of the complexities of love and loss.
The song's repetition of "We're all gonna die" reminds us to live in the moment. The whole vibe of the song is like a late-night chat with your thoughts, making you reflect on what truly matters in life.
Listen to "Fourth of July" . Let yourself sink into its melodies and lyrics. It's a mix of sad and hopeful, a reminder of our shared humanity and the beauty in our vulnerabilities.
