Sufjan Stevens - Video Game

In Our Headphones

KEXP

Music, Music Commentary

4.4 • 1.1K Ratings

🗓️ 7 October 2020

⏱️ 4 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Sufjan Stevens - "Video Game" from the 2020 album The Ascension on Asthmatic Kitty.

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As we reported back in August, acclaimed singer/songwriter Sufjan Stevens has returned with his eighth solo LP, The Ascension, his first since 2015's Carrie & Lowell. The song's video features Jalaiah Harmon, a 14-year-old dancer/choreographer who went viral on Tik-Tok with her "Renegade" dance. Stevens released the following statement addressing both the song and the clip, directed by Nicole Ginelli.

"It’s unfortunate that we live in a society where the value of people is quantified by likes, followers, listeners and views. So many people are seeking attention for the wrong reasons. I think we should all be doing our best work without looking for accolades or seeking reward.

The main takeaway of “Video Game” for me is: your worth (invaluable) should never be based on other people’s approval (ephemeral). Just be yourself. Keep it real. Keep it moving. Do all things with absolute purity, love and joy. And always do your best."

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Transcript

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0:00.0	I'm Oh, I don't want to be your personal Jesus I don't want to live inside of that flame
0:37.2	In a way I want to be my own believer
0:40.9	I don't want to play your video game I don't want to be the center of the universe
0:47.7	I don't want to be a part of that shame in the way I want to be my own redeemer. I don't get I don't care if everybody else is into it. I don't care if it's a popular refrain.
1:21.0	I don't want to be a puppet in a theater I don't want to play your video game
1:28.0	you don't want to be the one who has to pay for it
1:32.0	you don't want to be the one who has to pay for it. You don't want to be the one who has to change.
1:36.0	All you want is what the resume tells you.
1:40.0	I don't want to play your video game.
1:43.0	I don't want to play, I don't want to play.
1:47.0	I don't want to play.
1:48.0	I don't want to play.
1:50.0	It's want to go away.
1:51.0	I don't want to play, I don't want to play, I don't want to play, I don't want to play I don't want to play your video game
1:58.0	I don't want to love you if you will receive it I don't want to save the world that way. I don't want to be your
2:07.4	personal Jesus. I don't want to play your video game. I don't want to put the devil on a pedestal. I don't want to put the Saints in chains
2:19.2	and chains. I just want to make my life a little easier.
2:24.0	I don't want to play your video game.
2:27.0	I don't want to play, I don't want to play, I don't want to play,
2:31.0	I don't want to play your video game.
2:34.0	I don't want to play.
2:37.0	I don't want to play. I don't want to play your video game. I don't want to play.
	...

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