Sufjan Stevens is a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist famous for blending folk, pop, and classical styles in his music.
His songs often show themes such as religion, spirituality, family, and personal reflections. Albums like Illinois, Carrie & Lowell, and The Age of Adz are among his most celebrated works for their emotional depth and personal storytelling, connecting deeply with fans worldwide.
About the Song
Come On! Feel the Illinoise! is a song that tells stories about the state of Illinois. While this song is full of energy, it also reflects themes of nostalgia, identity, and history.
The song is divided into two parts: The World’s Columbian Exposition and Carl Sandburg Visits Me in a Dream, showing how it covers deep and thoughtful themes.
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Release Date | July 4, 2005 |
| Album | Illinois |
| Writers | Sufjan Stevens |
| Producers | Sufjan Stevens |
The Lyrics of Come On! Feel the Illinoise!
Part I: The World’s Columbian Exposition
Verse 1
Oh, great intentions
I’ve got the best of interventions
But when the ads come
I think about it now
Verse 2
In my infliction
Entrepreneurial conditions
Take us to glory
I think about it now
Chorus
Cannot conversations cull united nations?
If you got the patience, celebrate the ancients
Cannot all creation call it celebration?
Or united nation, put it to your head
Verse 3
Oh, great white city
I’ve got the adequate committee
Where have your walls gone?
I think about it now
Bridge
Chicago, in fashion
The soft drinks, expansion
Oh, Columbia!
From Paris, incentive
Like Cream of Wheat invented
The Ferris Wheel!
Verse 4
Oh, great intentions
Covenant with the imitation
Have you no conscience?
I think about it now
Verse 5
Oh, God of Progress
Have you degraded or forgot us?
Where have your laws gone?
I think about it now
Chorus
Ancient hieroglyphic or the South Pacific
Typically terrific, busy and prolific
Classical devotion, architect promotion
Lacking in emotion, think about it now
Bridge
Chicago, the New Age
But what would Frank Lloyd Wright say?
Oh, Columbia!
Amusement or treasure
These optimistic pleasures
Like the Ferris Wheel!
Chorus
Cannot conversations cull united nations?
If you got the patience, celebrate the ancients
Columbia!
Part II: Carl Sandburg Visits Me in a Dream
Verse 6
I cried myself to sleep last night
And the ghost of Carl, he approached my window
I was hypnotized, I was asked to improvise
On the attitude, the regret
Of a thousand centuries of death
Chorus
Even with the heart of terror and the superstitious wearer
I am riding all alone
I am writing all alone
Even in my best condition
Counting all the superstition
I am riding all alone
I am running all alone
Verse 7
And we laughed at the beatitudes of a thousand lines
We were asked at the attitudes
They reminded us of death
Chorus
Even with the rest belated, Everything is antiquated
Are you writing from the heart?
Are you writing from the heart?
Even in his heart, the Devil has to know the water level
Are you writing from the heart?
Are you writing from the heart?
Verse 8
And I cried myself to sleep last night
For the Earth, and materials
They may sound just right to me
Chorus
Even with the rest belated, everything is antiquated
Are you writing from the heart?
Are you writing from the heart?
Even in his heart, the Devil has to know the water level
Are you writing from the heart?
Are you writing from the heart?
Similar Songs Like Come On! Feel the Illinoise!
The following songs are similar to Come On! Feel the Illinoise! by Sufjan Stevens showcases his unique ability to blend musical styles with deep, personal story-telling.
- ”Death with Dignity”: This song is about loss, grief, and finding peace and captures his feelings about his late mother, Carrie, and the path of accepting her death.
- ”Jacksonville”: A song about the town of Jacksonville, Illinois, and its history. It talks about the town’s role in the Underground Railroad and support for the deaf and blind, focusing on change and strength.
- “All Good Naysayers, Speak Up! Or Forever Hold Your Peace!“: With a mix of orchestral and folk elements, this song celebrates Michigan’s past struggles and the courage to move forward.
- “Chicago“: A heartfelt song about personal growth and knowing yourself, with beautiful orchestral music that makes you feel the path.
Similar Artists Like Sufjan Stevens
These artists are similar to Sufjan Stevens, who blends unique musical styles with their top albums.
- Andrew Bird
Genre: Indie Folk, Baroque Pop
Notable Albums: The Mysterious Production of Eggs, Are You Serious - Fleet Foxes
Genre: Indie Folk, Baroque Pop
Notable Albums: Fleet Foxes, Helplessness Blues - Patrick Watson
Genre: Indie Pop, Chamber Pop
Notable Albums: Close to Paradise, Love Songs for Robots - Iron & Wine
Genre: Folk, Indie Folk
Notable Albums: The Creek Drank the Cradle, Our Endless Numbered Days
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sufjan Stevens’s Connection to Illinois?
He chose Illinois for his 50-state project because, following his album Michigan, he saw it as the center of gravity in the Midwest.
How Does Song Relate to the State of Illinois?
The song celebrates Illinois’s history and culture, using lively and creative lyrics to highlight the state’s identity in an energetic and fun way.
What Historical Events are Referenced in the Song?
The song brings up the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago and touches on aspects of Illinois’s history and culture.
