Composer/Musician Reacts to Sufjan Stevens - Tonya Harding (REACTION!!!)
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- čas přidán 27. 08. 2024
- Bryan reacts to and talks about his thoughts on Sufjan Stevens - Tonya Harding (Official Audio)
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This was my request. 3 reasons why I chose this:
Tonya Harding is probably the most infamous figure skater of all time. This song is a sincere look into her fame and figure skating career and the only song I can think of that is about her.
This song, for me, subtly highlights a little bit of everything from Sufjan’s musical arsenal which can be wildly eclectic and vast.
Nobody has reacted to it on CZcams. I suspect a handful of Sufjan people will stumble upon it.
Coolio. If this has a little bit of everything from Sufjan then I definitely can't wait to explore his work a bit more.
As a Norwegian I remember her quite well from all the drama in the 1994 winter olympics in Lillehammer.
@@perhvarnes Where you at the actual arena or did you follow the drama televised like the rest of us? I reckon the biggest media excitement would've ben in the US(?)
@@progperljungman8218 No, I wasn't present at the arena or any of the other events, but since it took place in Norway it got a lot of media coverage. All of Norway was watching the games, I think. I was 10 years old at the time, and it was a really snowy winter, so I spent a lot time playing outdoors too. Your name seems Swedish, am I right?
@@perhvarnes Yup, I'm Per too 🙂
The song “John Wayne Gacy Jr” by Sufjan Stevens is one of the most sorrowful and beautifully haunting songs I’ve ever heard.
Sufjan is a solo artist and that's his actual name. The label he releases on is actually his stepfather's one, and they even have collaborated together. This one is definitely a weird introduction to his music, but he is definitely one of those artists that cannot be encapsulated into one track, since his sound covers things as different as folk, electronica, experimental rock, baroque pop, and even a "classical" album. He uses dozens of instruments and writes in several time signatures. His songs can go from less than two minutes to 10+minutes epic lenght, so he's quite eclectic. He can be quite verbose with lyrics as a lot of his output is conceptual, but still most albums balance the lyrically driven with instrumentallt driven tracks. I'd check Come On! Feel the Illinoise! or I Want To Be Well for something more interesting musically. Still I'm glad you liked his voice because that can be a huge dealbreaker with enjoying Sufjan's music.
The other Sufjan Stevens songs I’ve heard have all been *very* different from this. His most famous song (to me) is Chicago. Wow! This song really got to me. I found it haunting, with the powerful lyrics and Sufjan’s mournful singing. Thanks for bringing this one to the spotlight Lewis!
For context, Tonya Harding was a high-level figure skater competing for one of the U.S.’s spots in the 1994 Olympics. Her ex-husband attacked her competitor Nancy Kerrigan (also brought up in the song) and she got caught up in the controversy (I’m not really sure what her involvement was) and she was permanently banned from pro figure skating.
Thanks for that context as well as the info that his other songs are different.
I'm more into Sufjan's folk-centric work, but this was a nice listen! Personally, I love his music for his storytelling and beautiful arrangements. If you're going to check out more from him, I'd recommend Casimir Pulaski Day or Should Have Known Better. I'm surprised he's such a popular rec, since most of what's on the channel is rock and metal lol.
It’s a shame you didn’t have the context. He wrote a short essay about Tonya which he released along with the track. It’s a really good read and overview. asthmatickitty.com/tonya-harding/
Tonya Harding is full-on *infamous* - I highly recommend the black comedy biopic "I, Tonya" for an entertaining recount of the scandal. Sufjan's song Chicago is probably a more entertaining introduction to his music.
Listen to anything from illinois, it’s super good
I saw Sufjan Stevens live in Norway in 2004. He was on tour with David Eugene Edwards of 16 Horsepower and Wovenhand. Sufjans 5 disc Christmas box is quite nice.
Was curious which version this was going to be because there's literally one called Tonya Harding (In D major) and another called Tonya Harding (In Eb major). Good job everyone in the comments explaining the story behind this song. I enjoyed this and it isn't a Sufjan song I'd heard before so that was cool, but I'd say there's better Sufjan songs. I can understand the request though because it is a unique song. A lot of Sufjan songs do need a bit of context so if he is revisited (which I hope he is because he's phenomenal) there should be a short description of what the song is about.
Pronounced “SOOF-YAN” the J makes a Y sound. This song was written for the movie I, Tonya. “SOOF-YAN” not “SUHF-JAN” writes tons of songs for movies and such and if you know the back story, which you would have if you watched the movie, this song would have made more sense. I didn’t watch that movie, but I know enough about the backstory to have it make sense. The song was written for the movie, therefore the listener would understand the context of the song as the film and song would coincide. “SOOF-YAN” (for the love of god it’s not “SUHF-JAN”) is like the indie music GOAT. He can write about anything and has a multitude of styles. Dude plays like 20 instruments. He really is the GOAT man. I suggest if you want to hear more of the electronic stuff, listen to his record “The Age of Adz”, his new record “The Ascension”. If you want more folk/acoustic style “Seven Swans” or “Michigan”. If you wanna be straight up depressed then listen to my favorite “Carrie & Lowell”. “Illinois” has some pretty standard Sufjan hits on it. After that he’s got weird instrumental albums and just a huge catalog of like “what the fuck?” Type shit. Seriously. Records that have like 60 songs on it. And a christmas album that had like 40 songs on it. Soooo unnecessary. But that’s why he’s the GOAT. He can do whatever the fuck he wants and it’s awesome. Half his shit I don’t even listen to or like hahaha. But there’s sooo much good that it outweighs the bad. Anyways I just stumbled across this video, so not sure if you’ve checked out more of his stuff or learned how to properly say his name by now, but it’s all good. When he played at the Grammy’s they called him “SURF-YAN” 🤦🏻♂️.
Sufjan Stevens is a crucial figure in my life, and I really think he would make your daily listening if you try an album on his own. Well, maybe not the Christmas ones. He is haunting, sad, and melancholic, still he can make you feel loved, kinda hugged, his voice is like "I got you, I understand you". I know that everyone here is saying "Trust me bro this is phenomenal! Listen to this and that!", and I know that this comment won't help more than others in making you judging Sufjan's works but... well, try "Death with Dignity" or "Fourth of July" :)
Check out a song from the math rock group Bubblemath's album Edit Peptide, 'Avoid That Eye Candy' for a shorter song, or my favourite, the longer 'A Void That I Can Depart To'
Tanya Harding was permanently banned from figure skating after it was suspected that she was involved in the attack of fellow American figure skater Nancy Kerrigan.
Phoebe Bridger's - I know the end . Is a really good song that reminds me of sufjan stevens a little in its build up
19 years old now, heard about Harding from my mother who watches ice skating once or twice a year. The story I heard made her out to be a lot more involved in the attack so some classic grapevine editorialization there but I think she might still be somewhat known. As far as the song goes doesn't do anything for me. Brings me back to post rock week but without the real emotional weight those had.
His name is pronounced Soof-Yan :) You probably found that out by now. No disrespect. But He's very well known among composers and most musicians. So I was surprised. But that might not be your genre you like so totally understandable. He's critically acclaimed .not sure why those songs weren't asked for you to react to. Totally Amazing song.. but he has tear provoking life changing songs bro. . Won many awards. with Grammy and Oscar nominated songs. got some of the best indie folk composition of our time. Carrie and Lowell album especially. Do you know Bon Iver? as a composer you will really appreciate Justin Vernon's work.
its pronounced sufian stevens
I've been meaning to listen to Sufjan Stevens for years since he's one of the most critically acclaimed artists of this century. I've heard him mostly described as indie folk/pop/rock, and this sounded about like what I expected. I didn't love it or hate it, it was mostly just meh. I have a feeling that if I end up liking him it will be because I've done a deep discog dive and have gotten into the right headspace for his aesthetic. As for Tanya Harding, I was about your age when the fiasco/controversy happened with her, though I did know about it because my mom got really involved with it. Other than that I only know they made a critically acclaimed film about her recently called I, Tonya with Margot Robbie playing her. Haven't seen it yet, but have heard good things.
I'd really like to get into Sufjan's stuff that is a little more than this, especially given how often his name pops up.
As for that video, I, Tanya, I hadn't heard of it but Margot became an actress that I've kept an eye after seeing Terminal. She really showed off her acting chops there. A biopic, especially such a dramatic one, would be interesting just to see how far she takes her skills.
Can You Please React To, Holographic Universe by Scar Symmetry!! You'd make my day! My favorite band of all TIME!!! Won't regret it🤘
A nice chill tune, but this felt more like a ‘story’ than a song for me. Cool though! (no pun intended)
Sufjan is probably one of the bigger indie artists of the 2000s. I certainly respect his arrangements and his voice but I find his music to be pretty boring honestly. He does weepy sentimentalism well though, "John Wayne Gacy Jr" is good for that
make that 2 meh tracks lol, it anything first one was better, but hey to each their own 🤟🎶
Genre bias huh?
@@Lebowski55 not at all, just didn't enjoy them too much
you may not like my request when it comes up...and that's okay