Sufjan Stevens

Sufjan Stevens lives in the middle ground — 20 moderate songs that balance intensity with control. 18 quiet anchors and 6 songs where they let go completely.

The character of Sufjan Stevens

Across the 44 Sufjan Stevens songs we've measured, intensity averages 34/100 — calmer than the typical song we measure (46/100).

They run from John Wayne Gacy, Jr. (the calmest here, 11) to Impossible Soul (the most charged, 80), with layered textures most common and changes you can mostly see coming. It spans 2004–2023.

The widest dynamic swing belongs to Impossible Soul.

5.4
Avg Intensity
44
Songs Decoded
0
Fan Stories
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The songs that hit hardest

The controlled burn

Casimir Pulaski Day moderate
complex texture · mild changes · DR 7 · 2005
Chicago moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 7 · 2005
Come On! Feel the Illinoise moderate
layered texture · moderate changes · DR 7 · 2005
Concerning the UFO Sighting Near Highland, Illinois moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 5 · 2005
For the Widows in Paradise moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 6 · 2005
Jacksonville moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 6 · 2005
John Wayne Gacy, Jr. moderate
smooth texture · none changes · DR 3 · 2005
The Tallest Man, the Broadest Shoulders moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 7 · 2005
Death Star moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 6 · 2006
Star of Wonder moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 6 · 2006
All for Myself moderate
layered texture · moderate changes · DR 7 · 2010
Bad Communication moderate
smooth texture · none changes · DR 4 · 2010
Too Much moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 7 · 2010
Fourth of July moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 6 · 2015
No Shade in the Shadow of the Cross moderate
smooth texture · none changes · DR 4 · 2015
Tonya Harding moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 6 · 2017
Javelin (To Have and To Hold) moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 6 · 2023
My Red Little Fox moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 6 · 2023
So You Are Tired moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 7 · 2023
Will Anybody Ever Love Me? moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 7 · 2023

The quiet ones

All the Trees of the Field Will Clap Their Hands safe
smooth texture · none changes · DR 5 · 2004
To Be Alone with You safe
smooth texture · none changes · DR 5 · 2004
Decatur, or, Round of Applause for Your Stepmother! safe
smooth texture · none changes · DR 4 · 2005
The Predatory Wasp of the Palisades Is Out to Get Us safe
smooth texture · none changes · DR 4 · 2005
Futile Devices safe
smooth texture · none changes · DR 3 · 2010
Blue Bucket of Gold safe
smooth texture · none changes · DR 3 · 2015
Carrie & Lowell safe
smooth texture · none changes · DR 3 · 2015
Death with Dignity safe
smooth texture · none changes · DR 3 · 2015
Drawn to the Blood safe
smooth texture · none changes · DR 3 · 2015
Eugene safe
smooth texture · mild changes · DR 3 · 2015
John My Beloved safe
smooth texture · none changes · DR 3 · 2015
Now That I'm Older safe
smooth texture · mild changes · DR 5 · 2015
Should Have Known Better safe
smooth texture · none changes · DR 3 · 2015
The Only Thing safe
smooth texture · none changes · DR 3 · 2015
Mystery of Love safe
smooth texture · none changes · DR 6 · 2017
Visions of Gideon safe
smooth texture · none changes · DR 4 · 2017
A Running Start safe
smooth texture · none changes · DR 4 · 2023
Everything That Rises safe
smooth texture · none changes · DR 4 · 2023

Frequently asked about Sufjan Stevens

Answered from our measurements of every song above.

What is the most intense Sufjan Stevens song?

Of the 44 Sufjan Stevens songs we've measured, “Impossible Soul” scores highest at 80/100 for intensity — computed from its dynamic range, texture, sudden changes and tempo.

What is the calmest Sufjan Stevens song?

“John Wayne Gacy, Jr.” measures gentlest at 11/100. It runs 70 BPM. The songs here span 11–80 on our 0–100 intensity scale.

How intense is Sufjan Stevens overall?

Sufjan Stevens averages 34/100 intensity across 44 measured songs — calmer than the 46/100 catalog average.

What is the average tempo of Sufjan Stevens?

The Sufjan Stevens songs we've measured average about 91 BPM — midtempo.

Which Sufjan Stevens songs are calm enough for background listening?

These measure in our gentlest band (steady level, no sudden shifts): “Futile Devices”, “Carrie & Lowell”, “John My Beloved”, “Blue Bucket of Gold”.

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