Listen to Sufjan Stevens’ “Star Spangled Banner” and “Angels We Have Heard On High”
As the hilarious Scot and late-night host, Craig Ferguson, would say: “It’s been a great week in America.” And, we might add, California too! Regardless your take on the outcomes (our sincere condolences to our good American friends on the right), democracy ultimately prevailed on Tuesday. Once again, Americans had voices and sang out.
It’s been a busy week for all, and particularly Sufjan Stevens (see immediately below). It turns out that while we were all voting on Tuesday, Sufjan Stevens (not knowing the outcomes) released his interpretation of the Star Spangled Banner with added lyrics. It’s a classic Sufjanese interpretation of our National Anthem. The jarring (but apt) electric guitar sections are somewhat surprising (but not unusual) for Stevens (particularly following the seminal Hendrix interpretation). But the chorus is classic Sufjanese and captures the collective democratic voice well. Check it out, followed by another Christmas song, Angels We Have Heard On High, off the impending Silver & Gold box set.