Futile Devices by Sufjan Stevens

Artist: Sufjan Stevens

Genre: Pop

Length: 2:13

The opener to Sufjan Steven’s beautiful, introspective The Age of Adz concerns itself with the different types of intimate and/or platonic love. Here, Sufjan (or the Narrator) struggles with the relationship with a male “friend” – he loves him, but due to (probably) internalised homophobia, he doesn’t know whether that love is familial, platonic, or something more.

Futile Devices lyrics

It's been a long, long time since I've memorized your face
It's been four hours now since I've wandered through your place
And when I sleep on your couch I feel very safe
And when you bring the blankets I cover up my face
I do love you
I do love you
And when you play guitar I listen to the strings buzz
The metal vibrates underneath your fingers
And when you crochet I feel mesmerized and proud
And I would say I love you, but saying it out loud is hard
So I won't say it at all
And I won't stay very long
But you are the life I needed all along
I think of you as my brother
Although that sounds dumb
Words are futile devices