Should Have Known Better
Sufjan Stevens · Carrie & Lowell [2015]
To see what I could see
My black shroud
Holding down my feelings
A pillar for my enemies
I should have wrote a letter
And grieve what I happen to grieve
My black shroud
I never trust my feelings
I waited for the remedy
When I was three, three maybe four
She left us at that video store
Be my rest, be my fantasy
I'm light as a feather
I'm bright as the Oregon breeze
My black shroud
Frightened by my feelings
I only want to be a relief
No, I'm not a go-getter
The demon had a spell on me
My black shroud
Captain of my feelings
The only thing I want to believe
When I was three, and free to explore
I saw her face on the back of the door
Be my vest, be my fantasy
I should have known better
Nothing can be changed
The past is still the past
The bridge to nowhere
I should've wrote a letter
Explaining what I feel, that empty feeling
Don't back down, concentrate on seeing
The breakers in the bar, the neighbor's greeting
My brother had a daughter
The beauty that she brings, illumination
Don't back down, there is nothing left
The breakers in the bar, no reason to live
I'm a fool in the fetter
Rose of Aaron's beard, where you can reach me
Don't back down: nothing can be changed
Cantilever bridge, the drunken sailor
My brother had a daughter
The beauty that she brings, illumination
Should Have Known Better
On the 2015 album Carrie & Lowell, Sufjan Stevens delivers 'Should Have Known Better,' a poignant reflection on regret and the passage of time. The track exemplifies Stevens' signature blend of folk and chamber pop, utilizing lush orchestration and intricate vocal harmonies to explore themes of lost opportunities and emotional vulnerability. Released during a period where Stevens frequently examined the complexities of human relationships and societal structures, the song serves as a narrative companion to other works on the record, such as 'Fourth of July.' Its composition highlights his ability to weave personal introspection with broader musical textures, creating a recording that resonates deeply within the contemporary indie-folk landscape.