Sufjan Stevens - Impossible Soul FULL VERSION (Live @ Brighton Dome) [14th May, '11] 

Press: Sufjan is a folk singer Sufjan: Hold my beer

I love how weird Sufjan is. The costumes are amazing, it adds to the performance. I have no words for how amazing and lively this is. Everyone seems like they are having the time of their lives.

This man really played a 30 minute song live, if this doesn't show how much of a god he is I don't know what will.

i was at this gig and i am still talking about it 5 years later!! in fucking sane!

I'd do unspeakable things to see Sufjan play this song all the way through.

the way this song goes from such an uplifting section (part 4) to Pleasure Principle (part5) is one of the most beautiful and saddest things I've ever heard.

If i witnessed this live id be on my knees bawling my eyes out

iconic.. he really did that

"But would you buy that record?" Oh my god. I love this guy.

I’d give anything to see him perform any song off age of adz, let alone ALL OF impossible soul. You are incredibly lucky, thank you so much for capturing this whole performance.

There are VERY few times I wish I lived in the states. But the chance to see this dude perform live...this song. Oh man. I'm not sure my brain, body and heart would be able to handle it.

i would kill to be able to watch him perform impossible soul live

That picture of Harry is just starring into my soul

This man had the guts to perform the whole 25 minute song.

I want to see and live this so badly...

I'd give *anything* to be in the crowd with my loved ones when part 4 of this song hits, the serotonin release would be godly

I love that they look like they really enjoy this. They enjoy they're music. And that is so beautiful and cool ohmygod I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS

Best live performance of impossible soul hands down. Sufjan's voice sounds exellent here, alot better than most other live performances. The playfully bittersweet freekish euphoria of this song really translates genuinely here, as opposed to alot of other times he plays this live it just comes across as a bit cringy. Edit: Also best live performance of pleasure principal, his voice sounds really free and effortless here.

We don't the deserve the clinically depressed gay archangel that is Sufjan Stevens

I’d pay front row tickets just to watch him perform this song

Not only is his music unique, the clothes he's wearing in this performance must be too, they really look good. I love all his songs.

I made the weirdest drawing listening to this. This man is phenomenal.

This is awesome! The performance explodes with life and exuberance. Right now, there are not very many people that make me feel proud to be an American, but Sufjan Stevens is definitely one of them.

What can I say? It was life-affirming and inspiring and jaw-dropping and transcendental. And the friend I went with is so lucky because she is seeing him again in Gateshead on Monday - I am so jealous! I felt privileged to be there. Derek

the power of this performance and sufjan's artistry still echoes, almost a decade later. phenomenal

wtf his talking voice is way much deeper than I expected

this was absolutely INSANE to watch....man i would have sold my (impossible) soul to have gotten a chance to see it in person

Thank you so much for recording this. I cannot imagine what it must have been like to be there...

Shit, he's insane! Love this man.

Completely and utterly fucking insane. It's like Daft Punk invaded a Decemberists show.

admitedly Sufjan is a freak but I absolutely love it. Thanks for uploading

One of he best songs I've ever seen performed live. I saw him in Boston on that tour. Hope he keeps doing music before he loses his most genius and creative and beautiful mind.

No but really how interesting it would be to see what kind of songs Baritone!Sufjan would produce....!

This was the golden age of Sufjan for me. I still love his work, I'm a big fan of his later stuff, too, but Age of Adz and All Delighted People are still my favorites.

An amazing musical talent.

perpetual chills.

Ooh-ooh, woman, tell me what you want and I'll calm down Without bleeding out with a broken heart that you stabbed for an hour Woman, I was freaking out because I want you to know My beloved, you are the lover of my impossible soul Woman, too, promise me you'll stay and put off all your woes I was wigging out, too much worry, I could not get you at all And you said what you want, you would laugh it off But I know you won't go, not for real, at last Must you write it off for the impossible soul? And I was in a dream, I was gone away without you, but not too slow Lest I put it off, for I put it right for the impossible soul And all I couldn't sing, I would say it all my life to you, if I could get you at all Don't be a wreck, trying to be something that I wasn't at all Seems I got it wrong, I was chasing after something that was gone To the black of night, now I know it's not what I wanted at all And you said something like, "All you want is all the world for yourself" But all I want is the perfect love, though I know it's small I want love for us all And all I couldn't sing, I would say it all my life to you, if I could get you at all Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh-oh, oh-oh Trying to be something that I wasn't at all Do you want to be afraid? Do you want to be afraid? For life in the cage, where courage's mate runs deep in the wake For the scariest things are not half as enslaved Don't be distracted, don't be distracted Do you want to be alone? Do you want to be alone? For life isn't stained of righteousness pain The seed and the hail All impossible flights, for an interesting light Don't be distracted, don't be distracted Do you want to love me more? Do you want to love me more? For love is the breath If water and wind is cursed by the same thing that nurtured its shame Is it worth all the work? Don't be distracted, don't be distracted Have you failed to feel delight? (No, I don't want to feel pain!) Have you failed to feel delight? (No, I don't want to feel pain!) Instead of the love, lived tired and lost Have you left it at last where it floundered its death with the language of ghosts? Don't be distracted, don't be distracted Do you want to be afraid? (No, I don't want to feel pain!) Do you want to be afraid? (No, I don't want to feel pain!) For life in the cage (For life in the cage!) Where courage's mate (Where courage's mate!) Runs deep in the waves (Runs deep in the waves!) For the scariest things (For the scariest things!) Are not half as enslaved (Are not half as enslaved!) Don't be distracted, don't be distracted now Don't be distracted, don't be distracted now No, don't be distracted Stupid man in the window, I couldn't be at rest All my delight, all that mattered, I couldn't be at rest From what I liked, from what I gathered, I couldn't be at rest Stupid man in the window, I couldn't be at rest And don't be shy in the window Come down and give your best Oh, delight in the window, I couldn't be at rest Stupid man in the window, I couldn't be at rest From what I liked, from what I gathered, I couldn't give my best Oh, I know it wasn't safe It wasn't safe to breathe at all Oh, I know it wasn't safe (It wasn't safe, it wasn't safe) It wasn't safe to breathe at all (It wasn't safe, it wasn't safe) Oh, I know it wasn't safe (It wasn't safe, it wasn't safe) It wasn't safe to breathe at all (It wasn't safe, it wasn't safe) Oh, I know it wasn't safe (It wasn't safe, it wasn't safe) It wasn't safe to speak at all (It wasn't safe, it wasn't safe) One, two, three, four! It's a long life, better pinch yourself Put your face together, better get it right It's a long life, better hit yourself Put your face together, better stand up straight It's a long life, only one last chance Couldn't get much better, do you wanna dance? It's a long life, better pinch yourself Get your face together, better stand up straight Boy, we can do much more together (Better get a life, get a life, get a life, get a life) Boy, we can do much more together (Better get a love, get a love, get a love, get a love) Boy, we can do much more together (Better get it right, get it right, get it right, get it right) Boy, we can do much more together It's not so impossible It's not so impossible It's not so impossible It's not so impossible It's a long life, better pinch yourself Put your face together, better roll along It's a long life, better pinch yourself Put your face together, better stand up straight It's a long life, only one last chance Couldn't get much better, do you wanna dance? It's a good life, better pinch yourself Is it possible, is it possible? Boy, we can do much more together (Better get a life, get a life, get a life, get a life) Boy, we can do much more together (Better get a love, get a love, get a love, get a love) Boy, we can do much more together (Better get it right, get it right, get it right, get it right) Boy, we can do much more together It's not so impossible It's not so impossible It's not so impossible It's not so impossible It's a long life (It's a long life!) Better pinch yourself (Better pinch yourself!) Put your face together (Put your face together!) Better get it right (Better get it right!) It's a long life (It's a long life!) Better hit yourself (Better hit yourself!) Put your face together (Put your face together!) Better stand up straight (Better stand up straight!) In the wrong life (In the wrong life!) Everything is chance (Everything is chance!) Does it register? (Does it register?!) Do you wanna dance? (Do you wanna dance?!) In the right life (In the right life!) It's a miracle (It's a miracle!) Possibilities (Possibilities!) Do you wanna dance? Boy, we can do much more together (Better get a life, get a life, get a life, get a life) Boy, we can do much more together (Better get a love, get a love, get a love, get a love) Boy, we can do much more together (Better get it right, get it right, get it right, get it right) Boy, we can do much more together It's not so impossible It's not so impossible It's not so impossible It's not so impossible Boy, we can do much more together (It's not so impossible) Boy, we can do much more together (It's not so impossible) Boy, we can do much more together (It's not so impossible) Boy, we can do much more together (It's not so impossible) Boy, we can do much more together (It's not so impossible) Boy, we can do much more together (It's not so impossible) Boy, we can do much more together (It's not so impossible) Boy, we can do much more together (It's not so impossible) Boy, we can do much more together (It's not so impossible) Boy, we can do much more together (It's not so impossible) Boy, we can do much more together (It's not so impossible) Boy, we can do much more together (It's not so impossible) Boy, we can do much more together (It's not so impossible) Boy, we can do much more together Boy, we can do much more together (It's not so impossible) Boy, we can do much more together (It's not so impossible) Boy, we can do much more together (It's not so impossible) Boy, we can do much more together (It's not so impossible) Boy, we can do much more together (It's not so impossible) Boy, we can do much more together (It's not so impossible) Boy I never meant to cause you pain My burden is the weight of a feather I never meant to lead you on I only meant to please me, however And then you tell me, "Boy, we can do much more Boy, we can do much more Boy, we can do much more together Boy, we can do much more together" I'm nothing but a selfish man I'm nothing but a privileged peddler And did you think I'd stay the night? And did you think I'd love you forever? And then you tell me, "Boy, we can do much more Boy, we can do much more Boy, we can do much more together Boy, we can do much more together" I gotta tell you, girl, I want nothing less Girl, I want nothing less Girl, I want nothing less than pleasure Girl, I want nothing less than pleasure I gotta tell you, boy, we made such a mess Boy, we made such a mess Boy, we made such a mess together Boy, we made such a mess together Boy, we made such a mess together Boy, we made such a mess together Boy, we made such a mess together Boy, we made such a mess together Boy, we made such a mess together

This is the best version on RU-vid!!!

This music makes me incredibly happy! The performance is amazing!

He was totally worth the wait.

man this makes me so incredibly happy. i'm in love with his mind and his soul and his voice.

Awsome, he's like a modern Peter Gabriel

This looked so fun, wish I was there

i wouldnt be able to handle this

Thank you for posting this. I enjoy Sufan’s music very much. It’s not just because I am a fellow Michigander. This is actually a tough song; attack, mixing sound, not to mention the notes and phrasing. So many face melting artists in this isolated State:)

Thanks! This is was so good!

thank you so much for this.

thank you so much. it was amazing

This is glorious. Thank you!

many thanks for recording the full version!! brilliant video!

Great video of a mind blowing show!

thank you for video!

thank you for this!! was a lovely night.

I looked at another tab for a while then came back and HOLY SHIT FULL ON BUTTERFLY AND DRESS THIS IS AWESOME

Oh wow. This is so amazing. Thank you so much Sufjan. This is incredible.

thank you very much for uploading this

amazing grace!

awesome....i love this xxxx

Simply wonderful.

Amazing!

This is amazing. Godddd i wish i was there.

Thanks for sharing this. I was there at the dome. Easily the best gig I've been to.

This is really really good!

See I like these shows they're up on stage having fun and gettin the stage messy, unlike shows where everything is organized and too much for show instead of quality of music

Just saw him in Dublin tonight, this was incredible!

love you sufjan

This is so sick

@Derek22464 I completely agree with you... it was so awe-inspiring... I felt so lucky to see him at London as well as Brighton... even though I watched him from afar in London, I could feel the energy and was completely blown away! I wish I could see him more times, my friend will be seeing him for the 4th time at Primavera!

WHYYY DID I MISS THIS TOUR

never thought about him that way, but DAMN i bet he is too!!

its genius

Wtf! I can't believe I had to leave before this :O!

@JPinto Thank you, glad you enjoyed it. :D

OMFG - thank you for posting this! So happy to be able to relive the best gig I've ever been to (I'm just really sorry that my apparently gigantic head was in the way for some of it.....)

@franienj i especially love his Rudolf Steiner stories as my boyfriend used to go to a Rudolf Steiner school too, so he can definitely identify with Sufjan! Hahaha. You're lucky you got to see him 4 times, I wish I had more opportunity to see him on this tour, this date was only my 2nd time. I will live with this and the Southbank gig as the best moments of my life though. AMAZING. :)

Man, that's rough... so sorry to hear that... :(

This is my favourite song

WOW

22:30 to 22:45 funniest thing ive ever seen, period.

i like the part when he sings

@noheartbeats yep I can see my head (can't really miss the bloody thing!) I'm sure it's not that freakishly big in real life :( & well done for keeping your hand up that long. I would have been in a brill spot for video but the security guy came and told people in the front row that we couldn't film but photos were fine (so took loads) 4th time I've seen him this tour. This was the best gig. Loved it!

I must confess, I do find it quite annoying the modern trend of people just standing there holding up their devices filming instead of actually engaging with the show. But, I take it all back in this instance - thank you noheartbeats for recording this track in particular because, apart from an electrifying "The Age Of Adz", I think this was the highlight of the night for me. I listened to the album yesterday and everything becomes fuller and richer when played live, especially this! Derek

@Derek22464 Exactly, I feel the album is so amazing live! To be honest I haven't heard the album until the South Bank show, so I was pleasantly surprised. Anyway, I'm pleased you enjoyed the video, thanks for watching and your lovely comments. :)

@akaBerferd Thank you! Haha, don't be jealous, I'm actually envious of you as you have a lot more chance of seeing him than we do here in the EU. :)

@Niceaction No probs, thanks, glad you liked it. :D

Hahahahaha JUST happened to me too! I love it..

@rekalena cheers, glad you liked it! :)

@Derek22464 I agree with you, it's especially annoying when the camera obscures your line of sight, so that's why sometimes my shooting goes off a bit because I am trying not to hold my camera too high to avoid disturbing anyone while enjoying the gig. :P I only wanted to catch one song, but I think I must be some sort of masochist because I had the (mis)fortune to have bad timing and got Impossible Soul... but in hindsight I'm glad I did because I can relive this over and over. :)

Holy s*** this Pyramid head is awesome !!!

gosh I’m so worried watching this that someone’s gonna trip. amazing video though!

@leeeeuwtje WHAT! No wayyyyyy, how gutting. :( I'm sorry you had to miss this... hopefully you'll get to stay for the whole duration of his next gig.

Cutest man alive

@noheartbeats thats the only downside of being front row, can't dodge the camera police. and ta for the compliment on my photos :) got a lot of crappy ones but I'm really pleased with how some of them turned out. Would have loved to have gone to more than 4 but credit cards are now maxed out. Norway trip to see him was bankrupting! Worth it for the memories though. Can't wait for him to come back and tour his next album!

indeed hilarious XD

@beckyhesilrige No probs, thanks and glad you liked it! :)

@Astral1980 It is indeed!

After being rejected by the girl of my dreams, this makes me feel a bit better...

@boggisman I like that part too.

If Thom Yorke had had to write this he would have cut his ear off.