Size Too Small

I have a Live version of this song. Before he plays this song, Sufjan tells about what it is about. To understand who Robin is, click on the song "The Dress Looks Nice On You." I posted what he ways before that song. It kind of explains it. Anyway, here's what he says before this song:

The next year, Robin got a little smart, and she thought, well, she was interested in getting a husband, and she thought, "Maybe I'm looking in the wrong place." We just decided to be friends, and she put her name in this computer dating service, they match you up according to your personality. This was really popular back then too. It wasn't internet dating, because we didn't quite have the internet back then, but it was, you go into this office and they match you up with your likes and your dislikes. So that's how she met her fiance Rob. So, which I was very happy for her, but it all happened so fast, within five months she was engaged and she was married and she invited me to the wedding, to be in the wedding. So, that was fun. (Sarcastically) You know it wasn't so much that I was devastated, but , you know, when you're 14 it's just all sorts of chemical things going on in your body, and you don't really know how to process everything, so. So, I found it really hilarious, but also kind of really devastating too, so I was kind of a little bi-polar at the time. But I went to the wedding, and, uh, it was very surreal. It was very hot. There was no air-conditioning in the church, and it was August. My tuxedo was a little too tight. This song is called "A Size Too Small." (Laughs) Let's see if I can do this one.

duzeus, i know sometimes songs are just what the writer says they are about. mabe this one is, and maybe it's not, but you don't need to be upset just because someone wants to toss up a very plausible idea. most of sufjan's songs have double meanings to them, for example:concerning the UFO sighting, it has two meanings, a physical and a spiritual. please realize that sufjan is a religious and spiritual individual, so that has an effct on his lyric writing. even if you aren't religious, the songs you listen to can be. cut lap1021 break.

Yeah, I never thought about A Size Too Small metaphorically representing the awkwardness of adolescence, but that's gotta be right. Awesome.

'too small' also carries connotations - for me, especially, because of the Really American songwriting that Stevens does so well! - of being a bit sad and disappointing.

I always thought that was a song written to a long time friend at a wedding and how he wished he had a bigger part in his life, but had to settle for the size too small.

I always thought that was a song written to a long time friend at a wedding and how he wished he had a bigger part in his life, but had to settle for the size too small.

I've always thought of this song as a sort of dialogue or the surmising of the events between Judas and Jesus prior to Christ's crucifixion.

Judas would be the best man who was did not fit in (hence the size too small). The best man is a reference to the fact that all of humanity is the bride to Jesus, who is the bridegroom. Judas was one of Jesus' closest friends and questioned whether or not to put off what had been promised to him by Jesus (inheritance). Prior to Jesus' crucifixion, he wondered where Judas had gone (went to turn in Jesus), but he continued on ("arise us all...").

The chorus is playing on the idea that, even though Judas betrayed him, Jesus still acknowledges him and is dying for him as well as the rest of humankind (the "I still owe you" part).

The song then goes on to play on the fact that Judas surprised many by his actions, although Jesus already knew. And then it speaks in not only Judas' voice, but also the voice of all sinners. It is saying if I, as a sinner, begin to love the sins I am committing, will Jesus still be able to find room to forgive me ("size for all of me")?

I understand that Sufjan allegedly gave an explanation for this song, but I feel that this is an accurate breakdown of the song's meaning.

with respect to your religious beliefs lap1021 I don't think forcing religion into all of Sufjan songs would be appreciated. I know Sufjan is very religious but I don't think he'd appreciate being pigeon-holed, if Sufjan says that this song is about a friends wedding then it is, he should know.

this is one of the most beautiful sufjan songs, in my opinion. every time i listen to it, i just think it's about someone who loves this girl so much, and wants her to throw up her hands in the middle of her wedding to another man and choose sufjan instead.

would you surprise us in a size for all of me?

I think it's pretty obvious he's talking about the Lord himself in this beautiful track. When he sings, "I still know you, I still like you, the best man, I still owe you" he's talking about Him. I still owe you means he feels he has to pay back the suffering Christ went through on the cross.