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A Winner Needs a Wand Lyrics
Like it's killing me
It's kidding me around
This bite, you bit on me
You put on me a gown
That fits me like a quarter door
That hits me like a sound
It's like you shut on me
Or shouldn't be around
Like the fennel seed
The funny gene you found
I like the man-o-weeds
The man-o-wars abound
That fits me like a quarter door
That hits me like a sound
I might just win a war
A matador around
There's still nothing I can say to change
My news for you
There's still nothing you can do to exchange
My dues to you
Like you fit on me
To bit on me a bound
This life that's shut on me
That shouldn't be the grounds
To emulate an epicene
To elevate a sound
This life, a winner needs
A winner needs a wand
Never want to blame you
Bound you, blame me
Never want the blame you bound
Never want to blame you
Bound me, blame you
Never want the fame you found
And where's the same
And where's the strong
And where's the guard
And where's the one who tries to make you?
It's kidding me around
You put on me a gown
That hits me like a sound
It's like you shut on me
Or shouldn't be around
The funny gene you found
The man-o-wars abound
That hits me like a sound
I might just win a war
A matador around
My news for you
There's still nothing you can do to exchange
My dues to you
To bit on me a bound
That shouldn't be the grounds
To elevate a sound
This life, a winner needs
A winner needs a wand
Bound you, blame me
Never want the blame you bound
Bound me, blame you
Never want the fame you found
And where's the strong
And where's the guard
And where's the one who tries to make you?
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Well Sufjan always says he looks to his own past and feelings in his writing, so I think it is definitely about himself. I think this song is really a defiant stand against what people think of him, and his choice to venture into music.
It's like the burdens of becoming an "artist" fall upon him, and he questions what he should do with his gown, in which he's probably referencing graduating from college. Now that he has an education he has the doors opened to him to do as he pleases, and become a doctor or lawyer, but he chooses music instead.
Sufjan, it should be noted, was not a musician, however. His major instrument he played in high school and college was the recorder, he always jokes. So what chance is there of him becoming a master of music? There is a much better chance of him becoming the greatest at something else, though that's not where his heart lies.
As for the title, I think the wand could also mean a conductor's baton. A winning composer in the musical world stands before an orchestra leading, and here he is with his ambitions and his degree from the New School.
As for most of it I think it's him questioning God on whether or not he was put on the earth to make music, and on whether or not he will do it anyway, what he "should" do or not.
I love all the close sounds.
This is possibly one of my favorite Sufjan songs. Hard to decide on a favorite though because he is so amazing. I like the addition of his wife's voice.
Turns out he does not have a wife. I just assumed because the woman he sings with has the last name 'Stephens'. Same sound, different spelling. Just didn't notice the spelling at the time. Still a nice addition to the song though.
it sounds like he says in the beginning
'it's like you shit on me or shouldn't be around'
but otherwise. this song is amazing
thats what i thought sunstorm five, so i came here
awesome lyrics
This song confuses the heck out of me...
Anybody have any idea what it means?
I think its about how did something bad, like he broke a girls heart maybe, or broke a promise, or etc.
Im lost. Help me!
Love the song btw =X
yeah, this is one of those songs where you really have no idea what he's talking about
a winner needs a what? a wand? yeah...okay...
I believe Sufjan's use of the word "wand" here to be phallic. Earlier he uses the word "epicene" which means sexless or neuter (I had to look it up!). So a good translation may be "In this life, to be a winner, you need to be a man". This in turn is probably being used as a statement against patriarchal society injustice. Either that or it's a magicians wand to victory!! ;)
I just love this song. It just, idk, feels like he's just trying to let out these feelings held, but I'm probably gonna have to look up some of the words.