Sufjan Stevens//Detroit, Romulus and Ypsi

So, here’s a 3-for-1 to wrap up to Michigan Week—and how appropriate that the final offerings are from Michigan native Sufjan Stevens’ 50 States project kickoff Greetings From Michigan: The Great Lakes State.

These three songs happen to be some of my favorite tracks on the album, in addition to accurately representing the stops on the trip that I’m about to go on. I’ll be flying into Detroit (although the airport is actually in Romulus) and then heading to Ypsi for the wedding pre-party. The wedding itself will be in Kalamazoo, but unfortunately, there isn’t actually a Sufjan song about Kalamazoo. Sorry, kids.



Detroit.mp3
Full title: Detroit, Lift Up Your Weary Head! (Rebuild! Restore! Reconsider!)
A song about all Detroit’s wasted potential. People mover, bad decision.

Romulus.mp3
This song has the ability to make me cry. Anywhere. Anytime.

For The Widows In Paradise, For The Fatherless In Ypsilanti.mp3
Ypsi is a weird and depressing place. It has a very phallic looking water tower and is home to the famed Ypsipanty.

Michigan Fun Fact #4: The People Mover is an ineffectual public transit system that was built by Detroit in 1987. It loops around the city of Detroit, stopping mostly at major casinos. Nobody that I know has ever actually used it. It was rededicated during a 20th anniversary ceremony last year. Recently imprisoned and obviously corrupt mayor Kwame Kilpatrick was there to kick it off.

Say Yes! to M!ch!gan!

See you next week!