• July 1, 1975
• Both of Sufjan Stevens' parents were briefly members of the Subud spiritual movement, whose leader gave him his exotic forename. The name is of Persian origin and means "comes with a sword."
  
  Subud is a Javanese spiritual movement that was founded in 1925 by Muhammad Subuh Sumohadiwidjojo. It is a non-religious movement that focuses on the practice of latihan, a form of spiritual exercise that is said to allow people to connect with their inner selves.
• Stevens' music is influenced by his spiritual beliefs. His songs often deal with themes of faith, doubt, and the search for meaning in life.
• Sufjan was raised by his father, Rasjid, and his stepmother, Pat, after his mother Carrie left his family when he was a child. He only occasionally visited his mother in Oregon after she married her second husband, Lowell Brams. Sufjan later spent time with her when she was dying of stomach cancer. Lowell later took charge of the singer's label, Asthmatic Kitty.
  
  Stevens wrote his 2015 Carrie & Lowell album in the wake of grief after losing his mother.
• Lowell Brams recalled to Uncut magazine hearing a 15-year-old Stevens' first original compositions.
  
  "I'd heard him playing the piano earlier, but when I stopped by that time he played things on his little Casio - like classical piano concertos, but they were his own. That's when I thought, 'Wow! That's really unusual.'"
• In August 2023, Stevens was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome, which affects his speech, memory, and movement.
• When Stevens released his Javelin album in October 2023, he dedicated it to his late partner, Evans Richardson, who had passed away in April of that same year. Richardson had held the role of chief of staff at the Studio Museum in Harlem, a space devoted to celebrating the art of Black creators.
  
  This was the first time Stevens' acknowledged his sexuality to the public.

Comments

More Songfacts:

Hip To Be SquareHuey Lewis & the News

Members of the San Francisco 49ers, including Dwight Clark, Joe Montana and Ronnie Lott, sang backup on "Hip to Be Square" by Huey Lewis and the News.

SingEd Sheeran

"Sing" was inspired by a girl that Ed Sheeran met in Las Vegas in the summer of 2013, when "one thing led to another and now she's kissing my mouth."

Empire State of MindJay-Z

Jay-Z was going to ask Mary J. Blige to duet on "Empire State of Mind," but he decided on Alicia Keys when he heard the piano stabs on the track.

All of the LightsKanye West

Alicia Keys, Elton John, Fergie, and Rihanna all sang on "All of the Lights" by Kanye West.

Enter SandmanMetallica

The original "Enter Sandman" lyric was about crib death, with the "sandman" killing a baby.

Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'Michael Jackson

"Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" was Michael Jaskson's attack on the tabloid press: "They eat off of you, you're a vegetable."

Editor's Picks

Michael BoltonSongwriter Interviews

Into the vaults for this talk with Bolton from the '80s when he was a focused on writing songs for other artists.

Oliver LeiberSongwriter Interviews

Oliver Leiber talks about writing and producing hits for Paula Abdul, and explains his complicated relationship with his father, the songwriter Jerry Leiber.

Jason Newsted (ex-Metallica)Songwriter Interviews

The former Metallica bassist talks about his first time writing a song with James Hetfield, and how a hand-me-down iPad has changed his songwriting.

Rock Stars of HorrorMusic Quiz

Rock Stars - especially those in the metal realm - are often enlisted for horror movies. See if you know can match the rocker to the role.

Subversive Songs Used To SellSong Writing

Songs about drugs, revolution and greed that have been used in commercials for sneakers, jeans, fast food, cruises and cars.

Richie Wise (Kiss producer, Dust)Songwriter Interviews

Richie talks about producing the first two Kiss albums, recording "Brother Louie," and the newfound appreciation of his rock band, Dust.