When Love Flickered Out | Should'Ve Been "In Love" | Sufjan Stevens

Sufjan Stevens' song "Should've Been 'In Love'" is a poignant reflection on missed opportunities and the complexities of human connection. The lyrics are deeply personal, drawing from Stevens' own experiences and emotions.

The song's title phrase, "should've been in love," becomes a refrain throughout the track, serving as both a declaration of regret and a commentary on the fleeting nature of relationships. Stevens' distinctive vocal delivery adds an air of introspective melancholy to the proceedings, his voice soaring and dipping to convey the anguish and longing that permeates the song.

Lyrically, "Should've Been 'In Love'" explores the tension between desire and detachment, as Stevens grapples with the consequences of his own emotional withdrawal. He sings about the fragility of human connection, how even the most well-intentioned interactions can falter or fail to take root. The song's chorus, a haunting repetition of "should've been in love," becomes a lament for what might have been, had only one party been more open or receptive.

The song also touches on themes of nostalgia and regret, with Stevens reflecting on past relationships and the what-ifs that haunt him. His lyrics are characterized by their frankness and vulnerability, as he confronts his own shortcomings and the impermanence of human connections. The result is a deeply relatable and affecting song that will resonate with listeners who have ever struggled to reconcile their desires with their fears.

Throughout "Should've Been 'In Love'," Stevens' innovative production techniques add texture and depth to the emotional landscape, incorporating elements of folk, rock, and electronic music into his signature indie-folk sound. The overall effect is a richly nuanced and deeply moving song that showcases Stevens' remarkable storytelling abilities and his gift for crafting songs that are both intensely personal and universally relatable.