I can see a lot of life in you
I can see a lot of bright in you
And I think the dress looks nice on you
I can see a lot of life in you

I can see a bed and make it too
I can see a fireside turn blue
And I can see the lot of life in you
Yes, I can see a lot of life in you

When the world looks back
When the face looks after that
I can see a lot of life in you
I can see a lot of life in you

I can see a lot of life in you
I can see a bed and make it too
And I think the dress looks nice on you
Yes, I can see a lot of life in you



Lyrics submitted by vwkeychain

Track duration: 02:32


The Dress Looks Nice on You song meanings
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38 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:I heard this in a commercial for the
    movie Remember Me (with R. Patz for
    all those Twi-hards) anyways the song
    caught me. It was kinda haunting and
    sweet. Like a swaying breeze or
    something. Well if you've heard it you
    know...Anyways my first Sufjan experience
    and hopefully not my last!
    Flag Udahoon March 17, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I think "I can see a lot of life in you" is one of the most beautiful comments one can receive.

    Some people think the repetition is kind of annoying, but I think it just intensifies the message. He doesn't just want you to hear what he's saying, he wants you to listen to it and absorb it.
    Flag LilyBearon February 15, 2010   Link
  • 0
    Memory:I love laalaalaaas comment. I think I spelled that wrong.
    When my Dad died, I was a wreck. My nephew came to town 2 days later and spent the night with me before the funeral. We talked all night and he downloaded this song for me to listen to and talked about his mom (my sister) and her clinical depression and how much he wanted her to be happy. It was an unforgettable night.
    Flag lindseygranton January 24, 2010   Link
  • +1
    My Interpretation:I know that this isn't what was the intended meaning of the song, but it always makes me think of my bulimia and how when i first told someone they just complimented me all the time. i dont speak to them much anymore, but what they said was beautiful.
    not only that, but the line "i can see a lot of bright in you" is like when I look in the mirror and realise there is still someone in there some, but you just can't get to them and be yourself again.

    either way, i love the song with all my heart.
    Flag laalaalaaon December 20, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:jkdlfskj;fcnx

    i see you much in you. you're so beautiful to me.
    i wish you would notice what i notice about you.
    Flag xLackOfColorHereon December 10, 2009   Link
  • -1
    General Comment:So first of all I am SO disappointed that the lyrics are "I can see a bed and make it too" not "I can see you better naked too." Which would be cute and reminds me of how guys may compliment your clothes but all they really want to see is you naked.

    I think this is one of the only songs I've heard by Sufjan where he doesn't sound so completely totally gay.
    Flagged pistrixon July 01, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:in my opinion, i interpret the line "and i think the dress looks nice on you" as an understatement.
    it's like...okay well in my head.
    i imagine the girl with the dress as completely beautiful. and her friend sees her at a dance or something and can't think of anything else except to say "you look nice" because he's so awestruck at how gorgeous she is.
    the girl that this song is about is one of those people who is really...alive.
    if that makes sense.
    she's one of those people who really shines, and really gives off this brilliance to the singer, because she makes him feel amazing.

    as for the other lines, i think the simplicity of them is representative of the simpleness of the girl's beauty and how pure his love for her is.
    when he points out things, such as "i can see the fireside turn blue" it seems as if this guy is noticing the simple things that people overlook. this girl is beautiful, but she may not go recognized all the time because she isn't outgoing or loud.

    it's about the simple beauty that we can find in another person sometimes, and how it can just amaze us.

    Flag xLackOfColorHereon June 16, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:A2P: My favorite cut on the new album is “The Dress Looks Nice on You.” From the first listen I was hooked on the song and I still am. Any insight as to the motivation for that song?
    Sufjan Stevens: High school girlfriend. Two years older. I was hardly through puberty. It was awkward and great. But I had no concept of graciousness and being a man and holding doors open. What did she see in me? Well, the song is nothing about that. It’s about understanding the potential of something but not being able to do anything about it. She was looking for a husband. I was looking for something far less permanent, of course.
    Flag Melisssa16on December 15, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I think that maybe this is the most beautiful song I've ever heard. I don't want to pick it apart and analyse it. It's too perfect for that; I don't want to spoil it. Just to let it wash over me . . : )
    xx
    Flag Suki Staron July 25, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I think that maybe this is the most beautiful song I've ever heard. I don't want to pick it apart and analyse it. It's too perfect for that; I don't want to spoil it. Just to let it wash over me . . : )
    xx
    Flag Suki Staron July 25, 2008   Link

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