Sufjan Stevens – Size Too Small

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I was the best man in a size too small
You were my best friend, going at it all
What if I put off my inheritance?
Where is the best man?
All arise us all in peace
I still know you
And I still like you, the best man
I still owe you

Everything rises, going at it all
All the surprises in a size too small
And what if I told you
I was still in love with this?
Would you surprise us
In a size for all of me?
I still know you
And I still like you, the best man
I still know you, the best man
I still owe you

Send "Size Too Small" Ringtone to Cell


Lyrics submitted by EvilPopkin

Track duration: 03:05


Size Too Small song meanings
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12 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:it can be about whatever you want
    i like what sufjan said though.
    Flag ireallylikebagelson August 01, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I think it's pretty obvious he's talking about the Lord himself in this beautiful track. When he sings, "I still know you, I still like you, the best man, I still owe you" he's talking about Him. I still owe you means he feels he has to pay back the suffering Christ went through on the cross.
    Flag Songdeciphereron April 22, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:this is one of the most beautiful sufjan songs, in my opinion. every time i listen to it, i just think it's about someone who loves this girl so much, and wants her to throw up her hands in the middle of her wedding to another man and choose sufjan instead.

    would you surprise us in a size for all of me?
    Flag partayattaylorson November 18, 2007   Link
  • +2
    General Comment:duzeus, i know sometimes songs are just what the writer says they are about. mabe this one is, and maybe it's not, but you don't need to be upset just because someone wants to toss up a very plausible idea. most of sufjan's songs have double meanings to them, for example:concerning the UFO sighting, it has two meanings, a physical and a spiritual. please realize that sufjan is a religious and spiritual individual, so that has an effct on his lyric writing. even if you aren't religious, the songs you listen to can be. cut lap1021 break.
    Flag borrowedcupofsugaron May 21, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:with respect to your religious beliefs lap1021 I don't think forcing religion into all of Sufjan songs would be appreciated. I know Sufjan is very religious but I don't think he'd appreciate being pigeon-holed, if Sufjan says that this song is about a friends wedding then it is, he should know.
    Flag duzeuson January 10, 2007   Link
    • 1 Reply
  • 0
    General Comment:I've always thought of this song as a sort of dialogue or the surmising of the events between Judas and Jesus prior to Christ's crucifixion.

    Judas would be the best man who was did not fit in (hence the size too small). The best man is a reference to the fact that all of humanity is the bride to Jesus, who is the bridegroom. Judas was one of Jesus' closest friends and questioned whether or not to put off what had been promised to him by Jesus (inheritance). Prior to Jesus' crucifixion, he wondered where Judas had gone (went to turn in Jesus), but he continued on ("arise us all...").

    The chorus is playing on the idea that, even though Judas betrayed him, Jesus still acknowledges him and is dying for him as well as the rest of humankind (the "I still owe you" part).

    The song then goes on to play on the fact that Judas surprised many by his actions, although Jesus already knew. And then it speaks in not only Judas' voice, but also the voice of all sinners. It is saying if I, as a sinner, begin to love the sins I am committing, will Jesus still be able to find room to forgive me ("size for all of me")?

    I understand that Sufjan allegedly gave an explanation for this song, but I feel that this is an accurate breakdown of the song's meaning.
    Flag lap1021on December 11, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I always thought that was a song written to a long time friend at a wedding and how he wished he had a bigger part in his life, but had to settle for the size too small.
    Flag Rageron August 22, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I always thought that was a song written to a long time friend at a wedding and how he wished he had a bigger part in his life, but had to settle for the size too small.
    Flag Rageron August 22, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:'too small' also carries connotations - for me, especially, because of the Really American songwriting that Stevens does so well! - of being a bit sad and disappointing.
    Flag _ellieon January 03, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Yeah, I never thought about A Size Too Small metaphorically representing the awkwardness of adolescence, but that's gotta be right. Awesome.
    Flag Raving Lunaticon May 07, 2005   Link

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