"Chicago" by Sufjan Stevens

D, A, C, G. Four chords, placed end to end, repeated over and over again.On this episode, Kirk takes a deep dive into Sufjan Stevens's "Chicago," the centerpiece of his brilliant 2005 album Illinois. It's a towering construction supported by four chords, with building blocks of vibraphones, wurlitzers, strings, and choral harmonies.D, A, C, G. Eyes on the road; all things go.Artist: Sufjan StevensAlbum: Illinois (2005)Written by: Sufjan StevensListen/Buy via Album.LinkALSO REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:"The Bird Women of Golden Gate Park" by Kirk Hamilton from The Exited Door, 2009"Supernova" by Meklit from When The People Move, The Music Moves Too (2017)"Come on! Feel the Illinoise!" by Sufjan Stevens from Illinois, 2005"X. Section 8" by Steve Reich from Music for 18 Musicians, 1978"Clocks" by Coldplay from A Rush of Blood to the Head, 2002OUTRO SOLOIST: Kirk HamiltonKirk is, well, the host of Strong Songs. He decided to finally record an outro solo at the start of 2020. He's playing tenor sax, and there's actually a video of him recording the solo here: https://twitter.com/kirkhamilton/status/1214319584959877123--------------------May 2020 Whole-Note PatronsAccessViolation - Aidan Coughlan - Andre Bremer - Andrew Walters - Anne Britt - Bill Rosinger - Caleb Rotach - Chad Barnard - Christer Lindqvist - Craig J. Covell - Dan Apczynski - Dave Florey - David Zahm - Doug Paton - Erin - Glenn - Jared Norris - Jeanneret - Manning Family Four - Kyle Starr - Mark Schechter - Matt Butler - Merlin Mann - Mickey Clark - Nathaniel Bauernfeind - R Watson - Robert Paul - Ryan Torvik - Simon Cramp - Steve Philpot - Viki DunMay 2020 Half-Note PatronsAJ Schuster - Albukitty - Alexander Polson - Amanda Furlotti - Andrew Baker - Andrew Lee - Arjun Sharma - Bill Fuller - Brant Brantphillip - Brendon Oliver-Ewen - Brett Douville - Brian Amoebas - Briony Leo - Brooke Wilford - Caro Field - Chas Lednicky - Chris Brown - Clare Holberton - Clint Johnston - Cyrus N. White - Darryl Stewart - Dave King - David Stroud - David Zucker - Dhu Wik - Diane Turner - Duncan - Earl Lozada - Eero Wahlstedt - Elliot Jay O’Neill - Emily Williams - Fishbones - Forrest Chang - Gavin Doig - Georgia Livesay - Gerry Nelson - Jaehoon Jeong - Jake Tinsley - James Johnson - Jarrod Schindler - Jeffrey Olson - Jenifer Carr - Jennifer Bush - Jeremy Dawson - John and Sharon Stenglein - Jon O’Keefe - Jonathan Daniels - Juan Carlos Montemayor Elosua - Judith Stansfield - Judy Chapple - Jules Bailey - Justin Liew - Justin McElroy - Kate Albury - Kendra Reid - Kevin Morrell - Kevin Pennyfeather - Leigh Sales - Malory - Mark Haberlen - Mark Perry - Mark Steen - Markus Koester - Matt Betzel - Matt Gaskell - Melanie Stivers - MH - Michael Blackwell - Michael Bochner - Michael Flaherty - Miriam Juskowicz - Mueller - Nate from Kalamazoo - Nicholas Schechter - Peter Scott - Queen Latifah - Richard Toller - Robbie Ferrero - Sam Fenn - Shane DeLeon - Sheilah - SP - Stephen - Steven Craig Maron - Steven Maron - Stuart Terry - Suellen Moore - Tanner Morton - Tom Clewer - Tom Coleman - Tom Lauer - Toni Isaacson - Wayne Marsh - Zoe Little --------------------💃STRONG SONGS LIVE!🕺July 11, 2026 | Portland, ORBuy Tickets Here (Livestream Tix Now Available!)----LINKS-----💰 SUPPORT STRONG SONGS!Patreon | One-Time Donation🏠 HOMEPAGE👚 MERCH💬 DISCORD SERVER📬 KIRK'S NEWSLETTER🎸 KIRK'S GEAR & INSTRUMENTS🎶 KIRK'S MUSIC📷 KIRK’S SOCIAL MEDIA:Instagram | YouTube | Bluesky🎧 EVERY STRONG SONG:Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube Music🎨 SHOW ART:Tom Deja, Bossman Graphics