Fourth of July

Who it's for

Stevens wrote Carrie & Lowell after the 2012 death of his mother, who had left the family when he was very young, and he has said he recorded the songs as a way of grieving and making sense of it.

Feelings it meets

• Grief
• Regret
• Letting Go of the Past
• Mortality
• Family Roles

What it is

"Fourth of July" is a song by Sufjan Stevens from his 2015 album Carrie & Lowell, which Stevens and Thomas Bartlett produced. The album deals with the aftermath of the 2012 death of his mother, Carrie, who left the family when he was very young. This song recounts a conversation with her as she was dying in hospital, reflecting on their limited time together.

Where to find it

Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music (widely available).

Before you start

Heads up: A parent's death in hospital.

Age: Ages 12+

Even as the stone of the fruit must break, that its heart may stand in the sun, so must you know pain.Kahlil Gibran, The Prophet, “On Pain”