Sufjan Stevens - Video Game [Official Music Video - feat. Jalaiah]

Credits:
Director
Nicole Ginelli

Starring
Jalaiah Harmon

Director of Photography
Angelica Perez-Castro

Assistant Camera
Aimée Schroeppel Casey

2nd Assistant Camera
Charlotte Acker

Gaffer
Jordan Daniels

Steadicam Operator
Angelica Perez-Castro

Choreography
Jalaiah Harmon

Stylist
Metta Conchetta

Hair & Makeup
Stefanie Harmon

Animation, Editing, VFX, Compositing 
Nicole Ginelli

Additional Motion & VFX 
Will Rahilly 

Additional Editing 
Alex Mallis 

Co Producer
John Beeler

Producer
Nicole Ginelli

Filmed at
Studio Space Atlanta

Special Thanks:
Steven Ross, Taylor Russo

Lyrics:
I don’t wanna be your personal Jesus
I don’t wanna live inside of that flame In a way
I wanna be my own believer
I don’t wanna play your video game

I don’t wanna be the center of the universe
I don’t wanna be a part of that shameIn a way
I wanna be my own redeemer
I don’t wanna play your video game

I don’t care if everybody else is into it
I don’t care if it’s a popular refrain
I don’t wanna be a puppet in a theater
I don’t wanna play your video game

You don’t wanna be the one who has to pay for it
You don’t wanna be the one who has to change
All you want is what the resumé tells you
I don’t wanna play your video game
Chorus...

I don’t wanna play, I don’t wanna play (I just wanna go away)
I don’t wanna play your video game

I don’t wanna love you if won’t receive it
I don’t wanna save the world that way
I don’t wanna be your personal Jesus
I don’t wanna play your video game

I don’t wanna put the devil on a pedestal
I don’t wanna put the saints in chains
I just wanna make my life a little easier
I don’t wanna play your video game
Chorus...

I don’t wanna be your Julius Caesar
I don’t want it to go down that way
But in a way you gotta follow the procedure
So go ahead and play your video game
Chorus...

Sufjan Stevens: drums and percussion, Tempest, Prophet 08, Prophet 6, vocals
Casey Foubert: bass guitar*
James McAlister: additional drums and percussion*

© 2020 SUFJAN STEVENS MUSIC/ASCAP
©℗ 2020 AKR P.O. BOX 1282 LANDER, WY 82520 USA

[XX-nmkv]

Jalaiah is beautiful and is a natural star. Her charisma comes off of her in waves.

[cicatriz]

Statement from Sufjan about the song and video:
It’s unfortunate that we live in a society where the value of people is quantified by likes, followers, listeners and views. So many people are seeking attention for the wrong reasons. I think we should all be doing our best work without looking for accolades or seeking reward.

The main takeaway of ‘Video Game’ for me is: your worth (invaluable) should never be based on other people’s approval (ephemeral). Just be yourself. Keep it real. Keep it moving. Do all things with absolute purity, love and joy. And always do your best. Jalaiah epitomizes all of this and I’m truly inspired by her. So I thought, ‘what if we could get Jalaiah to star in a “dance video” about not wanting to star in a “dance video?”’ I’m so honored she agreed. She clearly owns it, and her work here is beautiful, poignant and true.

Her dance shows incredible energy, work-ethic and spirit. She is dancing for herself, not anyone else. Her choreography is sophisticated, nuanced, and fun. She is a star. She keeps it real. She keeps it moving. She keeps it true. What a blessing!

[loolynewbie]

Depeche Mode: Your own personal Jesus
Sufjan: Uno reverse card

[gavdrans]

Sufjan: (goes to a friend’s house)
Friend: wanna do some Smash Bros?
Sufjan: *sings this entire song*
Friend: okay jeez, we can just watch a movie or something

[randellino]

Who names the dancer in the title!?! Good guy Sufjan does.

[gregorymccomas]

I'm 56 and I love this guys stuff. The dancer is way cool too.

[HYLND]

Sufjan is the king of musical evolution. He knows exactly where he wants to take his music without losing what makes it special.

[dogwalk]

oh gosh, looking forward to this. first heard sufjan from a burnt cd in 2005 that my youth pastor gave me of illinoise. he's been my favorite ever since, mostly. fell out of love with him for a bit around the bqe but my gf at the time got us tickets for the age of adz tour in LA & it was so emotional & became a fan again. got to see him play a live soundtrack to "beyond this place, " as i sat about 15 feet from him, though he seemed kinda down, then got to see him in seattle on his carrie & lowell tour. what an amazing person. happy to have had him in my life for a decade & a half. super looking forward to this new album.

happy to share a virtual space with all you other sufjan fans 🤍

[srestha]

Sufjan's music is one of the few things I'm grateful for in life.

[jordaneil]

so thankful to exist in the Age of Sufjan

[sebastianmastruzzo]

SUFJAN I THOUGHT WE WERE SUPPOSED TO BE SAD

[caketinfairy]

I just wanna make my life a little easier too. Thank you Sufjan, much love

[LandryJLee]

Between this and America I'm sensing a theme: hard truths cloaked in fun melodies.

[XCM]

As a struggling video game develeoper: This is not motivational.

[vamben_]

To all the people who didn't love this as much as his other works, believe me when I say that this song is still a blast. It's one of those songs whose worth can't be calibrated in a single click. Just put this on loop and BOOM, u are in video game world jamming to this.

[josephzuniga]

Swinging in the backyard, pull up in your fast car----







Oh, it's by Sufjan.

[annewilliams]

80s pop? In *my* Sufjan Stevens? It’s more likely than you think

[plexus]

“I don’t wanna put The Devil on a pedestal... I don’t wanna put The Saints in chains”... damn I love that line.

[rainyowl]

sufjan i love you and love that you’re finally releasing the angry dance record of our dreams. pop icon 💕💕 cant wait to play your video game 🕹

[isabella-a-a-a]

I am currently on my 7th day of having Covid. Today was physically and emotionally the hardest yet.
Sufjan, I can’t tell you how much it means to have something to be excited for again. ❤️