Mystery of Love

"Mystery of Love" delves into the complex and multifaceted nature of love, particularly the intensity and vulnerability of a first deep romantic connection. The song, written for the film Call Me by Your Name, mirrors the film's narrative of a summer romance between Elio and Oliver, capturing its beauty, joy, and eventual heartbreak. The lyrics explore the initial ecstasy and wonder of falling in love, a feeling so profound it's described as a spiritual or divine experience. However, this bliss is intertwined with an underlying current of sorrow and the painful awareness of love's transient nature. The song grapples with the idea that love, in all its beauty, can also bring immense pain and a sense of loss. It's a meditation on the enduring impact of a significant relationship, even after it has ended, and the questions that linger about love's purpose and meaning in the face of inevitable separation.

The song begins with the memory of a first kiss, an experience so profound it's felt rather than seen. The narrator recalls building emotional walls around their beloved, a fortress of affection. The sounds of the world fade into white noise as they remember a moment of blissful connection, feeling as if they are floating and touched by a divine hand. This memory is tinged with a sense of wonder and awe at the enigmatic nature of love.

A shift occurs as the narrator expresses a loss of faith, feeling overwhelmed by the very love they've received, describing it as a curse, particularly the love from their "brother's daughter." This introduces a layer of complexity and perhaps unrequited or complicated affection. A historical parallel is drawn to Alexander the Great's profound grief for his companion Hephaestion, signifying a deep, soul-altering love and the desolation of its loss. The narrator questions if they will ever find such a connection again, feeling exposed and prone to sadness.

The weight of this love and its potential end is symbolized by a blackbird on the shoulder, a harbinger of sorrow. The narrator questions the purpose of enduring such heartache when the love is destined to be over. The final verses are a plea for solace and a peaceful end, to be held by their lover until their last breath. The song concludes by reiterating the overwhelming feeling of that final touch and a blessing upon the profound and inscrutable nature of love itself.

"Mystery of Love" was written and performed by Sufjan Stevens for the 2017 film Call Me by Your Name. The film's director, Luca Guadagnino, initially approached Stevens to be the film's narrator, but Stevens declined and offered to write an original song instead. Stevens was given complete creative freedom and drew inspiration from André Aciman's novel of the same name and the film's script. The song was self-released digitally on December 1, 2017. A demo version of the song was later released in March 2025, revealing it was originally conceived during the recording sessions for his 2015 album, Carrie & Lowell. For his contribution to the film, which also included the song "Visions of Gideon" and a remix of "Futile Devices," Stevens received widespread critical acclaim, including an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song.

• Birds: Stevens has stated that the references to birds in the song represent "absolute freedom and transcendence." This imagery can be seen as reflecting the liberating and elevating experience of love.
• Alexander the Great and Hephaestion: The lyric "Like Hephaestion who died, Alexander's lover" draws a parallel between the love story in the song and the historical relationship between Alexander the Great and his closest companion, and likely lover, Hephaestion. This comparison elevates the song's romance to a legendary and deeply tragic level, emphasizing the profound grief that follows the loss of a great love.
• Rogue River: The mention of the Rogue River in Oregon is a personal touch from Stevens, who wrote the song while in the state. It grounds the universal themes of love and loss in a specific, tangible place, adding a layer of personal history to the narrative.
• Christianity: There are subtle allusions to Christian themes, such as the line "Hand of God deliver me." This spiritual language frames the experience of love as something sacred and divine, a "mystery" that inspires awe and wonder.

The predominant emotional tone of "Mystery of Love" is bittersweet and melancholic. The song beautifully captures the dual nature of love, encompassing both the ecstatic joy of connection and the profound sadness of loss. The delicate instrumentation and Stevens' soft vocal performance create an atmosphere of intimacy and vulnerability. There is a sense of nostalgia and longing that permeates the track, as the narrator reflects on a past love. The emotional landscape of the song shifts subtly, moving from the initial wonder and bliss of a first kiss to the sorrow and uncertainty of a relationship's end. Ultimately, the song leaves the listener with a feeling of gentle resignation and a deep appreciation for the beautiful and painful mystery of love.

"Mystery of Love" gained significant cultural recognition through its inclusion in the critically acclaimed film Call Me by Your Name. The song was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song and a Grammy Award for Best Song Written for Visual Media. Stevens' performance of the song at the 2018 Academy Awards, where he was joined by musicians like St. Vincent and Moses Sumney, further brought the song to a wider audience. The song was praised by critics for its poignant lyrics and its ability to perfectly capture the emotional core of the film. It has become one of Sufjan Stevens' most well-known songs and is often cited as a powerful example of his songwriting prowess. The song's introspective and emotionally resonant qualities have made it a favorite among fans and a significant piece of cinematic music from the 2010s.

"Mystery of Love" is composed in the key of G major with a tempo of 108 beats per minute in common time. The song follows a relatively simple and consistent rhythmic structure, driven by the arpeggiated patterns of the acoustic guitar and mandolin. The rhyme scheme is not strictly consistent, resembling a free verse style that prioritizes lyrical and emotional flow over a rigid structure. There are instances of couplets and near rhymes that provide a subtle sense of cohesion. The interplay between the lyrical rhythm and the musical rhythm is seamless, with Stevens' gentle vocal phrasing following the contours of the melodic lines. This creates a conversational and introspective feel, as if the listener is privy to the narrator's innermost thoughts and feelings.

"Mystery of Love" is characterized by its delicate and intricate acoustic arrangement. The primary instrumentation includes a gently plucked guitar, mandolin, piano, and strings, creating an intimate and ethereal soundscape. Stevens' vocal delivery is a soft, semi-whisper, which enhances the song's sense of vulnerability and intimacy. The song's structure is largely strophic, with verses and a recurring chorus that builds emotionally. Lyrically, Stevens employs vivid imagery and historical allusions to convey the depth of the emotions being expressed. The use of an oxymoron in the opening line, "Oh, to see without my eyes," immediately establishes a synesthetic and deeply felt experience of love. The narrative voice of the song acts as an emotional narrator for the film, capturing the inner world of the protagonist, Elio.

What is the meaning behind 'Mystery of Love' by Sufjan Stevens?

'Mystery of Love' explores the profound and often painful beauty of first love, capturing both the initial euphoria and the subsequent heartbreak. Written for the film 'Call Me by Your Name,' the song reflects on the fleeting nature of a passionate summer romance and the lasting impact it leaves.

Who is Hephaestion, mentioned in 'Mystery of Love'?

Hephaestion was the closest friend and likely lover of Alexander the Great. His inclusion in the lyrics serves as a historical and mythological parallel to the deep, all-consuming love and devastating loss experienced by the song's narrator, elevating the personal story to a timeless and epic scale.

What is the significance of the line 'Cursed by the love that I receive from my brother's daughter'?

This line is open to interpretation. Some believe it refers to Sufjan Stevens' own niece, whom he has mentioned in other songs as a source of light in his life, suggesting that such pure love can feel like a painful reminder of what might be lost. Others interpret it within the film's context, possibly alluding to a love that cannot be fully reciprocated, thus feeling like a curse.

Was 'Mystery of Love' written specifically for the movie 'Call Me by Your Name'?

Yes, Sufjan Stevens wrote 'Mystery of Love' specifically for the film after being approached by director Luca Guadagnino. He drew inspiration from the novel and the film's script to create a song that would serve as an emotional narration for the story.

What awards was 'Mystery of Love' nominated for?

'Mystery of Love' received several prestigious award nominations, including an Academy Award for Best Original Song and a Grammy Award for Best Song Written for Visual Media.