Back To Oz (feat. Angelo de Augustine)

Sufjan Stevens' song 'Back To Oz,' featuring Angelo de Augustine, is a poignant exploration of self-discovery, emotional turmoil, and the quest for authenticity. The lyrics delve into the complexities of love, identity, and the struggle to reconcile one's past with the present. The recurring theme of returning 'back to Oz' serves as a metaphor for going back to a place of origin or innocence, a place where the protagonist feels they can rediscover their true self.

The song opens with a sense of longing and buried dreams, suggesting a life that has been lived in the shadows of unfulfilled aspirations. The lines 'You love me but you don't know me' and 'You want me but you can't own me' highlight the tension between external perceptions and internal realities. This dichotomy is further emphasized by the protagonist's acknowledgment of their own emotional fragility, as seen in the lines 'I survived but I'm still afraid' and 'Do you mind that I'm falling apart?'. These lyrics capture the essence of feeling misunderstood and the fear of vulnerability.

The chorus, with its repeated call to 'follow my heart back to Oz,' underscores the desire to return to a state of purity and self-awareness. 'Oz' here symbolizes a utopian place of origin, perhaps referencing the magical land from L. Frank Baum's classic tale, 'The Wizard of Oz,' where characters go on a journey to find what they believe they lack. In this context, 'Oz' represents a personal journey to reclaim lost parts of oneself and to find solace in one's true identity. The song's emotional depth is further enriched by its haunting melody and Stevens' ethereal vocal delivery, making 'Back To Oz' a compelling narrative of personal redemption and the enduring quest for self-acceptance.