Should Have Known Better

"Should Have Known Better" is a song by American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Sufjan Stevens. It is the second track and second single from his seventh studio album, Carrie & Lowell, and was released digitally on March 11, 2015 on Asthmatic Kitty. A one-track promotional CD was later released on Asthmatic Kitty but was not available for sale.[5]

For other songs, see Should've Known Better.
"Should Have Known Better"
Single by Sufjan Stevens
from the album Carrie & Lowell
ReleasedMarch 11, 2015
Genre
Length5:07
LabelAsthmatic Kitty
Songwriter(s)Sufjan Stevens
Sufjan Stevens singles chronology
"No Shade in the Shadow of the Cross"
(2015)		 "Should Have Known Better"
(2015)		 "Carrie & Lowell"
(2015)
Music video
"Should Have Known Better" on YouTube

Critical reception

"Should Have Known Better" received positive reviews from contemporary music critics. The song was chosen upon release as Pitchfork Media's "Best New Track". Jeremy Gordon stated that, " 'Should Have Known Better' takes us back to the beginning he remembers, where Carrie leaves him in a video store at the age of 'three, maybe four.' In a hushed voice, he sings like he's clinging onto a blanket for warmth as he fixates on the black shroud that enveloped him in the wake of her absence, muting his ability to transparently express himself." Gordon continues, "But halfway through, an uplifting electric keyboard line kicks in; a subtle percussive note steadily taps out a reminder to keep going; his voice shakes off the ice and forms a chorus with itself, flowering into something hopeful. Sufjan flips the melody from the black shroud into a tender lyric about shoving aside his fear, discovering an oasis of perspective when he looks to his brother's newborn daughter and sees his mother in her face. When he sings 'nothing can be changed,' he doesn't sound resigned, but ready to look forward. It's the dawn at the end of a long night, a prayer that past traumas might be healed by a beautiful present."[6]

Certifications
Certifications for "Should Have Known Better"
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[7] Gold 500,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References
  1. "Sufjan Stevens Shares Somber 'Should Have Known Better'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 6, 2016.
  2. "Sufjan Stevens Carrie & Lowell (2015)". Punknews. Retrieved August 6, 2016.
  3. "Sufjan Stevens – Carrie & Lowell". PopMatters. Retrieved August 6, 2016.
  4. "SUFJAN STEVENS - CARRIE & LOWELL". Record Collector. Retrieved August 6, 2016.
  5. Beauchemin, Molly (March 11, 2015). "Sufjan Stevens Shares "Should Have Known Better"". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved March 17, 2016.
  6. Gordon, Jeremy (March 11, 2015). "Sufjan Stevens: "Should Have Known Better"". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved March 17, 2016.
  7. "American single certifications – Sufjan Stevens – Should Have Known Better". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
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