How Bon Iver Wrote ‘iMi’: 5 Years, 28 People and a Piece of Cardboard | Diary of a Song

In our latest episode of “Diary of a Song,” Justin Vernon, the Grammy-winning Kanye West collaborator, recounts the emotional toll of his yearslong effort to write the song “iMi.”
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[@Ruby-eq1qg]

wheezy trying to pronounce bon iver before giving up is so funny and relatable

[@davidwave4]

Still waiting for the James Blake x Bon Iver x Frank Ocean song I was promised in 2016.

[@potatogood7871]

God That's long time ago

[@Infaziation]

Still waiting for the James Blake x Bon Iver x Frank Ocean x Francis and the Lights x Kanye West song

[@nobodyhome3753]

@@Infaziation Getting close kzbin.info/www/bejne/hmOVdZ5sgs-Vaac

[@millje7]

Jay Friends & Take Me to the Light by Francis are halfway there lol. Both are amazing songs

[@leokoprowski]

when this was promised? i never heard bout it.

[@hannahhalvorson4386]

I really do feel bad for all of the people who don't experience this music the way that we do. It is unworldly.

[@abdurrazzaq2314]

Blessed❤

[@JoannaRevelleCreative]

Watching this in headphones alone drunk in a hostel bunk bed and it's the greatest video I've ever watched. I feel lucky to be alive with this beauty.

[@landsend3417]

I’ll die with my headphones on my head

[@ayounggreek]

What an amazing thing to think about who else has been touched by a certain video or music. And getting the context of where you listened to this is wonderful. I'm also in the bottom bunk, at about midnight listening to this in my headphones.

[@socialbizzle]

@@ayounggreek I'm so glad you wrote that. Agreed, was such a nice touch to feel where other people were experiencing it.

[@nathancornwall2208]

Can relate to this. It'd beauty, and it's so much better to know the story. Does bring a tear

[@thejesuschrist]

amazing

[@vh_youtube]

Peace be with you Mr Christ

[@ntokozontshangase8757]

Jesus Christ you follow Bon iver aswell !!

[@Macrofficial]

My Guy!

[@abdurrazzaq2314]

Jesus fuvkinh Christ! You here too?

[@notsilvi]

mr christ has tastee

[@l.s.9671]

So I came across this video first (it was in my recommendations). Then I went and listened to the actual song. And my appreciation for the music was unlike anything I'd ever felt before. Then I went on a Bon Iver binge. I'm now a full-fledged fan of their music. Holocene is one of my favorites. Real art right here.

[@babydoe7504]

Welcome to a whole new world bud. We named our daughter after them we love them so much. Dylan iver. Saw them twice last year. If you ever get the chance, go see them.

[@edward3320]

Here's some advice I'm incredibly lucky to have found: Search up Bon Iver I can't Make You Love Me, on Google. There's a video video of him playing a piano, play it. Song was removed from all stores.

[@mllkimllki]

same as me

[@mSTRMNDi]

might wanna get on the sound of tash sultana. Pretty different but the feeling is the same

[@cincylaw14]

I loved reading this. I just saw them live for the first time! It’s awesome watching someone discover music like this and fall in love with it. BI is just brilliant.

[@bremki]

Easily the best song on the album. So innovative! Good to know it takes almost 30 people to make such an amazing song, now I can relax about not being able to create a masterpiece by myself! Lol

[@ohhimark8028]

bremki it doesn’t take 30 people, but it’s cool Nonetheless

[@bremki]

Oh hi Mark Clearly you’re missing the humor in that statement. :P

[@ElliottJohnsonXX]

Music is RNG

[@MasDouc]

I skip it every time

[@ptrkwen]

Its my top five and Naeem and Faith are really up there

[@dawnnicholson9675]

' As Soon As He Sings.. I Feel Like He Makes Everything Right ' Perfect, Chris Messina

[@QbiKz]

Stop capitalising every word you moron

[@skelanimalsworld]

"As soon as he sings, I feel like it makes everything right" that's how my life feels when i listen to any bon iver song

[@jcouture3]

You’re telling me we were robbed of Bon Iver x Frank?

[@mj8105]

If this song is what we got I don't miss a thing

[@TunnelJumper]

😟☹️

[@banded4645]

can i get at least 3 modafaking songs out of a bon iver x frank collab

[@ricomarez7834]

Justin made it sound like he didn't want to be a part of it

[@atlantismcdaniel7342]

I was thinking the same thing ugh

[@williamkettle3923]

The fact that this turned into F33l Lik3 dyin is the most inspiring thing of all time

[@kylecredo]

Just had to put the Frank Ocean tidbit at the end ehh? Perfect for end credits, wouldve never fit anywhere else.

[@tajriaaan]

"oh yeah, we call it red."

[@Jaystrades]

On the first listen you can hear how much was put into this song. This breakdown confirms that.

[@lulu10tacles]

its so awesome to get this story I feel like when you hear iMi it just sticks out as being so expansive it seems almost impossible for one person to create, this is such an awesome process for it. Easily my favorite bon iver track

[@JoeyGuidi]

There aren’t enough Vans Old Skools in the world to account for a Bon Iver x Frank Ocean x James Blake collab

[@FlyingNinjaCow12]

underrated comment

[@KRN7792]

Justin's talking voice is pleasant.

[@Renatamartinelli]

This series is AMAZING. Shoutout to whoever is bringing the songs to life with images. I’m so glad we get to see the process of this amazing song. Justin Vernon is a gem.

[@felipecostapeuser7791]

Thank God Trevor was recording

[@go2lucy]

So cool to hear how the song came from almost nothing and was built into a full-blown winner. The little song that could! Talk about TRUST. FAITH. COMMITMENT. love this.

[@ChINNg28]

I was never into a musician that much before Bon Iver. Music was never something that really makes an impact on my life or whatsoever, but Justin's music just makes me feel deeply, which makes me feel the presence of my soul (sounds dramatic but I don't know how else to describe), which doesn't happen much and it's amazing. This video just makes me admire him more! Thank you for it

[@TheAndroid4life]

FUN FACT: Porter Robinson revealed in an interview that the song playing on the radio was Clarity by Zedd (and also Porter Robinson, even though he doesn't get official credit)

[@bluecheeseent.1516]

Thank you

[@PlagueRiddenBlightSpawn]

Wild how I never knew the backstory to the song but it always stuck out to me as a culminating moment of a song. Just a crescendo of so many musical elements and styles that is so abstract yet nostalgic. Bon Iver and his collaborators are on a very special musical journey.

[@lumbum_]

Wheezy is a freakin legend

[@seanthadondontcom]

He’s outta here.

[@carricktim7]

@@seanthadondontcom i laughed so hard

[@carterwelland3006]

Sounding like Ben foster

[@kenneth3174]

And this blended so well with Carti WLR

[@chennanigan]

Justin Vernon never ceases to amaze me! Such a musical genius, and he deserves so much more recognition.

[@atalkinghead3637]

Saw them live in Salt Lake City last night. Amazing experience.

[@PuncualPUMBA]

aTalkingHead I was at that show as well! Truly amazing show.

[@nilerobinson742]

iMi has to be the greatest Bon Iver song of all time

[@cicerogsuphoesdown7723]

Ehhh tough to say

[@flangelouder]

Yeess

[@mdtell]

It's up there, but its hard to say that when Holocene is sitting right there.

[@calebmiears5866]

I mean it’s so hard to judge his songs cause each one is such an experience!

[@mj8105]

No doubt it's my favorite

[@JoseIbarra-uq5xg]

This was one of the coolest videos I've seen in a while. Great insight but still entertaining.

[@chilled1792]

i can’t decide which is more uplifting “i am, i am, i am, i am” or “ON A BRIGHT FALL MORNING”

[@djlarrypeace]

Christ, the song is amazing and it's 'effin' awesome to know how many people were involved and how long it took to land on the version we have. Incredible.

[@TJGRecking]

That's incredible on how this song came into fruition. Love the song!

[@cityabsurdia6680]

Loving this album but absolutely obsessed with that song! Great video!

[@3markers]

Great work on this song. Made me cry on the first listen.

[@tbrunswick6605]

Fantastic video. Its nicer now than ever to hear these insights from everyone involved. Great album and I'm glad they all seem so happy

[@1356071]

I know exactly where justin was sitting for this interview 😂 I'd do a lot of things just to sit down and have a conversation with him. He is brilliance.

[@CannabisUseOnly]

easily one of my most favorite artists of all time

[@arieljoy9491]

Amazing! My favorite song from the album!!!

[@elliotjones8224]

Love this song so much and how much went into it. Really makes me appreciate it more after watching this. Great vid

[@nattyophelia7879]

The beard looks great Justin! I’m loving the new music, hope all is well! ❤️ Natasha

[@janethope]

More of these stories please!

[@KordTaylor]

This is really insightful. Love to learn how people work on art. Please more!

[@Rcketts]

Thank you for making this !

[@saloneeshetty5506]

There so much of happiness in the video , I was literally gasping for air

[@ninabean]

Justin Vernon is just brilliant

[@spotieotie]

I found out about these guys when I was on a plane to DC to attend Obama's inauguration in 2008-2009, the tender age of 21. The song For Emma will forever remind me of that trip/moment in history. Just something very strange about how well what song fit with the happiness of the moment. Millions of people rejoicing at his victory. So much love and happiness in the air it was palpable. I don't think it was meant to be a happy song, which is why it is strange. Thank you so very much Mr. Vernon for writing this song. I will take that memory to my grave.

[@erroldtumaque3430]

The sonics of this song is such a unique experience and makes me feel things

[@landsend3417]

I loved hearing them open with it...

[@tomkoepke3996]

It's funny. I listened to this entire album on Mushrooms a few weeks ago, and I had this overwhelming sense of unity and Chaos. waves of uncontrollable emotion consumed me. the passion shines through his music on a physical and spiritual level.

[@gilbertmubangizi3076]

I love the anticlimax at the end of the video regarding Frank Ocean. The conversation jumps from profound insights into the song to brutally frank (pardon the pun) assessments on just how out there the work actually is.

[@Infaziation]

Awesome video

[@Odivse]

beautiful video

[@kitgrier7031]

I completely relate to the verses to the point of tears. It pulled me out of a deep personal ditch. It inspired hope in me again. Thank you.

[@christianbutler9141]

Honestly this song resonates a ton with me. In a melachony way its beautiful, mysterious and just makes you wonder

[@anaklusmosgreek3198]

Your editing b-roll animations is exactly how i imagined the audio would be visualized

[@EnglishRain]

Masterfully made video!

[@fabianafboda]

Ow that is fascinating, I've just discover this song and it felt like a breath of fresh air...

[@VictorDiaz97]

This is awesome insight! Now I need an analysis for the whole album 😅

[@Swagpapii]

I remember listening to this song with headphones for the first time; I looked at my fiancee and told her that listening to iMi was like having a religious experience.

[@MonieMuse]

Love hearing the story of creation ❤️❤️❤️

[@plef5566]

“Bon Iver is the Grammy award winning Kanye collaborator?” Really? That’s Bon Iver’s claim to fame?

[@DeathStarDaddy]

fushangbin yes

[@spotieotie]

I mean, kinda? Mainstream breakthrough wise.

[@abdurrazzaq2314]

da fuh you talkin' bout dude?

[@ariyelfeasey5966]

Ahahaha thought that as well - like he has such a big influence on his own

[@alexissalazar8567]

Well, didn’t know who or what Bon Iver was until they collabed with Taylor Swift. How ironic.

[@cam-asherbond5316]

Man I watched their set open with this and it punched me in the heart.

[@OlufemiFilms]

Can’t wait to see him in October

[@meyedraven6039]

songs still on repeat

[@quietfeeling4667]

favorite song on the album

[@angilas7735]

What a great and personal video.

[@ElishaDavid]

It was so well made. I love how they have the song playing in the background, having the instruments built with the narrative of what each member adds.

[@Ttmn0_0]

Thank you🙏

[@paolokutufa6625]

3 am here in Siena (Tuscany, Italy). I just want to thank all of you.

[@rosiemclane9663]

What an epic, inspiring tale. 💚

[@alexanderjames5689]

This speaks to me so much! I just made some art chopping up a random voicemail I found on my work computer 👍

[@rainamullen]

love this!

[@leandrobarcellos8198]

Just made me love this song even more

[@SeparatedFromSociety]

awesome video

[@Petra-P]

im touched

[@douglascativo5348]

I love this song! One of my faborites

[@MayorBrownn]

This was beautiful

[@zinzolin14]

I love this song, but no idea this song went through such a big years long journey! It all really came together with the joint efforts of everyone involved 👍

[@anechoicsoul]

Bon Iver is truly magical.

[@prod.bblickshit7923]

I f33l like dying 🤔🤔

[@dempseyfullerton7938]

they shoulda waited to make this documentary lol

[@Dampealx7]

This is amazing. just wow

[@lucasgabrielvilasboas8436]

Now I know why carti sampled it. Masterpiece.

[@chowell1451]

@Romeo ThePLUG Richie souf

[@williamkettle3923]

Not a sample, his version of the song

[@iammagna]

Wow, after hearing someone point it out it becomes obvious that the song playing on the radio was Clarity by Zedd, wild.

[@abidfarhan1163]

Whaatt don't hear it still, is the actual radio recording chopped up or smthn

[@iammagna]

@@abidfarhan1163 If you listen closely at 1:23 in this video you can hear the voice say "you" and the first half of the phrase "my remedy" which is part of the chorus to Clarity. Hope that helps!

[@thiagohvs]

omfg, I never noticed that

[@brotherblaine]

i cant believe it. incredible

[@marthamurillo6978]

Amazing!

[@raphaeldavison5105]

this.was.beautiful.

[@haleys_hus]

BIG YEEEEEEET thanks NYT

[@prokaleo1233]

Love this take on an amazing song. Thanks! Any hints on the song from 3:33-3:54?

[@harryelliott6945]

This song is beautiful

[@Diego-xg6jt]

thank god trevor was recording

[@barbaraj7859]

"Are you recording Trevor?" "YESS"

[@angelikaschwaff8021]

Brilliant!

[@MichaalHell]

This is easily my favorite song on the album. I was kind of godsmacked by the production. As a hobby song writer I kind of got an existential crisis as to I will never ever write anything close to this song. It’s nice to see that it took some effort to get there 😄

[@TheShadXP]

This song changed my life

[@kristennicole218]

Cool video as always, Joe. It would be awesome if there was a "Diary of a Song" for the some of the songs on his self-titled and For Emma, Forever Ago albums but I understand that's a lot and untimely 😂

[@keepitinthefamilyradio5547]

AND I FEEL LIKE DYYYIINNNNNN

[@rachanalong]

Amazing and unbelieve ....

[@drivn4895]

I heaarrrrttttt this song so much

[@jroxas0128]

Genius 👏🏽👏🏽

[@frontlinebreakthrough5723]

I'm so grateful that you've done this .

[@taramccarthymusic9291]

Bon Iver will still be playing in my home when I become a very old lady.

[@spacealienjesus709]

Really cool