Arcade Fire

[stip]

We exist would be a pretty good song with better lyrics. I like the motown music but not the song Win built around it.

You're so embarrassing. Seriously. Who fucking cares about the lyrics, you colossal dork.

I know, I know. I'm one of those idiots who actually listens to the things that people say.

[stip]

I'm not quite sure on what planet these lyrics are "terrible". Examples?

Every time Win Butler hisses out 'but we exist' I want to roll my eyes. I liked it much better when Billy Corgan wrote about this when it was every song on Siamese Dream. This is just petulant crap. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with this sentiment. There's not. But this is just hamfisted crap that I can't excuse for its earnestness since it is packaged in such a slick fashion.



Walking around head full of sound
Acting like we don't exist
Walk in a room stare out through you
Talking like we don't exist

But we exist

Daddy it's true, I'm different from you
But tell me why they treat me like this?
You turn away, what could I say
Not the first betrayed by a kiss

Maybe it's true
They're staring at you
When you walk in a room

Turn on us fine
Stare if you like
Or just let us through
Just let us through

Down on your knees
Begging us please
Praying that we don't exist

Daddy it's fine, I'm used to them now
But tell me why they treat me like this?
Is it because we do it like this?

Maybe it's true
They're staring at you
When you walk in a room

Turn on us fine
Stare if you like
Or just let us through
Just let us through

Let them stare
Let them stare
That's all right with you

But lose myself
If it turn away from you

Daddy told him to wait
Mother, I'm so scared
But will you watch us drown?
You know that they will

You know that we're young
You know that we're confused
But will you watch us drown?
What are you so afraid to lose?

Down on their knees
Begging us please
Praying that we don't exist

We exist

normal person might very well be worse


Is anything as strange as a normal person?
Is anyone as cruel as a normal person?
Waiting after school, you want to know if you're normal too
Well, are you?

I'm so confused, am I a normal person?
You know, I can't tell if I'm a normal person, it's true
I think I'm cool enough, but am I cruel enough...
Am I cruel enough... for you?

Break it down until everything is normal now
I know

Take their tea at two, all the normal people, they do
They burned the jungle down, while you were sleeping it grew
You dream in English now, in proper English
Look how you're just the same as me
It's through!

If that's what's normal now, I don't want to know!
Mama, don't make me go!

When they get excited they try to hide it (...No!)
Look at those normals go!

If that's what's normal now, I don't want to know
If that's what's normal now...

Maybe if you have together, you can make the changes in our hearts
And if you hang together, you can change us, just where should you start?

I've never really ever met a normal person (...like you)

How do you do?

[harmless]

There are parts of the music in normal person I like (after the ridiculous live intro bit), but the lyrics are another killer here. I said this earlier but I'm bored with Arcade Fire singing songs about how horrible it is to live in a world where not everyone loves Arcade Fire.

You've said this several times now and I don't know what it means. Where is there a song about this? I can't hear it.

[stip]

all of their 'no one understands us because we're different' stuff. I just posted Exhibit A and Exhibit B.

Other stuff on the record is a lot more interesting, lyrically or thematically. I'm not saying this is every song.

[Soma.]

We exist would be a pretty good song with better lyrics. I like the motown music but not the song Win built around it.

You're so embarrassing. Seriously. Who fucking cares about the lyrics, you colossal dork.

I know, I know. I'm one of those idiots who actually listens to the things that people say.

And I stand to crucify you accordingly.

[stip]

it runs through a lot of their catalog in different ways, though

[harmless]

I'm not quite sure on what planet these lyrics are "terrible". Examples?

Every time Win Butler hisses out 'but we exist' I want to roll my eyes. I liked it much better when Billy Corgan wrote about this when it was every song on Siamese Dream. This is just petulant crap. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with this sentiment. There's not. But this is just hamfisted crap that I can't excuse for its earnestness since it is packaged in such a slick fashion.



Walking around head full of sound
Acting like we don't exist
Walk in a room stare out through you
Talking like we don't exist

But we exist

Daddy it's true, I'm different from you
But tell me why they treat me like this?
You turn away, what could I say
Not the first betrayed by a kiss

Maybe it's true
They're staring at you
When you walk in a room

Turn on us fine
Stare if you like
Or just let us through
Just let us through

Down on your knees
Begging us please
Praying that we don't exist

Daddy it's fine, I'm used to them now
But tell me why they treat me like this?
Is it because we do it like this?

Maybe it's true
They're staring at you
When you walk in a room

Turn on us fine
Stare if you like
Or just let us through
Just let us through

Let them stare
Let them stare
That's all right with you

But lose myself
If it turn away from you

Daddy told him to wait
Mother, I'm so scared
But will you watch us drown?
You know that they will

You know that we're young
You know that we're confused
But will you watch us drown?
What are you so afraid to lose?

Down on their knees
Begging us please
Praying that we don't exist

We exist

normal person might very well be worse


Is anything as strange as a normal person?
Is anyone as cruel as a normal person?
Waiting after school, you want to know if you're normal too
Well, are you?

I'm so confused, am I a normal person?
You know, I can't tell if I'm a normal person, it's true
I think I'm cool enough, but am I cruel enough...
Am I cruel enough... for you?

Break it down until everything is normal now
I know

Take their tea at two, all the normal people, they do
They burned the jungle down, while you were sleeping it grew
You dream in English now, in proper English
Look how you're just the same as me
It's through!

If that's what's normal now, I don't want to know!
Mama, don't make me go!

When they get excited they try to hide it (...No!)
Look at those normals go!

If that's what's normal now, I don't want to know
If that's what's normal now...

Maybe if you have together, you can make the changes in our hearts
And if you hang together, you can change us, just where should you start?

I've never really ever met a normal person (...like you)

How do you do?

Do you think these are bad because you read "We exist" as "Arcade Fire exists?" Most of this album is variations on pop and disco; did "Night Fever" have better lyrics than these, and is that an expectation you put on the genre?

[stip]

We exist would be a pretty good song with better lyrics. I like the motown music but not the song Win built around it.

You're so embarrassing. Seriously. Who fucking cares about the lyrics, you colossal dork.

I know, I know. I'm one of those idiots who actually listens to the things that people say.

And I stand to crucify you accordingly.

you are the church door to my martin luther

[harmless]

it runs through a lot of their catalog in different ways, though

The "We exist" idea? Yes it does, but who do you think "we" are in these songs? That's going to make a difference. Who is "we" when Eddie Vedder says it? In a song like, I don't know, "Infallible", where Ed is teaching us what we're always getting wrong, who is he addressing? The others in the band?

[Soma.]

I only wish you weren't so culturally retarded, Stip.

[stip]

I'm not quite sure on what planet these lyrics are "terrible". Examples?

Every time Win Butler hisses out 'but we exist' I want to roll my eyes. I liked it much better when Billy Corgan wrote about this when it was every song on Siamese Dream. This is just petulant crap. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with this sentiment. There's not. But this is just hamfisted crap that I can't excuse for its earnestness since it is packaged in such a slick fashion.



Walking around head full of sound
Acting like we don't exist
Walk in a room stare out through you
Talking like we don't exist

But we exist

Daddy it's true, I'm different from you
But tell me why they treat me like this?
You turn away, what could I say
Not the first betrayed by a kiss

Maybe it's true
They're staring at you
When you walk in a room

Turn on us fine
Stare if you like
Or just let us through
Just let us through

Down on your knees
Begging us please
Praying that we don't exist

Daddy it's fine, I'm used to them now
But tell me why they treat me like this?
Is it because we do it like this?

Maybe it's true
They're staring at you
When you walk in a room

Turn on us fine
Stare if you like
Or just let us through
Just let us through

Let them stare
Let them stare
That's all right with you

But lose myself
If it turn away from you

Daddy told him to wait
Mother, I'm so scared
But will you watch us drown?
You know that they will

You know that we're young
You know that we're confused
But will you watch us drown?
What are you so afraid to lose?

Down on their knees
Begging us please
Praying that we don't exist

We exist

normal person might very well be worse


Is anything as strange as a normal person?
Is anyone as cruel as a normal person?
Waiting after school, you want to know if you're normal too
Well, are you?

I'm so confused, am I a normal person?
You know, I can't tell if I'm a normal person, it's true
I think I'm cool enough, but am I cruel enough...
Am I cruel enough... for you?

Break it down until everything is normal now
I know

Take their tea at two, all the normal people, they do
They burned the jungle down, while you were sleeping it grew
You dream in English now, in proper English
Look how you're just the same as me
It's through!

If that's what's normal now, I don't want to know!
Mama, don't make me go!

When they get excited they try to hide it (...No!)
Look at those normals go!

If that's what's normal now, I don't want to know
If that's what's normal now...

Maybe if you have together, you can make the changes in our hearts
And if you hang together, you can change us, just where should you start?

I've never really ever met a normal person (...like you)

How do you do?

Do you think these are bad because you read "We exist" as "Arcade Fire exists?" Most of this album is variations on pop and disco; did "Night Fever" have better lyrics than these, and is that an expectation you put on the genre?

If a genre does something pretty terribly that is normally an important part of the music it is certainly going to affect my enjoyment of it. These are also, I think, clearly songs that are making STATEMENTS. They have messages. They want to be interpreted that way. And so yes, I will judge a song like that differently than I will Night Fever, which I doubt has similar aspirations.

No, I don't think it's literally a song about how arcade fire exists, but I do think that they are identifying themselves with misunderstood disaffected youth who think no ones understands them and is upset that the cool kids don't like them.

[harmless]

all of their 'no one understands us because we're different' stuff. I just posted Exhibit A and Exhibit B.

Other stuff on the record is a lot more interesting, lyrically or thematically. I'm not saying this is every song.

I've never read "We" as Arcade Fire.

I'm going to stop making the same point over and over again now.

[stip]

I only wish you weren't so culturally retarded, Stip.

it's true that actually paying attention to song lyrics in a band that pays attention to them is a sign of clear clinical cultural retardation.

[stip]

all of their 'no one understands us because we're different' stuff. I just posted Exhibit A and Exhibit B.

Other stuff on the record is a lot more interesting, lyrically or thematically. I'm not saying this is every song.

I've never read "We" as Arcade Fire.

I'm going to stop making the same point over and over again now.

I THINK I actually got around to answering your question in my last post.

[harmless]

I'm not quite sure on what planet these lyrics are "terrible". Examples?

Every time Win Butler hisses out 'but we exist' I want to roll my eyes. I liked it much better when Billy Corgan wrote about this when it was every song on Siamese Dream. This is just petulant crap. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with this sentiment. There's not. But this is just hamfisted crap that I can't excuse for its earnestness since it is packaged in such a slick fashion.



Walking around head full of sound
Acting like we don't exist
Walk in a room stare out through you
Talking like we don't exist

But we exist

Daddy it's true, I'm different from you
But tell me why they treat me like this?
You turn away, what could I say
Not the first betrayed by a kiss

Maybe it's true
They're staring at you
When you walk in a room

Turn on us fine
Stare if you like
Or just let us through
Just let us through

Down on your knees
Begging us please
Praying that we don't exist

Daddy it's fine, I'm used to them now
But tell me why they treat me like this?
Is it because we do it like this?

Maybe it's true
They're staring at you
When you walk in a room

Turn on us fine
Stare if you like
Or just let us through
Just let us through

Let them stare
Let them stare
That's all right with you

But lose myself
If it turn away from you

Daddy told him to wait
Mother, I'm so scared
But will you watch us drown?
You know that they will

You know that we're young
You know that we're confused
But will you watch us drown?
What are you so afraid to lose?

Down on their knees
Begging us please
Praying that we don't exist

We exist

normal person might very well be worse


Is anything as strange as a normal person?
Is anyone as cruel as a normal person?
Waiting after school, you want to know if you're normal too
Well, are you?

I'm so confused, am I a normal person?
You know, I can't tell if I'm a normal person, it's true
I think I'm cool enough, but am I cruel enough...
Am I cruel enough... for you?

Break it down until everything is normal now
I know

Take their tea at two, all the normal people, they do
They burned the jungle down, while you were sleeping it grew
You dream in English now, in proper English
Look how you're just the same as me
It's through!

If that's what's normal now, I don't want to know!
Mama, don't make me go!

When they get excited they try to hide it (...No!)
Look at those normals go!

If that's what's normal now, I don't want to know
If that's what's normal now...

Maybe if you have together, you can make the changes in our hearts
And if you hang together, you can change us, just where should you start?

I've never really ever met a normal person (...like you)

How do you do?

Do you think these are bad because you read "We exist" as "Arcade Fire exists?" Most of this album is variations on pop and disco; did "Night Fever" have better lyrics than these, and is that an expectation you put on the genre?

If a genre does something pretty terribly that is normally an important part of the music it is certainly going to affect my enjoyment of it. These are also, I think, clearly songs that are making STATEMENTS. They have messages. They want to be interpreted that way. And so yes, I will judge a song like that differently than I will Night Fever, which I doubt has similar aspirations.

No, I don't think it's literally a song about how arcade fire exists, but I do think that they are identifying themselves with misunderstood disaffected youth who think no ones understands them and is upset that the cool kids don't like them.

Win Butler has a theology degree, and is pretty passionate about how fundamentalism makes "others" of people, hence the song Normal Person and hence the subject of the entirety of Neon Bible. I really don't think this is about cool kids vs. uncool kids.

[harmless]

What if it's about kids in Haiti? That's the inspiration, right? Just an idea.

[Soma.]

Would it benefit conversation by stating that neither of you have any idea what you're talking about?

[stip]

those would both be better, but the lyrics need at least a few clues in them to send them in that direction. I also don't think these are somehow good lyrics as a result. There's not really many artful lyrics or thought provoking phrasings in there, but it certainly would help redeem the song thematically.

[Soma.]

What if it's about kids in Haiti? That's the inspiration, right? Just an idea.

If I had a glove that would warrant slapping your stupid face I'd have at it.

[harmless]

"Normalisation" of negative stereotypes is a pretty big subject for you, stip. There is humour and simplification in this song, but that's because it's, to all intents and purposes, a pop song.

"Take their tea at two, all the normal people, they do
They burned the jungle down, while you were sleeping it grew
You dream in English now, in proper English
Look how you're just the same as me
It's through!"

This verse references a jungle and "proper English". Might it not be about white imperialism?