Most of my newer followers don't know this, but I love overanalyzing Arcade Fire lyrics. I've mentioned before that I doubt the meanings I give these lyrics are intentional, but they're there nonetheless.
-
Show this thread
-
Today we're gonna talk about the song The Suburbs.https://youtu.be/NHHLISaLe44
1 reply 1 retweet 5 likesShow this thread -
Take a listen before reading on, because tone is incredibly important here.
1 reply 0 retweets 2 likesShow this thread -
The lyrics I want to talk about goes as follows: So can you understand Why I want a daughter while I'm still young? I want to hold her hand Show her some beauty, before the damage is done But if it's too much to ask If it's too much to ask Then send me a son
1 reply 0 retweets 3 likesShow this thread -
The beginning of the lines, when he's talking about a daughter, is full of yearning. He wants desperately to have a daughter. He wants her to have meaningful and wonderful experiences with him.
1 reply 0 retweets 2 likesShow this thread -
The daughter represents an escape. He is asking that the inevitable bad things that are coming (whatever those things are) could be staved off long enough for him to share his own beloved childhood with someone new, and vicariously live it again.
1 reply 0 retweets 3 likesShow this thread -
He understands that the bad things (old age/the damage) ARE inevitable, but hopes he can have enough time to experience innocence once more.
1 reply 0 retweets 2 likesShow this thread -
But, as we realize with the final line, he knows that that might not be possible. He does not say "then send me a son" with the same yearning as the previous lines. He says it in the same way a passionate preacher says "Send fire oh Lord."
1 reply 0 retweets 3 likesShow this thread -
If these bad times are inevitable, and there is not time to experience innocence once more, send me a son that through him I may bring the bad times to a close as quickly as possible. Send me a son that he might cleanse the earth with fire and blood.
2 replies 1 retweet 6 likesShow this thread -
The unspoken idea behind these lines is that, when faced with adversity, the two valuable options are to somehow avoid it entirely, or, if that's "too much to ask," then to face it head on.
2 replies 0 retweets 3 likesShow this thread
Loading seems to be taking a while.
Twitter may be over capacity or experiencing a momentary hiccup. Try again or visit Twitter Status for more information.