Arcade Fire's 'Intervention' song

[GerryShannon]

Having particularly got into this band over the summer - and read Atlas Shrugged for the first time - I've been particularly struck how this song from their second album evokes themes and ideas from Rand's magnum opus, particularly the overall concept of a society falling apart over it's altruism ("working for the Church") and the paralysing fear of a society in chaos, with no obvious solution to save it. I eventually managed to track down an online review that suggests this (though more about the album in general): Through Neon Bible, the band is seemingly sending a beacon to other reasonable people forced underground by the world's insanity. It's almost like a musical version of Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged.

The song (but a fan-made video):

The lyrics:

The king's taken back the throne

The useless seed is sown

When they say they're cutting off the phone

I'll tell 'em you're not home

No place to hide

You were fighting as a soldier on their side

You're still a soldier in your mind

Though nothing's on the line

You say it's money that we need

As if we're only mouths to feed

I know no matter what you say

There are some debts you'll never pay

Working for the church

While your family dies

You take what they give you

And you keep it inside

Every spark of friendship and love

Will die without a home

Hear the soldier groan, "We'll go at it alone"

I can taste the fear

Gonna lift me up and take me out of here

Don't wanna fight, don't wanna die

Just wanna hear you cry

Who's gonna throw the very first stone?

Oh! Who's gonna reset the bone?

Walking with your head in a sling

Wanna hear the soldier sing

Working for the Church

While my family dies

Your little baby sister's

Gonna lose her mind

Every spark of friendship and love

Will die without a home

Hear the soldier groan, "We'll go at it alone"

I can taste your fear

It's gonna lift you up and take you out of here

And the bone shall never heal

I care not if you kneel

We can't find you now

But they're gonna get their money back somehow

And when you finally disappear

We'll just say that you were never here

Been working for the church

While your life falls apart

Singing hallelujah with the fear in your heart

Every spark of friendship and love

Will die without a home

Hear the soldier groan, "We'll go at it alone"

Hear the soldier groan, "We'll go at it alone"

Information about the band: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arcade_Fire

[Selene]

Gerry:

I assume you loved V for Vendetta then?

And one of my top 200 movies Braveheart, the Irishman's character was exquisite!

"Ahh, to find his equal, an Irishman has to talk to the almighty!"

Adam Selene

[GerryShannon]

Gerry:

I assume you loved V for Vendetta then?

I actually much preferred Alan Moore's far superior graphic novel, which is a more satisfying exploration of it's anarchist themes - and it's depiction of the society there. (Though you really wouldn't have much time for that in a film). I'd definitely recommend it you liked the film, (or even didn't care for it - which I didn't).

lol I remember that quote, actually haven't watched Braveheart in years!

Edited September 28, 2008 by Gerry Shannon