In the Backseat
Arcade Fire Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I like the peace
In the backseat
I don't have to drive
I don't have to speak
I can watch the countryside
And I can fall asleep

My family tree's
Losing all it's leaves
Crashing towards the driver's seat
The lightning bolt made enough heat
To melt the street beneath your feet

Alice died
In the night
I've been learning to drive
My whole life
I've been learning

I like the peace
In the backseat
I don't have to drive
I don't have to speak
I can watch the countryside

Alice died
In the night
I've been learning to drive
My whole life
I've been learning how




Ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh, oh-oh
Ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Arcade Fire's "In the Backseat" involve a theme of transition and the passage of time. The first verse expresses a desire for peace and escape from the stress and responsibility of driving and speaking. The singer finds solace in the backseat of the car, able to observe the passing scenery and drift off into sleep. The second verse shifts to a darker tone as the singer reflects on the loss of family members, represented by the imagery of a tree losing its leaves and crashing towards the driver's seat. The lightning bolt serves as a symbol of sudden tragedy, and its heat is powerful enough to melt the street. Finally, the mention of Alice dying in the night and the repeated line "I've been learning to drive my whole life" suggest a coming-of-age story, with the singer facing the challenges and responsibilities of adulthood and mortality.


The song is full of poignant, introspective lyrics that resonate with listeners who may be grappling with similar feelings of uncertainty and loss. The gradual build of instruments, particularly the strings, adds to the overall emotional impact of the song. "In the Backseat" takes the listener on a journey through a range of emotions, from sadness and despair to hope and determination.


Line by Line Meaning

I like the peace
The calm and serene atmosphere in the backseat gives comfort to the singer.


In the backseat
The singer is physically occupying the backseat of a vehicle.


I don't have to drive
The singer is not in charge of controlling the vehicle's direction.


I don't have to speak
The singer doesn't have the obligation to talk to the people riding in the car.


I can watch the countryside
The singer finds pleasure in observing the scenic roadsides while not driving.


And I can fall asleep
The comfort level of the backseat is capable of putting the singer in a slumber.


My family tree's Losing all it's leaves
The singer's family is slowly dwindling in number.


Crashing towards the driver's seat
The family's demise is affecting the person who is in control of the vehicle.


The lightning bolt made enough heat To melt the street beneath your feet
The power and heaviness of tragedy are so much that it feels like the ground is melting beneath everyone's feet.


Alice died In the night
Someone named Alice died during a dark period.


I've been learning to drive My whole life
The singer has always been preparing for command and control in their life.


I've been learning
The process of preparing oneself for taking command is never-ending.


Ooh, ooh, oh
This line doesn't hold any particular meaning and is more of an emotional exclamation.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Regine Chassagne, Richard R Parry, Tim Kingsbury, William Butler, Win Butler

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

meh, why a username1?

[Verse 1]
I like the peace
In the backseat
I don't have to drive
I don't have to speak
I can watch the countryside
And I can fall asleep

[Verse 2]
My family tree's
Losing all its leaves
Crashing towards the driver's seat
The lightning bolt made enough heat
To melt the street beneath your feet

[Chorus]
Alice died
In the night
I've been learning to drive
My whole life

I've been learning

[Verse 3]
I like the peace
In the backseat
I don't have to drive
I don't have to speak
I can watch the countryside

[Chorus]
Alice died
In the night
I've been learning to drive
My whole life
I've been learning how



peaceonearth369

I like the peace
In the backseat
I don't have to drive
I don't have to speak
I can watch the countryside
And I can fall asleep

My family tree's
Losing all it's leaves
Crashing towards the driver's seat
The lightning bolt made enough heat
To melt the street beneath your feet

Alice died
In the night
I've been learning to drive
My whole life
I've been learning

I like the peace
In the backseat
I don't have to drive
I don't have to speak
I can watch the countryside

Alice died
In the night
I've been learning to drive
My whole life
I've been learning how



All comments from YouTube:

Jacob Ludwig

I never thought i would relate to a song so intimately. Funeral has always been one of my favorite albums despite me being only 3 when it was released. My mom got me the vinyl of funeral last Christmas. 4 days ago she passed unexpectedly while I was 4 hours away in University. I can feel the pain in Regines voice because it is my pain as well. I’ve always liked this song for it’s beautiful Cello arrangement and vocals but never knew I would ever relate to it so intimately. My mom played Cello in a symphony orchestra and would take me to see different orchestras all the time. She would always be sure to point out the Cellos and say how that used to be her. I wish I didn’t relate to this song like I do. I miss you Mom❤️

Joe Jeanne Collin

And I can feel the pain in your words. Your mother raised a good man, and I hope you find solace in that her beauty resonates in you.

Hayleigh Lawson

I hope you're keeping well Jacob?

Aaron Howard

Thank you for sharing that! I'm sorry you lost your mother. This song is a masterpiece. She goes through every emotion of grieving and the music is brilliant and dynamic! ❤

Aaron Howard

The closing song of "Funeral" is an overlooked masterpiece. It's so visceral and raw, and totally dynamic with unexpected bursts of anger and raw emotion, like you're going through her grieving process with her. Simply stunning!

Phil Montgomery

It’s so hard to lose that childhood sense of irresponsibility. This song highlights how difficult that transition is for some of us. Im so thankful for this song because I know Im not the only one. Music is abstract so if you interpret it in a different way. I’d sincerely love to hear what this song means to you.

DystrophicEvolution

Yeah, I think that is what I came up with after learning "Alice" was her mother. I think it's basically about losing a matriarch (could be her mother in that sense) and/or someone who you trusted and depended on so much that you basically coasted through life with limited responsibility or duties. Some shy kids hide behind their parents' shadows and when the parents are gone, the kids have to step up in life hence she has to get in the front seat and behind the wheel in life... taking over, being her own driver.

Anyways as mournfully sad as the song is, it's also very emotionally beautiful - and maybe even profound in the way a life lost has meant another life to have more life to live in a sense.

Ed G

The opening and closing tracks in Funeral were literally perfect.

gele0stift

and everything in between :)

Kristian Ruth

Yeah, the first song is my favorite and this is a close second, especially when analysing and understanding the lyrics

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