As with much of the second album, the song is grandiose in scope, but reaches the sort of joyous, escapist climax that is suggested, but never fully realized throughout the rest of the album. On its own, No Cars Go is one of Neon Bible’s most accessible, immediate songs, but in the narrative arc of the album, it takes on an even greater significance.
No Cars Go
Arcade Fire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Hey)
We know a place where no planes go
We know a place where no ships go
(Hey) No cars go
(Hey) No cars goWhere we know
We know a place no space ships go
We know a place where no subs go
(Hey) No cars go
(Hey) No cars go
Where we know
(Hey)
(Hey)
(Cars go)
(Hey) Us kids know
(Hey) No cars go
Where we know
Between the click of the light and the start of the dream
Between the click of the light and the start of the dream
Between the click of the light and the start of the dream
Between the click of the light and the start of the dream
Little babies, let's go
Women and children, let's go
Old folks, let's go
Don't know where we're going
Arcade Fire's song "No Cars Go" touches on the idea of escapism and a desire to find a place where societal norms and industrialization cannot reach. The song's chorus "No cars go" is a reference to a world without modern modes of transportation; no cars, nor planes, or ships. The lyrics describe a utopia that only "us kids" know about, where dreaming is more important than reality.
The song's verses continue with various modes of transportation that are absent in this utopia, including spaceships and submarines. The lyrics emphasize the idea that this place is not just unreachable by land or sea, but also by the skies and the depths of the ocean. The repetition of the chorus highlights the central idea of the song- this utopia is a place where only the singer and their comrades know, away from the boundaries of modern-day industrialization. The verses combine with the chorus to create a sense of mystique and a desire to escape from the norms of society.
The bridge of "No Cars Go" depicts a sense of urgency to leave behind a dangerous situation. It reminds the listener that amidst the dreamy quality of the rest of the song, there is something to run from. The lyrics demand an orderly evacuation, prioritizing the safety of the most vulnerable people in society - women, children, and the elderly. In contrast to the rest of the song's dreamy escapism, the bridge brings us back to reality and provides a sense of urgency to the listener.
Line by Line Meaning
We know a place where no planes go
There's a place we know of that exists without any air traffic
We know a place where no ships go
There's a place we know of that exists without any water transportation
(Hey) No cars go
In this place, there are no automobiles
(Hey) No cars go
In this place, there are no automobiles
Where we know
We know this place, and it's real
We know a place no spaceships go
There's a place where no spacecraft can go
We know a place where no subs go
There's a place where no submarines can go
(Hey) No cars go
In this place, there are no automobiles
(Hey) No cars go
In this place, there are no automobiles
Where we know
We know this place, and it's real
(Hey)
We're excited about what we're talking about
(Hey)
We're excited about what we're talking about
(Go, go)
We want to go there so badly
(Hey) Us kids know
We, the younger generation, are the ones in the know about this magical place
(Hey) No cars go
In this place, there are no automobiles
Where we know
We know this place, and it's real
Between the click of the light and the start of the dream
This place feels like a dream that starts unexpectedly
Between the click of the light and the start of the dream
This place feels like a dream that starts unexpectedly
Between the click of the light and the start of the dream
This place feels like a dream that starts unexpectedly
Between the click of the light and the start of the dream
This place feels like a dream that starts unexpectedly
I don't want any pushing, and I don't want any shoving
We need to enter this place calmly
We're gonna do this in an orderly manner
Everyone has to stay organized and follow instructions
Women and children
We prioritize women and children for safety
Women and children
We prioritize women and children for safety
Women and children, let's go
We're going to let women and children go first
Old folks, let's go
We're going to let older people go next
Babies needing cribs, let's go
We're going to let parents with babies and cribs go next
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Regine Chassagne, Win Butler
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@pholosomore9831
I have a confession.
I downloaded this album as an early 20 something and disrespect it. It is clear to me now that I was not emotionally and psychologically mature enough to hear and understand your sound and music.
I feel like an idiot.
Your music is fucking gorgeous.
On this day spotify pulled this song and I've been having it on repeat more than 50x now.
Thank you so much for your creativity. Long may you continue.
@KraYarK
Lakai Fully Flared, Mike Mo Capaldi part. 2007. Golden years of my life. This song brings all that good shit back.
@MonkoK14
<3
@jwalk2287
Yep 🤌
@bogus_ody
For reals big dawg 🤙🔥
@PARCELFUTURES
THIS
@ryanhenneberry7610
I had the manchester recycled s*** was fire
@gregfromthere
It was winter of 2007-8 and I was listening to this song while standing up and moving my infant son around trying to get him to sleep. I remember thinking about his future and dreading the day he would be leaving. By the time the song ended, he was asleep. I have listened to this song in the years since and it has always haunted me and made me appreciate that time with him. I just came across this video again and now my son will be graduating from high school this year. Time is ruthless, but I am always grateful for that moment and for this song being its soundtrack.
@cormacthem8406
That’s a really beautiful sentiment.
@lukethompson1517
Lovely
@superskateboardingentertai9228
Why Am I crying listening to this? Brings back Fully Flared and the times I was skating everyday dreaming of a life of pro skater. One day I was jumping down stairs and my knee buckled. Life has never been the same since that moment.