A music video was made for the single and was uploaded to YouTube on August 26, 2010. The video shows the band performing the song in a concert event as part of their world tour.
"Ready to Start" peaked at number 67 on the UK Singles Chart, the band's highest placement since "Keep the Car Running" peaked at number 56 in 2007. The song also peaked at number 16 on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart, the band's highest placement on that chart at the time, surpassing the number 32 placement of "Keep the Car Running" when the chart was known under its original name of Modern Rock Tracks. In 2017, their single "Everything Now" would out-peak the song's ranking on the chart, reaching number 12 there. Additionally, the single peaked at number 25 on the Billboard Rock Songs chart, and in the band's native Canada, at number 49.
Ready to start
Arcade Fire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like the kids in art school said they would
And I guess I'll just begin again
You say, "can we still be friends?"
If I was scared
I would
And if I was bored
And if I was yours
But I'm not
All the kids have always known
That the emperor wears no clothes
But they bow to down to him anyway
'Cause it's better than being alone
If I was scared
I would
And if I was bored
You know I would
And if I was yours
But I'm not
Now you're knocking at my door
Saying, "please come out with us tonight"
But I would rather be alone
Than pretend that I feel alright
If the businessmen are drinking my blood
Like the kids in art school said they would
Then I guess I'll just begin again
You say, "can we still be friends"
If I was scared
I would
And if I was pure
You know I would
And if I was yours
But I'm not
Now, I'm ready to start
If I was scared
I would
And if I was pure
You know I would
And if I was yours
But I'm not
Now, I'm ready to start
Now, I'm ready to start
I would rather be wrong
Than live in the shadows of your song
My mind is open wide
And now I'm ready to start
Now I'm ready to start
My mind is open wide
And now I'm ready to start
You're not sure you'll open the door
To step out into the dark
Now I'm ready
The lyrics to Ready to Start by Arcade Fire depict the struggles of an individual trying to break free from society's expectations and pressures. The opening lines "The businessmen are drinking my blood, like the kids in art school said they would" suggest the singer's frustration with the way that corporations and powerful individuals consume and exploit society's creative potential. This idea is further reinforced by the line "All the kids have always known, that the emperor wears no clothes, but they bow down to him anyway cause it's better than being alone".
Despite this disillusionment, the singer recognizes that they cannot continue living in fear or boredom, and decides to start anew. The lines "If I was scared, I would, and if I was bored, you know I would, and if I was yours, but I'm not" suggest their willingness to embrace change and step out of their comfort zone. However, the singer also acknowledges that this journey may be lonely, as expressed in "you're knocking at my door, saying please come out with us tonight, but I would rather be alone, than pretend that I feel alright".
The final lines of the song, "Now I'm ready to start, my mind is open wide, and now I'm ready to start, you're not sure you'll open the door, to step out into the dark, now I'm ready" express the singer's determination and readiness to start a new chapter in their life, no matter the challenges that may lay ahead.
Overall, the song captures the struggles of an individual trying to find their identity and place in a society that often values conformity over individuality.
Line by Line Meaning
The businessmen are drinking my blood
The powerful people around me are using me for their benefit
Like the kids in art school said they would
I knew this was going to happen, even though I was warned by people who saw through them
And I guess I'll just begin again
I'll start over, despite feeling beaten down and taken advantage of
You say, "can we still be friends?"
Even though things haven't gone well, you want to maintain some connection with me
If I was scared
I would
And if I was bored
You know I would
And if I was yours
But I'm not
I would react in certain ways if things were different, but the reality is that they're not
All the kids have always known
That the emperor wears no clothes
Everyone can see through the lies and illusions of the people in power
But they bow to down to him anyway
'Cause it's better than being alone
People go along with what's expected of them, even if they don't believe it, because they're afraid of being isolated
Now you're knocking at my door
Saying, "please come out with us tonight"
But I would rather be alone
Than pretend that I feel alright
Although you want me to join in with everyone else, I'd rather be honest about my feelings and be alone
Now, I'm ready to start
I'm ready to move forward and make a new beginning
I would rather be wrong
Than live in the shadows of your song
I'd rather make my own mistakes than follow someone else's path
My mind is open wide
And now I'm ready to start
I'm open to new experiences and ready to take on challenges
You're not sure you'll open the door
To step out into the dark
You're hesitant about taking risks and trying new things
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Jeremy Gara, Regine Chassagne, Richard R Parry, Tim Kingsbury, William Butler, Win Butler
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@zorinant95
Happy 10 year anniversary to this masterpiece of an album.
@chemicalofjustice4334
Not yet
@staciepresgrove4980
Total nostalgia coming back to this song! I wish I could go back 10 yrs ❤
@soniavelazquez6644
@Katherine Meyer 111qqqq1q
@jlwilder8436
Was, and is.
And I hope
after they followed it with Reflektor (which could have been, had they focused it more and put the best of it onto one, and not two albums) & Everything Now, which had 2 or 3 really good songs but otherwise missed the mark by a milethat their 6th album, due out hopefully this year sometime (2021) will be astonishing too; they definitely have it in them to be, and I'm really looking forward to it.
@MicahBuzanANIMATION
How has it been 10 years??
@shannaellis9206
This was one of the best concerts I have ever been to. I love that the band members trade off the instruments they play. Such a talented group of people. Still have a great sound. One of my favorite bands.
@luisc2975
Always bottling up my feelings. This band is one of if not the only one that makes me feel all kinds of things. For this, I thank them.
@annacavalcante6144
quando eu escuto arcade fire, parece que eu entro em outra dimensão. eu me empolgo pra caralho cantando. a letra definitivamente me toca!
@kevinmyles6369
Incredible, relevant band! One of the if not thé most important band of the 21st century! Saw them several times live and mindblowing performances each time ❤️❤️❤️