Released: September 12, 2005
Recorded: August 2003 – early 2004 at the Hotel2Tango
Genre: Indie rock, post-punk revival, baroque pop, progressive rock
Length: 5:05
Rebellion
Arcade Fire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No matter what the time is
Sleeping is giving in
So lift those heavy eyelids
People say that you'll die faster than without water
But we know it's just a lie
Scare your son, scare your daughter
Come on, baby, in our dreams
We can live our misbehavior
Every time you close your eyes (lies, lies)
Every time you close your eyes (lies, lies)
Every time you close your eyes (lies, lies)
Every time you close your eyes (lies, lies)
Every time you close your eyes
Every time you close your eyes
Every time you close your eyes
Every time you close your eyes
People try and hide the night underneath the covers
People try and hide the light underneath the covers
Come on hide your lovers
Underneath the covers
Come on hide your lovers
Underneath the covers
Hidin' from your brothers underneath the covers
Come on hide your lovers underneath the covers
People say that you'll die faster than without water
But we know it's just a lie
Scare your son, scare your daughter
Scare your son, scare your daughter
Scare your son, scare your daughter
Now here's the sun, it's alright (lies, lies)
Now here's the moon, it's alright (lies, lies)
Now here's the sun, it's alright (lies, lies)
Now here's the moon, it's alright (lies, lies)
But every time you close your eyes (lies, lies)
Every time you close your eyes (lies, lies)
Every time you close your eyes (lies, lies)
Every time you close your eyes (lies, lies)
Every time you close your eyes
(Lies, lies)
Arcade Fire's song Rebellion is a commentary on the oppressive nature of society and the power structures that dictate human behavior. The song begins with the line "Sleeping is giving in," which represents the conformity and complicity that individuals have in a society that seeks to control them. The idea of "sleeping" can be interpreted both literally as giving into slumber and figuratively as giving in to societal norms and expectations.
The next set of lyrics challenges a commonly-held belief that people cannot survive without water. By doing so, the song highlights the manipulation and fear-mongering tactics that are used to control people. The song encourages listeners to question these falsehoods and to find their own truth.
The second half of the song uses the metaphor of "hiding under the covers" to represent the fear and hiding that people engage in to stay safe from the outside world. It encourages listeners to embrace their true desires (even if they go against societal norms) and to be brave enough to express them openly. The song ends with the repetition of the phrase "lies, lies" which implies that the systems that control society are based on falsehoods and deception.
Line by Line Meaning
Sleeping is giving in
Giving in to the weight of exhaustion by falling asleep
No matter what the time is
Regardless of the time of day or night
So lift those heavy eyelids
Open your eyes even though it feels difficult
People say that you'll die faster than without water
There's a common myth that deprivation of water leads to quicker death
But we know it's just a lie
The above statement is untrue and unfounded
Scare your son, scare your daughter
Filling fear in children's minds as a form of manipulation
People say that your dreams are the only things that save ya
Some say that our dreams prevent insanity or keep us motivated
Come on, baby, in our dreams
Let's escape life and live, explore and do whatever we want in our dreams
We can live our misbehavior
In our dreams, we can indulge in behaviors that are deemed inappropriate in reality
Every time you close your eyes (lies, lies)
Metaphorically implying that every time one closes their eyes, they are telling themselves lies that feel real
People try and hide the night underneath the covers
People use their blankets as a way to avoid night-time fears and anxieties
People try and hide the light underneath the covers
Sometimes we try to avoid facing bright realities by hiding them under the blanket of denial
Come on hide your lovers
Privacy and secrecy in our romantic affairs
Underneath the covers
Metaphorically referring to keeping secret love-affairs in darkness
Hidin' from your brothers underneath the covers
Implies that familial norms and expectations might prevent one from exploring romantic relationships
Now here's the sun, it's alright (lies, lies)
Acknowledging that daylight and morning might not make life any easier or better
Now here's the moon, it's alright (lies, lies)
Acknowledging that darkness and night might contribute to negative feelings, but it's alright to feel that way
Every time you close your eyes
Closing one's eyes metaphorically refers to the dishonesty and denial of the truth one tries to maintain in their life
(Lies, lies)
By repeating lies twice - it emphasizes the extent to which one can lie to themselves and how great the consequences can be
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Howard Bilerman, Regine Chassagne, Richard R Parry, Tim Kingsbury, Win Butler
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@turdferguson7264
From the metronomic drum beat, into the hypnotic bassline, and then those pianos/organs arrive, and we're up and away......... Just brilliant!!!
@Dust365
Couldn't have said it better Tuneage
@mattlau
Ah one of my favourites from Arcade Fire. Used to have this on repeat in college. That bass line is epic
@seanbolden4451
Can confirm that I'm currently in college and have this on repeat
@passsacaglia
Haha same!!!! <3 Much love Matt!
@mmjahink
It's not THAT good of a bassline, just kinda sticks to the root notes.
@mattlau
@mmjahink which is fine and makes it a good bass line. It doesn’t need to be fancy. Simple get it’s done
@mmjahink
@Matt Sure it doesn't need to be fancy but come on, calling it epic? That really cheapens the word.
@hugevergamo1489
One of the best songs in the last 21 years, easily
@alexsuprise1294
Lol wrong