City with No Children
Arcade Fire
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The summer that I broke my arm I waited for your letter I have no feeling for you now Now that I know you better I wish that I could have loved you then Before our age was through And before a world war does with us Whatever it will do Dreamt I drove home to Houston On a highway that was underground There was no light that we could see As we listened to the sound of the engine failing I feel like I've been living in A city with no children in it A garden left for ruin by a millionaire inside Of a private prison You never trust a millionaire Quoting the sermon on the mount I used to think I was not like them But I'm beginning to have my doubts My doubts about it When you're hiding underground The rain can't get you wet Do you think your righteousness Can pay the interest on your debt? I have my doubts about it I feel like I've been living in A city with no children in it A garden left for ruin by a millionaire inside Of a private prison I feel like I've been living in A city with no children in it A garden left for ruin by and by As I hide inside Of my private prison
Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer
Written by: Jeremy Gara, Regine Chassagne, Richard R Parry, Tim Kingsbury, William Butler, Win Butler
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Album Classification"City With No Children" is a song by Arcade Fire from their third studio album, "The Suburbs", which was released in August 2010.
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Song ThemeThe song carries the introspective theme of the album, dealing with the concept of suburban life, isolation, emptiness, and the loss of innocence—related to the band members' personal experiences.
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Music GenreArcade fire is known for their baroque pop genre - a fusion of rock with classical music - and "City With No Children" is no different, blending their signature indie rock sound with elements of pop.
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Album Success"The Suburbs" won Album of the Year at the 2011 Grammy Awards, with "City With No Children" being one of the notable tracks.
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Inspirational ConnectionsThe album and the song, according to the band's frontman, Win Butler, were inspired by his upbringing in the suburb of Houston, bringing a personal touch to the song's lyrics.
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Song CompositionAs with much of Arcade Fire's work, "City With No Children" features a broad range of instruments and many layers of sound, for example, strings, piano, and multiple layers of guitar, contributing to the complex, lush texture of the song.
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Song's VideoThe music video for "City With No Children" was directed by Spike Jonze. The video features segments of the band performing the track interspersed with shots that reflect the themes of the song and album.
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Favorable ReceptionThe song was generally well received by critics, with many praising its plaintive, melancholic tone and compelling lyrical content. It showcased the band's ability to translate personal experiences into universally relatable themes.
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Vinyl ReleaseIn addition to digital and CD releases, "City With No Children" was also released as part of a limited-edition vinyl version of "The Suburbs".
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Lyrics AnalysisThe lyrics, “I feel like I’ve been living in a city with no children in it," point towards a world where innocence is lost and the band yearns for a simpler, more innocent time. This made the song deeply resonating with audiences, who found its themes of nostalgia and loss particularly poignant.
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