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Arcade Fire — We Exist
Album: Reflektor
Avg rating:
7.1

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1688









Released: 2013
Length: 5:41
Plays (last 30 days): 4
Walking around head full of sound
Acting like we don't exist
Walk in a room stare out through you
Talking like we don't exist

But we exist

Daddy it's true, I'm different from you
But tell me why they treat me like this?
You turn away, what could I say
Not the first betrayed by a kiss

Maybe it's true
They're staring at you
When you walk in a room

Turn on us fine
Stare if you like
Or just let us through
Just let us through

Down on your knees
Begging us please
Praying that we don't exist

Daddy it's fine, I'm used to them now
But tell me why they treat me like this?
Is it because we do it like this?

Maybe it's true
They're staring at you
When you walk in a room

Turn on us fine
Stare if you like
Or just let us through
Just let us through

Let them stare
Let them stare
That's all right with you

But lose myself
If it turn away from you

Daddy told him to wait
Mother, I'm so scared
But will you watch us drown?
You know that they will

You know that we're young
You know that we're confused
But will you watch us drown?
What are you so afraid to lose?

Down on their knees
Begging us please
Praying that we don't exist

We exist
Comments (127)add comment
Dainty vocals.

Dainty playing.

Dainty lyrics.

Sounds like song from a TV show...The Love Boat, perhaps? 
This song greatly benefits from the bass line, that drives it to a lot higher level than it would be based on everything else.  A solid foundation here (bass + drums) that really puts a lot of drive into the song.
Just saw them in concert (2nd time in 4 years) they were amazing. Highly recommend you see them live! They were much more impressive than the first time (which was still good then). They played this excellent tune among many other "greats" from their now deep catalogue.
I don't love Arcade Fire but every once in a while there's a song that hits just right, and this is one of them for me.
Wow. First time heard this. F'ing greate.
 chuck.b.meyers wrote:

Comparisons to Roxy and or PG or Bowie are unfounded , comical and wishful at best




Bits of reverb guitar riffs are similar, early 80´s stuff.
Comparisons to Roxy and or PG or Bowie are unfounded , comical and wishful at best
 Shmelo wrote:
Not a bad song, but I can't divorce that bass line from "Sugar Pie Honey Bunch" in my brain.

 

And now, neither will you. :D


 
For some reason I get Like A Virgin from it
 idiot_wind wrote:
So it's Friday afternoon and the sun is out. So I guess i have to write something positive. 

Ok...these guys don't suck as much as Foo Fighters. 
Ha! 

 
Sooner or later, that windmill will yield.
So it's Friday afternoon and the sun is out. So I guess i have to write something positive. 

Ok...these guys don't suck as much as Foo Fighters. 
Ha! 
This is really a wonderful song.  
I like Arcade Fire when they keep the histrionics to a minimum.
 idiot_wind wrote:
Muted, boring, dribble.
 
So you think it's quiet basketball?
On no! Not this guys!

Muted, boring, dribble. And they got like 12 people in the band!  This is all they can do? This is what you expect from a high school band. 


bumping up 2nd listen ty 
Well suited as the theme to the excellent Scandi-Noir crime series The Bridge
 Canlistener wrote:
Worst Canadian musical export since Celine Dion. A solid 1

 
Thankfully, Bill doesn't play any Celine on RP.


friggin brilliant
Uh oh....its that high school band, playing at a dance.  
Finally, something to go with my new slick beard. 
OMG TG 4 PSD. 
very nice song
Great band. I really like the bass sound on this one. Nice unhurried atmosphere.
Worst Canadian musical export since Celine Dion. A solid 1

Not a bad song, but I can't divorce that bass line from "Sugar Pie Honey Bunch" in my brain.

 

And now, neither will you. :D


Always liked AF,  but this track is growing on me more and more...
 I really like this. I don't get the comments that this has no hook or that it is boring.  Wow.  {#Dancingbanana_2}
It would be better if this song didn't. 
 
 idiot_wind wrote:
Boring, Dribble, No soul. No hooks. 

And it just goes on and on and on.   

 
So do you.
Talk about people who can't sing...!
 bam23 wrote:

Dribble, as in chin drool? Drivel, as in ...

 
Right on.
Appreciating them more and more. Keep it up, Bill.
 idiot_wind wrote:
Boring, Dribble, No soul. No hooks. 

And it just goes on and on and on.   

 
Dribble, as in chin drool? Drivel, as in ...
I dig it.  Particularly with headphones.  Video is cool, particularly the end.
Boring, Dribble, No soul. No hooks. 

And it just goes on and on and on.   
 SquiddlyDiddly wrote:
This really is an outstanding piece of music. Hurrah for pop!

 
In complete agreeement!
 wgsu_1978 wrote:
Oh please. In addition to being crypto-ageist your description of Roxy Music as "bubblegum" is simply wrong.
 
Indeed - should be "chewing gum". . . 
Thomas Dolby comes to mind.
Hello!! Is this a different version???
Thank's! 
The arguing over Roxy Music (below) just makes me want to hear some Roxy Music.  Maybe follow it up with some Nile Rodgers.
 rdo wrote:
This is NOT the song you want to hear when you are experiencing an existential crisis...
 
I don't know. Apart from the "Down on your knees, begging us please" line, I can't understand a word their saying.
 fredriley wrote:

? I think you're way off the mark. Arcade Fire are nothing at all like Roxy Music, and they exist at a far higher intellectual level than that Yuprock confection. AF have a distinctive sound, sharp and incisive (and divisive, on RP) lyrics on major social issues, and with rare exceptions like this number don't produce disco or even danceable music.

RM are bubble-gum for dance floors, AF are food for thought.

 
Oh please. In addition to being crypto-ageist your description of Roxy Music as "bubblegum" is simply wrong.
Yes....you do.  **sigh**{#Doh}
 
Posted: Jan 29, 2015 - 11:53
 < Reply >

 idiot_wind wrote:
Comparisons to Roxy Music, Bowie, Peter G?

No way. Those bands understand hooks...soul...giving listeners some provocative reason to listen.

This band is muted, boring, souless, and it won't stop! Sound like it was created by a computer algorithm. 

  Hogtownmike wrote:

RP voters seem to disagree with your view, as do I.

 
Always keep in mind from where this wind doth blow.
This really is an outstanding piece of music. Hurrah for pop!
 idiot_wind wrote:
Comparisons to Roxy Music, Bowie, Peter G?

No way. Those bands understand hooks...soul...giving listeners some provocative reason to listen.

This band is muted, boring, souless, and it won't stop! Sound like it was created by a computer algorithm. 

 
RP voters seem to disagree with your view, as do I.
Comparisons to Roxy Music, Bowie, Peter G?

No way. Those bands understand hooks...soul...giving listeners some provocative reason to listen.

This band is muted, boring, souless, and it won't stop! Sound like it was created by a computer algorithm. 
Oops, sorry... I think my comment should have been more to Fredrilly!
Bubble gum and Roxy Music?... you're definitely missing out.  That's like saying Bowie is a just a lightweight Top 40 popster hit maker ;-) 
@carmikin - I'm not agreeing or disagreeing about any comparisons, but it sounds like it's possible you're not as familiar with all of Roxy Music's material or ground breaking history.
... Now THAT is something I'd agree with in a comparison with AF... but both being in a positive and ground breaking way. The show, the feel, and the songs, all melded rogether, it all moves all history with both bands, setting new standards and showing what can truly be achieved outside of the mainstream. 
... Do yourself a favor and don't miss out or discount early Roxy Music's influence on the current indie scene. Like Bowie, Eno, early genesis Peter Gabriel... Roxy Music helped put real presence  and creativity on that stage every show.
That's all. Enjoy :-) 
 camarkim wrote:
ABC tried to be like Roxy Music, and that didn't work out so well.  These guys are trying it again and it sounds like some bar band trying to do a Roxy cover.  They need to practice in front of the mirror some more I think.
 

 
? I think you're way off the mark. Arcade Fire are nothing at all like Roxy Music, and they exist at a far higher intellectual level than that Yuprock confection. AF have a distinctive sound, sharp and incisive (and divisive, on RP) lyrics on major social issues, and with rare exceptions like this number don't produce disco or even danceable music.

RM are bubble-gum for dance floors, AF are food for thought.
ABC tried to be like Roxy Music, and that didn't work out so well.  These guys are trying it again and it sounds like some bar band trying to do a Roxy cover.  They need to practice in front of the mirror some more I think.
 
This is NOT the song you want to hear when you are experiencing an existential crisis...
A  lot of negative comments. For me , this song is ok, not so bad than  other songs played here (soul, the reverend aso...) but thats my taste...
Never have so many people, make such muted, boring, souless, drivel...they call music.

Oh well...it's RnR in 2014! 

"Down on your knees, begging us please"

What are they, Richard Marx now?


Ruckity Rooo
In the words of SNL's Leonard Pinth-Garnell, "slendidly bad"...
 Ikingart wrote:
For a few seconds, it/they sounded like The Clash or Joe Strummer. Then it was….them.  Help!!!!!  Poor Soporific Drumming. 


 

 
I pity that drum kit, it must be dying of boredom.

I think you summed it up perfectly there.

 apd wrote:  

This song is microcosm for the album - really good, but doesn't know how to end. (Honestly, it should have ended about 2 minutes before it does.) And the whole album is similar - it has an almost lazy sense of focus, that at times feels arrogant.

 



Saw these guys earlier in the summer at Lakewood Amphitheater in Atlanta. INCREDIBLE show. They really bring it and then some from a live standpoint.
This song is microcosm for the album - really good, but doesn't know how to end. (Honestly, it should have ended about 2 minutes before it does.) And the whole album is similar - it has an almost lazy sense of focus, that at times feels arrogant.
This song, I really like. I am tired of a lot of their stuff, but this song has it.
I've really become sick of these guys.
{#Sunny}Energy. Catch one of there Coachella concerts on Youtube,2011 works for me.Enjoy
 

 

Seems whenever I hear something nice and uncover the playlist behind what I'm working on the band is "Artic Monkeys"... Guess they will be going places and soon be -too- popular for the RP cognoscenti... Still, good tunes iz good tunes...

Keep up the good work...RP...


First notes are 'Black is Black' (Los Bravos mid-60's) then it shifts up a gear.
never heard of them, but I like the sound. Very Nice.
 yclept wrote:

I'll take a wild guess that you didn't/don't like Talking Heads, David Bowie, or REM, either.  I wasn't particularly impressed with AF before this album….but just happened to listen/watch the youtube teaser- done as a soundtrack to Black Orpheus - and was riveted .

I can see why Bowie is a fan. Reflektor is a throwback to the 70s…when LP's had a story to tell and we listened to them as a whole with good headphones.

 
I have it on vinyl, and it smacks of the 80s to me...

...In a good (Talking Heads/David Bowie/REM) way!
The dichotomy of opinion on this band is so intense.  very interesting.  
For a few seconds, it/they sounded like The Clash or Joe Strummer. Then it was….them.  Help!!!!!  Poor Soporific Drumming. 


 
Extremely talented musicians.
Check out any YouTube video from this live concert-Arcade Fire - Neighborhood #3 (Power Out) - 2005/08/25
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwHdrY_pbJI&feature=related#aid=P9AG4WsIYqg
You will be hooked
I liked Arcade Fire on RP before they were popular. </hipster>
I don't know if I exist!  {#Eyes}
 ottovonb wrote:
I dearly love and appreciate Radio Paradise but I'm on the verge of organizing an intervention to talk Bill out of his Arcade Fire addiction. AF is relentlessly dull but at least they're consistent.

 
I completely disagree. I could listen to this song over and over!! Go Bill!!
I dearly love and appreciate Radio Paradise but I'm on the verge of organizing an intervention to talk Bill out of his Arcade Fire addiction. AF is relentlessly dull but at least they're consistent.
It's still very weak tune. 4.
Ugh. 
It seems like it is becoming SOP for acts now to have both a female AND a male vocal lead...
 idiot_wind wrote:

There is something going on.

This band is way too mediocre and muted and boring to get so much airplay on RP.

Hmmmm.

 



 
Try cranking up the volume, or listening with a good set up headphones.  It might change your mind.  There's a lot of subtlety in there.


Ahhhh! No more of this band!

It's the most bland, muted, boring excuse for rock music I've ever heard.

And to add insult to injury, there are like 10 people in this band.

Compare this any four person band from the 1970s!

 

 


 Lonestar wrote:
Really don't get the level of hatred for this band. They are a highly original element in the North American music scene. Give em a chance. 

 
It might be the not so highly original sound they are copying, OMD anyone? I still like it. highest form of flatery.
They get massive props just for taking the risk of making this album. You had to wonder if they some classic chops in them. Turns out they do...in spades.
this one snuck up on me! 7<8!
Really don't get the level of hatred for this band. They are a highly original element in the North American music scene. Give em a chance. 
{#Frustrated}
I'm not a big fan of Arcade Fire, but I really like this.
 kz1300a1 wrote:
I'll have to throw in that the band feels fabricated. So many other artists out there that deserve the hype and attention. But I guess talent alone does not get it...
 
I couldn't disagree more...
I know the band for a long time, but I never took the time to listen to them closely. And more recently I do notice their rich sound and quality. I guess this is one of those bands that have to grow on you.

It is definitely growing on me.
One thing I notice about Arcade Fire is that they do have a particularly rich sound when the whole gang is playing. Almost like a small rock orchestra.
 kz1300a1 wrote:
I'll have to throw in that the band feels fabricated. So many other artists out there that deserve the hype and attention. But I guess talent alone does not get it...
 
The "hype and attention" this band may or may not have received is beyond the control of the band.  Also, like them or not, they are not "fabricated"; they have always been signed to the same, small, independent record label, not some huge, star-making conglomerate.
I'll have to throw in that the band feels fabricated. So many other artists out there that deserve the hype and attention. But I guess talent alone does not get it...
 yclept wrote:

Our eminent DJ know what's going on…but I'll wager he's listened to the whole album and not just heard one cut running as background. Put on some cans, crank up the volume, and close your eyes…then I dare you to come back and say this band is mediocre, muted, and boring.  

 
Thanks for a reasoned response to what I suppose might strike one as a knee-jerk response to, as you imply, not actually listening to the music. I do not like everything this band does, but as a general rule if a cut makes it to RP, there is a damned good reason.
 kingart wrote:
Robo drumming. Pretentious production. Affectation. I can't get past the pedestrian music to appreciate the lyrics. I hope they're more of a fad rather than a long-term act. I'm more negative about them than any other RP offerings. AF and I will never be friends. 
 
I'll take a wild guess that you didn't/don't like Talking Heads, David Bowie, or REM, either.  I wasn't particularly impressed with AF before this album….but just happened to listen/watch the youtube teaser- done as a soundtrack to Black Orpheus - and was riveted .

I can see why Bowie is a fan. Reflektor is a throwback to the 70s…when LP's had a story to tell and we listened to them as a whole with good headphones. If you hate the way they sound, at least give the written lyrics a chance, especially the title track; it sums up FB, Twitter, online dating, and the facades we construct for using them... obvious concepts to boomers like you and me, but new stories to my twenty something son. Apparently, how I felt about Abbey Road, Dark Side of the Moon (and a lot of the albums from my teens and 20's) and how he feels about this album have a common ground. 

1:1 ReflektoR - Trapped in a prison, in a prism of light. Alone in the darkness, a darkness of white. We fell in love, alone on a stage, in the reflective age. Entre la nuit, la nuit et l’aurore. Entre le royaume des vivants et des morts. If this is heaven, I don’t know what it’s for. If I can’t find you there, I don’t care.
I thought I found a way to enter; it was just a reflector. I thought I found the connector; it was just a reflector. Just a reflector. 

The signals we send are deflected again. We’re so connected, but are we even friends? We fell in love when I was 19, and now we’re staring at a screen.

Entre la nuit, la nuit et l’aurore. Entre le royaume des vivants et des morts. If this is heaven, I need something more. Just a place to be alone, cause you’re my home. I thought I found a way to enter; it was just a reflector. I thought I found the connector; it was just a reflector. Just a reflector. 

Just a reflection of a reflection of a reflection, but I see you on the other side. We all got things to hide. (Alright let’s go back). Our song it skips on little silver disks.
Our love is plastic, and they break it to bits. I want to break free, but will they break me down, down, down, don’t mess around. I thought I found a way to enter; it was just a reflector. I thought I found the connector; it was just a reflector. Just a reflector. Thought you were praying to the resurrector; turns out it was just a reflector.  


 idiot_wind wrote:

There is something going on.

This band is way too mediocre and muted and boring to get so much airplay on RP.

Hmmmm.

 

 
Our eminent DJ know what's going on…but I'll wager he's listened to the whole album and not just heard one cut running as background. Put on some cans, crank up the volume, and close your eyes…then I dare you to come back and say this band is mediocre, muted, and boring.  

There is something going on.

This band is way too mediocre and muted and boring to get so much airplay on RP.

Hmmmm.

 


 kingart wrote:
Robo drumming. Pretentious production. Affectation. I can't get past the pedestrian music to appreciate the lyrics. I hope they're more of a fad rather than a long-term act. I'm more negative about them than any other RP offerings. AF and I will never be friends. 

 
I am beginning to get the impression that you don't like this band very much.
The CRTC (canuck FCC) mandates 1/3 of all music be Canadian over the air.   They get away with this bull under the name of "Heritage".  I would say it violates the free trade acts.


Thank God for RP.

tulfan wrote:
This band's current effort is being HEAVILY promoted by the Canadien stations in the Metro Detroit area and I find it absolutely mediocre at best. There is much better Canadien music out there right now and I have yet to find an appeal to this group after an over abundance of exposure over the last few years

 


Is it just me or Morrissey makes a quick appearance at the end of this song?
Robo drumming. Pretentious production. Affectation. I can't get past the pedestrian music to appreciate the lyrics. I hope they're more of a fad rather than a long-term act. I'm more negative about them than any other RP offerings. AF and I will never be friends. 
This is the new "HYPE".
 
I try hard but can't understand the buzz around this group. This album is especially boring and secondary, meanwhile vocalist and recording quality on the same low level. 3.
It's sung faithfully in broken English, but is it a Toronto thing, or what>
Although I have a few Arcade Fire songs in my I-tunes library, I can't say I was a "true fan."

However, all the tracks I have heard from this album sound really interesting, so this might be time to make the jump into "full album purchase." 
 kingart wrote:
This cut sounds like a half dozen other acts. Talking Heads and The Cure and…..blah blah. But it's instantly recognizable Arcade Fire. Robodrumming. Thump thump thump. The whole f'in song. 

 
True, but it's worse in Country music.

BTW, the bass is interesting.


If I never hear another Arcade Fire song my life would be enriched.
Pass...
This cut sounds like a half dozen other acts. Talking Heads and The Cure and…..blah blah. But it's instantly recognizable Arcade Fire. Robodrumming. Thump thump thump. The whole f'in song. 
 d48m02h wrote:
You know....this ain't half bad!!  Hence the 8 rating!! {#Daisy}

 
I agree with you, but my standards for RP are higher than that.  5
You know....this ain't half bad!!  Hence the 8 rating!! {#Daisy}
This band's current effort is being HEAVILY promoted by the Canadien stations in the Metro Detroit area and I find it absolutely mediocre at best. There is much better Canadien music out there right now and I have yet to find an appeal to this group after an over abundance of exposure over the last few years
 ScottFromWyoming wrote:
Nothing about this album appeals to me (so far).

 
Bumping from a 3 to a 4. I really can't see it getting up to the "good" side of the scale but I hope it does. 

I understand the need to reinvent their sound. Just wish it hadn't gone this way. 
But they are not saying anything in broken English.
Arcade Fire?
Vampire Weekend?
Dawes?
etc......Enough Already!!! BORING!!!
This band does get played alot.


And today is Friday...afternoon.


Time for RnR!


This stuff ain't RnR...it's Muzak.        
 the_jake wrote:
The first tune from this album I don't find luke warm to poor.
Still can't figure out what about this band is interesting.

 
I came here to post that I don't understand why this band is popular, and that this is the first song by them that I find mildly interesting.
But I see a lot of people beat me to it.
The first tune from this album I don't find luke warm to poor.
Still can't figure out what about this band is interesting.
I love the way Mick Jagger says "Au-kade Fi-a."
I want to say vacuous, but I'll give it some more time.
I get it now!


You play Arcade Fire (muted, boring, non-compelling) as a contrast to the two previous songs by Muddy Waters and Jeff Beck. You don't really appreciate MW and JB until you listen to the boring, lifeless, canned sound from Arcade Fire (Muzak for the 21st century).  


      
Good sound...but seems a bit less ambitious than their earlier stuff.
Boy is this getting  a lot of play here.  Its not bad but it is getting tiring to listen to.