Afterlife

Arcade Fire

About Afterlife

"Afterlife" is a song by Canadian indie rock band Arcade Fire. It was released on September 28, 2013, as a single from the band's fourth studio album, Reflektor. The song was debuted on Saturday Night Live.


Year:
2013
262 
#1

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Afterlife, oh my God, what an awful word
After all the breath and the dirt
And the fires that burn
And after all this time
And after all the ambulances go
And after all the hangers-on are done
Hanging on to the dead lights
Of the afterglow

I've gotta know
Can we work it out?
We scream and shout 'till we work it out
Can we just work it out?
Scream and shout 'till we work it out?
'Till we work it out, 'till we work it out
'Till we work it out, 'till we work it out

Afterlife, I think I saw what happens next
It was just a glimpse of you
Like looking through a window
Or a shallow sea
Could you see me?
And after all this time
It's like nothing else we used to know
After all the hangers-on are done
Hanging on to the dead lights
Of the afterglow

I've gotta know

Can we work it out?
Let's scream and shout 'till we work it out
Can we just work it out?
If you scream and shout 'till we work it out?

But you say
Oh, when love is gone
Where does it go?
And you say
Oh, when love is gone
Where does it go?
And where do we go?
Where do we go?
Where do we go?
Where do we go?
Where do we go?
Where do we go?
Where do we go?
Where do we go?

And after this
Can it last another night?
After all the bad advice
Had nothing at all to do with life

I've gotta know

Can we work it out?
Scream and shout 'till we work it out?
Can we just work it out?
Scream and shout 'till we work it out?

But you say
Oh, when love is gone
Where does it go?
And you say
Oh, when love is gone
Where does it go?
Oh, we know it's gone
Where did it go?
Oh, we know it's gone
Where did it go?
And where do we go?

Is this the afterlife?
It's just an afterlife, with you
It's just an afterlife
It's just an afterlife, with you
It's just an afterlife

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Arcade Fire

Arcade Fire is an indie rock band based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, consisting of husband and wife duo of Win Butler and Régine Chassagne, along with Will Butler, Richard Reed Parry, Tim Kingsbury, Jeremy Gara, and Sarah Neufeld. The band came to prominence in 2004 with the release of their critically acclaimed debut album Funeral. more »

1 fan

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


11 facts about this song

Release Details
"Afterlife" by Arcade Fire was released on October 21, 2013, as the second single from their fourth studio album, "Reflektor."
Genre Classification
The song falls under the genre of Indie Rock and Art Rock, displaying Arcade Fire's evolution from their traditional indie folk beginnings.
Lyric Inspiration
The lyrics of "Afterlife" explore the concept of life, death, and what happens afterwards. It is influenced by philosopher Søren Kierkegaard's existentialism and theistic existentialism.
Music Video
The music video, directed by Emily Kai Bock, centers around a day in the life of a Haitian family living in Montreal, which reflects the album's heavy influence by Haitian music.
Live Performances
"Afterlife" was performed live for the first time on the 27th edition of CBC's "Q" radio show, held at the Glenn Gould Studio in Toronto.
Award Recognition
The song was nominated for Best Song at the MVPA Awards in 2014.
Soundscape
The main rhythmic pulse of "Afterlife" is inspired by Haitian rara music, as Arcade Fire incorporated digital handclaps and electronic beats.
Critical Reception
"Afterlife" was widely praised by music critics with some considering it as one of Arcade Fire's best records because of its introspective lyrics and experimental sound.
Vinyl Release
Even though it was released primarily for streaming and purchase on digital platforms, "Afterlife" was also released on a limited 180-gram vinyl disc.
Film Connection
The lyrics of 'Afterlife' also make references to "Orpheus" and "Eurydice," the tragic Greek myth that was also the inspiration for the 1959 film "Black Orpheus."
Pop Culture Impact
The song has been used in several television programs and movies, increasing its popularity and reach into mainstream pop culture.

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