City with No Children

Arcade Fire

About City with No Children

"City with No Children" is a single from Arcade Fire's third album The Suburbs. It was released as a single on March 14, 2011.


Year:
2010
3:11
145 

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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

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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


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.
Song Theme
The 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.
Music Genre
Arcade 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.
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.
Inspirational Connections
The 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.
Song Composition
As 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.
Song's Video
The 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.
Favorable Reception
The 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.
Vinyl Release
In addition to digital and CD releases, "City With No Children" was also released as part of a limited-edition vinyl version of "The Suburbs".
Lyrics Analysis
The 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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