Alexander, our older brother
Set out for a great adventure
He tore our images out of his pictures
He scratched our names out of all his letters
Our mother shoulda just named you Laika
Come on Alex, you can do it
Come on Alex, there's nothin' to it
If you want somethin' don't ask for nothin'
If you want nothin' don't ask for somethin'
Our mother shoulda just named you Laika
It's for your own good
It's for the neighborhood
Our older brother bit by a vampire
For a year we caught his tears in a cup
And now we're gonna make him drink it
Come on Alex don't die or dry up
Our mother shoulda just named you Laika
It's for your own good
It's for the neighborhood
When daddy comes home you always start a fight
So the neighbors can dance in the police disco lights
The police disco lights
Now the neighbors can dance (the police)
Now the neighbors can dance (disco lights)
Now the neighbors can dance (the police)
Now the neighbors can dance (disco lights)
Look at them dance
Set out for a great adventure
He tore our images out of his pictures
He scratched our names out of all his letters
Our mother shoulda just named you Laika
Come on Alex, you can do it
Come on Alex, there's nothin' to it
If you want somethin' don't ask for nothin'
If you want nothin' don't ask for somethin'
Our mother shoulda just named you Laika
It's for your own good
It's for the neighborhood
Our older brother bit by a vampire
For a year we caught his tears in a cup
And now we're gonna make him drink it
Come on Alex don't die or dry up
Our mother shoulda just named you Laika
It's for your own good
It's for the neighborhood
When daddy comes home you always start a fight
So the neighbors can dance in the police disco lights
The police disco lights
Now the neighbors can dance (the police)
Now the neighbors can dance (disco lights)
Now the neighbors can dance (the police)
Now the neighbors can dance (disco lights)
Look at them dance
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i know everyone's all about the clockwork orange alex, but there's this little known book called "Into the Wild", by John Krakauer, about this kid (an older brother) named alex mccandless who sorta abandons his family to live out on the road kinda like the beat poets and whatnot. Its a truly great book, and this song could easily be all about him. Its a true story too, did i mention that? anyhow, i'd love to hear from someone who has also read this.
Yeah, I know you posted this close to 5 years ago, but I just saw "Into The Wild" last night, and I'm about to read the book. It's such a great story. When I read these lyrics right now they instantly reminded of Into The Wild. Though I'm pretty sure his real name was Chris, and he called himself Alexander Supertramp. Anyway, just wanted to let you know you are not alone with the Into The Wild reference, and I'm glad I'm not either haha.
I was just going to post a comment on this song about "Into the Wild" when I saw this post. I have not read the book but I have seen the movie, and the connections between it and this song are uncanny. I think there's a good chance that the Arcade Fire actually was inspired by the book. Either that, or it's just a really spooky coincidence.
Woah. I just started reading Into the Wild and am totally inspired by it. I also just got this album and heard this song and instantly thought it was about Chris McCandless. I looked the song up to see if there was anything telling what the song is about and I found this thread. I think it's rad others thought this, too. I totally want to go be a vagabond like him. This is one of a few weird things that has happened since I started reading the book. I don't know if I believe in signs, but maybe all the synchronicity is some sort of sign. I'd love to talk to someone about that book if anyone is interested...
Absolutely.<br /> I've read and seen 'A Clockwork Orange' and am confident this song has Zero to do with those works.<br /> <br /> The 1996 book by Jon Krakauer, "Into the Wild," however, is a closer fit.<br /> <br /> Of course, it also is possibly semi-autobiographical, not just a lyrical tribute to a book. There's definitely no literal connection to the book in lines about "police disco lights" and being bit by a vampire, etc.<br /> <br /> Or at least a work of trying to understand two or more people who 'went wild', as viewed by the songwriter's perspective. One, I would bet, the songwriter knew personally. . .