Arcade Fire – Une Annee Sans Lumiere

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Hey! The streetlights all burnt out
Une annee sans lumieres
Je monte un cheval
Qui porte des oeilleres

Hey, my eyes are shooting sparks
La nuit, mes yeux t'eclairent
Ne dis pas a ton pere
Qu'il porte des oeillieres

Hey, your old man should know
If you see a shadow
There's something there

So hey! My eyes are shooting sparks
La nuit mes yeux t'eclairent
Ne dis pas a ton pere
Qu'il porte des oeillieres

Hey, your old man should know
If you see a shadow
There's something there

Send "Une Annee Sans Lumiere" Ringtone to Cell


Lyrics submitted by drinkmilk

Track duration: 03:40


Une Annee Sans Lumiere song meanings
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38 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:My father died at the end of 2004 - the year "Funeral" was released - and whenever I listen to this song I think about how that was 'a year without light" in my life. To me this song is about losing someone and knowing deep down that despite the feeling of being abandoned and lost that person will always be present somehow, as a guiding light that "lights you up at night" at those moments when you can be at your most frail, lonely, vulnerable and sad.
    Flag Nemovaon March 24, 2012   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:I completely agree with J Jaspers - this song played at a friend's memorial service. "My eyes are shooting sparks" refers to his search for the spirit of a passed loved one. "If you see a shadow, there's something there." The father can't see it, most people can't see it - most people are wearing blinders (also possibly a reference to being blinded by grief). The pain of the death is the year without light. This is, afterall, on an album called Funeral. I can't remember the interview - I'm sure it's on Wikipedia or somewhere, though - but Arcade Fire specifically said this song was written after several of the band members' relatives died during the makings of the album.

    However - it really is all subjective, isn't it?

    Beautiful, chilling song.
    Flag walkingonsunshineon June 30, 2011   Link
  • 0
    My Opinion:This song is so pretty, especially the French parts. I love the AF songs with French.
    Flag letsgosurfing18on December 18, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I like how the father is as oblivious to his daughter's passions as he is to all of what is wrong in the world.

    If he had the ability & desire, if he would really just see his daughter, he would see what moves her. It's not necessarily a boy. It could be interpreted as something darker, or more than just that - everything she cares for in life.

    As the one poster said, the order of the songs is absolutely deliberate. What a wonderful lead in to Power Out.
    Flag theadvocateon August 27, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I think he says at the end,
    You can do it, come back, baby you can do it.
    You move so slow, in my (i dont know)
    in my heart in my heart
    oh my God, Oh
    Flag Claudio777on September 07, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:wow for a long time I thought they were singing in english, I was soo into the song that I didn't notice at all, only after reading the lyrics did I notice.
    Flag prolixmayon September 06, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:When do you see a shadow? when theres a light!
    Flag coldwindblowingon July 20, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:What Win says after (I think):

    Lead me to it / Come on baby, lead me to it / Who turned out the light? / Come on, lead me to it.
    Flag femmesofrussiaon March 01, 2008   Link
  • +4
    General Comment:Hello guys

    I'm french so I can help for the translation. I've seen that many of you have given a translation, so I'll take the one of lady rataxes, and correct it a bit. Actually, when talking about a human being, "avoir des oeillières" means "to be stubborn, not considering things objectively".

    Hey! the streetlights all burnt out
    A year without light
    I mount a horse that is wearing blinders

    Hey, my eyes are shooting sparks
    At night, my eyes light you up
    Don’t tell your father
    He's stubborn

    Hey your old man should know
    If you see a shadow
    There’s something there

    So hey, my eyes are shooting sparks
    At night, my eyes light you up
    Don’t tell your father
    He's stubborn

    Hey, your old man should know
    If you see a shadow
    There's something there
    Flag jgton January 10, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I'm with punkrockisfreedom. Although I acknowledge that there could be a more global meaning I really like this interpretation. But that's what makes a great song - when different people can relate to it in different ways. Oh, and when it's fantastic like this one.
    Flag pezdelon November 27, 2007   Link

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