The second verse seems to me a lot about selling out. I'm not sure if that's what the whole song is trying to covey, but a few lines:
"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"
As has been mentioned, the hypocrisy of being wealthy and saying the meek will inherit the Earth. And Win thinking he was one of those people but now not being so sure when confronted with his sudden fame.
"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"
Maybe it's just the indie hispter LA kid in me talking, but Arcade Fire used to be an "underground" band that was immune, in a way, to the mainstream (the rain). But now he's saying that if you're going to be righteous about being underground and not popular, you're not going to be able to make a living.
But the first verse seems like it, conceptually speaking, has nothing to do with that sentiment. So I'm not sure. The idea of selling out is reiterated in Ready To Start as well (I haven't looked at the lyrics of the rest of the album but...) so I'm assuming it's a thematic aspect of this album, which has skyrocketed their career into the charts.
The second verse seems to me a lot about selling out. I'm not sure if that's what the whole song is trying to covey, but a few lines:
"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"
As has been mentioned, the hypocrisy of being wealthy and saying the meek will inherit the Earth. And Win thinking he was one of those people but now not being so sure when confronted with his sudden fame.
"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"
Maybe it's just the indie hispter LA kid in me talking, but Arcade Fire used to be an "underground" band that was immune, in a way, to the mainstream (the rain). But now he's saying that if you're going to be righteous about being underground and not popular, you're not going to be able to make a living.
But the first verse seems like it, conceptually speaking, has nothing to do with that sentiment. So I'm not sure. The idea of selling out is reiterated in Ready To Start as well (I haven't looked at the lyrics of the rest of the album but...) so I'm assuming it's a thematic aspect of this album, which has skyrocketed their career into the charts.