I'm not too certain about what this song is about, I only know that it's f*ing fantastic.
Though, from what I can gather:
It's about a troubled boy (older brother, alex) who leaves/is kicked out of home (set out for an adventure). I'd lean towards kicking him out. For the past year, it seems his antics have been causing trouble (police lights, fights with his dad). His family have been somewhat supportive of him, trying to help him (catching his tears) but it seems that they've drawn the line, and decided that he should leave.
The whole "come on alex - if you want something, don't ask for nothing" bit - I think - refers to how his family were supportive of him, trying to help him get his life back on track.
If anything, his family have completely reversed, and by kicking him out they've forced him to drink those tears they've been catching. The whole 'don't die or dry up' sounds very twisted and sorrowful, as though they want to make him suffer as much as possible (sounds very bitter from the family - not loving at all - thrown out like he meant nothing to them (a stray)).
Anyway, he seems to have scratched all pictures/names in an attempt to emptionally separate himself from his family (he probably feels betrayed, and deeply hurt).
The Laika bit - which we know is the Russian space dog - also leads me to think he was forced out of home. Firstly, the whole "it's for your own good" bit is probably said just to make the family feel better about their choice (you know, when you say - it was for his own good... it needed to happen); whereas, "it's for the neighbourhood" bit it far more truthful - they through him out because the neighbourhood wanted it (whether this refers to just his family, or complaining neighbours, I don't know). Compare this with Laika: they Russians said what was happening was humane and safe; and perhaps, in some perverse way, good for the dog (your own good); but we all know it was done for the good of humans, and the poor dog suffered so we knew how to deal with space travel (the neighbourhood's good).
Also, Laika was taken up off the street, cared for and looked after, and then cruely sent into space to be burnt to death. Even before she died, one of the scientists took her into his home for his children to play with (showing great care); but in the end, she was - with no emotion - sent to her death. Sound's very much like the cruelty spoken of in the song.
That's my take on the song. Although, it's posssible the song is about the dog, and Arcade Fire tried to attach human qualities to the story - just to make it hit closer to home. This way, they just use the story of alex to paint Laika's tale in words that have far more power over us.
I'm not too certain about what this song is about, I only know that it's f*ing fantastic. Though, from what I can gather:
It's about a troubled boy (older brother, alex) who leaves/is kicked out of home (set out for an adventure). I'd lean towards kicking him out. For the past year, it seems his antics have been causing trouble (police lights, fights with his dad). His family have been somewhat supportive of him, trying to help him (catching his tears) but it seems that they've drawn the line, and decided that he should leave. The whole "come on alex - if you want something, don't ask for nothing" bit - I think - refers to how his family were supportive of him, trying to help him get his life back on track.
If anything, his family have completely reversed, and by kicking him out they've forced him to drink those tears they've been catching. The whole 'don't die or dry up' sounds very twisted and sorrowful, as though they want to make him suffer as much as possible (sounds very bitter from the family - not loving at all - thrown out like he meant nothing to them (a stray)).
Anyway, he seems to have scratched all pictures/names in an attempt to emptionally separate himself from his family (he probably feels betrayed, and deeply hurt).
The Laika bit - which we know is the Russian space dog - also leads me to think he was forced out of home. Firstly, the whole "it's for your own good" bit is probably said just to make the family feel better about their choice (you know, when you say - it was for his own good... it needed to happen); whereas, "it's for the neighbourhood" bit it far more truthful - they through him out because the neighbourhood wanted it (whether this refers to just his family, or complaining neighbours, I don't know). Compare this with Laika: they Russians said what was happening was humane and safe; and perhaps, in some perverse way, good for the dog (your own good); but we all know it was done for the good of humans, and the poor dog suffered so we knew how to deal with space travel (the neighbourhood's good).
Also, Laika was taken up off the street, cared for and looked after, and then cruely sent into space to be burnt to death. Even before she died, one of the scientists took her into his home for his children to play with (showing great care); but in the end, she was - with no emotion - sent to her death. Sound's very much like the cruelty spoken of in the song.
That's my take on the song. Although, it's posssible the song is about the dog, and Arcade Fire tried to attach human qualities to the story - just to make it hit closer to home. This way, they just use the story of alex to paint Laika's tale in words that have far more power over us.
isn't it annoying that you can't edit your typos on this site...arrr
isn't it annoying that you can't edit your typos on this site...arrr
Loved your interpretation. It also seems very logic.
Loved your interpretation. It also seems very logic.