1001 Songs Challenge #940: Rebellion (Lies) (2004)

On 11 February 2019 I set myself the challenge of reading 1001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die by Robert Dimery (ed.) and following the book’s advice to the letter. I’ve previously read 1001 Films… and started 1001 Albums… but felt 1001 Songs… would be a sensible place to start for what I have in mind here.

My challenge is to read about one song per day and listen to it (YouTube and Spotify, I need you tonight!) before sharing my own thoughts. Some songs I will love, others I’ll hate, and I’m sure there will be those that leave me perplexed but listen to them I shall.

I’ll also try, and most likely fail, to pinpoint the best song from the 1001 on offer but I’m nothing if not foolhardy. Instead of one song, I’m predicting I’ll have about 100 favourites by the end and may have to resort to a Top 10 so far to maintain any semblance of sanity.

So long as I post every day (including Christmas) then this challenge should come to an end on Wednesday 8 November 2021. Staying with the Barney Stinson theme I am hoping that the whole experience will prove to be… legendary!

 

Arcade Fire – Rebellion (Lies) (2004)

 

We say goodbye to 2003 and to the US, dear reader, and hello to 2004. As we begin a new year we make our way to Montreal in Canada. Formed in 2001, Arcade Fire are an indie rock band who began their career strongly. We join them at the start in 2004 with the release of their debut album, Funeral, and from there 1001 Songs have gone with a song by the name of Rebellion (Lies). 

In Rebellion (Lies), Arcade Fire explore both childhood and also the juxtaposition of both sleep and our need for water. The song plays out as the rebellion of a child who is adamant that water and the quenching of one’s thirst is more important than sleep. They are surrounded by others who insist that sleep will trump water each time but this adolescent is having none of it. The song evokes the idea of rebelling against popular opinion and forging your own path. Incidentally I am not sure whether water or sleep is more important but I would probably suggest water. 

Rebellion (Lies) is largely piano driven but soon gathers intensity as the track unfolds. I wasn’t initially sure what the song was about to be honest but delving deeper I was intrigued by the exploration of the needs of water and sleep. Can’t say I have ever considered which is more valuable before so this track certainly gave me food for thought. Arcade Fire’s debut album was well received and Rebellion (Lies) soon became one of their most popular hits. The group continue to perform and have remained consistent in the quality of the albums that have followed.

 

Favourite songs so far:

The Animals – House of the Rising Sun (1964)

Simon & Garfunkel – The Sounds of Silence (1965)

The Beatles – A Day in the Life (1967)

The Doors – The End (1967)

Pink Floyd – Wish You Were Here (1975)

Meat Loaf – Bat Out of Hell (1977)

Tracy Chapman – Fast Car (1988)

U2 – One (1991)

Radiohead – Paranoid Android (1997)

Snow Patrol – Run