Neon Bible
Arcade Fire蠀 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the light they both looked the same
Poured them out on into the world
On every boy and every girl
It's in the neon Bible, the neon Bible
Not much chance for survival
If the neon Bible is right
Take the poison of your age
Don't lick your fingers when you turn the page
What I know is what you know is right
In the city it's the only light
It's the neon Bible, the neon Bible
Not much chance for survival
If the neon Bible is right
Oh God, well look at you now!
Oh, you lost it, but you don't know how!
In the light of a golden calf
Oh God! I had to laugh!
Take the poison of your age
Don't lick your fingers when you turn the page
It was wrong, but you said it was right
In the future I will read at night
In the neon Bible, the neon Bible
Not much chance for survival
If the neon Bible is true
The lyrics of Neon Bible by Arcade Fire speak to the idea that mankind has been given two opposing forces, hope and pain, that are difficult to differentiate, and both have been poured out upon the world. The metaphor of the Neon Bible, a symbol of the modern age and its obsession with illumination and communication, underscores the album's theme of spiritual and existential confusion. The song suggests that in the information overload of the modern world, it is the Neon Bible that shines the only light, offering little hope to make sense of the world or the future. The lyrics also warn against blindly accepting the toxic dogmas of society, traditions or the mainstream media, and that we should be cautious, not celebrate, what’s sold to us.
Furthermore, the line "In the light of a golden calf" is a biblical reference to the golden calf statue idolized in the book of Exodus, where disobedient Israelites who worshiped the golden calf were destroyed by God. Here, Arcade Fire uses that metaphor to criticize the worship of capitalism and consumer culture. The singer laughs, "Oh God! I had to laugh!" mocking the human obsession with possessions that have no eternal value.
Line by Line Meaning
A vial of hope and a vial of pain
There are two opposing forces in life: hope and pain. They are like two vials of liquid that are difficult to tell apart.
In the light they both looked the same
It can be difficult to distinguish between hope and pain because they can both seem bright and attractive when viewed from afar.
Poured them out on into the world
Both hope and pain are part of the human experience and have been poured into the world, affecting everyone.
On every boy and every girl
Both hope and pain affect everyone, regardless of age, gender or background.
It's in the neon Bible, the neon Bible
The teachings of society are written in the 'neon Bible', which represents the general culture and norms that shape our behavior.
Not much chance for survival
If we follow the neon Bible blindly, there is little chance for us to thrive or achieve true happiness.
If the neon Bible is right
The validity of the neon Bible's teachings is uncertain and should be questioned.
Take the poison of your age
Society often promotes values and beliefs that may be harmful or unhealthy for individuals in that specific time period.
Don't lick your fingers when you turn the page
Do not blindly accept or follow the values of society without critically evaluating their impact on your life.
What I know is what you know is right
Just because everyone else has a certain belief or value, it does not necessarily mean it is correct or true for you.
In the city it's the only light
The culture and beliefs of urban society are often the only things that guide people's behavior and decisions.
Oh God, well look at you now!
The artist is making a commentary on how societal values and norms can lead individuals down a problematic path.
Oh, you lost it, but you don't know how!
People often conform to the dominant beliefs and values of society without recognizing the impact it has on their individuality and happiness.
In the light of a golden calf
People often prioritize material wealth and possessions over more significant values like love, kindness and empathy.
Oh God! I had to laugh!
The singer finds it humorous and ironic that people value and prioritize things that ultimately do not bring true happiness or fulfillment.
It was wrong, but you said it was right
People often conform to societal values that they deep down know are wrong or incompatible with their own values.
In the future I will read at night
The artist will actively seek out knowledge and information that goes against the dominant beliefs and values of society.
If the neon Bible is true
If society's values and beliefs are true and correct, then it should be able to withstand criticism and questioning.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JEREMY GARA, REGINE CHASSAGNE, RICHARD R PARRY, TIM KINGSBURY, WILLIAM BUTLER, WIN BUTLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@NeptuneatDawn
The Goſpel that ſaues and how to be ſaued accoꝛding to the woꝛd of God :
"1 MOꝛeouer bꝛethꝛen , I declare vnto you the Goſpel which I pꝛeached vnto you, which alſo you haue receiued,and wherein yee ſtand.
2 By which also yee are ſaued , if yee keepe in memoꝛie what I pꝛeached vnto you , vnleſſe yee haue beleeued in vaine.
3 Foꝛ I deliuered vnto you firſt of all , that which I alſo receiued , how that Chꝛiſt died for our ſinnes accoꝛding to the Scriptures :
4 And that he was buried,and that he roſe againe the third day accoꝛding to the Scriptures."
- 1 Coꝛinthians 15:1-4 Holy Bible 1611
"9 That if thou ſhalt confeſſe with thy mouth the Loꝛd Ieſus , and ſhalt beleeue in thine heart , that God hath raiſed him from the dead , thou ſhalt be ſaued.
10 Foꝛ with the heart man beleeueth vnto righteouſneſſe,and with the mouth confeſſion is made vnto ſaluation.
11 Foꝛ the Scripture ſaith, Whoſoeuer beleeueth on him , ſhall not bee aſhamed.
12 Foꝛ there is no difference betweene the Iew and the Greeke : foꝛ the ſame Loꝛd ouer all, is rich vnto all, that call vpon him.
13 Foꝛ whoſoeuer ſhall call vpon the Name of the Loꝛd,ſhall be ſaued."
- Romanes 10:9-13 Holy Bible 1611
@sterlingschiftar2300
Thanks neon bible
@nonbiz1520
The interactive version was great!
@ruthdixon7807
somehow manages to depress and inspire at the same time.
@ericfoster8411
If this album was a cult, i would have joined a long time ago.
@vargr8435
Rest in peace Steven Chilton.
@laatena
Jako znowu Steven, fuckers.
@terencereed7957
Epic album. Probably their best.
@giselebrasil
This album came at a time when I was full of expectations and good vibes.
@sanchezjoshua4885
Yes. I agree.
@mrfake675
I was treeplanting when It came out. Bought it at walmart on our day off. When I would put on my tunes in my tent at night the music would take me to another place