Black Wave/Bad Vibrations

This might be a bit too literal, but i think Regine's part is about someone running away from her origin, say Haiti, into some supposedly more advanced country, say U.S. or Canada, because "the sound (wave of dictatorship)" drives them to it. Then Win's part is someone who grew up in the supposed dreamland, eating off expensive dinnerware but no life, no culture, no conversation (sort of reading from neighborhood series or woodland national anthem), telling not to come too deep into it, and saying they are both in limbo and everything is doomed anyway.... wow totally dark. But that's my interpretation. so bad vibrations is Regine's scar and black wave is Win's.

Quick French translation for anyone wondering... Je nage, mais les sons me suivent = I swim, but the sounds follow me Ce sera un long voyage = This will be a long voyage Sur les vagues de l'oubli = On the waves of oblivion

"Oubli" can also mean "forgetting," but I think "oblivion" fits in well with the song.

As for the actual song, it seems to be (on a literal level) about someone fleeing the political and social instability of Haiti, taking their chances on the open sea. I think it could also be about moving away from anything that is painful or hard to forget.

Win Butler had this to say:

"When we went to Brazil for the first time, we were staying in Sao Paulo and driving through these slums, miles and miles of shanty towns, and then pulling up to the Hyatt Regency where we were staying, which was a big compound with barbed wire and a guard and stuff. Not being able to go outside because they tell you that they'll kill you to steal your wallett-it was a very strange experience. That was the beginning of the idea for "Black Wave.""

I still don't understand the song completely, but I think the context of "been eating in the ghetto on a hundred dollar plate" is a little more clear.

Actually, I think "the waves of (something to do with forgetting) fits in better than "oblivion." Oblivion is a tad.. cheesy?

my interpretation: something, or someone, has made this person want to leave everything, and change his or her name-- basically leaving their life behind. They run to the shore, and swim in the ocean (but the sounds follow him) aka they can never escape the memories and their past. I have no idea what the black wave represents... death, or a new life possibly. or maybe it doesn't represent anything. booya.

i think the first part of the song is about the escape of the vocalist from haiti. the song "haiti" on "funeral" is about the same topic. furthermore on another page is saw the lyrics differently. there the choir in the refrain sang "run run from the memory" and "run run from the bottom of haiti". the second part of the song could be about the better and more luxurious life in the usa or in europe, but i'm not sure. sorry for bad english, I'm german ;) .....

i think the first part of the song is about the escape of the vocalist from haiti. the song "haiti" on "funeral" is about the same topic. furthermore on another page is saw the lyrics differently. there the choir in the refrain sang "run run from the memory" and "run run from the bottom of haiti". the second part of the song could be about the better and more luxurious life in the usa or in europe, but i'm not sure. sorry for bad english, I'm german ;) .....

Ugh. Awful. Here:

We can reach the sea They won't follow me The shadows they fear the sun We'll make it if we run!

Run from the memory Je nage, mais les sons me suivent (I swim, but the sound follows me)

Left my name with the border guards A name I don’t need Ce sera un long voyage (This will be a long voyage) Sur les vagues de l'oubli (On the waves of oblivion)

Run from the memory Je nage, mais les sons me suivent (I swim, but the sounds follow me)

Stop now before it's too late Been eating in the ghetto on a hundred dollar plate Nothing lasts forever that's the way it’s gotta be There's a great black wave in the middle of the sea (for me)

Stop now before it's too late Been eating in the ghetto on a hundred dollar plate Nothing lasts forever that's the way it’s gotta be There's a great black wave in the middle of the sea

For me For you For me It's always for you

Stop now before it's too late Been eating in the ghetto on a hundred dollar plate Nothing lasts forever that's the way its gonna be There's a great black wave in the middle of the sea (for me)

Stop now before it's too late Your lover was for hire, have you noticed he's been late? Nothing lasts forever that's the way it’s gotta be There's a great black wave in the middle of the sea

For me For you For me It's always for you

The sound is not asleep It's moving under my feet

halfway through when win butler's part comes in, the music becomes so driving, the guitar literally pounding in like waves, which along with the lyrics makes this song sounds so fatalistic

Stop now before it's too late Been eating in the ghetto on a hundred dollar plate Nothing lasts forever, that's the way its going to be There's a great black wave in the middle of the sea

I have many different opinions about this portion of the song, but overall it feels like a statement of growing up. Arcade Fire is from Montreal and the "ghetto" is actually a portion of Montreal called the McGill Ghetto, basically their campustown. Thus, it seems like Win is leaving the college life and trying out the real world.

The line about the ghetto just hit me the most. Man Monteal is an amazing city.