Listening to Arcade Fire on Radio Paradise

Hmmmm I knew something was familiar about this and finally put my finger on it. That riff over the chorus is a sample from the Coffee Cola song by Cameroonian legend Frances Bebey. Check it out:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m56H4E5bZLk

Posted 2 months ago by erikdelaquis [ Reply ]

How good is that song?

Posted 2 months ago by pburrow328 [ Reply ]

I love this song but am so pissed at Win Butler.

https://pitchfork.com/news/arc...

Posted 5 months ago by newbolddrive [ Reply ]

keller1 wrote:

For the first few bars I am always convinced it's Dancing Queen. For some reason deep in our collective psyche we Canadians tend to be hard on our own, but Arcade Fire is a pretty darned good band IMHO.

I get the vibe of Simple Mind's "Alive and Kicking" in the intro.

Posted 5 months ago by dabosch [ Reply ]

People are rightly thinking they hear a bit of Abba in this song. But is anyone a fan of Chicago-based Poi Dog Pondering? Every time I hear this song I think its Poi Dog.

Posted 8 months ago by settiman [ Reply ]

reminds me a little of the call, i think.

Posted 9 months ago by lily34 [ Reply ]

For some reason part of me does not like this song yet I bought the vinyl album and I'm tapping my feet and I rated it an 8 ....weird...

Posted 1 year ago by rrowdies [ Reply ]

keller1 wrote:

For the first few bars I am always convinced it's Dancing Queen. For some reason deep in our collective psyche we Canadians tend to be hard on our own, but Arcade Fire is a pretty darned good band IMHO.

Yeah Abba totally ripped this off.

Posted 1 year ago by TheKing2 [ Reply ]

keller1 wrote:

For the first few bars I am always convinced it's Dancing Queen. For some reason deep in our collective psyche we Canadians tend to be hard on our own, but Arcade Fire is a pretty darned good band IMHO.

I think the word "insistent" was invented for this song. Slam disco. Great tune!

Posted 1 year ago by fredGarvin [ Reply ]

A very good neo-classic song. Thanks R.P.

Posted 1 year ago by flozer68 [ Reply ]

Good, positive energy with this song.

Posted 1 year ago by IndyDoug [ Reply ]

keller1 wrote:

For the first few bars I am always convinced it's Dancing Queen. For some reason deep in our collective psyche we Canadians tend to be hard on our own, but Arcade Fire is a pretty darned good band IMHO.

Amen! I was not much into disco when disco was popular, but this tune just makes me wanna get up and boogie!!

Posted 2 years ago by ivoryjacket88 [ Reply ]

CCSandman wrote:

6.8? Really?

I agree, should be way lower.

Posted 2 years ago by maboleth [ Reply ]

6.8? Really? Don't understand the seemingly hate for this band - some of their songs may be lacking, but this song is outstanding

Posted 2 years ago by CCSandman [ Reply ]

pankman wrote:

La la la la la la ... I remain absolutely convinced that this kind of music causes stupidity.

You clearly haven't been listening to current Top 40...the general consensus is that pop has become super simplified...

https://danielbutler1434.home....

Yeah, there's some la la la's in here, but compared to the latest crap by Dua Lipa or Doja Cat (I threw up in my mouth a little typing that)...it's a far cry to AF.

So, cast your stones at the real culprits here friend...commercial radio, New Country, Max Martin, auto-tuning...and when they are slayed let's see what happens...

Posted 2 years ago by sfoster66 [ Reply ]

the undercurrent of sadness and families troubles always breaks my heart...

Posted 2 years ago by johnnyr [ Reply ]

I'd have placed this right within the Breakfast Club era...'85, ;
'86ish.

Posted 2 years ago by costoonces [ Reply ]

Jannne wrote:

echoes of Spandau Ballet 'Vienna' piano ?

Are you saying Spandau Ballet did "Vienna"...by Ultravox?

Posted 2 years ago by BCarn [ Reply ]

Nope just don't get it! 3

Posted 3 years ago by cloudymcloudface [ Reply ]

Opiner wrote:

The lyrics of the song captures a zeitgeist for the times - makes me think of our instantly gratified life in the age of "Amazon". - you can get/have everything now. Maybe they'll use it for a commercial...

Yes, but I hope not.

Posted 3 years ago by a_geek [ Reply ]

Would prefer the older material over this album. Not their best.

Posted 3 years ago by Pumpkincat [ Reply ]

An anthem pinpointing the moment the melancholy morphs into blasting joy.

UP UP AND AWAY!!!

Posted 3 years ago by Spiderwoman [ Reply ]

I cant't stand dancing queen, sorry

Posted 3 years ago by sunnyS [ Reply ]

Arcade fire are one of those multiple listen bands;
1st listen: Humm?
10th listen: Yes!

Posted 3 years ago by sajitjacob [ Reply ]

It's weird, I was just thinking I'd like to hear some Abba!

Posted 3 years ago by Jelani [ Reply ]

It sounds to me like David Bowie singing an ABBA cover. Quite engaging, though

Posted 3 years ago by MarcsRadio [ Reply ]

Man this song just keeps getting better with every listen.
Also in addition to dancing queen it sounds a little like LCD soundsystem.

Posted 3 years ago by SurfDoc [ Reply ]

lizardking wrote:

You graduated jr. high w/ early retirement?

Bullying exists at every level in life when you've lived as long as I have (55 and counting). Irrespective of age and environment, there will always be someone with a chip on their shoulder who chooses to try to drop you in it at every opportunity, and never feel the need to apologise when they're proven to be in the wrong.

It's nice to get your own back without trying. What goes around, comes around.

Posted 3 years ago by SpinyNorma [ Reply ]

Pleasant but as many have said it somewhats lacks originality.. Dancing queen, The War Against Drugs and most of all Francis Bebey's genius flute (coffee cola song) are all unashamedly in there...

Posted 3 years ago by wilo29 [ Reply ]

ErasmoLopes wrote:

It's like a mix of Dancing Queen and Send Me On My Way

A good mix too, but that's OK, as some genius (artist) said " All artists are thieves.".

Posted 3 years ago by Sam_Chucklestone [ Reply ]

echoes of Spandau Ballet 'Vienna' piano ?

Posted 4 years ago by Jannne [ Reply ]

SpinyNorma wrote:

One of those 'lifeline landmark' songs for me: it was playing getting a lot of airplay on the radio in my lab at work around the time I was counting down to taking early retirement about 2 years ago. The line 'Every time you smile, it's a fake' was something I aimed at my nemesis in stores, and her bitchy friend in assembly.

I won...

You graduated jr. high w/ early retirement?

Posted 4 years ago by lizardking [ Reply ]

Reminds me of a friendly ego check from good friends:

"Instant gratification isn't fast enough."

Posted 4 years ago by Isabeau [ Reply ]

For the first few bars I am always convinced it's Dancing Queen. For some reason deep in our collective psyche we Canadians tend to be hard on our own, but Arcade Fire is a pretty darned good band IMHO.

Posted 4 years ago by keller1 [ Reply ]

One of those 'lifeline landmark' songs for me: it was playing getting a lot of airplay on the radio in my lab at work around the time I was counting down to taking early retirement about 2 years ago. The line 'Every time you smile, it's a fake' was something I aimed at my nemesis in stores, and her bitchy friend in assembly.

I won...

Posted 4 years ago by SpinyNorma [ Reply ]

I love Canada and Canadiens!

Posted 4 years ago by freddyfender [ Reply ]

SO pretentious and over the top. It's the music where you dejavu-ed every note, every riff before, you don't know when or by whom (Well, Abba?), but it's there.

Posted 4 years ago by maboleth [ Reply ]

tichy wrote:

I've seen Arcade Fire twice in concert, once in Munich and once in Stockholm. Sometimes I don't first get where they're going, but always give them a fair chance, and for Reflektor that paid off.

That said, this is where they finally lost me. I don't know in what reference frame this is a good song, or even the one they'd pick as title track for their album. If it wasn't by Arcade Fire but another similarly known group, I doubt this song would be in the playlist. I can't find a single strong point here; it's not the arrangement, not the lyrics, and certainly not the melody.

Obviously not a fan of ABBA.

Posted 5 years ago by xray38 [ Reply ]

Love this one and enjoy reading every time most of comments of people who hate it here :)
Can't wait to read the comments for Babe Mine, Bill any chance you are going to broadcast that soon? :)

Posted 5 years ago by capooti [ Reply ]

Everything Arcade Fire off now.

Posted 5 years ago by kingart [ Reply ]

There was a time when sounding like Tavares might have been slightly uncool. Nice that we have moved back into a musical space in which mid 70s disco rhythms are not just tolerable but satisfying.

Posted 5 years ago by cely [ Reply ]

I've seen Arcade Fire twice in concert, once in Munich and once in Stockholm. Sometimes I don't first get where they're going, but always give them a fair chance, and for Reflektor that paid off.

That said, this is where they finally lost me. I don't know in what reference frame this is a good song, or even the one they'd pick as title track for their album. If it wasn't by Arcade Fire but another similarly known group, I doubt this song would be in the playlist. I can't find a single strong point here; it's not the arrangement, not the lyrics, and certainly not the melody.

Posted 5 years ago by tichy [ Reply ]

That flute is too much, man!

Posted 5 years ago by ziggytrix [ Reply ]

I just saw this amazing band in Berkeley last Saturday, and they were fantastic! They are very talented musicians, especially Régine Chassagne, who played more instruments than I can count, including drums. Go see them if you have a chance.

Posted 5 years ago by poetdancer [ Reply ]

The lyrics of the song captures a zeitgeist for the times - makes me think of our instantly gratified life in the age of "Amazon". - you can get/have everything now. Maybe they'll use it for a commercial...

Posted 6 years ago by Opiner [ Reply ]

ico wrote:

"Needs more ABBA"
Needs true ABBA!

I just came here to ask if this was an ABBA song!

Posted 6 years ago by Jelani [ Reply ]

"Needs more ABBA"
Needs true ABBA!

Posted 6 years ago by ico [ Reply ]

What a segue! Jenny Lewis "See Fernando" to this song which sounds so obviously inspired by Abba's Fernando! this is one of the many reasons I love RP!

Posted 6 years ago by thatslongformud [ Reply ]

I hear the Waterboys. Not a bad thing.

Posted 6 years ago by MediaGrrl [ Reply ]

Every time I hear this song, it reminds me of Franki Valli's "Can't Take My Eyes Off You". Love Arcade Fire, but this is not my favorite tune of theirs.

Posted 6 years ago by tsbogdan8261 [ Reply ]

pinto wrote:

Abba? Bee Gees? Simple Minds? Yvonne Elliman? Heck, I'm hearing Eddie Money!

AAHAH I felt the same! Arcade fire? can't be! and then....

Posted 6 years ago by panoz [ Reply ]

Not a huge fan, but our fearless music director must really like them... 27 of their songs in rotation, 2 of them played in the last 7 hours today.

Posted 6 years ago by bluematrix [ Reply ]

Abba? Bee Gees? Simple Minds? Yvonne Elliman? Heck, I'm hearing Eddie Money!

Posted 6 years ago by pinto [ Reply ]

Time to bounce on my office ball chair

Posted 6 years ago by newbolddrive [ Reply ]

Wilfrue wrote:

Given the general state of quality in popular modern music, this still stands up above most of what you would hear on mainstream radio. I personally think it has a more Brian Eno/David Byrne vibe than an ABBA/BeeGees vibe.
Also, lyrically, their stuff is much more interesting than most modern popular music. I admit, they are a bit repetitive and self-referencing, but I would say many popular combos over the years have made successful careers walking the same path. I'm looking at you, Pink Floyd.

Everything (now) this guy said!

Posted 6 years ago by ziggytrix [ Reply ]

where's that psd button ?

Posted 6 years ago by darcand [ Reply ]

I'm a Montrealer : What a boring band.

Posted 6 years ago by darcand [ Reply ]

ErasmoLopes wrote:

It's like a mix of Dancing Queen and Send Me On My Way

Not a bad description, though I'd call it an INXS pastiche.

Posted 6 years ago by Baby_M [ Reply ]

It sounds like German "Schlagermusik", absolutely not my taste - a 1 or this song.

Posted 6 years ago by belba [ Reply ]

It's like a mix of Dancing Queen and Send Me On My Way

Posted 6 years ago by ErasmoLopes [ Reply ]

geodesmo wrote:

This is a really talented band, but this sounds like somebody said to them "you need to record a soft pop radio hit song" ..... There is a tone of great Arcade Fire material going un-heard on RP. Their wide-ranging talent was showcased in an absolutely epic performance with Mavis Staples on her 75th birthday video - if you get a chance to see / hear it the Arcade Fire duo Butler and Cassagne are really on "fire" with this genre busting tribute.

Mavis Staples, Win Butler & Régine Chassagne – "Slippery People"
Mavis Staples' 75th Birthday Celebration

The whole program was awesome.

Disagree. This album and track are in sync with what the band has done in the past. Particularly their last album, which makes sense as it is the successor to Reflektor. It's not their best album, nor is it their worst. It is just them doing their thing. It's usually not a good thing to compare a band's current release to one's favorites. New albums need time to sink in.

I quite liked their turn with Mick Jagger on SNL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHCvWgq5O3g

Posted 6 years ago by h8rhater [ Reply ]

This is a really talented band, but this sounds like somebody said to them "you need to record a soft pop radio hit song" ..... There is a tone of great Arcade Fire material going un-heard on RP. Their wide-ranging talent was showcased in an absolutely epic performance with Mavis Staples on her 75th birthday video - if you get a chance to see / hear it the Arcade Fire duo Butler and Cassagne are really on "fire" with this genre busting tribute.

Mavis Staples, Win Butler & Régine Chassagne – "Slippery People"
Mavis Staples' 75th Birthday Celebration

The whole program was awesome.

Posted 6 years ago by geodesmo [ Reply ]

adpucci wrote:

I honestly thought Arcade Fire couldn't get any worse than dull and pretentious.
That was before this song: bad Ultravox cover act 😝

+1 Pretentious hipster stuff, nothing to hear here. Awful.

Posted 6 years ago by maboleth [ Reply ]

This came up and I recognized the intro and thought it must be some kind of recognized oldie, but turns out it's just been on heavy rotation on BBC Radio 6 along with the new Morrissey single. I don't mind it at all.

Posted 6 years ago by GuiltyFeat [ Reply ]

I honestly thought Arcade Fire couldn't get any worse than dull and pretentious.
That was before this song: bad Ultravox cover act 😝

Posted 6 years ago by adpucci [ Reply ]

I've loved Arcade Fire in the past, but this album is pretty unoriginal and kind of tragic... Unfortunately, I think they've run out of steam.

Posted 6 years ago by Punkysoup [ Reply ]

Haters gonna hate, but I dig it.

Posted 6 years ago by papersitter [ Reply ]

Rockit999 wrote:

Barry Gibb called & he wants his song back!

Which song is that, exactly?

Posted 6 years ago by Proclivities [ Reply ]

Aaarrrrahhgghhhhhhhowwwwwwwwwaaaagghhhhh!

Posted 6 years ago by kingart [ Reply ]

quigui wrote:

Åke Blomqvist... a famous Finnish dance teacher :) Dancing <s>Queen</s> King :)

Posted 6 years ago by ico [ Reply ]

Given the general state of quality in popular modern music, this still stands up above most of what you would hear on mainstream radio. I personally think it has a more Brian Eno/David Byrne vibe than an ABBA/BeeGees vibe.
Also, lyrically, their stuff is much more interesting than most modern popular music. I admit, they are a bit repetitive and self-referencing, but I would say many popular combos over the years have made successful careers walking the same path. I'm looking at you, Pink Floyd.

Posted 6 years ago by Wilfrue [ Reply ]

La la la la la la ... I remain absolutely convinced that this kind of music causes stupidity.

Posted 6 years ago by pankman [ Reply ]

Poi Dog Pondering?

Posted 6 years ago by deepwoodskev [ Reply ]

cmcisaac wrote:

For some reason, every time I hear this song, I suddenly have the disco song "If I can't Have You I don't Want Nobody Baby" in my head. Not that this is a bad thing...in fact I like the Disco song better.

I thought the same. but not the Bee Gee's version.
Yvonne Elliman's.
damn, can't post a video.

Posted 6 years ago by JrzyTmata [ Reply ]

Brestois wrote:

Ah well, if they managed to make a song that sounds like the Bee Gees, Abba, Hothouse Flowers and Simple Minds, can't be that bad, right ?!

but they didn't do it very well
I really don't get the appeal of their music

Posted 6 years ago by LaurieinTucson [ Reply ]

Oh my god...It's the Rolling Stones!

Hey...the PSD does not work!

I may have to jump pout the window!

Posted 6 years ago by idiot_wind [ Reply ]

This is basically a disco record, every track has a danceable groove. The last album hinted at this shift. Perhaps they've upped the funk factor to mask the fact that the material here is not up to their previous high standards. Not a bad record - some decent songs - but far from their best work. Still, it's got a beat and you can dance to it.

Posted 6 years ago by peter_james_bond [ Reply ]

kooky flute tooting and pop-a-licious bee-geez dance beat, all likable in an odd way

the album cover photo is really neat! looks like installation art of a mounted photo of the mountain range, cut along the top edge to allow the sweet sunset show, then there's the neon with old style playground speakers, maybe they periodically broadcast readings from Ed Abbey's "Desert Solitaire" about the awesome, timeless power of lonely, raw nature, and humanity runs on a chintzy schedule of rusty debris

Posted 6 years ago by hayduke2 [ Reply ]

2010, Butler: "Music is dying. We're trying to fight against that."

2017, someone in the production booth: "Needs more ABBA"

Posted 6 years ago by david927 [ Reply ]

Are people mad about this for some reason? It's fine.

Posted 6 years ago by Mackmoney3000 [ Reply ]

Posted 6 years ago by quigui [ Reply ]

Ah well, if they managed to make a song that sounds like the Bee Gees, Abba, Hothouse Flowers and Simple Minds, can't be that bad, right ?!

Posted 6 years ago by Brestois [ Reply ]

I like it. A bit derivative, to be sure, but so what?

Posted 6 years ago by Orphan [ Reply ]

Agree with everything below. But why does this grab me? Should I feel cheap?

Posted 6 years ago by moocray [ Reply ]

Bee Gees should ask for copyright.

Posted 6 years ago by nicknt [ Reply ]

Bland vanilla with a drum thumping spoon.

Posted 6 years ago by kingart [ Reply ]

yes the intro to this song has Dancing Queen written all over it

Posted 6 years ago by Gubs [ Reply ]

helloitsme wrote:

Hothouse Flowers anyone?

Not that there's anything wrong with that . . . .

More like Hot Chocolate... and there's nothing wrong with that either, imho!

Posted 6 years ago by 2020sk [ Reply ]

I hear Alive and Kicking from Simple Minds. Better than most arcade fire, but still meh.

Posted 6 years ago by islander [ Reply ]

I agree with the others... this seems very ABBA-like to me. Not one of their better efforts.

Posted 6 years ago by VV [ Reply ]

Barry Gibb called & he wants his song back!

Posted 6 years ago by Rockit999 [ Reply ]

try singing Dancing Queen to this. Works quite nicely, actually.

Posted 6 years ago by apd [ Reply ]

Hothouse Flowers anyone?

Not that there's anything wrong with that . . . .

Posted 6 years ago by helloitsme [ Reply ]

For some reason, every time I hear this song, I suddenly have the disco song "If I can't Have You I don't Want Nobody Baby" in my head. Not that this is a bad thing...in fact I like the Disco song better.

Posted 6 years ago by cmcisaac [ Reply ]

Hipster stuff. Move along. :D

Posted 6 years ago by maboleth [ Reply ]

Bee-Gee opening with Andean flute tooting, go figure

Posted 6 years ago by hayduke2 [ Reply ]

black321 wrote:

The kids from band camp are back.

Now THAT is funny!

Posted 6 years ago by pinto [ Reply ]

The kids from band camp are back.

Posted 6 years ago by black321 [ Reply ]

These guys do absolutely nothing for me.

Posted 6 years ago by mrselfdestruct [ Reply ]

An interesting new track, and I think I like it for now, although with new music sometimes that "I kind of like it" vibe gets replaced by "meh" after a few listens. I'll rate it a 7 (which is my 'low' setting for my "likes" on my offline downloads. Which is how I have to listen to RP when I'm at work (can't stream using work's bandwidth, no wifi, week cell signal) and sometimes it's when I'm listening to my offline music that I decide I do or don't like something.

....and having "Atomic Number" come up next worked well...thanks as always, BillG! LONG LIVE RP!!

Posted 6 years ago by lizardking [ Reply ]

More cautious than optimistic based on this tune...

Posted 6 years ago by aspicer [ Reply ]

Blah.
I hear the lyrics. OK, got it.
I find it pedestrian. Banal. The video is no help.
Give me three listens and I'll be screaming at the walls.

Posted 6 years ago by kingart [ Reply ]