Been giving thought to the Neon Bible lyrics? Why not, it’s Arcade Fire week in the city after all. But did you make the Win Butler/Simpson-family connection? Fluxblog has been doing some sleuthing. From his review of last night’s show:

As it turns out, “Antichrist Television Blues” has a few alternate titles, and one of them is “Joe Simpson,” as in the father and manager of Jessica and Ashlee. If you follow the words, it is clear that the song is based on him, and even though it’s rather damning, it’s still more generous than you could ever expect given that Butler writes his character as a devout believer corrupted by his hubris and ambition rather than someone who is merely creepy, exploitative, and opportunistic.

Flux is on to something. Last night, Win prefaced “(Antichrist Television Blues)” with something like “this is a song about what happens when fathers grow up to manage their daughters.” It didn’t click then, but it makes complete sense now. And it’s especially intriguing ’cause we always imagined that Win Butler lived in an alternate society where US Weekly didn’t exist.

“(Antichrist Television Blues)” lyrics after the jump.



I don’t wanna work in a building downtown,

no I don’t wanna work in a building downtown

I don’t know what I’m gonna do,

’cause the planes keep crashing,

always two by two.

I don’t wanna work in a building downtown,

No I don’t wanna see when the planes hit the ground.

I don’t wanna work in a building downtown,

I don’t wanna work in a building downtown,

Parking their cars in the underground,

Their voices when they scream, they make no sound.

I wanna see the cities rust

and the trouble makers riding on the back of the bus

Dear God, I’m a good Christian man,

In your glory, I know you understand,

That you gotta work hard and you gotta get paid,

My girl’s 13 but she don’t act her age.

She can sing like a bird in a cage,

Oh Lord, if you could see her when she’s up on that stage!

You know that I’m a God fearing man,

You know that I’m a God fearing man,

But I just gotta know if its part of your plan

To seat my daughters there by your right hand

I know that you’ll do what is right, Lord.

For they are the lanterns, and you are the light.

Now I’m overcome,

By the light of day.

My lips are near but my heart is far away.

Tell me what to say,

I’ll be your mouthpiece!

Into the light of a bridge that burns

As I drive from the city with the money that I earned.

Into the black of a starless sky,

I’m staring into nothing and I’m asking you why:

Lord, will you make her a star?

So the world can see who you really are.

Little girl, you’re old enough to understand,

That you’ll always be a stranger in a strange, strange land.

The men are gonna come while you’re fast asleep,

so you better just stay close and hold on to me.

If my little mocking bird don’t sing,

Then daddy won’t buy her no diamond ring.

Dear God, would you send me a child?

Oh God, would you send me a child?

‘Cause I wanna put it up on the TV screen,

so the world can see what your true word means.

Lord would you just send me a sign?

‘Cause I just gotta know if I’m wasting my time!

Now I’m overcome,

By the light of day.

My lips are near but my heart is far away.

Now the war is won,

Howcome nothing tastes good?

You’re such a sensitive child!

Oh, you’re such a sensitive child!

I know you’re tired but it’s alright,

I just need you to sing for me tonight.

You’re gonna have your day in the sun;

You know God loves the sensitive ones.

Oh! My little bird in a cage!

Oh! My little bird in a cage!

I need you to get up for me, up on that stage,

and show the men that you’re old for your age.

Now ain’t the time for fear,

But if you don’t take it, it’ll disappear.

Oh! My little mockingbird sing!

Oh! My little mockingbird sing!

I need you to get up on that stage for me, honey,

And show the men it’s not about the money.

Wanna hold a mirror up to the world

So that they can see themselves inside my little girl.

Do you know where I was at your age?

Any idea where I was at your age?

I was working downtown for the minimum wage.

And I’m not gonna let you just throw it all away.

I’m through being cute, I’m through being nice,

Oh tell me, Lord, am I the Antichrist?!