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January 22, 2009

Arcade Fire Cover "Born In The U.S.A." At Obama Staff Ball

thubmnail icon: Arcade Fire Cover "Born In The U.S.A." At Obama Staff Ball

Last night Arcade Fire played the Obama Staff Ball, the final official inaugural event and a celebration of the thousands of folks who campaigned tirelessly for the President. One year ago, Win Butler blogged, "Barack is the first candidate in my lifetime to strip some of the bullshit away." In that spirit, last night's setlist include a mandolin-led cover of Bruce Springsteen's no bullshit "Born In The U.S.A.," the anti-Vietnam anthem once clumsily co-opted by Ronald Reagan (CAMPAIGN SONG FAIL). It was a fitting goodbye to the Bush era, and a lot of fun to watch once the camera operator stops singing along.

Here's "Intervention."

Thanks Mariah for the heads up on the vids. And by the way folks, Win was born in Texas.

Posted at 10:47 PM by Scott in
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24 Comments

these are some talented fellows. i really love arcade fire.

Posted by: fox Confessor at 01/22/09 11:57 PM  | Reply
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That's a great cover... the instrumentation really makes it their own, though yeah, the cameraman's backing vocals leave a lot to be desired. :P

Posted by: Richaod profile link at 01/23/09 12:21 AM  | Reply
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LOL, nice Photoshop

Posted by: Dennis at 01/23/09 12:57 AM  | Reply
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Haha...at first I wasn't sure what you were talking about, it took me awhile to notice that.

Posted by: Paper Werewolf profile link  in reply to Dennis's comment at 01/23/09 1:09 AM  | Reply
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please point out that which has been photoshopped

Posted by: matthew at 01/23/09 1:55 AM  | Reply
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oooooo, neon bible, HA!

Posted by: matthew at 01/23/09 2:04 AM  | Reply
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is that ra ra riot in the crowd?

Posted by: joe at 01/23/09 5:21 AM  | Reply
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The guy singing in the crowd is a riot.

Posted by: Woohoo profile link at 01/23/09 10:26 AM  | Reply
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It's official -- Arcade Fire are the truth

Posted by: Brian at 01/23/09 10:28 AM  | Reply
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I really enjoyed watching Intervention, despite of seeing a pic of john travolta's crotch in the ad to the left

Posted by: toto at 01/23/09 10:49 AM  | Reply
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Kind of ironic considering the whole birth certificate debate and the fact that he quite possible was not "born in the USA"

Posted by: shmer at 01/23/09 10:49 AM  | Reply
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Does his guitar say, "Take Video For Kaye?"

Posted by: Daniel at 01/23/09 11:38 AM  | Reply
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On this guitar, "sak vide pa kanpe" was written in duct tape across the front. A Haitian proverb meaning "An empty sack cannot stand up" in Creole, this was a reference to the extreme poverty of Haiti, the country of origin of Régine Chassagne.

*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arcade_fire

Posted by: candicethelost  in reply to Daniel's comment at 01/27/09 4:17 PM  | Reply
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Nothing like an expatriate and his band singing a protest song about a country he loved so much, he left it. But hey, it's always good to come back to something you hate so much and talk shit, because you know that plane is waiting to take you back to your country" I dunno, just seems like real americans singing songs of protest have a greater meaning

Posted by: Wes at 01/23/09 11:38 AM  | Reply
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Win Butler is a REAL American; he was born in Texas and spent all of his adolescent years in the states. He moved to Montreal in search of higher education and love kept him there. He's not "talking shit" and has as much right to voice his opinion about American politics as you, me or anyone else.

Posted by: Deezey profile link  in reply to Wes's comment at 01/25/09 6:46 PM  | Reply
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Wasn't Win born in Canada?

Posted by: John at 01/23/09 12:10 PM  | Reply
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I think he's originally from Texas? I could be wrong though.

Posted by: toyourdismay profile link  in reply to John's comment at 01/23/09 1:03 PM  | Reply
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I was there. I wasn't aware Arcade Fire would be there, and was incredibly surprised and subsequently blown away

Posted by: Casey at 01/23/09 12:56 PM  | Reply
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Wow, should we all be thanking the cameraman for 3:48 on or what ?!

Posted by: Lovin' it . at 01/23/09 2:10 PM  | Reply
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oh yes! that was a historical moment!ahahhhhhhhhahahahahahahhaaaaaaaaaaaaahah

Posted by: nadsat profile link  in reply to Lovin' it .'s comment at 01/24/09 4:25 PM  | Reply
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looks like haitian creole. 'an empty sack can't stand'. ??

Posted by: whisper at 01/24/09 2:38 AM  | Reply
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I can only imagine how boring the musicians would be for the balls if McCaine were elected.

Posted by: Benjfier profile link at 01/24/09 1:44 PM  | Reply
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LOL neon bible!

Posted by: gaby at 01/24/09 8:50 PM  | Reply
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arcade fire is really a fantastic band, but seriously if anyone needs to strip away the bullshi*, it's win. why do musicians think their opinion in politics belongs up on the stage? honestly, how many people live or think like famous musicians?

republican or democrat, your music is what people want to hear - unless of course mindless obama adulation is your jam.

Posted by: raylokicks at 02/04/09 3:44 PM  | Reply
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