Ocean of Noise – English Lyrics

• By: Arcade Fire

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into Arcade Fire's "Ocean of Noise," a poignant indie rock ballad from their acclaimed *Neon Bible* album. Its rich, evocative lyrics and expansive soundscape make it a perfect song for learning English, offering a deep exploration of themes like connection, self-deception, and the search for clarity in a chaotic world. Discover how the band uses vivid metaphors and powerful emotional language to convey a sense of beautiful struggle and resilience. The introspective nature of the lyrics, combined with the orchestral instrumentation, provides a compelling listen that encourages active engagement with the song's profound message.

[English]

In an ocean of noise

I first heard your voice

Ringing like a bell

As if I had a choice, oh well

...

Left in the morning

While you were fast asleep

Into an ocean of violence

A world of empty streets

You've got your reasons

And me I've got mine

But all the reasons I gave

Were just lies to buy myself some time

...

In an ocean of noise

I first heard your voice

Now who here among us

Still believes in choice?

-Not I!

...

No way of knowing

What any man will do

An ocean of violence

Between me and you

You've got your reasons

And me I've got mine

But all the reasons I gave

Were just lies to buy myself some time

...

I'm gonna work it out

...

'Cause time won't work it out

...

I'm gonna work it out

...

'Cause time won't work it out for you

I'm gonna work it on out

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
ocean /ˈoʊʃən/ B1	noun - a very large expanse of sea
noise /nɔɪz/ A2	noun - a sound, especially one that is loud or unpleasant
voice /vɔɪs/ A2	noun - sound produced in a person's larynx and uttered through the mouth
ring /rɪŋ/ B1	verb - to make a clear, resonant sound
bell /bɛl/ A2	noun - a hollow metal object, typically cup-shaped and typically producing a ringing sound when struck
choice /tʃɔɪs/ A2	noun - an act of selecting or making a decision when faced with two or more possibilities.
morning /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/ A1	noun - the period of time between midnight and noon
violence /ˈvaɪələns/ B2	noun - behavior involving physical force intended to hurt, damage, or kill someone or something.
world /wɜːrld/ A1	noun - the earth and all of its countries and people
street /striːt/ A1	noun - a public road in a city or town
reason /ˈriːzən/ B1	noun - a cause, explanation, or justification for an action or event.
lie /laɪ/ A2	noun - a false statement made with deliberate intent to deceive
time /taɪm/ A1	noun - the indefinite continued progress of existence and events in the past, present, and future regarded as a whole.
man /mæn/ A1	noun - an adult human male.
work /wɜːrk/ A1	verb - to be employed in a job

Key Grammar Structures

• In an ocean of noise

  ➔ Prepositional phrase as an adverbial of place/circumstance

  ➔ The phrase "In an ocean of noise" sets the scene and atmosphere. It's not a literal ocean, but a metaphorical one representing overwhelming sensory input. The preposition 'in' indicates being surrounded by something.

• As if I had a choice, oh well

  ➔ Subjunctive mood ('had') expressing hypothetical situation

  ➔ The phrase uses the past subjunctive "had" to express a situation that is contrary to fact – the speaker didn't have a choice. "Oh well" is an interjection expressing resignation.

• You've got your reasons

  ➔ Present perfect tense ('ve got') indicating a state resulting from a past action

  ➔ "You've got" is a contraction of "You have got", using the present perfect to indicate that the reasons exist *now* as a result of past events. It implies the reasons are established and known (at least to the person possessing them).

• But all the reasons I gave were just lies to buy myself some time

  ➔ Relative clause ('that' omitted) defining 'reasons', use of 'just' as an intensifier

  ➔ The relative clause "that I gave" modifies 'reasons', specifying which reasons are being discussed. 'Just' intensifies the statement, emphasizing the insincerity of the reasons. The phrase 'to buy myself some time' is an infinitive of purpose.

• Now who here among us still believes in choice? -Not I!

  ➔ Rhetorical question, emphatic negative response

  ➔ The line poses a rhetorical question, implying the speaker believes no one truly believes in choice. "-Not I!" is a short, emphatic, and archaic way of saying "I do not!", highlighting the speaker's cynicism.