Neighborhood 2 (Laïka)

The correct title of this article is Neighborhood #2 (Laïka). The substitution or omission of the # is because of technical restrictions.

"Neighborhood #2 (Laïka)"
Single by Arcade Fire
from the album Funeral
Released	March 28, 2005
Format	7″, CD
Genre	Indie rock
Length	3:29
Label	Rough Trade Records
Producer	Arcade Fire
Arcade Fire singles chronology
"Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)" (2004) "Neighborhood #2 (Laïka)" (2005) "Neighborhood #3 (Power Out)" (2005)

"Neighborhood #2 (Laïka)" is the second single by Canadian rock band Arcade Fire from their debut album Funeral. Released on 28 March 2005, the single reached number 30 on the UK Singles Chart, and was released on the Rough Trade Records record label. The single also contains the song "My Buddy" by Alvino Rey, the grandfather of Arcade Fire members Win and William Butler.

When the song is performed at live shows, band members Will Butler and Richard Reed Parry usually take on percussion duties, often engaging in eccentric and sometimes violent acts while the rest of the band continue to perform.

Interpretation

The song, the second track on Funeral, is (according to Win Butler) about the Russian space program sending the dog Laika into space. Laika was the first living creature to orbit Earth. Butler told Pulse, a Minneapolis publication, "It’s a great story about a dog being the first living creature in space. Doing this spectacular thing, but not having food and watching itself fall back into the earth."

The song's dark lyrics complement its catchy melodies. The lyrics first tell the story of "Alexander" being sent out on an adventure. The adventure, for the "good of the neighborhood", will ultimately end in the death of "Alexander". "Alexander" may be an allusion to Alexander Supertramp. Alexander Supertramp was the assumed name of Christopher Johnson McCandless, who was an American hitchhiker who hiked into the Alaskan wilderness in April 1992 with little food and equipment, hoping to live for a time in solitude. Almost four months later, McCandless' remains were found,he had died of starvation near Lake Wentitika in Denali National Park and Preserve.

The accordion melody bears a significant resemblance to the riff from 1963 single 'The Sultan' by fellow Canadian Neil Young's early band The Squires.

Track listings

• "Neighborhood #2 (Laïka)" - 3:29
• "My Buddy" (Alvino Rey Orchestra, live radio broadcast, 1940) - 2:32

External links

"[1]' -"Neighborhood #2 Laïka" music video
"[2]" - Lyrics