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Arcade Fire deliver new song 'I Give You Power' on eve of U.S. inauguration

Arcade Fire return with new song 'I Give You Power'

TORONTO — Arcade Fire is back with a new song that appears directly aimed at Donald Trump on the eve of his inauguration.

The Montreal band released "I Give You Power" exclusively on Tidal's streaming music service Thursday.

Frontman Win Butler sings alongside soul performer Mavis Staples, who herself is a longtime civil rights activist.

"I give you power," Butler sings. "I can take it away."

"Watch me," Staples adds as the bass synth builds.

The searing track is the first taste of new material from Arcade Fire since their acclaimed 2013 album "Reflektor."

The band announced the song on social media with a message to fans.

"It's never been more important that we stick together and take care of each other," they wrote in a message signed with Staples.

Arcade Fire's Facebook page says all proceeds from the song will go to the American Civil Liberties Union.

Staples has a long history of activism, singing with her family in the 1970s gospel group the Staple Singers, known for hits like "I'll Take You There." More recently, she returned to the spotlight with her 2007 album "We'll Never Turn Back," a collection of songs from the U.S. civil rights movement.

Butler has been a longtime activist for various social causes. Last year, after he played for Team Canada during a celebrity basketball game tied to the NBA all-star weekend in Toronto, an ESPN host cut him off during a post-game interview as he railed on American politics.

"The U.S. has a lot they can learn from Canada, health care, taking care of people," he said before Sage Steele abruptly stepped in.

"We're talking about celebrity stuff, not politics," she said before the camera cut away.

Arcade Fire is expected to deliver a new studio album and launch a tour sometime later this year.

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Hear the song for free: http://www.tidal.com/arcadefire

 

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David Friend, The Canadian Press