Cousins
Vampire-Weekend Lyrics


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You found a sweater on the ocean floor
They're gonna find it if you didn't close the door
You and the smart ones sit outside of their sight
In a house on a street they wouldn't park on at night
Dad was a risk-taker, his was a shoe maker
You, "Greatest Hits 2006" little list-maker
Heard codes in the melodies, you heeded the call
Oh, you were born with ten fingers and you're gonna use them all

Interesting colors I discovered myself
If your art life is gritty, you'll be toasting my health
If an interest in culture should be lining the walls
When your birthright is interest, you could just accrue it all

Me and my cousins and you and your cousins
It's a line that's always running
Me and my cousins and you and your cousins
I can feel it coming

You could turn your back on the bitter world
You could turn your back on the bitter world
You could turn your back on the bitter world
You could turn your back on the bitter world

Me and my cousins and you and your cousins
It's a line that's always running
Me and my cousins and you and your cousins
I can feel it coming
Me and my cousins and you and your cousins
It's a line that's always running




Me and my cousins and you and your cousins
I can feel it coming

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Vampire Weekend's song "Cousins" are littered with interconnected images and metaphors that paint a vivid picture of chaos and confusion. From the get-go, the opening line "You found a sweater on the ocean floor" conjures an image of something found out of place, temporarily lost and displaced. The next line of "They're gonna find it if you didn't close the door" abruptly shifts the lens of perspective to one of a possible thief or somebody worried about someone finding something that shouldn't be found.


The following lines about a model and a house in a dodgy area of town further amplify the sense of danger and instability present in the song. The repeated refrain of "Me and my cousins and you and your cousins" ties together the band's common theme of rich kids with too much time on their hands. The lyric "if your odd-life was greater, you'd be toastin' my health" serves as a possible dig at those who thrive on others' bad luck or misfortune. However, the song doesn't only contain negative images; the line "you were born with ten fingers, and you're gonna use them all" evokes a sense of determination and an unwavering will to pursue endeavors to the fullest.


Overall, "Cousins" is a song that explores themes of confusion and self-discovery in the context of privileged youth. The images and metaphors used are both specific and universal, allowing listeners to relate to the lyrics on a personal level.


Line by Line Meaning

You found a sweater on the ocean floor
You stumbled across something unusual and unexpected in an unlikely place.


They're gonna find it if you didn't close the door.
If you weren't careful, others might discover what you've found.


You and this model sit outside the side
You and someone fashionable are sitting near the edge or periphery.


In a house on a street they wouldn't park on at night.
You're in a sketchy neighborhood that isn't safe to visit after dark.


Dad was a risk taker.
Your father was someone who took chances and lived boldly.


His was a shoe maker.
He worked in a humble profession, but lived a remarkable life.


You greatest hits 2006, little list maker.
You're proud of your past accomplishments and like to keep track of them.


Caught in the melody, you wait in the car.
You're enjoying a song and waiting to hear the end of it before getting out of the car.


You were born with ten fingers and you're gonna use them all.
You have a lot of potential and plan to make use of every opportunity that comes your way.


Interest in girls as I discovered myself
You developed an attraction to women as you explored your own identity.


If your odd-life was greater
If you had a more unique life story or personality.


You'll be toastin' my health
You would be proud to know me and celebrate my successes.


If an interest in culture,
If you have a curiosity about the arts, customs, and history of different people or places.


You should be lining the walls.
You should be embracing and surrounding yourself with cultural artifacts and symbols.


When your birth right is interest,
When a predisposition towards curiosity, education, and exploration is in your DNA.


You could just accrue it all.
You could accumulate a wealth of knowledge and experiences from your interests.


Me and my cousins and you and your cousins
Our families are connected and have a shared history and identity.


It's a line that is always running.
Our connection and shared identity is a constant and ongoing presence in our lives.


I can feel it coming
I sense that something important or exciting is about to happen related to our shared connection.


You could turn your back on the bitter world
You have the power and choice to focus on positivity and optimism instead of negativity and pessimism.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Christopher Joseph Baio, Christopher William Tomson, Ezra Koenig, Rostam Batmanglij

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@mohamedberrahoOmar

[Verse 1]
You found a sweater on the ocean floor
They're gonna find it if you didn't close the door
You and this smart one sit outside the side
In a house on a street they wouldn't park on the night

Dad was a risk taker
His was a shoe maker
You greatest hits 2006
Little list-maker
Heard codes in the melodies
You heeded the call
You were born with ten fingers and you're gonna use them all

[Verse 2]
Interesting colors
I discovered myself
If your art life is gritty you'll be toasting my health
If an interest in culture should be lining the walls
When your birth right is interest you could just accrue it all

[Chorus]
Me and my cousins
And you and your cousins
It's a line that's always running
Me and my cousins
And you and your cousins
I can feel it coming

[Bridge]
You can turn your back on the bitter world
You can turn your back on the bitter world
You can turn your back on the bitter world
You can turn your back on the bitter world

[Chorus]
Me and my cousins
And you and your cousins
It's a line that's always running
Me and my cousins
And you and your cousins
I can feel it coming
Me and my cousins
And you and your cousins
It's a line that's always running
Me and my cousins
And you and your cousins
I can feel it coming



@luisrios9555

You found a sweater on the ocean floor
They're gonna find it if you didn't close the door
You and the smart ones sit outside of their sight
In a house on a street they wouldn't park on at night
Dad was a risk taker, his was a shoe maker
You greatest hits 2006, little list maker
Heard codes in the melody, you heeded the call
You were born with ten fingers and you're gonna use them all
Interesting colors, I discovered myself
If your art life is gritty, you'll be toasting my health
If an interest in culture should be lining the wall
When your birthright is interest, you could just accrue it all
Me and my cousins, and you and your cousins
It's a line that is always running
Me and my cousins, and you and your cousins
I can feel it coming
You can turn your back on the bitter world
You can turn your back on the bitter world
You can turn your back on the bitter world
You can turn your back on the bitter world
Me and my cousins, and you and your cousins
It's a line that's always running
Me and my cousins, and you and your cousins
I can feel it coming
Me and my cousins, and you and your cousins
It's a line that's always running
Me and my cousins, and you and your cousins
I can feel it coming



All comments from YouTube:

@hakr1298

This guy hasn't changed one bit after 10 years he truly is a vampire

@parbatrai8087

Sus bro hahaha

@hoze1235

Sussy baka

@prometheusproton3886

A modern vampire of the city, perchance?

@fabioreismarques6739

PES 2011 NOSTALGIA <3

@Hasagui1

<3

@fabioreismarques6739

<3 seu dlç

@lionelmessi1267

muy bien

@fabioreismarques6739

<3 messi

@franciscojavierazocarperez1964

jajajaja que wea x.x

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