The song is about Bryn Lander, a fashion designer who is a personal friend of Ezra’s.
Bryn
Vampire Weekend Lyrics
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Especially when I'm not with you
Here in the heartland, a feeling so startling
I don't know what I should do
Oh, Bryn, you see through the dark
Right past the fireflies that sleep in my heart
You know it's easy to see
Nights by the ocean, a westerly motion
That moves California to sea
Eyes like a seagull, no Kansas-born beetle
Could ever come close to that free
Oh, Bryn, you see through the dark
Right past the fireflies that sleep in my heart
You know it's easy to see
Wait for the season to come back to me
The song Bryn by Vampire Weekend is a love song that expresses the longing and desire for a person named Bryn. The first two lines of the song convey the idea that Bryn is extremely important to the singer, and without her, certain things that used to work (ion displacement) no longer do. It appears that the singer is lost without Bryn and doesn't know what he should do without her.
Later in the song, the singer describes his memories of being with Bryn. He remembers nights by the ocean and the way that her eyes sparkle like a seagull. He describes a feeling of being free with Bryn that he hasn't found with anyone else. Through this, it is clear that Bryn is special to the singer and he misses her dearly.
The chorus of the song emphasizes how much the singer feels Bryn knows him, even in the darkest parts of himself that he keeps hidden away. He longs for the season to come back to him so that he can be with Bryn once again. Overall, the song Bryn is a beautiful love song that conveys a deep longing and appreciation for someone special, who the singer finds very difficult to be without.
Line by Line Meaning
Ion displacement won't work in the basement
Trying to regain lost love in a dark, isolated place isn't effective and won't bring desired results.
Especially when I'm not with you
Being separated from the one you love makes it difficult to rekindle that relationship.
Here in the heartland, a feeling so startling
The intensity of emotions in this place is overwhelming.
I don't know what I should do
Feeling lost and unsure about how to proceed with these powerful emotions.
Oh, Bryn, you see through the dark
Addressing the person who is able to see beyond the obstacles and understand the true feelings.
Right past the fireflies that sleep in my heart
Acknowledging the deep and dormant feelings that have been reawakened.
You know it's easy to see
Expressing a sense of clarity and belief that the other person understands them.
Wait for the season to come back to me
Hoping for the natural progression of time and events to bring the opportunity to be reunited.
Nights by the ocean, a westerly motion
Recollecting memories of being near the sea and the comforting breeze that comes with it.
That moves California to sea
Describing how the location where the memories were created feels like it's momentarily transporting them somewhere else.
Eyes like a seagull, no Kansas-born beetle
Comparing the beauty and uniqueness of the other person's eyes to the simple eyes of a beetle.
Could ever come close to that free
Implying that nothing else can compare to the feeling of freedom and sincerity that comes with being with this person.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Ezra Koenig, Rostam Batmanglij
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind