Vampire Weekend received much buzz from local blogs throughout 2007 during their rise to a record deal with indie label XL Recordings. Rolling Stone placed Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa at number 57 for the top 100 songs of 2007.
The band's debut album, "Vampire Weekend" was released on January 28. 2008. It was a surprise success, peaking at #17 on the Billboard 200.
Their second album "Contra" was released on January 12, 2010. It contains the single "Cousins". The album debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200, only the 12th independently released and distributed album to achieve such a feat.
They are self-proclaimed "specialists in the following styles: 'Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa', 'Upper West Side Soweto', 'Campus', and 'Oxford Comma Riddim.'"
The name "Vampire Weekend" comes from a movie that Ezra Koenig made in the summer of his freshman year at college. You can watch the trailer on Youtube, here.
Their official site is http://www.vampireweekend.com/
California English Pt. 2
Vampire Weekend Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh, California, oh, California, oh, California, oh
This girl wrote drug raps in baggy sweaters
Tight neon tights, t-shirts and big letters
Back at her house was an Irish setter
With a heart-shaped tag hanging off its collar
Through half the towns of Arizona
Near Palm Springs, we were struck by boulders
'Cause they looked like skull and bones
Oh, California, oh, California, oh, California, oh
Oh, California, oh, California, oh, California, oh
Questions I had as I went through this:
Are our parents actually Buddhist?
Is the pool below me the bluest?
Is the TV on?
Through half the Taquerias y Fondas
Half the health clubs, half of the saunas
Half the Barbaras, half of the Rhondas
Is there something there?
Oh, California, oh, California, oh, California, oh
Oh, California, oh, California, oh, California, oh
Oh, California, oh, California, oh, California, oh
Oh, California, oh, California, oh, California, oh
This girl was smarter than television scripts
This girl wasn't damaged, her jeans were just ripped
This girl was the girl that the girls in your world thought about
When the night was cold
How many towns have claimed that they know you?
How many nations think that they own you?
How many simple minds think the same sun
Don't shine on their sunglasses now?
Oh, California, oh, California, oh, California, oh
Oh, California, oh, California, oh, California, oh
Oh, California, oh, California, oh, California, oh
The song "California English Pt. 2" by Vampire Weekend is a tribute to California, with its laid-back vibe and colorful people, seen through the eyes of the singer. The song is filled with imagery that paints a picture of the state's culture and landscapes. The first verse mentions a girl who writes drug raps, wears baggy sweaters and tight neon tights, and has an Irish setter pet with a heart-shaped tag hanging off its collar; a snapshot of the unique individuals and pets that roam California. The second verse starts with the singer questioning if their parents are Buddhist and if the TV is on, giving a nod to California's alternative and open lifestyle. The verse then mentions various places such as taquerias, health clubs, and saunas, along with numerous Barbaras and Rhondas, hinting at the vast and diverse population of California.
The chorus repeats the words "Oh, California" several times, emphasizing the song's main theme, which is a love letter to the state. Lastly, the final verse talks about a girl who is "smarter than TV scripts" and is not damaged, but her jeans are just ripped. The singer notes how many people claim to know her, and how many nations believe they own her, highlighting the state's international appeal. The song captures the essence of California, which is a place of endless possibilities and where dreams can through with hard work, openness and resilience.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, California, oh, California, oh, California, oh
An ode to California
This girl wrote drug raps in baggy sweaters
The girl is creative and dresses unconventionally
Tight neon tights, t-shirts and big letters
Her fashion sense is funky and bold
Back at her house was an Irish setter
She has a pet dog with a heart-shaped tag
With a heart-shaped tag hanging off its collar
The dog has an accessory that represents love
Through half the towns of Arizona
They traveled through Arizona together
I dream the dreams I have when I hold her
The singer dreams of romantic moments with her
Near Palm Springs, we were struck by boulders
They experienced a dangerous incident
'Cause they looked like skull and bones
The image of the boulders resembled a threatening symbol
Questions I had as I went through this:
The singer reflects upon various thoughts
Are our parents actually Buddhist?
The singer is unsure of his parents' religion
Is the pool below me the bluest?
The singer wonders about the pool's color
Is the TV on?
The singer is curious about the television
Through half the Taquerias y Fondas
They frequented Mexican restaurants
Half the health clubs, half of the saunas
They went to some gyms and saunas
Half the Barbaras, half of the Rhondas
They met some women named Barbara and Rhonda
Is there something there?
The singer ponders if there's a deeper meaning to their experiences
This girl was smarter than television scripts
The girl is intelligent and not superficial
This girl wasn't damaged, her jeans were just ripped
The girl was not troubled, just had worn jeans
This girl was the girl that the girls in your world thought about
The girl was admired by other girls
When the night was cold
During lonely times
How many towns have claimed that they know you?
The singer wonders if she's been to many places before
How many nations think that they own you?
The girl is perceived as belonging to different nationalities
How many simple minds think the same sun
Many people share the same basic thoughts
Don't shine on their sunglasses now?
Do they not see the light now?
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Ezra Koenig
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind