One could see this song as the bookend to a song from their self-titled album, “One (Blake’s Got A New Face),” which was apparently about an acquaintance then at Stanford. On the Vampire Weekend Reddit AMA, Ezra Koenig described the “Obvious Bicycle” narrator as a grown-up/wizened version of the narrators of earlier Vampire Weekend songs:
"M79 –> White Sky / Cape Kod Kwassa Kwassa –> Finger Back / The Kids Don’t Stand a Chance –> Obvious Bicycle"
This song samples the drums from “Keep Cool Babylon” by Ras Michael & the Sons of Negus. To NME, Rostam Batmanglij described the evolution of the sound:
“It started with really hectic drums, like Aphex Twin, but we got rid of them, and it’s inspired by the Dollar Brand record ‘Good News from Africa.’”
Vampire Weekend premiered this song along with “Everlasting Arms” on April 30, 2013 during a live gig in New York.
Obvious Bicycle
Vampire Weekend Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The LED still flickers in your eyes
Oh, you oughta spare your face the razor
Because no one's gonna spare the time for you
No one's gonna watch you as you go
From a house you didn't build and can't control
Oh, you oughta spare your face the razor
Because no one's gonna spare the time for you
It's been twenty years and no one's told the truth
So listen, oh
So listen, oh
Don't wait
Don't wait
So listen, oh
So listen, oh
Don't wait
Don't wait
So keep that list of who to thank in mind
And don't forget the rich ones who were kind
Oh, you oughta spare your face the razor
Because no one's gonna spare the time for you
Why don't you spare the world a traitor
Take your wager back and leave before you lose
So listen, oh
So listen, oh
Don't wait
Don't wait
So while the sun's coming down
Cover ground, cover ground
And if you find some love for these clowns
Turn around, turn around
I'll be half asleep on the floor of our high school gym
Thinking of you and wondering if anyone else could begin
To listen
Listen
Don't wait
Don't wait
So listen, oh
So listen, oh
Don't wait
Don't wait
The lyrics of Vampire Weekend's "Obvious Bicycle" explores the theme of personal responsibility, self-preservation, and self-discovery. The song's first verse implies that the world is a harsh place and people rarely look out for each other. The line "From a house you didn't build and can't control" hints at the idea that the world can feel unfair and uncontrollable. The chorus "Don't wait" serves as a motivation to take personal responsibility, and not wait for someone else to do something for you.
The second verse emphasizes the importance of gratitude and not forgetting those who have been kind to us. The line "You ought to spare the world a traitor, take your wager back and leave before you lose" could mean to be true to oneself and not deceive the world by pretending to be someone else. The song ends with the lines "I'll be half asleep on the floor of our high school gym, thinking of you and wondering if anyone else could begin to listen," suggesting that the singer has recognized self-preservation and is on a journey of self-discovery and personal growth.
Line by Line Meaning
Morning's come you watch the red sun rise
The day has started and you can feel the sun rising in front of you.
The LED still flickers in your eyes
You are awake, but not fully energized.
Oh, you oughta spare your face the razor
There is no need to shave as you are not obliged to look presentable.
Because no one's gonna spare the time for you
You are not important enough for people to spend their time on you.
No one's gonna watch you as you go
There is no one monitoring you as you leave because no one really cares where you go.
From a house you didn't build and can't control
You live in a house that you did not build and do not have control over.
You ought to spare the world your labor
The world is not interested in your labour or contributions.
It's been twenty years and no one's told the truth
The truth has not been revealed for the past twenty years.
So keep that list of who to thank in mind
Remember the people who have been kind to you and who deserve your thanks.
And don't forget the rich ones who were kind
Do not forget to thank the wealthy people who have been kind to you.
Why don't you spare the world a traitor
Do not try to deceive the world by being someone you are not.
Take your wager back and leave before you lose
Try to leave a situation before things get worse.
So while the sun's coming down
As the sun sets,
Cover ground, cover ground
Go outside and explore the world.
And if you find some love for these clowns
If you find affection for these people.
Turn around, turn around
Change your mind and leave.
I'll be half asleep on the floor of our high school gym
I will be dozing off in our old high school gym.
Thinking of you and wondering if anyone else could begin
I will be reminiscing about you and if anyone else could start a similar relationship.
To listen
To pay attention.
Listen
Pay attention.
Don't wait
Do not hesitate.
Don't wait
Do not hesitate.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Rostam Batmanglij, Ezra Koenig
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind