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/
Sunflower
Vampire Weekend Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Standing in the garden
All before you wake
No power can compel you
Out into the daylight
Let that evil wait
Strange thought upon the pillow
Well, I don't know
Sunflower in the evening
Standing in the garden
Taking up that space
No power can compel me
Back into the daylight
Let that evil wait
Strange thought upon the pillow
What day demands a date?
Well, I don't know
You know
Sunflower is a song that combines themes of power and freedom with references to the passage of time, all while incorporating vivid imagery of a sunflower in a garden. The refrain "No power can compel you/ me out into the daylight/ let that evil wait" emphasizes the idea of personal autonomy and the individual's ability to stand their ground and resist coercion. We can interpret this as a message of empowerment, encouraging listeners to stay true to themselves and not let external pressures sway their actions or beliefs.
At the same time, the lyrics allude to the impermanence of life and the fleeting nature of time. The line "What day demands a date? Well, I don't know" suggests a sense of disorientation or lack of clarity when it comes to marking one's place in the world. This existential reflection is juxtaposed with the image of a sunflower, a symbol of growth and vitality, standing tall in the garden. It's almost as if the singer is trying to reconcile their personal struggles with a larger sense of purpose or meaning.
Regarding more technical elements of the song, the use of repetition in the refrain creates a hypnotic effect that draws the listener into the song's rhythm. The instrumentation adds to this dreamlike quality, with its mellow guitar strings and gentle percussion creating a relaxed atmosphere. The bridge section introduces a distorted guitar solo that deviates from the main melody, further emphasizing the song's thematic contrast between order and chaos.
Line by Line Meaning
Sunflower in the morning
Starting a new day with a sense of hope and joy, feeling vibrant like a sunflower
Standing in the garden
In the midst of nature's beauty, feeling grounded and connected
All before you wake
Everything is possible and full of potential before the demands of the day begin
No power can compel you
Feeling confident and independent, with the ability to make your own choices
Out into the daylight
Ready to face the world, and not afraid of what lies ahead
Let that evil wait
Not giving into negativity or malice, instead focusing on positivity and kindness
Strange thought upon the pillow
Random and unexpected reflections that keep you up at night
What day demands a date?
Wondering what makes one day different from another, and what truly matters in life
Sunflower in the evening
Reflecting on the day with gratitude for its bright moments and lessons learned
Taking up that space
Asserting oneself and confidently occupying a physical and metaphorical space
No power can compel me
Feeling empowered and in control of one's own life and destiny
Back into the daylight
Ready to face a new day with renewed energy and enthusiasm
Let that evil wait
Choosing to focus on the good and positive, and not giving into negativity or hate
You know
Reflecting on the shared experiences and emotions of being human, and the power of connection
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Ariel Zvi Rechtshaid, Ezra Koenig
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sol G Avila
*LYRICS
Sunflower in the morning
Standing in the garden
All before you wake
No power can compel you
Out into the daylight
Let that evil wait
Strange thought upon the pillow
"What day demands a date?"
Well I don't know
Sunflower in the evening
Standing in the garden
Taking up that space
No power can compel me
Back into the daylight
Let that evil wait
Strange thought upon the pillow
"What day demands a date?"
Well I don’t know
You know
sarah
they really perfectly captured what it's like when u go into an establishment and vampire weekend starts playing..... doing the mundane suddenly makes u feel like ur strutting in a grainy music video, everything starts spinning, jerry seinfield is there,
Kniqi Knados
You are the only one to make sense of this for me
Penny
what a mood
Jazzosaurus
why the fuck does this make so much sense
Thomas Healey
Yeah I agree I thought they did a really great job with that
Terminator X
You always can tell a Steve Lacy bass-line, it’s unmistakable.
Melissa Lasnik
I love Steve lacy
Glitter x Gore
Vampire weekend! I used to listen to them ALL the time in 2010 to around 2013. Made me smile and move every time I listened to them. Got me through a bad opiate addiction when I needed SOMETHING to hang on to and to find some small joy out of life. They were one of those somethings. Seven years clean. Glad I found them again.
Luis Martinez
God bless you bro ❤️💪🏽 Proud of you
sprtrnds
Well done bro