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/
Sympathy
Vampire Weekend Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She firmly took my hand
The isolation ended
I began to understand
In the ping-pong match of constant desire
I was never gonna get ahead
'Cause I was looking in the mirror
Now we've got that sympathy
What I'm to you
You are to me
Let's go
Judaeo-Christianity
I'd never heard the words
Enemies for centuries
Until there was a third
In the ping-pong match of constant desire
I was never gonna get ahead
'Cause I was looking in the mirror
Now we've got that sympathy
What I'm to you
You are to me
Let's go
Diego Garcia
Surrounded by the waves
Lonely in the ocean
But in every other way
It was full of love
And the warmest fellow-feeling
Now we've got that sympathy
What I'm to you
You are to me
Let's go
I didn't have your sympathy
But I knew where to start
Explaining to you patiently
That the one who broke my heart
Would have broken yours
And thrown the pieces in the river
Now we've got that sympathy
What I'm to you
You are to me
Let's go
Let's go
Desperate for an enemy
But too afraid to kill
Use the pain of someone else
And triumph for their will
And spill the blood
Of the arrogant mosquitoes
Now we've got that sympathy
What I'm to you
You are to me
Let's go
The lyrics of "Sympathy" by Vampire Weekend explore different aspects of relationships and human desires. The song begins with the singer being in someone's bedroom feeling isolated until the person takes their hand and the isolation ends, indicating the importance of connection and empathy. The first verse mentions the "ping-pong match of constant desire" and how the singer was never going to get ahead because they were always looking in the mirror, which could mean they were too focused on themselves to truly connect with someone else.
The second verse contains a reference to "Judaeo-Christianity" and how the singer had never heard the words until there was a third enemy. This could refer to how the rivalry between Judaism and Christianity goes back centuries, but when a third party enters, they can join together in unity against the common enemy. The third verse talks about Diego Garcia, an island in the Indian Ocean that was used as a US military base, and how it was full of love and warm fellow-feeling despite being surrounded by the waves and being isolated.
The fourth verse seems to contrast the warmth of the previous verse by mentioning a desire for an enemy but being too afraid to kill, and using someone else's pain to triumph. The song ends with a repetition of the chorus, emphasizing the importance of empathy and understanding in relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Alone in someone's bedroom
Being without any company in a particular room belonging to someone else
She firmly took my hand
She held my hand with a strong grip
The isolation ended
The state of being alone came to an end
I began to understand
I started to comprehend the situation
In the ping-pong match of constant desire
In the lively, competitive game of constant wanting
I was never gonna get ahead
I could never win or get what I want
'Cause I was looking in the mirror
Because I was too focused on myself and my own desires
Now we've got that sympathy
At present, we possess the ability to understand and feel for each other
What I'm to you
The way you perceive me
You are to me
The way I perceive you
Let's go
An invitation to move on from the past and take action
Judaeo-Christianity
The aspects of both Judaism and Christianity
I'd never heard the words
I have not previously encountered these terms
Enemies for centuries
Individuals or groups that have been against each other for hundreds of years
Until there was a third
Except when there is another group involved
Diego Garcia
The name of a place
Surrounded by the waves
In an area surrounded by water
Lonely in the ocean
Being alone in an expanse of water
But in every other way
Despite this, in all other aspects
It was full of love
Filled with feelings of affection
And the warmest fellow-feeling
And the strongest feelings of community and compassion
I didn't have your sympathy
I did not possess your understanding and compassion
But I knew where to start
Despite this, I had an idea of where to begin
Explaining to you patiently
Clarifying something to you with patience
That the one who broke my heart
The person who caused me emotional pain
Would have broken yours
Would have caused you emotional pain as well
And thrown the pieces in the river
And would have discarded the broken pieces without any concern
Desperate for an enemy
Desiring an adversary
But too afraid to kill
But not brave enough to take a life
Use the pain of someone else
Exploit someone else's suffering
And triumph for their will
And succeed in accomplishing their goals
And spill the blood
And cause death and destruction
Of the arrogant mosquitoes
Of the obnoxious, bothersome pests
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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I think I take myself too serious
It's not that serious
Alone in someone's bedroom
She firmly took my hand
The isolation ended
I began to understand
In the ping-pong match of constant desire
I was never gonna get ahead
'Cause I was looking in the mirror
Now we've got that sympathy
What I'm to you
You are to me
Let's go
Judeo-Christianity
I'd never heard the words
Enemies for centuries
Until there was a third
In the ping-pong match of constant desire
I was never gonna get ahead
'Cause I was looking in the mirror
Now we've got that sympathy
What I'm to you
You are to me
Let's go
Diego García
Surrounded by the waves
Lonely in the ocean
But in every single way
It was full of love
In the warmth fed a feeling
Now we've got that sympathy
What I'm to you
You are to me
Let's go
I didn't have your sympathy
But I knew where to start
Explaining to you patiently
That the one who broke my heart
Would have broken yours
And thrown the pieces in the river
Now we've got that sympathy
What I'm to you
You are to me
Let's go
Desperate for an enemy
But too afraid to kill
Use the pain of someone else
And triumph for their will
And spill the blood
Of the arrogant mosquitoes
Now we've got that sympathy
What I'm to you
You are to me
Let's go
Cassie Bloomingdale
Not gonna lie this one slaps the hardest for me
Fabiana Moura
So true! This one is always on my workout playlist 😃
Zoe
You mean Claps👏👏
Char 🎵
sameee
Liam Mahony
Cassie Bloomingdale same
Ben Fliger
It slaps so hard it might even bang.
Oscar M
This song is an instant classic
jangoagogo
@You can't see me duhhh these two songs sound similar that mean everyone else dum and i smard, haha vamper weaken bad
MinekEzQM
As a loose cover of "Long Train Running" - yes. That was a brilliant song.
William Snakespeare
Vampire weekend is a classic