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/
The Kids Don?t Stand A Chance
Vampire Weekend Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All the way from France
With shiny, shiny cufflinks
A shirtsleeve to enhance
The pin-striped men of morning
Are coming for to dance
With pure Egyptian cotton
You criticize the practice
By murdering their plants
Ignoring all the history
Denying them romance
The pin-striped men of morning
Are coming for to dance
Forty-million dollars
The kids don't stand a chance
I didn't like the business,
But that was at first glance
Your pillow feels so soft now
But still you must advance
The pin-striped men of morning
The partners in the dance
The paper's shot to pieces
The kids don't stand a chance
The first verse of Vampire Weekend’s song The Kids Don’t Stand A Chance describes a sophisticated and powerful man, represented by his shiny cufflinks and fine Egyptian cotton shirt. The image of the “pin-striped men of morning” coming to dance suggests that these men are in control and hold power in society. Meanwhile, “the kids” refer to a younger generation who lack the same level of control and are therefore unable to stand up against the pin-striped men and maintain their own culture.
The second verse continues this theme, as the singer criticizes those who attack the plants and symbols that represent the culture of the younger generation. This action denies them their history and romance. In the end, the pin-striped men of morning represent the corporate world, with their partners in dance representing the circle of powerful individuals who make the decisions. The paper being shot to pieces could symbolize the destruction of the culture and world that the kids have grown up in.
Overall, the song is about power dynamics and the generation gap in society. The pin-striped men of morning are shown as taking control and leaving the younger generation without a chance to make changes. The lyrics point out the disregard for the younger generation’s culture, lifestyle, and history, with a sense of criticism and sadness.
Line by Line Meaning
A devastating backstroke
A striking move, possibly a metaphorical reference to a harsh criticism or blow
All the way from France
A reference to the origin of the backstroke or the criticism, which is France in this case
With shiny, shiny cufflinks
A detail about the person who made the backstroke, possibly signifying their wealth
A shirtsleeve to enhance
Another detail about the person who made the backstroke, possibly signifying their arrogance
The pin-striped men of morning
A reference to the business people who are making a move
Are coming for to dance
A metaphorical reference to their eagerness to take over and dictate the market
With pure Egyptian cotton
A detail about their attire, possibly signifying their luxurious lifestyle
The kids don't stand a chance
The younger generation or smaller businesses will not be able to compete with the established, wealthier ones
You criticize the practice
A reference to someone who is critical of the established business practices
By murdering their plants
A figurative reference to opposing a business practice by taking away its ability to grow and thrive
Ignoring all the history
A criticism of those who only focus on the present and don't take into account previous actions or events
Denying them romance
A metaphorical reference to taking the passion out of a business entity or industry
Forty-million dollars
The amount of investment or funding required to compete against the established business players
I didn't like the business,
Someone who is not interested in the established business market
But that was at first glance
A reference to the singer's initial impression or opinion of the businesses, which could have changed over time
Your pillow feels so soft now
A reference to someone who has given up the fight against the established business practices
But still you must advance
A call to keep pushing forward and not give up despite the odds
The partners in the dance
A reference to the established business players who work together to maintain their position at the top
The paper's shot to pieces
A metaphorical reference to the failure of smaller businesses due to the established ones' dominance
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CHRISTOPHER JOSEPH BAIO, CHRISTOPHER WILLIAM TOMSON, EZRA KOENIG, ROSTAM BATMANGLIJ
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind