Holiday
Vampire Weekend Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And the best one of the year
Dozing off underneath my sheets
While I cover both my ears
But if I wait for a holiday
Could it stop my fears?
To go away on a summer's day
Holiday, still so far away
A republic on the beach
I can't forget just how bad it gets
When I'm counting on my teeth
But if I wait for a holiday
Could it stop my fears?
To go away on a summer's day
Never seemed so clear
A vegetarian since the invasion
She'd never seen the word 'bombs'
She'd never seen the word 'bombs'
Blown up to 96-point Futura
She'd never seen an AK
In a yellowy Day-Glo display
A T-shirt so lovely, it turned all the history books grey
I got wheels, I got Cutter spray
And a healthy sense of worth
Half of me is the gasoline
But the other half's the surf
So if I wait for a holiday
Could it stop my fears?
To go away on a summer's day
Never seemed so clear
The song "Holiday" by Vampire Weekend contemplates the idea of escapism and how a holiday can serve as a temporary reprieve from one's anxieties and concerns. The opening lines set the tone and mood of the song as the singer yearns for a holiday, which is the "best one of the year." The singer is feeling overwhelmed, and the idea of hiding in the comfort of his sheets while blocking out the noise of the world appeals to him. However, he questions if waiting for a holiday will alleviate his fears or if it will merely be a temporary escape.
The song's chorus is where the singer acknowledges that going away on a summer day is what he needs. It's a clear picture of providing temporary relief from one's current situation. The second verse describes a young girl who has been isolated from the realities of the world. She's a vegetarian who has never seen or experienced the horrors that come with war. She's never even seen the word "bombs" written in print, let alone the actual explosion of one. The imagery created of the word "bombs" blown up to 96-point Futura, a typography typeface, creates a lasting impression.
The final verse highlights the singer's love for the beach and the sensation of riding the waves. The lines "Half of me is the gasoline, but the other half's the surf" provide a vivid image and metaphor for the singer's contrasting desires. Ultimately, the song is about finding relief from the stresses of life, even if only for a short time.
Line by Line Meaning
Holiday, oh, a holiday
Expressing excitement and enthusiasm about being on vacation
And the best one of the year
Implying that the specific holiday being referred to is the most anticipated and favored vacation of the year
Dozing off underneath my sheets
Lying comfortably in bed, possibly to avoid confronting problems or responsibilities
While I cover both my ears
Potentially trying to tune out noise or anxieties
But if I wait for a holiday
Wondering if taking a vacation would help alleviate stress and worries
Could it stop my fears?
Pondering if going on holiday could eliminate anxieties and concerns altogether
To go away on a summer's day
Desire to escape everyday life and relax during the summertime
Never seemed so clear
The idea of taking a break and going on holiday feels particularly appealing
Holiday, still so far away
Expressing disappointment that the vacation is still in the future
A republic on the beach
Describing a place where the singer would like to visit, with possible political undertones
I can't forget just how bad it gets
Remembering how stressful and overwhelming everyday life can be
When I'm counting on my teeth
Potentially referencing financial troubles or having to be extremely frugal
A vegetarian since the invasion
Possibly a reference to a period of war, which led to the singer becoming a vegetarian
She'd never seen the word 'bombs'
Highlighting how the singer's friend has not experienced the horrors of war or violence
Blown up to 96-point Futura
Referencing a specific font that was popular in advertising and graphic design in the early 20th century
She'd never seen an AK
Further emphasizing the peaceful nature of the singer's friend's life
In a yellowy Day-Glo display
Describing a bright and almost fantastical visual display of weaponry
A T-shirt so lovely, it turned all the history books grey
Suggesting that the T-shirt was so impactful and historically significant that it overshadowed all other events or facts
I got wheels, I got Cutter spray
Possibly referencing the singer's possessions or lifestyle
And a healthy sense of worth
Feeling confident and self-assured
Half of me is the gasoline
Describing a passionate and energetic part of the singer's personality
But the other half's the surf
Describing a more relaxed and carefree aspect of the singer's personality
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Christopher Joseph Baio, Christopher William Tomson, Ezra Koenig, Rostam Batmanglij
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Lastlaugh1001
Holiday, oh, holiday
And the best one of the year
Dozin' off underneath my sheets
While I cover both my ears
But if I wait for a holiday
Could it stop my fear?
To go away on a summer's day
Never seemed so clear
Holiday, still so far away
Our republic on the beach
I can't forget just how bad it gets
When I'm countin' on my tea
But if I wait for a holiday
Could it stop my fear?
To go away on a summer's day
Never seemed so clear
A vegetarian since the invasion
She'd never seen the word "bombs"
She'd never seen the word "bombs" blown-up
To 96 point Futura
She'd never seen an A.K.
In a yellowy Day-Glo display
A t-shirt so lovely it turned
All the history books grey
I got wheels, I got Cutter spray
And a healthy sense of worth
Half of me is the gasoline
But the other half's the surf
So if I wait for a holiday
Could it stop my fear?
To go away on a summer's day
Never seemed so clear
J Bl
I’m 40 now.. unfortunately.. I was 28 when this came out.. and I always start thanksgiving morning with this song for my fam. Thx
Sterdam
Holy Crap
luis vasquez
Damn i was 18 i'm 30 now :(
e.mz1
Good peeps
Thomas David-Fraer Sherwood
I’m 26 this year. I hear this when I was 13/14. We’re forever young!
ekim namdets
I’m 40 too
thebetterlemonjello
I hope the neighbors like this album, because its all their gonna hear this summer.
Kiara Nahomi
Sameeeee
thebetterlemonjello
KIARARA you look like aubrey plaza en español
thegreatgatsby
You posted this comment 5 years ago and I'm just now seeing it...I laughed so hard when I read it ...HILARIOUS!!!
And I know you weren't joking...I believe 100% that you did do just that...blasting Vampire Weekend!!!
I bet your neighbors knew all the words by the end of Summer 🤣
If you were my neighbor I wouldn't mind one bit if you did that 😆