Cousins Lyrics
They're gonna find it if you didn't close the door
You and the smart ones sit outside of their sight
In a house on a street they wouldn't park on the night
His was a shoe maker
You greatest hits 2006
Little list-maker
You heeded the call
Oh, you were born with ten fingers and you're gonna use them all
I discovered myself
If your art life is gritty you'll be toasting my health
If an interest in culture should be lining the walls
When your birth right is interest you could just accrue it all
And
You and your cousins
It's a line that is always running
Me and my cousins
You and your cousins
I can feel it coming
You can turn your back on the bitter world
You can turn your back on the bitter world
You can turn your back on the bitter world
And
You and your cousins
It's a line that is always running
Me and my cousins
You and your cousins
I can feel it coming
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I found out what some of the other stuff means:
Me and my cousins - the band and its fans You and your cousins - the critics and the music industry in general It's a line that's always running - the two don't mix with each other, just among themselves: the band will always have its fans and the music business will always have its critics, no mixing and matching. I can feel it coming - he senses that even this song will be criticized by the very critics against which it protests.
Additionally, I personally always thought he was saying "You and the smart one", and now that I've realized all this stuff in the rest of the song, I believe it's "You and the smart oneS" - meaning a music critic ("you") and the "smart ones" in the band, doing an interview "in a house on a street they wouldn't park on at night" - because of restricted access to the interview. "You found a sweater on the ocean floor" means that the band created a new sound combining the "sweater" feel of Victorian England with the "ocean floor" vibe of worldbeat. And because anyone who now comes out with something that sounds similar will now immediately get compared to Vampire Weekend, they have, in a sense, "closed the door" on the others who hoped to pioneer such a style and who will now never be able to "find it".
I always knew those rhymes were too deliberate to be pure nonsense. These lyrics DO mean something. The band is talking like they're responding to critics' questions by saying, "Fuck you, I can do this and you're not gonna stop me, you mooks." Because us - the fans - their "cousins" - are standing behind them every step of the way. This whole song now makes sense to me. I hope this interpretation was helpful to you as well... let me know if you have a better idea.
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I think it's about the band is being criticized because of their upbringing and their background, meaning where they went to school and also how they dress. Here's what I think:
"You found a sweater on the ocean floor. They're gonna find it if you didn't close the door."
how people criticize their "preppy" sweaters and the way they dress. they didn't "close the door" on their style and instead embraced it.
"You and the smart one sit outside of their sight, In a house on a street they wouldn't park on at night."
this one is hard. perhaps the "smart one" refers to the Ivy League school they all attended? and the house on the street could mean something a bit scary or unknown because they wouldn't park on it at night. as in vampire weekend does different (and awesome) things with music that some people find a bit strange or different or unknown.
"Dad was a risk taker, his was a shoe maker, You, greatest hits 2006 little list maker."
just talking about the critics. they make the lists of which songs are the greatest hits.
"Heard codes in the melodies, you heeded the call, You were born with ten fingers, and you're gonna use em all."
the critics of course "heed" the songs and write reviews on them. now I'm really not sure about the next line, but i think perhaps using all your fingers could perhaps mean also using your "middle finger". as in dissing the band because they are different?
"Interest in colors I discovered myself. If your art-life is gritty, you'll be toastin' my health."
obviously having to do with the way they dress because the band often refers to the way they dress as art. they like colors and find they can express themselves through what they dress. if you like the way they dress they will appreciate it (toast their health).
"If an interest in culture, you should be lining the walls, When interest is your birthright, you could just accrue it all."
vampire weekend explores with different cultures? (the african pop styles of their music). i really have no idea about the next part. maybe they are saying you don't have to do what people think or say you should do and you should be able to do what you want.
"Me and my cousins, and you and your cousins, It's a line thats always running."
everyone keeps bring up their rich families and their upbringing.
"Me and my cousins and you and your cousins, I can feel it coming."
they know people are going to keep asking them about it
well that's just what i think. anyone else have any different ideas?
Ah, that could make sense. I had no idea what this song meant. Its so random, singing about cousins?? Your interpretation makes a lot of sense!
Ah, that could make sense. I had no idea what this song meant. Its so random, singing about cousins?? Your interpretation makes a lot of sense!
I like the idea about it being about them embracing their own style and not caring about what the critics think. It reminds a lot of Pork and Beans by Weezer. Kinda stickin it to the record companies, ya know? I love that in a band :)
I like the idea about it being about them embracing their own style and not caring about what the critics think. It reminds a lot of Pork and Beans by Weezer. Kinda stickin it to the record companies, ya know? I love that in a band :)
Awesome song anyway, extremely catchy. I've been listening to it and A-Punk over and over, even as I'm writing this :)
Awesome song anyway, extremely catchy. I've been listening to it and A-Punk over and over, even as I'm writing this :)
yeah i think this song is about that too :)
yeah i think this song is about that too :)
when i first heard it i had no idea what it was about but yeah that makes alot of sense.
when i first heard it i had no idea what it was about but yeah that makes alot of sense.
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Dad was a risk taker His was a shoe maker You greatest hits 2006 Little list-maker
- Means that although the band feels it should be respected for their hard work and dedication, the critics ("little list-maker"), although not truly qualified to do so, write off their new style as preppy and annoying. One interesting tidbit that I found out... Joseph Stalin was the son of a shoemaker. Just sayin' ;)
Heard codes in the melodies You heeded the call You were born with ten fingers and you're gonna use them all
*Refers to the loyal fans who will listen to the song, realize the hidden message in the lyrics, and "use all their fingers" to flip off whoever disses the band.
Interesting colors I discoveredmyself If your art life is gritty you'll be toasting my health If an interest in culture should be lining the walls When your birth right is interest you could just accrue it all
- Ezra Koenig created the style ("interesting colors") all by himself, and this new style is risky and innovative ("art life is gritty") because of its sheer unconventionality. He believes that this groundbreaking new style should really be "lining the walls" with hits and if he wants to make this kind of music no one should get on his case about it because "interest" (in worldbeat) is his "birthright" - he's technically allowed to say fuck it and do whatever he wants because it's HIS music. Great message.
Me and my cousins And You and your cousins It's a line that is always running Me and my cousins You and your cousins I can feel it coming
- No idea what this line or the opening one mean, I think he just stuck them in to show that he can do whatever the hell he wants. That's what this song is all about, after all :)
You can turn your back on the bitter world
- Meaning that's what he plans to do - the world is so bitter to his new style that he will simply turn his back on them.
Ezra is such a great lyricist and a master at hiding deep messages in pure, simple lyrics. This song exhibits that talent like no other. This band rocks my fucking socks off and I love these guys and I agree wholeheartedly with this song and everything it stands for. Please post comments if you think I'm on the right track :)
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ok well most of you are getting close but i recon your slightly off. the song is about origins.
You found a sweater on the ocean floor they're gonna find it if you didn't close the door you and the smart ones sit outside of their sight in a house on a street they couldn't park on at night
sweaters are regaurded as a posh kind of clothing, and finding it then closing the door is denying your rich. smart ones, out of sight, the street they couldnt park on at night, they intentionally pretended they were poor to stay. i get poor because a good car will get broken into on a bad street. in summary this person denied a rich background for the sake of their profession.
Dad was a risk-taker his was a shoemaker you, greatest hits 2006 little list-maker, heard codes in the melodies you heeded the call you were born with ten fingers and you're gonna use them all
grampa worked a hard honest profession, dad put his ass on the line to get where he is, then their is you who makes pointless music lists for a living. i get the negative assumption from "little", meaning insignificant, and the fingers bit, which says is that your only talent, counting on the fingers you were given at birth (counting/listing)
Interesting colors I discovered myself if your art life is gritty, you'll be toasting my health if an interest in culture should be lining the wall, when your birthright is interest you could just accrue it all
this is about them and their music. they have used "gritty" in terms of courage not texture. basically our music is bold and heavily influenced by culture and diversity. the whole bit here is rather self explanitory. this
as for the chorus i think 'learningtoharmonise' hit the nail on the head.
so basically
i agree because i tead in an interview where Ezra, the lead singer and main lyricist, said that people would say they had a tuff life but for them instead they said they would embrace. so yeah kudos
i agree because i tead in an interview where Ezra, the lead singer and main lyricist, said that people would say they had a tuff life but for them instead they said they would embrace. so yeah kudos
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This song makes me exceedingly happy. :)
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Sounds like it's "You and the smart one" instead of this model. And "Golds in the melody, you eat it to-go (or eager to go)"
But that's just what it sounds like...
I'm pretty sure it's "Caught in the melody, you heeded the call"
I'm pretty sure it's "Caught in the melody, you heeded the call"
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Please someone explain what are they singing about :(
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All I can say is that it takes all ten fingers when I cover this on the piano but it is fun to play it, the bass line is all over the place
They're educated so their lyrics are going to be complex
It's a mix of direct statements about lineage and subtle snide inference to the wealthy that talk more about art that actually doing it
(the last verse)
"Interesting colors
I discovered myself" - found their own style and perform it
"If your art life is gritty you'll be toasting my health" - I'm doing it - you're not
and this is the best line, a complex and smart jab at critics and wealthy "artists"
"If an interest in culture should be lining the walls When your birth right is interest you could just accrue it all" - the wealthy and educated dictate what is art and what is not and when you are born with money and privilege you are entitled to say whatever you want and buy whatever you want they don't have to do anymore than talk about it and own it
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This is a cute song, very catchy. Love it, (:
I think this song is about "getting rid of" family members with higher birthright. Thus the referencing to cousins.
I think this song is about "getting rid of" family members with higher birthright. Thus the referencing to cousins.
The first to me sounds like the disposed of evidence (the sweater) in the ocean and they being the authoritys could find it, if you didnt close the door, or cover your tracks. and instead of you and the model i hear you and the smart one, and they are sitting outside as their plan unfolds.
The first to me sounds like the disposed of evidence (the sweater) in the ocean and they being the authoritys could find it, if you didnt close the door, or cover your tracks. and instead of you and the model i hear you and the smart one, and they are sitting outside as their plan unfolds.
the second goes on to explain the family line of shoe maker, trouble maker, musician. All pretty unglamorous.
the second goes on to explain the family line of shoe maker, trouble maker, musician. All pretty unglamorous.
Heard codes in the melodies...
Heard codes in the melodies You heeded the call You were born with ten fingers and you're gonna use them all, to me means that you heard the code to start the plan.
by getting rid of the cousins the birthright is given to you, so you can accrue all your intrests in culture
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Oh wow, this song only has comments now? Huh. I've been listening to it for at least a month with a lot of repeats. :) I thought he said "Middle East-maker" and I thought it made absolutely no sense, so thanks for the interpretation. lmao. Contra's a great album.