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Obvious Bicycle Lyrics

Morning's come; you've watched the red sun rise,
The LED still flickers in your eyes,
Oh you ought to spare your face the razor,
Because no one's gonna spare the time for you.
No one's gonna watch you as you go,
From a house you didn't build and can't control,
Oh, you ought to spare your face the razor,
Because no one's gonna spare their time for you.
You ought to spare the world your labor
It's been twenty years and no one's told the truth.

So listen, all,
So listen, all,
Don't wait,
Don't wait.
So listen, all,
(Listen, ay hey ay hey ay hey)
So listen, oh,
(Listen, ay hey ay hey ay hey)
Don't wait
(Don't wait ay hey ay hey ay hey)
Don't wait
(Don't wait ay hey ay hey ay hey)

So keep that list of who to thank in mind,
And don't forget the rich ones who were kind,
Oh, you oughta spare your face the razor,
Because no one's gonna spare their time for you.
Why don't you spare their world a traitor,
Take your wager back and leave before you lose.

So listen, all,
(Listen, ay hey ay hey ay hey)
So listen, all,
(Listen, ay hey ay hey ay hey)
Don't wait
(Don't wait ay hey ay hey ay hey)
Don't wait
(Don't wait ay hey ay hey ay hey)

So while the sun's coming out,
Cover ground,
Cover ground.
And if you found some love for these clowns,
Turn around,
Turn around.
We had to sleep on the floor of our school gym,
Thinking of you and wondering if anyone else could begin,

To listen,
Listen,
Don't wait, don't wait.
So listen, oh,
(Listen, ay hey ay hey ay hey)
So listen, all,
(Listen, ay hey ay hey ay hey)
Don't wait
(Don't wait ay hey ay hey ay hey)
Don't wait
(Don't wait ay hey ay hey ay hey)
Song Info
Submitted by
songmeanings On Mar 13, 2013
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11 Meanings

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Cover art for Obvious Bicycle lyrics by Vampire Weekend

I think this song is about the Millenial generation's struggle to find success.

"Oh, you oughta spare your face the razor, Because no one’s gonna spare the time for you. You oughta spare the world your labor It’s been twenty years and no one’s told the truth."

Ezra's generation was promised from a young age that if they went to school and worked hard, they would get good jobs and be successful, but "It's been twenty years and no one's told the truth."

This song is a plea from Ezra to people of his generation to "spare the world your labor" trying to impress older generations, because "no one's going to spare the time for you." I believe the cry "don't wait" is a plea for a younger generation to take risks and build something new, rather than continually struggling to succeed under an old paradigm.

I agree with you on that completely. I would also add that no one is going to pay attention to you if you don't make yourself noticed. No one cares. You have to take charge and action.

Cover art for Obvious Bicycle lyrics by Vampire Weekend

Ezra said how this song is about his unemployed friend. How its hard to watch him not get a real job, and how the friend is giving up. I believe the idea to "spare yourself the razor" isnt honest, more sarcastic. Like that times will be hard, and you cant give in. The idea that the friend is wondering why try and Ezra is trying to motivate by saying no one wants you, why try.

Cover art for Obvious Bicycle lyrics by Vampire Weekend

Just a quick thought on the chorus line "spare yourself the razor"..............when you're unemployed and going to interviews and applications, you usually end up shaving each morning so you look descent and presentable.

ooo this

Cover art for Obvious Bicycle lyrics by Vampire Weekend

The "struggle to find success" interpretation fits to the band history before the first album when they worked full time jobs and were unhappy about there life. When the band successed they all quit there jobs.

Song Meaning
Cover art for Obvious Bicycle lyrics by Vampire Weekend

This song is perfect! It was so worth the wait..

Cover art for Obvious Bicycle lyrics by Vampire Weekend

I interpret this song as words of wisdom directed at young adults trying to find jobs, but more importantly happiness.

"It's been twenty years and no one's told the truth" They've been told their whole life that hard work pays off, but when they finish school and no job comes it seems like they've been fed lies.

"You oughta spare your face the razor" It's tempting to give up "Because no one's gonna spare the time for you" You're not entitled to the help of others.

Lastly, and most importantly, the song says "Listen, don't wait" This is significant because it means that your happiness shouldn't be put off. Don't wait. All Columbia grads, Vampire Weekend took a risk by pursuing their passion in music and it paid off.

If you want something, go get it.

Hope this helps!!!

Cover art for Obvious Bicycle lyrics by Vampire Weekend

Its about the September 11 attacks ("its been twenty years.." and "we had to sleep on the floor..") and the fact that it was some kind of setup but that no one talks about it. The reference to "bicycle," a type of poker hand, which is the lowest straight, indicates that in the face of all of this collusion such that could have delivered 9/11, someone who would try to change what's going on would typically have a low hand.

Cover art for Obvious Bicycle lyrics by Vampire Weekend

I can't explain what it means but I lo\/e it! The part of the songs that wants me to stop waiting rings \/ery true because it is what I'\/e been doing for the past year. Also the part about sleeping in high school gyms and wondering if anyone else could begin to listen.

\/W put in words what I'\/e been feeling lately in this album.

Cover art for Obvious Bicycle lyrics by Vampire Weekend

the song is about living for yourself and not worrying about what other people think, quite simply. carpe diem!

Cover art for Obvious Bicycle lyrics by Vampire Weekend

It's about George Bush leaving the White House "The LED still flickers in your eyes," Bush was famous for his wink "Oh you oughta spare your face the razor, Because no one’s gonna spare the time for you." Nobody cares about bush anymore. "From a house you didn’t build and can’t control," the White House. "So keep that list of who to thank in mind, And don’t forget the rich ones who were kind," the campaign donors. "Why don’t you spare their world a traitor, Take your wager back and leave before you lose." -Iraq War "You oughta spare the world your labor" -everything he did sucked "It’s been twenty years and no one’s told the truth." -1988 bush1 elected

You being up some interesting points. I agree think the line: "From a house you didn't build you can't control" has some sort of political importance, whether that be the white house or the house of representatives (maybe referencing a difference between house majority and presidential affiliation, and thus a lack of control) or the country itself (maybe he's referencing the viewpoint that many of the US's founding principles are not in line with those of today).

I never thought about the direct reference of Bush leaving the white house, and though your thoughts makes sense, I can't...