The Fascinating Stories Behind Vampire Weekend's Iconic Songs
Table of Contents:
- Introduction
- Mansard Roof: The Birth of a Song
- Oxford Comma: Inspiration from a Facebook Group
- Cousins: A Favorite Amongst Rappers
- Unbelievers: The Song that Saved the Third Album
- Jessica: A Collaboration with Major Lazer
- Hannah Hunt: A Song that Almost Didn't Make the Album
- Hold Up: A Reunion with Diplo
- I Promise You: A Song for Peter Rabbit
- Conclusion
Mansard Roof: The Birth of a Song
In the world of music, creativity can strike at any moment. For Vampire Weekend, one of their most iconic songs, "Mansard Roof," was born during a teacher training session in Queens. Lead singer Esther Kanak recalls the melody popping into her head, a rare occurrence that made songwriting effortless. The inspiration for the song came from an unlikely source—a Facebook group advocating for the preservation of the Oxford comma. Kanak was intrigued by this grammatical quirk and incorporated it into the lyrics of "Mansard Roof." The song's catchy chords and playful lyrics marked a turning point for the band, solidifying their unique sound.
Oxford Comma: Inspiration from a Facebook Group
Sometimes, inspiration can come from the most unexpected places. In the early days of Vampire Weekend, the members stumbled upon a Facebook group called "Students for the Preservation of the Oxford Comma." Intrigued by this punctuation debate, they decided to embrace it in their music. The result was the song "Oxford Comma," a fun and lighthearted track that showcased the band's clever wordplay and distinct sound. Although it may seem like a simple song, "Oxford Comma" holds a special place in the hearts of many fans. Its inclusion in the movie Step Brothers introduced Vampire Weekend to a wider audience, further solidifying its importance in their repertoire.
