Vampire Weekend — White Sky
Album: ContraAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 749
Length: 2:57
Plays (last 30 days): 2
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An ancient business, a modern piece of glass work
Down on the corner that you walk each day in passing
The elderly sales clerk won't eye us with suspicion
The whole immortal corporation's given its permission
A little stairway, a little piece of carpet
A pair of mirrors that are facing one another
Out in both directions a thousand little Julia's
That come together in the middle of Manhattan
You waited since lunch
It all comes at once
Around the corner, the house that modern art built
I ask for modern art to keep it out the closets
The people who might own it, the sins of pride and envy
And on the second floor the Richard Serra Skate Park
You waited since lunch
It all comes at once
Sit on the park wall, ask all the right questions
While all the horses racin' taxis in the winter
Look up at the buildings imagine who might live there
Imagining your Wolford's in a ball upon the sink there
You waited since lunch
It all comes at once
Down on the corner that you walk each day in passing
The elderly sales clerk won't eye us with suspicion
The whole immortal corporation's given its permission
A little stairway, a little piece of carpet
A pair of mirrors that are facing one another
Out in both directions a thousand little Julia's
That come together in the middle of Manhattan
You waited since lunch
It all comes at once
Around the corner, the house that modern art built
I ask for modern art to keep it out the closets
The people who might own it, the sins of pride and envy
And on the second floor the Richard Serra Skate Park
You waited since lunch
It all comes at once
Sit on the park wall, ask all the right questions
While all the horses racin' taxis in the winter
Look up at the buildings imagine who might live there
Imagining your Wolford's in a ball upon the sink there
You waited since lunch
It all comes at once
Comments (127)add comment
I'm still surprised by the low ratings. This song is a real earworm in a good way. But there are plenty of songs I don't like that others do. This one deserves to be on the playlist in my opinion.
I guess I'll just take a moment to be thankful I wasn't born looking or sounding too much like someone else for other people to bear.
A song that attracts attention, interesting. What music should do. It's not my cup of tea, but I'm giving it a 10 just to fix, in my opinion, an unfairly low rating (currently 5.7 but I think it was even lower).
Paul Simon tribute band?
These guys are smart and good. They're to the 21st century what Paul Simon was to the 20th.
Singer reminds me of Paul Simon. Apols if this has been said before. pxd
doktorkev wrote:
But me! Great song.
Im sure this song resonates with someone.
I'm not that person
But me! Great song.
smartn1 wrote:
So sad that people can't just say ... 'not my scene ... 'not my kinda music ...
'you may like this song, but sorry not for me' .
Why so much hate?
So sad that people can't just say ... 'not my scene ... 'not my kinda music ...
'you may like this song, but sorry not for me' .
Why so much hate?
Im sure this song resonates with someone.
I'm not that person
I'm not that person
Cheryl Ladd on the cover?
funny little lyrics make it different from the Paul Simon tune it somewhat resembles. a NY band singing a NY tune
11 years between comments then it's back in rotation. I could skip hearing it for another 11...
Love the comments that are basically "Paul Simon did a much better job of appropriating this sound first!" 
Sounds like a song Paul Simon hadn't finished.
Can't tolerate this - such a P. Simon rip off and just bad at so many levels...PSD.
I shouldn't like this, but I do. 
hmmmmmm... pretty much not so good
emeraldrose63 wrote:
Agreed. Except it lacks the additional weight that Simon's history as a musician and songwriter brings. It's a fair homage, but it's not as good as the weakest song on Graceland.
Realy does sound like a Paul Simon Song...Especially playing them right after a Paul Simon song..
Agreed. Except it lacks the additional weight that Simon's history as a musician and songwriter brings. It's a fair homage, but it's not as good as the weakest song on Graceland.
Realy does sound like a Paul Simon Song...Especially playing them right after a Paul simon song..
Embrace VW, they are young, fresh, and creating some brilliant music, 2nd album as good as the 1st, they willl be around for years to come 
Are you saying Paul Simon should sue for plagiarism? :)
precious - adj
1. beloved; dear; cherished
2. very costly or valuable
3. held in high esteem, esp in moral or spiritual matters
4. very fastidious or affected, as in speech, manners, etc
5. informal worthless: you and your precious ideas!
# 4, I think - which is also my rating
1. beloved; dear; cherished
2. very costly or valuable
3. held in high esteem, esp in moral or spiritual matters
4. very fastidious or affected, as in speech, manners, etc
5. informal worthless: you and your precious ideas!
# 4, I think - which is also my rating
cheesemonger wrote:
I'm thinking that's what 4's are for. It gets better, trust me!
huh. I enjoy the diversity of the music on RP as much as anyone, but as someone that usually listens at work with earphones... I would be fine never hearing that again. I pulled the phones off my head like bees had flown in.
I'm thinking that's what 4's are for. It gets better, trust me!
huh. I enjoy the diversity of the music on RP as much as anyone, but as someone that usually listens at work with earphones... I would be fine never hearing that again. I pulled the phones off my head like bees had flown in.
Paul Simon cover?
Dear Vampire Weekend,
Don't give up the day job.
Dear Bill,
Ouch. Solid 1. (Ever thought of making available a negative scale?)
Don't give up the day job.
Dear Bill,
Ouch. Solid 1. (Ever thought of making available a negative scale?)
sici wrote:
Paul Simon made music that sounds like this, over two decades ago.
The only thing that Paul Simon didn't do was that yodel thing, and I personally find it grating, not creative.
funny, I thought this was some obscure Paul Simon tune upon hearing it. still like it
Paul Simon made music that sounds like this, over two decades ago.
The only thing that Paul Simon didn't do was that yodel thing, and I personally find it grating, not creative.
funny, I thought this was some obscure Paul Simon tune upon hearing it. still like it
More_Cowbell wrote:
Paul Simon made music that sounds like this, over two decades ago.
The only thing that Paul Simon didn't do was that yodel thing, and I personally find it grating, not creative.
Creative!
Paul Simon made music that sounds like this, over two decades ago.
The only thing that Paul Simon didn't do was that yodel thing, and I personally find it grating, not creative.
My 4 year old song was asking for a song with yodeling in it...this should fit the bill just fine! Thanks Jack Big Music Show!!
Danimal174 wrote:
I agree completely. Leave the annoying chorus out of this song, and it wouldn't be too bad.
I also agree.
I agree completely. Leave the annoying chorus out of this song, and it wouldn't be too bad.
I also agree.
Love it! 
Upped to a 7 just because this looks to be a fun rating curve.
The song is fun as well. =)
The song is fun as well. =)
Terrible.
My enjoyment of this song is heightened by the folks who are gettin their knickers in a twist over it all. 
Oscar_the_Grouch wrote:
Keep your hair on. Criticism isn't hatred.You can loathe a song without loathing the artist. You might even loathe the artist's output without loathing RP. Just because you hate a song or an artist doesn't make you a "hater" who has nothing positive to say. Only if you find yourself loathing more than you're liking on RP should you "split" (whoah, what a 70s term that is - I was using it at school). If your comment's to be taken at face value then if you even hate one song on RP you should leave, an attitude which Bill & Becky would disagree with, I reckon...
No one and nothing is above criticism. If you want a negativity-free criticism-free discussion board then you'd do well to listen to the music and ignore the comments.
HATERS GONNA HATE
All you people spewing your derisive drivel seriously need to split if you find RP's content so outside the confines of your tiny little world that you need to bitch about it.
All you people spewing your derisive drivel seriously need to split if you find RP's content so outside the confines of your tiny little world that you need to bitch about it.
Keep your hair on. Criticism isn't hatred.You can loathe a song without loathing the artist. You might even loathe the artist's output without loathing RP. Just because you hate a song or an artist doesn't make you a "hater" who has nothing positive to say. Only if you find yourself loathing more than you're liking on RP should you "split" (whoah, what a 70s term that is - I was using it at school). If your comment's to be taken at face value then if you even hate one song on RP you should leave, an attitude which Bill & Becky would disagree with, I reckon...
No one and nothing is above criticism. If you want a negativity-free criticism-free discussion board then you'd do well to listen to the music and ignore the comments.
Creative!
Great sound. Even fine with yodeling. Maybe we all need to just (screm) yodel a little more! Excellent cheap therapy!
Love this band! I don't dislike this album but I do prefer their previous one.
viciousfishes wrote:
See, I like Paul Simon, but wanted a Zero rating available for this song on account of the awful yodel-like quality of the singing.
I agree completely. Leave the annoying chorus out of this song, and it wouldn't be too bad.
See, I like Paul Simon, but wanted a Zero rating available for this song on account of the awful yodel-like quality of the singing.
I agree completely. Leave the annoying chorus out of this song, and it wouldn't be too bad.
What's not to like? Refreshing tune that always caused me to listen up :)
This blows almost as much as the Paul Simon song which preceded it.
Agreed, check hater profiles, same old and I mean OLD favs: Beatles, Tull, Floyd , Dillon, Zeppelin, Stones etc.. Try embracing new stuff, it wont hurt you
Oscar_the_Grouch wrote:
HATERS GONNA HATE
All you people spewing your derisive drivel seriously need to split if you find RP's content so outside the confines of your tiny little world that you need to bitch about it.
All you people spewing your derisive drivel seriously need to split if you find RP's content so outside the confines of your tiny little world that you need to bitch about it.
Graceland was a geat album. It's about time somebody picked up where Simon left off. We'll see where VW goes from here, but I sense some real talent behind the obvious comparisons.
less rotation please
This band is not bad, definitely an acquired taste tho.
All this song needs is more cowbell (IMHO)
HATERS GONNA HATE
All you people spewing your derisive drivel seriously need to split if you find RP's content so outside the confines of your tiny little world that you need to bitch about it.
All you people spewing your derisive drivel seriously need to split if you find RP's content so outside the confines of your tiny little world that you need to bitch about it.
No, naw, nu uh, nope, nay, nein, nien, 
Yes, people recognized the Paul Simon and the Afrobeat arpeggios. Congratulations. I think its great. Given the deadvibe drivel on the college radio scene, this is a fun,quirky piece with a driving beat that puts the spring in the step of a late Friday at work. More from this band, please.
Indeed. I'd like to hear something of theirs where they don't use the "Casio claps" if possible.
sici wrote:
sici wrote:
I'd be willing to give other Vampire Weekend songs a fair listen... so please play this one far less and put something else on please.
and a poor paul simon rip off at that.
Yes, clearly Paul Simon (or South African music) fans who also love electronica. Doesn't bother me. Glad to see a younger, modern "hipster" band pushing music that isn't rehashed 80s New Wave.
It does hurt my ears... That high-pitched oooohoooo, aaahaaa is just abrasive as hell.
This is a total Paul Simon ripoff too. The music itself is hard to discern from something off of Paul Simon's album from 20-something years ago. And his voice, lyrics and singing style are also completely Paul Simon.
This isn't original, unless of course, you've never heard songs by Paul Simon over the past twenty to thirty years.
I'd be willing to give other Vampire Weekend songs a fair listen... so please play this one far less and put something else on please.
This is a total Paul Simon ripoff too. The music itself is hard to discern from something off of Paul Simon's album from 20-something years ago. And his voice, lyrics and singing style are also completely Paul Simon.
This isn't original, unless of course, you've never heard songs by Paul Simon over the past twenty to thirty years.
I'd be willing to give other Vampire Weekend songs a fair listen... so please play this one far less and put something else on please.
viciousfishes wrote:
See, I like Paul Simon, but wanted a Zero rating available for this song on account of the awful yodel-like quality of the singing.
Philistine!
See, I like Paul Simon, but wanted a Zero rating available for this song on account of the awful yodel-like quality of the singing.
Philistine!
My daughter, now 16, is going to see them tonight in DC. I think it's screaming time...
Let's drive a stake through their heart, cut of their heads and submerge them under a stream. For starters...
I thought it was Paul Simon at first, too. But I also wanted to tell y'all that I went out and bought this CD after hearing a couple of songs on RP and that is the first time in a very long time that I have bought a CD and liked every song on the disk. I believe it is fair to say, as the saying goes, that it is something of an "acquired taste," but it is such an original CD! He uses his voice in the most interesting ways and the songs are very compelling. I recommend this CD highly. It is a lot of fun.
Absolute garbage!
HAHAHAHAHA
Thought it was Paul Simon, right through till the end.
No more please. Thank You. 
Please, enough of these guys already! 
wow, this got me right out of my bad morning mood 
cattail321 wrote:
I was just thinking the same thing.
sort a PaulSimon incognito....great sound
I was just thinking the same thing.
sort a PaulSimon incognito....great sound
Gotta love it!!! This always makes me smile, i absolutely respect Vampire Weekend for what they do, it's unconventional and i really dig it!!
9
9
This little guy on the bike just rode off with the novelty of Vampire Weekend.
Bye-bye novelty.
Bye-bye novelty.
stickers11 wrote:
'zactly. It's OK for Paul to "borrow" a musical style but if someone else does it they're ripping off Paul Simon? As for the song, it's just OK; kinda sounds like Paul Simon. ; )
It's different so it's good enough for me. Everything else is played. Give up on the Paul Simon references....he did not invent African guitar rhythms .
'zactly. It's OK for Paul to "borrow" a musical style but if someone else does it they're ripping off Paul Simon? As for the song, it's just OK; kinda sounds like Paul Simon. ; )
The wailing reminds me of the noise Jerry the cat makes when he runs over the hills into the distance.
It's different so it's good enough for me. Everything else is played. Give up on the Paul Simon references....he did not invent African guitar rhythms .
kevwal wrote:
Puleez! Get over it!
(btw, wikid segue, Bill!)
Puleez! Get over it!
(btw, wikid segue, Bill!)
The outspoken commentary here about contempt for this song makes me enjoy even more.
I love their stuff but if I was going to criticize them I'd say it sounds like the grew up listening to Graceland by Paul Simon. It's a good sound but I hope they continue to grow.
Edit)
HEHE didn't read the other comments.
Edit)
HEHE didn't read the other comments.
Totally understand all the haters hate for the falsetto. And yet, I'm really likin' it. Peppy and cute...
What is that noise he's making? Please make it stop.
fredriley wrote:
See, I like Paul Simon, but wanted a Zero rating available for this song on account of the awful yodel-like quality of the singing.
The bimpy-bip intro was near sucko-barfo, then in comes yer Paul Simon wannabe and that was it, a nailed on 1. Seriously irritating. A bit like Paul Simon.
See, I like Paul Simon, but wanted a Zero rating available for this song on account of the awful yodel-like quality of the singing.
firefly6 wrote:
It's a good one, for sure.
I'm liking everything I hear from this album so far...
It's a good one, for sure.
her beauty compensates those horrible yells right?
The bimpy-bip intro was near sucko-barfo, then in comes yer Paul Simon wannabe and that was it, a nailed on 1. Seriously irritating. A bit like Paul Simon.
For once, I'd like a weekend _without_ vampires.
I have tried so many times to appreciate this band, and then I realized, I shouldn't have to FORCE myself to like something.
1, all the way, 1
1, all the way, 1
"Joseph's face was black as night,
and the pale yellow moon shone in his eye..."
and the pale yellow moon shone in his eye..."
Started bad...getting worse...ouch, wailing.
Someone please pull the plug.
vandal wrote:
Sounds a bit like Paul Simon. . .
Simon might have a case for plagiarism against these guys if he hadn't borrowed most of those tunes from African musicians in the first place. That said, this is so much like the verse from "Crazy Love Part II", it's disturbing. To me.
Sounds a bit like Paul Simon. . .
Simon might have a case for plagiarism against these guys if he hadn't borrowed most of those tunes from African musicians in the first place. That said, this is so much like the verse from "Crazy Love Part II", it's disturbing. To me.
I'm liking everything I hear from this album so far...
osbyec wrote:
Is this the long-lost track off Graceland?
Holy derivative songs Batman!
Is this the long-lost track off Graceland?
This is fun.
Ice pick, please.
jonybamf wrote:
Song got stuck in head. Tried to imitate annoying falsetto. Failed horribly.
On_The_Beach wrote:
Quick, get her into a recording studio!
But first okay it w/ Paul Simon. Ha, I love these guys, probably because they do sound like Simon.
Quick, get her into a recording studio!
But first okay it w/ Paul Simon. Ha, I love these guys, probably because they do sound like Simon.
EssexTex wrote:
Quick, get her into a recording studio!
There's an old lady that collects cans in my neighborhood who whoops and yells like this.
She's called Mrs Beard....and she has one of those too.
She's called Mrs Beard....and she has one of those too.
Quick, get her into a recording studio!
Song got stuck in head. Tried to imitate annoying falsetto. Failed horribly.
There's an old lady that collects cans in my neighborhood who whoops and yells like this.
She's called Mrs Beard....and she has one of those too.
She's called Mrs Beard....and she has one of those too.
This is my first hear of anything from the new album - I've been almost afraid to listen to it as it's had SOOOOOOO much coverage and hype before it was even released, I loved their first album a lot and didn't want to get something that I'd hear on every tv advert or tannoy system in a shop.
Come to think of it......I don't have a flipping telly......and I rarely go shopping.......so I should just shut up and get it.....?
Come to think of it......I don't have a flipping telly......and I rarely go shopping.......so I should just shut up and get it.....?
I'm sorry, but the chorus is really beginning to annoy me. . .
until he steps on that nail... owwwoooooo
vandal wrote:
Sounds a bit like Paul Simon. . .
A lot.
Sounds a bit like Paul Simon. . .
A lot.
This after Walkin' after Midnight?!? Isn't that a little like shifting from 4th to 1st while on the highway?
vandal wrote:
Sounds a bit like Paul Simon. . .
Yes, yes it does.
Sounds a bit like Paul Simon. . .
Yes, yes it does.
Sounds a bit like Paul Simon. . .
Nice little snapshot of passing a day in Manhattan.
Coaxial wrote:
Looks more like Michelle Phillips to me, or really Chynna.
Either way, I wouldn't mind seeing more of her.
Looks more like Michelle Phillips to me, or really Chynna.
Like it
Neat
Jelani wrote:
ambrebalte wrote:
And it was played! On Jan 22. Hope you heard it Jelani.
Funny, I uploaded a tune that bypassed LRC and was added to the "playlist" within a week.
Over a year later it still hasn't been played.
Happy Rhodes - "One and Many" if anyone cares to request it out of curiosity.
Over a year later it still hasn't been played.
Happy Rhodes - "One and Many" if anyone cares to request it out of curiosity.
ambrebalte wrote:
Well I'd like to hear that - so request sent ;)
And it was played! On Jan 22. Hope you heard it Jelani.
copymonkey wrote:
Looks more like Michelle Phillips to me, or really Chynna.
..apropos of nothing—the girl on the cover looks like a young Cheryl Ladd.
Looks more like Michelle Phillips to me, or really Chynna.
Hope these guys are ready for the big time; they had a writeup in The New Yorker not long ago.
romeotuma wrote:
This is cool... I dig it...
Excellent new stuff
This is cool... I dig it...
Excellent new stuff
copymonkey wrote:
Well by golly, you're right. I didn't even notice that that had been plaguing me :) Thanks!
..apropos of nothing—the girl on the cover looks like a young Cheryl Ladd.
Well by golly, you're right. I didn't even notice that that had been plaguing me :) Thanks!
dmax wrote:
Yeah, and I loved that snarky comment the first time it was made.
So you can hear their musical influences - what's the problem? Nobody's forcing you to listen...
I loved that Graceland album the first time it came out.
Yeah, and I loved that snarky comment the first time it was made.
So you can hear their musical influences - what's the problem? Nobody's forcing you to listen...
Jelani wrote:
Funny, I uploaded a tune that bypassed LRC and was added to the "playlist" within a week.
Over a year later it still hasn't been played.
Happy Rhodes - "One and Many" if anyone cares to request it out of curiosity.
Well I'd like to hear that - so request sent ;)
Funny, I uploaded a tune that bypassed LRC and was added to the "playlist" within a week.
Over a year later it still hasn't been played.
Happy Rhodes - "One and Many" if anyone cares to request it out of curiosity.
Well I'd like to hear that - so request sent ;)
..apropos of nothing—the girl on the cover looks like a young Cheryl Ladd.
I hear a heavy Paul Simon influence.
wow, so far so good, no HATERS!
never should have said that ^^^^,
some Jethro Tull lover gonna end this streak
Better than expected. And they even feature vampires! In these whacky times that's a guaranteed success.
13 years later, I'll bet that they are neither young nor fresh any longer. Time, the great equalizer...