Vampire Weekend

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
A gardener told me some plants move
But I could not believe it
'Til me and Hannah Hunt
Saw crawling vines and weeping willows
As we made our way from Providence to Phoenix

[Verse 2]
A man of faith said hidden eyes
Could see what I was thinking
I just smiled and told him
That was only true of Hannah
And we glided on through Waverly and Lincoln

[Chorus]
Our days were long, our nights no longer
Count the seconds, watching hours
Though we live on the US dollar
You and me, we got our own sense of time

[Verse 3]
In Santa Barbara, Hannah cried
"I miss those freezing beaches"
And I walked into town
To buy some kindling for the fire
Hannah tore the New York Times up into pieces
[Chorus]
If I can't trust you then damn it, Hannah
There's no future, there's no answer
Though we live on the US dollar
You and me, we got our own sense of time
[Instrumental Break]

[Chorus]
If I can't trust you then damn it, Hannah
There's no future, there's no answer
Though we live on the US dollar
You and me, we got our own sense of time

When it comes to creating music, artists can find inspiration in various places, and that's undoubtedly the case with Vampire Weekend's song, "Hannah Hunt." This song, which appeared on their 2013 album, "Modern Vampires of the City," seems to be one about sadness, loss, and potentially lost opportunities. But, what's the story behind it? How did the band come up with the name, and what made them decide to write the song? In this article, we'll take a closer look at the history and background of "Hannah Hunt."

About Hannah Hunt

As mentioned earlier, "Hannah Hunt" appears on Vampire Weekend's album "Modern Vampires of the City." It seems to be one of the more popular songs on the album, with a catchy, memorable melody that quickly captures the listener's attention. But what's it all about? Well, as it turns out, there's a bit of history and backstory behind this track that's worth exploring.

According to an interview conducted by Pitchfork with Ezra Koenig, the song's namesake came from a girl that Ezra sat next to in a college Buddhism course. Her name was Hannah Hunt, and Koenig thought it was an excellent name. The song isn't necessarily about her, but rather inspired by her name, and how it could be used in a larger context.

In fact, Koenig himself has described himself as a "name fetishist," someone who is fascinated by names and their meanings. So, it seems only natural that he would take a name that he found interesting and build an entire song around it.

But what is the song itself about? According to Koenig, the song is ultimately about being sad. It's a song about loss, missed opportunities, and the feeling of being adrift in the world. The lyrics paint a picture of a relationship that has fallen apart, with lines like "We can never go back to New York" and "Though we argue, it's not worth a dime."

As with many songs, there's a degree of interpretation involved, and some people might see different meanings in the lyrics. But, one thing is clear: this is a song about sadness, and it's something that many people can relate to.

The Themes Behind Hannah Hunt

While the immediate focus of "Hannah Hunt" may be on the relationship that has fallen apart, there are other themes simmering below the surface. For example, it's interesting to note that Koenig has described the song as being potentially linked to another song from the same album, "Run." In this interpretation, "Hannah Hunt" could be seen as the sad aftermath of the couple's elopement that is foreshadowed in "Run."

With that in mind, the themes of "Hannah Hunt" become even more poignant. It's not just a song about a failed relationship; it's about the consequences of our actions and the regrets that can accompany them. It's a song that asks the question, "what if we had taken a different path?" And it's a song that recognizes that sometimes, the choices we make can lead us down a road of sadness and regret.

Another aspect worth highlighting is the lyrics themselves. While the song's melody is catchy and bouncy, the lyrics are often heavy and somber. They speak of death, loss, and despair, with lines like "The beauty the world makes, the shapes of things, the giant squid" and "If I can't trust you then damn it, Hannah, there's no future, there's no answer."

This contrast between the upbeat melody and the downbeat lyrics is one of the things that makes "Hannah Hunt" such a compelling track. It's a song that feels like it's teetering on the edge of something, and it's up to the listener to decide what that something might be.

The Legacy of Hannah Hunt

Since its release in 2013, "Hannah Hunt" has become a beloved hit for Vampire Weekend. The song has been covered by other artists, and it routinely shows up on "best of" lists for the band and the genre.

But what is it about this song that has captured people's attention? Perhaps it's the bittersweet melody, which hints at optimism even as the lyrics speak of sadness. Or, maybe it's the relatable themes of loss and regret that speak to so many people. Whatever the reason, "Hannah Hunt" has endured as one of Vampire Weekend's most significant songs, and it shows no signs of losing its power or appeal any time soon.

In closing, "Hannah Hunt" is a song that has come to mean different things to different people. Whether you see it as a song about a lost love, a regretful relationship, or something else entirely, there's no denying the beauty and power of this track. It's a perfect example of how music can capture the complexity and nuance of human emotions and experiences, and it's a testament to the enduring appeal of Vampire Weekend as a band.

• Release Date: May 14, 2013
• Artist: Vampire Weekend