Vampire Weekend

Lyrics

[Verse 1: Ezra Koenig]
I know I loved you then
I think I love you still
But this prophecy of ours
Has come back dressed to kill
Three stones on a mountain
Three small holes in a field
You've given me the big dream
But you can't make it real

[Chorus: Ezra Koenig & Danielle Haim]
O, wicked world
Just think what could have been
Jerusalem, New York, Berlin
All I do is lose, but baby
All I want's to win
Jerusalem, New York, Berlin

[Verse 2: Ezra Koenig]
A hundred years or more
It feels like such a dream
An endless conversation
Since 1917
Now the battery is too hot
It's burning up in its tray
Young marriages are melting
And dying where they lay
[Chorus: Ezra Koenig & Danielle Haim]
O, wicked world
Just think what could have been
Jerusalem, New York, Berlin
All I do is lose but baby
All I want's to win
Jerusalem, New York, Berlin

[Verse 3: Ezra Koenig]
Our tongues will fall so still
Our teeth will all decay
A minute feels much longer
With nothing left to say
So let them win the battle
But don't let them restart
That genocidal feeling
That beats in every heart

[Chorus: Ezra Koenig & Danielle Haim]
O, wicked world
Just think what could have been
Jerusalem, New York, Berlin
All I do is lose but baby
All I want's to win
Jerusalem, New York, Berlin

“Jerusalem, New York, Berlin” by Vampire Weekend is a song that delves into the significance of connecting to something bigger than oneself by referencing three cities that hold great importance in Jewish history and identity. The track is part of the band’s fourth studio album titled “Father of the Bride” which was released in 2019. Its melody is a blend of indie rock, folk and pop sounds which creates a beautiful, upbeat tune that is bound to captivate the listener.

About Jerusalem, New York, Berlin

The song starts with a reference to Jerusalem, which is considered to be the holiest city in Judaism, and is an important religious site for Christians and Muslims as well. Vampire Weekend’s frontman, Ezra Koenig, sings about the city being the place where King David built the temple and where Abraham prepared to sacrifice his son. These references demonstrate the importance of Jerusalem in biblical history and Jewish culture. They also show how the city has been a symbol of religious devotion and a place of pilgrimage for Jews throughout history.

The next city mentioned is New York, which is often regarded as the de facto capital for diaspora Jews. The song describes New York as the center of Jewish finance, where people flock to pursue their dreams and where the dollar reigns supreme. This reference is significant because when Jews fled persecution in Europe, many of them found a new home in New York. The city has served as a mecca for Jews, a place where they have built communities and contributed to American society. The mention of New York in the song also conveys the idea of hope, opportunity, and prosperity.

Lastly, Vampire Weekend mentions Berlin in reference to the atrocities of the Holocaust. The city holds immense cultural significance and is often used to describe the horrors of Nazi Germany. The song describes Berlin as the place where the Jews were rounded up and sent to their deaths. The reference to Berlin in the song highlights the deep scars left by the Holocaust on Jewish history and culture. It is a reminder of the atrocities committed against the Jewish people and the importance of never forgetting the lessons of that time.

In an interview with Coup De Main, Ezra Koenig said that he picked these three cities because they represent religion, money, and culture. The song is, therefore, a meditation on the significance of connecting to something bigger than oneself. Koenig pares this enormous question down to a more personal level by evoking the emotions that these cities evoke in their visitors or residents. The song prompts us to think about the different roles that these cities play in our lives and what they mean to us.

The chorus of the song is simple and repetitive – “Jerusalem, New York, Berlin. I’ve been dreaming of trading places. I’ve been thinking about trading spaces with’”. This repetition of the three city names emphasizes their significance in the song and helps to anchor the listener’s attention. The song ends with a repetition of the chorus, with the addition of a line that says, “Why? Because I love you, that’s why”. This line adds a personal touch to the song and brings it back to the idea of connecting with something bigger than oneself, which in this case is love.

The song is a celebration of different cultures, religions, and traditions. It’s a reminder of the importance of acknowledging and respecting our differences while finding common ground to connect. The song manages to evoke a sense of unity and togetherness while acknowledging the complexities of our individual experiences.

Wrapping Up

Vampire Weekend’s “Jerusalem, New York, Berlin” is a beautifully written song that explores themes of identity, culture, and history. The song contains deep cultural references that convey the significance of these three cities to the Jewish community. The repetitive chorus helps to anchor the listener’s attention while the inclusion of a personal touch at the end adds an emotional depth to the song. It’s a song that prompts us to think about our own connections to something bigger than ourselves and to celebrate our differences while acknowledging our shared humanity.

• Release Date: May 3, 2019
• Artist: Vampire Weekend