Vampire Weekend

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
Morning’s come, you watch 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 their 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

[Chorus]
So listen, oh
So listen, oh
Don’t wait
Don’t wait
So listen, oh
So listen, oh
Don’t wait
Don’t wait

[Verse 2]
So keep that list of who to thank in mind
And don’t forget the rich ones who were kind
Oh, you ought to 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
[Chorus]
So listen, oh
So listen, oh
Don’t wait
Don’t wait

[Bridge]
So while the sun’s coming out
Cover ground, cover ground
And if you find some love for these clowns
Turn around, turn around
I’ll be half-asleep on the floor of a high school gym
Thinking of you and wondering if anyone else could begin

[Pre-Chorus]
To listen
Listen
Don’t wait
Don’t wait

[Chorus]
So listen, oh
So listen, oh
Don’t wait
Don’t wait

If you're a fan of indie rock music, then you've probably heard of Vampire Weekend. One of their standout tracks is "Obvious Bicycle," a melancholy reflection on life and the struggles that come with it. The song has resonated with fans for its relatable lyrics and unique sound, combining elements of Afrobeat and indie rock.

About Obvious Bicycle

"Obvious Bicycle" is a track from Vampire Weekend's third studio album, "Modern Vampires of the City." It was released in 2013 and quickly became a fan favorite. What sets "Obvious Bicycle" apart from other Vampire Weekend songs is its slow, introspective vibe. The song deals with mature themes such as loss of hope, feelings of insignificance, and the complexities of growing up.

The narrator of "Obvious Bicycle" is a man who has lost faith in himself and the world around him. He feels small and unimportant, like no matter what he does, it won't make a difference in the grand scheme of things. This feeling of hopelessness is illustrated in the opening lines:

Oh, baby, you wouldn't know a love song
If you played it on a broken guitar
You wouldn't know what line to borrow
And you wouldn't know how many notes to hold.

These lyrics suggest that the protagonist has lost touch with his emotions and has given up on trying to express them. He believes that even if he were to try, he wouldn't be able to do it justice. The chorus of the song continues this introspective tone, with the narrator singing:

You ought to spare your face the razor
Because no one's gonna spare the time for you
No one cares if you're lost or found
Dead or alive, night and day, right and wrong.

These lyrics speak to the feelings of isolation and loneliness that many people experience in their lives. The narrator is essentially saying that no matter what he does, nobody will notice or care. This is a difficult sentiment to express, but Vampire Weekend does so with finesse.

One of the more interesting aspects of "Obvious Bicycle" is its musical composition. The song samples the drums from "Keep Cool Babylon" by Ras Michael & the Sons of Negus, giving it a unique Afrobeat flavor. This is combined with indie rock elements to create a sound that is distinctly Vampire Weekend. The band members have discussed the evolution of the song's sound, with Rostam Batmanglij describing how they started with hectic, Aphex Twin-inspired drums before moving towards a more relaxed sound that was inspired by the Dollar Brand record "Good News from Africa."

All in all, "Obvious Bicycle" is a powerful and emotive song that speaks to the struggles of many people. Its lyrics are introspective and relatable, and the musical composition is unique and well-crafted. If you're a fan of Vampire Weekend or indie rock in general, then this is a song that you shouldn't miss.

• Release Date: May 13, 2013
• Artist: Vampire Weekend