Ezra Koenig breaks down his most iconic songs | Song CV | Radio X

Vampire Weekend frontman Ezra Koenig talks us through some of the most iconic tracks across his discography; including A Punk, Hannah Hunt, Cousins, Oxford Comma, Unbelievers, Mansard Roof, This Life, and Diane Young. Plus, Ezra talks about his work in Major Lazer's Jessica, Beyonce's Hold Up, and Peter Rabbit's I Promise You, as song by James Corden.
Vampire Weekend have released four studio albums; including Vampire Weekend, Contra, Modern Vampires Of The City, and Father Of The Bride.
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[@dmrsk1899]

Vampire Weekend blew my tiny little mind as a teenager.

[@romancandleofthewild]

Same. And there are moments on the new album that blow my mind as an adult.

[@DustyC75080]

Lol, nice. Deep, Rose.

[@lorelaim3294]

Ever since I heard 'Holiday' on that car commercial as a kid, I was hooked

[@nadiasuarez7658]

Diana M I have a distinct memory of the first time I heard them early morning getting ready for 7th grade and I had MTV videos playing on TV in the background while getting ready and my mind was BLOWN been obsessed since-the song was Cousins❤️ 22 now so that’s pretty crazy

[@plumayray2656]

wooooww the same)))When I was 17 and now here I am 25 year old adults still obsessed with them

[@heyitsmira17]

Hannah Hunt is such a tremendously beautiful song, it's not even fair. Like, I loved Step (actually, everything in Modern Vampires), but Hannah Hunt just has that _something_ . That album as a whole is just a masterpiece.

[@daraotl5187]

The song has so many components and they're all near perfect. It's just one of those coming-togethers of moving parts that all somehow end up fitting perfectly

[@ethanwelte6402]

Hannah Hunt has been my favorite song for years now

[@sydw1173]

the build up always gets me

[@jane9561]

Hannah Hunt is such a special song.

[@BigStupidFingers]

I can't imagine how my life would be different without Hannah Hunt.

[@ayden_james]

dude has looked the same for ten years

[@relaxolotl788]

marty mcdemarco ten years is just a vampire's weekend for him

[@ayati526]

well he is immortal so

[@atotallyrandomperson3889]

I love your username

[@dreamsincolor09]

*fifteen now

[@honeybunmraz]

Still does

[@MintyFreshYT]

Ezra Koenig is just like his music. He speaks effortlessly and looks so cool doing it, yet everything he says is smart and calculated. It's captivating. I'm eternally envious of his vibes.

[@michaelamanfo4975]

Does anyone fell like This is that one band that makes a whole bunch of songs you didn't know they made

[@Hikaks]

I agree and I'd add, like his music, he never gets old!

[@josephmenna3985]

🤯

[@angelalvarado5183]

"Ya Hey" is such a MASTERPIECE

[@MS-he3wz]

Ángel Alvarado it’s in my top 5 songs of ALL TIME

[@hellomimibanana]

Easily my favourite song ever written. It’s so beautiful and poignant.

[@michaelamanfo4975]

Does anyone fell like This is that one band that makes a whole bunch of songs you didn't know they made

[@megan9627]

I WANT THREE HOURS OF THIS

[@BigStupidFingers]

While Ezra and I sip on Oolong tea.

[@DustyC75080]

That’s overkill, get a hold of yourself. Lol.

[@theselrak5667]

Time Crisis podcast on Apple Music !!!

[@megan9627]

@@DustyC75080 bro who is your all-time fave artist. wouldn't you want to hear their thoughts and feelings on their songs?

[@DustyC75080]

@belatedbday69 - Hmmm, probably Rashida Jones. Lol. And happy belated bday!

[@austinrico9080]

Hannah Hunt will be a song that surpasses time and space. I said what I said.

[@daraotl5187]

One of the most beautiful songs in existence in my opinion. The moody low-fi intro, the lyrics, the piano and vocals when the course hits... I think you're right Austin Rico

[@SB-xt5jk]

Love the breakdown at the end, wish they stretched it out longer but the brevity adds something.

[@cpresto2]

I have glided on through Waverly to Lincoln quite a few times in my life

[@riverrory6075]

nah Austin u right fam

[@brookelynbaby]

period

[@BrandonMoore87]

"This is n many ways the best known Vampire Weekend song" because 'A-Punk' is the first song that plays when you connect your car to bluetooth.

[@dallastexas5653]

Brandon Moore haha every single time.

[@a.2461]

AHAHHAHAH

[@jacksonsheen5153]

I grew up and remember my Dads 1998 Camry, and when A-punk came out, I never again got into that car without the aux starting that guitar

[@JRenz829]

That still happens to my dad 😂

[@maddoxhallums4869]

Thought it was just me lol

[@Livia-xp8ws]

I'd like to know about the song Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa

[@DustyC75080]

Me two, thought that’d be there, but not really any rhyme/read for the choices.

[@NicholasKuqali]

Seriously. Same here. Why all the collab talks? It’s already 14 min, just make it 20 and fit in more songs that are classics.

[@NatalieWarren13]

Same

[@tamararv]

Yessss it’s my favorite song!!!

[@liviamartinez8]

THIS IS THE EZRA CONTENT WE DESERVE

[@ana_villarins]

I love how he talks about music, he’s so articulate, meticulous and clearly super proud of all his work (as he should!).

[@happynealltdpolly]

yeah, it's not like the usual "I hate my old songs" type of answer

[@WiloPolis03]

I appreciate the lack of oxford commas here

[@alejandracbravo]

you should listen to Time Crisis

[@toniigx8]

yesss i love how technical he is and the way he speaks. i guess that's what u get from being an english major

[@kiramcbride7489]

I have been pronouncing his last name wrong since the beginning of time apparently

[@emer7802]

Same. Mind blown.

[@johannalouw9979]

Even when I try to pronounce it right, I’m apparently still pronouncing it wrong.

[@honestjohn3865]

Luckily I have a friend with the same last name lol

[@amandarobert1702]

Same!

[@miawxoxo5130]

I pronounced it as Kinic all des time lol

[@marialove9856423]

Hannah Hunt is just one of those songs that never leave you. It grows with you and stays with you as you move through life. I first listened to Hannah Hunt when I was 13. Now at 21, I am still learning and discovering new layers to that song. Every year I grow older, I always find something different in the song that I didn’t hear or understand before. Truly one of the best VW songs. A true masterpiece of art.

[@rike94]

Where is Diplomat's Son?? Or Taxi Cab?? I just love Contra so much

[@arsalanaslam9699]

rike94 I think Rostam wrote Diplomat’s Son

[@mimilialife]

I love Contra. Great album!

[@sleepingredwolf]

Taxi Cab is seriously my favorite song on contra

[@julianskowron7281]

rike94 it’s crazy cause I’m a huge VW fan but I never listened to contra haha, doing it tonight though. Heard all the other albums but none of the songs from contra are downloaded in my phone, pretty strange

[@jaceysmith6599]

Where is horchata???

[@alexcontreras8205]

Diplomat's son gives me so much nostalgia for some reason, it's amazing

[@sarahwashington00]

Alex Contreras i love this song !

[@heather3037]

I swear Hannah Hunt makes me so sad and happy, what a beautiful tragic roller coaster

[@Lo444fae]

its so nostalgic

[@allyson--]

"Something for the children" I'll pretend I'm not totally into Ezra's I Promise You demo as an adult

[@R7Sports]

Breanna Yde is you ?

[@allyson--]

@@R7Sports It took me awhile to realize you're maybe pointing out my "celebrity look-alike" - I've never had one yet, but not sure how to feel if she's over 4 years younger than me lol...

[@R7Sports]

@@allyson-- You are Beautiful as she too :)

[@spoonoz1]

He always tells the truth.

[@TheNorthShoreCody]

Alex Munoz even through the pain?

[@RushiAcharya]

Little john?

[@sofiek.3114]

According to the subtitles his name is Esther Kanak

[@ralphharvey7133]

In my opinion, the greatest and most powerful lyricist of his generation

[@daraotl5187]

I feel the need to comment about the production of this video. It's so simple but it's clean af. I can hear Ezra speak even when you show us the samples of song clips that he's talking about. Nice job mr editor

[@maggiep9294]

disappointed this video didn't talk about Ezra Koenig's greatest piece, which is clearly "Pizza Party"

[@mylayscrafts]

** pizza prty

[@andressaknopferron4114]

YES

[@kralice3]

Glad likeminded people are around

[@robertcole6894]

Harmony hall**

[@s1me007]

Dangerous Nights

[@mjmetcalf6085]

Hannah hunt feels like a wave is crashing over your head and you’re just holding your breath eyes closed in the water underneath the wave where everything is quiet

[@ItsWhatever24]

I had no idea he was a part of Hold Up by Beyoncé. Great tune.

[@eli7564]

Francesco G yeah! the demo's on youtube somewhere

[@paulpavich4174]

Wisdom's a gift, but you'd trade it for youth Age is an honor -- it's still not the truth We saw the stars when they hid from the world You cursed the sun when it stepped to your girl Maybe she's gone, and I can't resurrect her The truth is she doesn't need me to protect her We know the true death -- the true way of all flesh Everyone's dying, but girl -- you're not old yet

[@Udontkno7]

Paul Pavich the gloves are off

[@deagjokutaj1959]

the wisdom teeth are out

[@paulpavich4174]

@@deagjokutaj1959 watcha on about

[@Ellage555]

I feel it in my bones

[@audreytruss3144]

I feel it in my booones

[@heather3037]

Hannah Hunt gives me chills every time I swear

[@JordanSullivanadventures]

really glad Hannah Hunt made it on the album. It's one of my all-time favorites.

[@bohmischeart]

I saw Vampire Weekend live not to long ago, and they played Hannah Hunt almost at the end of the concert, it was just incredible, the whole place went from loud and hyped to calm immediately, no words to describe the feeling. That was a moment I will always treasure, too beautiful to be true.

[@dani28325]

Gabriela Sélavy lucky!! I saw them live about a week ago and they didn’t play Hannah Hunt :( still an amazing show though

[@xThePinkApple]

even being a very regular time crisis listener i learned a handful of new things

[@layanerizzo176]

watching them live made my entire early teenage life

[@joemama-tj6zi]

Layane Rizzo they were my first concert !!

[@themerryrabbit5040]

Step will forever be my favorite, but “Don’t Lie” never gets enough love:(

[@miagutierrez2578]

for me obvious bicycle or young lion didnt get enough love

[@tripjj8662]

I find it hard to believe that he went to Columbia for English and had no idea what an Oxford Comma was prior to enrolling...

[@iammilorex]

*American English?

[@alethea1hazel1blue]

Lol for real

[@marxsplaining1394]

I had no idea what it was either before enrolling at McGill for English but that's because I did my education in French prior to that point.

[@JonahLoeb]

Until that song came out, it was much more commonly known as a "serial comma," so he might have known it by that name instead.

[@hazuinf]

A degree in English is more to do with study of the literature in that language, not always to do with the fine points of grammar

[@Lala445ful]

I love you, you articulate Ivy League nerd. I’ve loved you almost 10 years.

[@tonarojo9081]

I swear when Vampire Weekend started playing Jessica out of nowhere at the concert I went to see them in, my brother and I started freaking out. This guy is a down to earth talented musician, we need more people like him in the world.

[@educatednipple2418]

Do one with Julian Casablancas!!

[@jbillson]

Couldn't find a single comment for 'Giving Up The Gun'. Fantastic tune, my favourite of theirs.

[@FunTimesWithGuns]

he said his name wrong

[@nateproctor7570]

Hannah Hunt is pure gold. One of my all-time favs

[@maggi3676]

campus is the most underrated vampire weekend song send tweet

[@geniusmagee3459]

Um yes i agree

[@noodleworld5889]

That aged well

[@sari.t.a]

6 years later and Hannah Hunt still gives me the chills every time I listen to it. One of my all time favorites from vw 🖤

[@ajrojas7732]

He’s a super cool guy

[@megan9627]

i love being the type of fan that loves every single one of their songs

[@TravisBeckMusic]

I’m in a weird Chromeo/ Ezra wormhole at the moment. This was cool!

[@IzChua77]

I would love to hear about Ottoman. One of my fav from Vampire Weekend.

[@luisvalinjaraiz8144]

Same!!!!

[@jorgecastro2771]

He should have talked about “step” witch is one of my favorite songs of theirs

[@its_me_sarahbee]

Hit. After. Hit.

[@valeriae6053]

Lol, I love how on Time Crisis he was all cryptic about that one line in This Life and he was like “well, people are gonna think it’s about whatever they think it’s about” and it turns out he just straight jacked it from a Makonnen song.

[@calliepatten4048]

he said it on time crisis too! but just very briefly - it was definitely more in-depth here!

[@Gryffindor8]

He’s so articulate and it shows in his songwriting.

[@anthonymyers5856]

Ezra breaking down his songs... instant click. Hoping for more from this series!

[@strawberrysakuras5319]

hannah hunt is a song that i discovered late into my vampire weekend exploration and i remember just being mesmerized by it it just has an ethereal and timeless feeling to it

[@thegingerx]

Great interview. I love hearing artists speak about their work with such passion.

[@tobyclarkthomson8443]

I can’t believe this band hasn’t done KEXP or NPR tiny desk! Favorite Vamp songs: 1. Unbelievers 2. Step 3. Wallcot 4. Hannah hunt 5. A- punk

[@xpledgeturnprestigex]

Add Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa, Ya Hey, Step, Giving up the Gun and Holiday and you have a complete list

[@squelar844]

not complete, needs diplomats son

[@charlottes3228]

@@squelar844car seat headrest

[@evieelili6477]

Unpopular opinion but I think ‘Giant’ is one of their greatest hits. Love ‘Ya hey’ though.

[@marcoantoniovargascornejo7576]

Songs: Mansard Roof 0:10 Oxford Comma 0:37 A-Punk 1:52 Unbelievers 2:30 Cousins 3:24 This Life 4:22 Hannah Hunt 5:52 Jessica 7:24 Diane Young 8:45 Hold Up 10:24 I Promise You 12:46

[@4kach24]

Thank you very much!)

[@cici4175]

Hannah Hunt is by far my favorite Vampire Weekend song. Makes me cry every time

[@stephanieswain6058]

I saw him when I was working in West Hollywood in a cafe and he was just facetiming someone walking down robertson blvd and i completely lost it and almost walked outside to go freak out.

[@caitmx486]

I have so so much love for Ezra and vampire weekend in general, I exactly remember first listening to them and especially modern vampires and it just blowing my mind and instantly falling in love, step is just an unreal work of art to be honest and I don’t think I’ll ever get over it no matter how many times I listen to it!

[@miawxoxo5130]

Omg thought it was only me 😭😭

[@alvarotadeo8455]

I straight up geek out while watching this video lol Vampire Weekend was the first band I saw live so they will always have a special room in my heart

[@abifeldman6750]

Where's M79? I rode that bus almost every day for years, while listening to that song lol

[@howard5970]

00:10 Mansard Roof 00:38 Oxford Comma 01:52 A-Punk 02:32 Unbelievers 03:25 Cousins 04:20 This Life 05:50 Hannah Hunt 07:25 Jessica - Major Lazer 08:45 Diane Young 10:22 Hold Up - Beyonce 12:48 I Promise You - Peter Rabbit / James Corden

[@sabinationemc5806]

FLOAT FEST '22 VACAY'g finale HERE... I've been stayin' TRUE. SHE'n I ATx stolen still apart, they'll drown out our ACLFest'13 we happy together heard VP Wkd YOU..Ty, agapao

[@RoxasLov3r4Ev3r]

THANK YOU!!!!

[@naomismith5206]

My king 👑

[@gregorydole]

Hannah Hunt defo one of the best pop songs of this century, at least IMHO. When I first heard it I was convinced it was some lost track of The Walkmen. Very pleased with myself when years later I read that Ezra had interned with The Walkmen.

[@anavilla8276]

I have no favorite songs in all the vampire weekend albums. I love all the songs SO much and all the songs always bring me joy and inspiration.

[@nectar9509]

i’m in love with his voice

[@tflynn717]

need one of these with Jack Antonoff

[@leozamora5318]

Tom yes!!!

[@ellehansen7507]

When he played step live I cried.... during the whole song

[@carriewagler9404]

There is nothing more soothing than listening to this man talk about music.

[@melovans49]

where's step? :((

[@ryant107]

melovans right??? That’s my favorite song by them

[@adrianofrazao3652]

And harmony hall!!

[@pyronixe]

Step is based off of a rap song by Souls of Mischief. The song is named “Step to My Girl”.

[@bluebookasdf456]

"Hey I'm Ramsey Bolton, and this is my song CV"

[@gottaloveSenna]

I’m amazed at the big brain energy emanating from Vampire Weekend. They have been a favorite since Contra

[@TheSodapops1001]

Can’t believe he felt so unsure about Hannah hunt. It’s my favorite vw song ever. It’s so insanely beautiful.

[@IndieBassJA26]

I wouldn’t say I’m a huge huge Vampire Weekend fan, but when I watched the video for cousins and saw Chris wearing the Chivas kit, I began listening more to them.

[@allyson--]

It's funny the ways we seek out music nowadays

[@snowpixie15]

The Hold Up story makes me sooo happy

[@Ezthereals]

Bro seeing my name at all is uncommon but coming here and seeing a comment full of Ezra is weirding me out, i've looked up to this Ezra my whole life though and his music is what got me into guitars and the music and to this day i still listen to all the albums and they're up there with my favs. Thankyou Ezra, for the Ezra you made me

[@MusicLovingLiz]

I’m not a huge Beyonce fan but on my first casual listen of Lemonade “Hold Up” was the song that stood out in my brain. Makes sense now!

[@ilenegoddard9113]

Love them so much. They were the first concert I went to as a teenager

[@sandyblue4144]

Hannah Hunt is my 2019 spotify top song

[@chupacabra8146]

I literally worship this man and his incredible band I don’t know what I’d do if I didn’t have Vampire Weekend ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@Koshirozation]

HE BREAKS MY HEART IN TWO

[@Incrediblugh]

I am amazed!! hold up was such a HUGE song for me it made perfect sense to me when I found out that ezra wrote it now to learn that it stemmed from this silly tweet about a yeah yeah yeahs lyrics idk man it's all just so up my street

[@molls3227]

im obsessed with Walcott, absolutely loveee that song 🥺 as soon as I heard it on skins I googled it and instantly fell in love 🦋

[@Isabel-kh6nr]

I am very glad this was uploaded ! Very insightful

[@erinfeicht568]

We need a part two!!!

[@faeture3401]

3:33 release the HD cousins mv I'm begging you

[@JordanSullivanadventures]

This is delightful.

[@Kemoclout]

can’t wait to see them again next year

[@azzimfh]

Yeah, i do love vampire weekend ! 😍😍

[@LoriGlory]

I, too, always felt very connected to Peter Rabbit’s struggle against getting murdered by that farmer😂

[@mnunezhk]

my middle school heart was so happy to hear their music

[@lauravalentinaburbanogarci904]

I really liked this format idea, would love to see it with more artists!

[@KnowItAllSarah]

i am in love with this man

[@sinisterkid24]

A Punk 5x in a row at Lollapalooza 2018 is one of my favorite concert memories of all time!

[@marleyvestMT]

Ahhh love this♥️♥️

[@simontaylor647]

I met him last year in a book shop (obviously) I've listened to them 10+ years so I was an awkward mess but he was so cool and chill

[@dynjarren8355]

He’s so intelligent and no wonder he was a teacher! I’m not surprised at all. Brilliant guy and talent!

[@dynjarren8355]

@SamuelEMPowell131 Not looking for new bands. I’m satisfied with the bands I know.

[@magicknight13]

Love every single song!!

[@TheProbewizard]

This video has been useful mostly because I can now pronounce his surname

[@sleepyvampire9333]

Love all your music man.

[@HarryDann]

Okay I need this for every song on their albums pls

[@alexmandella7418]

Oh my gosh every time I heard that Beyonce song I thought of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs song and now it all makes sense ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh