Vampire Weekend - 'Giving Up The Gun' (Official Music Video)

[@llyrghmnghyll]

Tennis Would be a lot more fun if The RZA was an actual teleporting sensei judge. The fact that this video made the preceding sentence possible is also awesome.

[@joaquincassagnetezcurra5875]

Man turns into Morpheus when he plays tennis XD.

[@italianangel924]

Jake Gyllenhaal looks fantastic in those shorts.. One of the best parts about this music video

[@struggledaisy]

not even gonna lie I came for jake gyllenhaal

[@elijahjago1271]

I bet you did ;)

[@oscarg.9464]

I bet we all

[@eduardo_gallardo009]

I literally came.

[@ianlovesmickey9658]

Me too. He looks fine in those shorts.

[@icecreamalacarte]

I came for the tennis. Her grip is atrocious while Jake pronates - mildly :)

[@jennahere5273]

I'm a simple woman, I see Jake Gyllenhaal, I click

[@iloveteddynails]

🙋 Same here!!

[@osamabinladen2075]

I'm not woman.

[@MsPrincesscris]

aren't we all?

[@joesosa41]

How about that bop tho

[@edark2412]

I’m a simple man...

[@abhaykaushik8800]

Koenig explained to NME February 16, 2010: “I got the idea for the song from a book my Dad gave me called Giving Up The Gun. It’s a history book about the time when Japan expelled all the foreigners from the country, closed off all trade, and stopped using guns and reverted back to the sword. It seems unimaginable now that humanity could willingly go back to an older technology. It got me thinking about whether you could give up the things that you have and go back to a simpler way of life.”

[@flala2261]

Nice

[@ayden_james]

that’s such an interesting thought. but lately people have been preferring older technlogy such as film cameras, mixtapes, turntables, and such

[@anon123214]

@Abhay Kaushik That's the song's origins, but I'd love to know what it was really about. At first I thought it was about love rejection, but your quote led me to believe the tennis matches symbolized the discussions of her friends trying to change some aspect about her. Then at the end is her future self, debating about if she lost her spark or not, not caring really about how much she's improved herself or not. I could've worded that better but I hope that theory came across clear.

[@barbieairlines]

I love hearing everyone's perspectives on this. I've always interpreted this song as a person fighting internally with themselves. They are worn down and weak from the struggles of life. The line, "My ears are blown to bits from those rifle hits, but still I crave that sound" makes me feel like he's saying that he's comfortable, even addicted to, and stuck in his own misery. He's completely exhausted from everything, but he can't give it up and move forward. The video then shows her literally fighting against herself in a tennis match. By the end of the video - she proves to herself that she can fight off other's people's opinions of her (with Jake as an opponent) and finally, her biggest challenge of all: herself.

[@thecellulontriptometer4166]

I get what you mean about going back to simpler technology. Given Western values and sensibilities it makes no sense because we win at all costs with an end justifies the means approach. But given the Japanese hierarchical stratified system, allowing a common peasant to have the power to take down a samurai with a gun was simply too destructive to their way of life. Guns are a great equalizer. All that being said, if we end up in a nuclear war I think the majority of the planet would wish we put that genie back in the bottle.

[@schuanesouza]

9years later this song still slaps hard. Can't wait for fotb.

[@richardmciver9466]

Wtf is fotb

[@themoonitself5162]

@@richardmciver9466 Father of the Bride, Vampire Weekend's most recent album that was released 4 years ago around the time Schuane's comment was made.

[@Hahahahaaahaahaa]

Can confirm 5 more years in the future, still slaps.

[@TinyTeaza2k7]

lil john, he always tells the truth

[@MoscowOnFire]

lol

[@TinyTeaza2k7]

+Gabriel Wayne hay un chiste? dimelo

[@MoscowOnFire]

Kiki Thomas probablemente no, Lil Jon debe ser bastante honesto creo yo

[@TinyTeaza2k7]

+Gabriel Wayne ahora me confundes, sabes que es una letra de la banda o no?

[@MoscowOnFire]

Kiki Thomas sí, por eso el "lol" en primer lugar

[@daniehu]

timeless song

[@Meerzie]

holy shit son, RZA lil john and jake G in one video. thank you ezra

[@jackgillespie3431]

take away lil john and then its a party

[@MisterIkeJones]

I feel like you took out the wrong guy for a really good party, Jack.

[@dyangruber8441]

The random Joe Jonas ans Jake Gyllenhaal make this 10000x better

[@luisadame2256]

No lol

[@luisadame2256]

Makes it funny tho who is jake?

[@syafiqaszamin6411]

+Luis Adame the actor Jake Gyllenhaal

[@vampiresd0ntsparkle]

+Dyan Gruber Ezra knows people. Who knew?

[@imanmoaddeli7042]

jessica smith lord if Ezra and Jake are friends my life is completed

[@angrygreek1985]

Vampire Weekend is one of the best bands out there. Love these guys!!! Especially this song.

[@domingadoflaminga3961]

Jake Gyllenhaal, RZA from the Wu Tang Clan, Sophie Turner's husband... these cameos are true gifts even 10 years later

[@whitesoxbuff]

Forgot The King Of Crunk

[@martydespot]

Sophie Turner 's husband... So savage🤣🤣🤣

[@felipewiedmer1343]

Sophie Turner’s ex-husband*

[@P0lyphonicPrayer]

I'M SEEING THEM TOMORROW AND I CAN'T FUCKING WAIT WHAT A TIME TO BE ALIVE

[@PandaBubbah1]

no, walking on another planet is a time to say that. but i still understand your joy! :D

[@xiTSLOTTE]

HOLY FUCK HAVE FUN

[@foxymama4094]

I saw them in Austin last Friday they were great!

[@kobebryan05]

Oh god, you guys are so lucky.

[@callmefitzy]

Laurel Kolenda I also saw them two day ago in charllottesville

[@paigelister9259]

I remember coming years ago for Joe Jonas, and now 5 years later im returning for Jake Gyllenhaal...

[@genacat]

+Paige Lister i'm a little freaked out by your comment because i'm in the same situation and i started liking jake 7 months ago (around the time you wrote that comment)

[@MandieBellamy]

I remember coming years ago for Jake, and now 8 years later I still coming for Jake tho

[@david5940]

Mandie Bellamy I'm sure he would appreciate you coming for so long, Mandie.

[@parislane43]

This is good character development

[@ad-zx4iv]

Shit I'm here for both again, feelings further intensified, like that was possible.

[@pedrofernandosalgadoalvare772]

The eyes of the vocalist could literally light up the whole universe

[@flala2261]

Pedro Fernando Salgado Álvarez *Ezra’s got nice Hazel Eyes*

[@phamphuongly7935]

Those green eyes are perfect!!!!

[@donnahudson6756]

Yes they are beautiful

[@WiloPolis03]

To this day Contra remains my favorite album of all time. It's weird, it's like it speaks to me personally but I have no idea how I relate to it

[@Daniel_in_Paradise]

Me watching the video: "Shit I was too focused on Jake Gyllenhaal I forgot to appreciate the music"

[@elisabethpicka5197]

Exactly!!!

[@plswhy9103]

me2

[@beckydebberow2755]

+Clifton Bryant you do have a point

[@BLABLABLABLABLABL298]

All I can see is Donnie Darko

[@elisabethpicka5197]

+BLABLABLABLABLABL298 true!!

[@kap0no22]

only rich people play tennis with a band playing live music behind them

[@kristen.aubrey]

Nate K with celebrities

[@kap0no22]

yes so much yes

[@katherinedupoise4604]

Like Barry Gibb!

[@yessicapuente3766]

Hahahaa but they don´t know how to play tennis. xDD

[@kap0no22]

exaaaactly! Unless your serena williams who is rich and a pro at tennis

[@anaguevara9]

So in essence her own worst enemy, was herself. Deep.

[@darkartsdabbler2407]

Put on a Vampire Weekend playlist, came back to the tab and was like: ... Is that Jake Gyllenhaal?

[@joselynm5634]

Dark Arts Dabbler yooo same reaction xD

[@mimekee]

Dark Arts Dabbler omg same

[@MisterIkeJones]

But he's in the Thumbnail.

[@darkartsdabbler2407]

DapperDan Of this one video. Like I said, I put on a playlist and left. Are you even paying attention?

[@modestdreamer]

Yes, he's in the video.

[@WiloPolis03]

That Radiohead sample in the beginning and towards the end gives me freaking chills

[@ThwompKid]

listened to both songs a lot and never caught that, nice.

[@WiloPolis03]

@@ThwompKid My little brother showed me this when he first got really into Radiohead

[@SpeedyJoeyy]

What's the song that it's sampled from? I'm very curious now haha

[@legoface]

@@SpeedyJoeyythe ending to Let Down off of OK Computer

[@SpeedyJoeyy]

@@legoface thanks, mate

[@noahg2]

Bought back all the memories from 2010 I loved those days .

[@LaloLanderos16]

Me too more simpler days in my life. Oh the naivety of my high school days.

[@o_o5574]

Me too, reminds me of my final days in high school, the beginning of college, the first girl I liked ... miss those same days!

[@nakkiewildvangst2656]

My thoughts exactly

[@hydr0p0nic]

LIL JON, HE ALWAYS TELLS THE TRUTH.

[@superfluffers7142]

Gyllenhaal is just as chaotic in this music video as he is in real life, stellar preformance

[@buddydaly432]

The year was 2010. I was miserable sitting in a Hollister shopping with a girlfriend and then heard this song. It saved me that day and I will be forever grateful for that.

[@sobekflakmonkey]

Jake Gyllenhaal is usually in the best music videos, if anyones curious look up the music video for "Time to Dance"

[@libraharris6594]

Glorified gory Gyllenhaal slaughtering people while maintaining that dead yet doe eyed look we've all come to love so much~

[@luiscorona6376]

over all hes just a great actor

[@Xxbte96xX]

Literally just watched that. Holy shit you're right.

[@CharlieHM]

Jake Gyllenhaal is awesome, at least we can all agree on that.

[@kaizokumoobeane]

Carlos Hernandez hell yeah we can!

[@lucyhummel7306]

Carlos Hernandez

[@goober-no.7]

nope hes not

[@ZoeyandEthan]

MaeLo Tee 1 out of three. Fuck your opinion

[@hangingnutsjimmy88]

no.

[@12akul]

The eyes of the vocalist are so striking.

[@fruiitypeebles]

I just love the part when the coach plays "Holiday" at the end lol well someone's having a holiday

[@LAVirgo67]

I want a vacation that involves tennis, pools, champagne & cousins. Essentially a Vampire Weekend video.

[@charliegordan6354]

Will you be vacationing at Cape Cod?...kwassa kwassa

[@Leonator-cz9ix]

Your sword's grown old and rusty Burnt beneath the rising sun It's locked up like a trophy Forgetting all the things it's done And though it's been a long time You're right back where you started from I see it in your eyes That now you're giving up the gun When I was seventeen, I had wrists like steel And I felt complete And now my body fades behind a brass charade And I'm obsolete But if the chance remains to see those better days I'd cut the cannons down My ears are blown to bits from all the rifle hits But still I crave that sound Your sword's grown old and rusty Burnt beneath the rising sun It's locked up like a trophy Forgetting all the things it's done And though it's been a long time You're right back where you started from I see it in your eyes That now you're giving up the gun I heard you play guitar down at a seedy bar Where skinheads used to fight Your Tokugawa smile and your garbage style Used to save the night You felt the coming wave, told me we'd all be brave You said you wouldn't flinch But in the years that passed, since I saw you last You haven't moved an inch Your sword's grown old and rusty Burnt beneath the rising sun It's locked up like a trophy Forgetting all the things it's done And though it's been a long time You're right back where you started from I see it in your eyes That now you're giving up the gun I see you shine in your way Go on, go on, go on I see you shine in your way Go on, go on, go on I see you shine in your way Go on, go on, go on I see you shine in your way Go on, go on, go on I see you shine in your way Go on, go on, go on I see you shine in your way Go on, go on, go on (I see you shine in your way Go on, go on, go on) (I see you shine in your way Go on, go on, go on) Your sword's grown old and rusty Burnt beneath the rising sun It's locked up like a trophy Forgetting all the things it's done And though it's been a long time You're right back where you started from I see it in your eyes That now you're giving up the gun

[@dirtbagzrus]

Listened to this song for ten years or more and was closeted about how much I love it. The rza!!!!

[@pietroturina874]

I dont know if you will ever read this commment but i want you to know that when i was 16 and all about going around with my longboard in my little town full of great downhills in italy i was always listening to your music. You were the ones that best rapresented my feeling in that part of my life. And then misteriously I forgot you and i ridiscover your music just right now. In this moment there are fireworks of memories in my mind. Thank you for your music!

[@xXthecrazymeXx]

Is that Jake fucking gyllenhaaal

[@julienrittles2554]

xXthecrazymeXx That's also his real middle name.

[@AC-hj9tv]

I'm here for the chick, bro

[@edgarcruzjr]

How are you guys talking about Joe when Jake Gyllenhaal is here?

[@SlackerET]

How are you talking about Jake Gyllenhaal when the RZA is here?

[@human_plant]

JollyJinbei How are you talking about RZA when Lil Jon is here?

[@SlackerET]

WhateverFloatsYourBoat Hahahah no

[@mafer.rrrrrr]

Edgar Cruz Jr. I knowwww, it's jake freaking gyllenhaal, i don't care about the others hahah

[@mickl.r.marshall1550]

Starks Hey Liv da Handel Player!! £;) Peace Micky

[@natalielawton6400]

this gives me a feeling

[@sleepykinki]

Omg why this pops out in my recommendation in 2019?

[@ad-zx4iv]

sleepykinki because Jake Gyllenhaal

[@Maria-py5nj]

sleepykinki same omg

[@vivianren5461]

Right???!!

[@maxspeed7602]

EVERY FUCKING VIDEO THAT WAS MADE OVER 2 YEARS AGO HAS ONE OF THESE SHITTY COMMENTS,

[@ilya7314]

Same. I don't understand it, but I'm not complaining.

[@thedogfromraditude5449]

Who else is here not because of Jake Gyllenhaal, but because this is an amazing, underappreciated song?

[@e.mz1781]

@Samuel Powell didn’t you comment on a Santigold not so long ago??

[@LuckLady1991]

I love this song!

[@kamalamagar402]

❤❤❤

[@AmirRazan]

Yeah, I don't even know who's Jake at all before this.

[@domenicocotroneo5654]

me

[@allyy4168]

IS NO ONE GOING TO ACKNOWLEDGE HOW AMAZING VAMPIRE WEEKEND SOUNDS?!?!

[@lucyhummel7306]

Ally Y

[@kkonrad4165]

" I see you shine in your way, go on, go on, go on." This got me through some really really tough times about 11 year ago

[@dftmmwgitd]

I feel bad for Ezra in a way. Some people will never give him a chance, or just assume that the band is overrated based off the fan base. He writes some of the best music of today, but no one gives him the credit he deserves. Lyrically as well.

[@habichtorama]

I concur, the third album is, in my opinion, their best yet. I wasn't too blown away by the second, but their third matches their first. 90% of the songs are fucking ace, save hudson, possibly. anyways, to each his own. :)

[@33Manga33]

There a band btw they all contribute but from what ive herd in interviews that rastam the guitar and keys guy tends to come with the music and then ezra and him work it out .

[@ryanbennett1339]

Christian Habicht The second album is a lyrical masterpiece.

[@dftmmwgitd]

Ryan Bennett I personally prefer the third album lyrically, and their second album musically. But to each his own.

[@RubbelisPro]

I personally think that it's just because people don't understand what he's saying in the music, like all of their music has some sort of reference in it.

[@fallingforyou6691]

JOE

[@artemis7093]

Jake my love❤

[@plusbleu]

Happy Birthday Contra!!!!!

[@GagaBoy1346]

JOOOOOEEEEE

[@GagaBoy1346]

***** Girl did you know Jake is one of 10 of the meanest people in movies?

[@GagaBoy1346]

***** girl did you when Jake ripped off his pants, that was ssssshhhhhmeeexxaaayy!!!

[@GagaBoy1346]

hhhhhhmmm mmmmmmm tasty! u should see my school, some guys look like models!

[@kobebryan05]

Alessandro Boicel Can you give names pls? haha.

[@GagaBoy1346]

why? Wally Lawrence, Austin Brockley, Paul Toweh, David Perle, and more

[@dannymontecinos4219]

buena cancion la escuchaba antes de ir a la escuela

[@ethan.torchio]

2:24 Jake Gyllenhaal

[@TheGavalanche]

Banger of a tune. The red head is underrated.

[@dreamsincolor09]

18 year old me fangirled over this video...7 years later and I still do... What a masterpiece of a music video.

[@indiesoku]

Everyone’s saying how they came for Jake and Joe, but I’m only here because this is my favorite song ever

[@prateequemukane5406]

hell yeah

[@korrupt93]

Same...since it came out 12 years ago

[@miccimiccimicci]

This band makes me want to start a band.

[@AP-xb4tv]

I love this song so so so much

[@rianagnew606]

Jake Gyllenhaal has amazing thighs

[@TheBlackLodger]

Amazing talent too

[@sandrawagner1621]

they're gorgeous

[@lucyhummel7306]

I'm Suffering

[@andrea8m]

He has amazing every things 🎰🔥

[@SebiHemke]

the man has fantastic legs

[@joonchild.9393]

watched this video when i was 13 years old because my "husband" joe jonas was in it, and this song still gets in my head. ugh. its SO GOOD.

[@greysonjordan30]

Joeee!!!

[@janetchristie9650]

They won a grammy! Great Band

[@Mark-mf3yr]

Holy shit dude! This used to be my favorite song 6 years ago, I found it again yesterday and I still like it!

[@slightlyferalraccoon]

"Let's get Lil Jon speaking French up in this bitch." "You got it, fam."

[@parus_1671]

10 years ago i came here for vampire weekend. today, i am here for jake gyllenhaal. maybe in another ten years i will visit here again for joe jonas or something

[@Pippi-rippi]

What a tune

[@KuehneZoneify]

This was the song that got me into indie when I was 13-14! Saw it on the television on a vacation trip was about to take a bath but I wanted to listen to this song 😂 for the whole trip I watched the same channel. It played a punk too and she and him :)

[@stephsmith1348]

JAKEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

[@juvanhackett]

as a tennis player, the way she's holding her racket makes me quiver

[@cuac5869]

Juvan Hackett I know, I cringe whenever I see it

[@machlang3999]

Yuuuup so cringie

[@couch.patati-patata]

She grips the shaft high.

[@j.ltoledo5012]

Ngl. I've been upset about this for the past decade

[@icecreamalacarte]

On purpose. "Wrists like steel" is a ridiculous comment on tennis form from the get-go

[@FirstPersonNewf]

RZA!! Wu Tang Clan! did not expect to see him here.

[@babyjj123456778]

11 years ago ... this was a big part of my childhood

[@rebekas.4280]

my first vw song.

[@hanakuhlmann5932]

are you a changed man?

[@rebekas.4280]

Hana Kuhlmann yes. all i think about is lp4

[@WmJoseSinclair]

check out RUN live in the studio w the orchestral horns.. for live, mind blowing - George Martin (Beatles producer) must be their inspiration

[@gilespeterson6832]

Rebeka S. Mine was "A-Punk".

[@AiressNoir]

God, this song reminds me of a MUCH simpler time that I took for granted 😖

[@RobbiPromotional]

You guys ready to have a wonderful season! Let's prepare!

[@bscherer90]

RZA, Jake Gyllenhaal, lil Jon, Daft Punk, and the song samples Radiohead. This is the coolest video of all time.

[@AC-hj9tv]

Which radiohead song?

[@bscherer90]

@@AC-hj9tv Let Down

[@AC-hj9tv]

@@bscherer90 coool!

[@cristianopala]

Taylor Swift had so many exes that it can happen that two of them appear in a single music video

[@TheMarauderOfficial]

Did anyone else think the lyric was "Your soul's grown old and rusty", not "Your sword's grown old and rusty"?

[@bryanatley3164]

I thought it was, well at least until you corrected it.

[@gabelogan56]

The Marauder I think it means the same. Metaphor.

[@DeaconPain]

gabelogan56 It's slang for a guitar. Or it could be metaphoric of a passion that one has spent a lot of time and dedication becoming skilled with.

[@andrewmorgan2692]

xscarifiedx23 true lyrical meditation by xscarifiedx23

[@TheMarauderOfficial]

KerythDraws Umm, no I'm pretty sure the song is about Japan.

[@everqueen6023]

Jake!!!!!!!

[@pennyaldente]

it's been 9 years and Joe Jonas is back in the Jonas Brothers, Jake is still a relevant actor and VAMPIRE WEEKEND'S NEW ALBUM FATHER OF THE BRIDE IS OUT IN THREE DAYS BOIIIIIIIS

[@Bibimith]

Jake Gyllenhaal's face in his intro scene makes me happy, haha

[@dreamsincolor09]

Leaving my personal anecdote as such: The fact that in 2010 my favorite bands at the moment were Vampire Weekend and the Jonas Brothers made this video a blessing. Great times, my teenage years. This is still one of top VW songs. No matter what, it's still empowering to listen to. :') Also, I think I leave a comment on this video every 3 years lol

[@sattireasiaface44]

Omg, had never seen this before. This was amazing.

[@DeanithForeverYoung]

9 years later , thanks for the beautiful share youtube

[@floraharper585]

Came for vampire weekend and rewatched it 10 times for Jake Gyllenhaal

[@1975nish]

JOE JONASS OMGGGGG

[@danemauldin9772]

Thank you for this playlist

[@woniewrld]

I’m livvvimg for jakes cameo

[@Sabrinawkwafina]

Ive been watching so much jake gyllenhaal related content lately that KZbin decided to reccomend me this 9 years later...

[@tommymots]

Haha damn jake gyllenhal click bait got me

[@monserain]

Beautiful.

[@squirreldemon3506]

Song gets good at 2:02

[@divyaaravindan3977]

The part where Jake fell on the net I couldn't stop laughing.

[@luanrobincrivel]

uma das melhores do vampire weekend! além do clipe perfeito huahuuhahua

[@GersonSaldanha]

Com certeza!!

[@rayluxhove]

this made me cry as a tennis player

[@timtyber]

Gotta love Gyllenhaal

[@pepitandrea]

two ex boyfriends from taylor swift in one video

[@SofyGerass]

lo mas gracioso es que en ese momento no lo eran, pasarían unos meses hasta ser socios.

[@dipsikhadutta5013]

Which ones are Taylors exes?

[@SofyGerass]

@@dipsikhadutta5013 joe jonas and Jake gyllenhaal

[@casper7319]

Is this the "indie record that's much cooler than [taylors]"?

[@sufianyazid3024]

lil jon & rza?

[@basedjj2585]

Donnie darko makes this vid 10 times better

[@flala2261]

Yes he Does

[@lilgucci_____]

3:00 he killed the solo

[@drrock1304]

My teacher told me about this band and told me that they are pretty good. My best friend also likes them and decided to check them out...why I'm saying this? I have no idea.

[@rapturousrabbits9546]

Man this is strange, but one of my highschool teachers showed this specific video to us, and at the time, I already listened to Vampire Weekend, but hadn't seen the videos- I can't fully remember why he was showing it to us. But huh. Small world.

[@basscamel9446]

how you gonna play with a white ball in a white court tho????!!!! fo real

[@Arian545]

Joe Jonas, Jake Gyllenhaal, RZA and Lil John? Why?

[@davidk9382]

Don't question VW's reach. They (well at least Ezra does) have a huge array of music they listen to: rap, African songs, all of it. So I'm not suprised they have friedns from everywhere as well.

[@kevdavies12345]

Lil Jon is referenced in Oxford comma

[@89SeanEllis]

Arian hmn Lil' John always tells the truth.

[@Arian545]

david K I think they are huge punk fans too

[@nechma13]

Arian hmn wait that is actaully Joe jonas

[@phantomelmisj]

It's lit.

[@RizzyMacguire]

Fun fact, I'm using this song to announce my pregnancy to my husband because we're going to name our baby after Ezra Koenig. Another fun fact, this is the first song we listened to with each other when we first started dating in highschool.

[@youngsheldon23]

fun fact : congrats for your baby mate another fun fact : i dont give a shit about your second fact

[@zeyneph.4749]

@@youngsheldon23 shut up

[@zeyneph.4749]

I'm really happy for you 😊

[@Sabrinawkwafina]

This is so cute!

[@dixy5226]

goals

[@galleyboy]

Anyone else recognize the end of "Let Down" at the beginning of the song?

[@ekaterinezaalishvili2392]

I needed more jake

[@randomuser1227]

same 😭

[@on_certainty]

rza wow!