Vampire Weekend - Obvious Bicycle (New Song)

Vampire Weekend performs "Obvious Bicycle" (from their new album, "Modern Vampires of the City") for the first time at their show for Amex Unstaged at Roseland Ballroom in NYC - 4/28/2013

[@lauraraiff4170]

This is one of those songs that are so momentous and meaningful that it forces you to feel the obligation to make everyone to listen to it and understand the same way you understand it. There are those songs that you listen to because their catchy, but this song is also something to live by. Maybe that's just me...

[@eightosaurusspelunk1598]

Laura Raiff yep... just you

[@rotinho87]

♥ the piano ending ♥

[@endlesshore]

This song is do beautiful that hurts! And the keyboard at the end?! Rostam is an angel.

[@ismelll3449]

drummer has all the marks of a master: discretion and preciseness.

[@carloscorona8197]

So chill this song. Been listening to VW on the lonesome but wholesome walk home from school lol.

[@rodtaylor4686]

Such a beautiful song and once of their best. It's a perfect album opener as it really highlights the new direction the band has stepped in and sets the tone for Modern Vampires.

[@kobebryan05]

Wow. This song really came into the right point of my life where I don't understand why we have to work our asses off to follow the system. VW is amazing, that's an understatement.

[@eightosaurusspelunk1598]

Lodo Bryan I do like the gti and golf wagons.

[@selmaerickson1851]

I'm so proud. This album was SO worth the wait

[@dancingonmy0wn]

this song is my life

[@Rocyn02]

this song is literally so beautiful

[@joegon72]

For you wonderful young people; the beat to the song is Rastafarian Nyahbingi drumming. An old dread would either love this or hate it. I love it!

[@sofrshsocln4]

🙏🏽....Sample is "Keep Cool Babylon." The drums were really recorded as if it was the band playing them. They say so much in volume but it's so minimal. I love how the track builds in volume when u play it too

[@dahfshx]

That album is gonna be epic. Every song is great in a different way. Loved 'em all so far.

[@IamRabbitHearted]

I absolutely love this song! Never stop making music, Vampire Weekend!!

[@demoneIephant]

The backing vocals on "listeeeeennnn" are fucking beautiful!

[@carolinaribena]

you better spare your face the raisin

[@JoseAlvarez-kd2ut]

Robin Wilson raisin

[@carloscorona8197]

Razor

[@carloscorona8197]

Unless you're joking... Then hahaha

[@eightosaurusspelunk1598]

catsnlongbaths you're gorgeous

[@taylorposey3838]

Damn this dude really hit on you on KZbin.

[@extremelyridiculous]

one of the best songs they've written to date

[@Beckyiscool101]

After seeing this performed last night at the Troxy and crying like a baby- yet again listening to it has caused me to have the same reaction. :'D

[@zub31r]

The piano at the end! Ahhhhhh! Sweet sweet melancholy.

[@victoriathetall]

Thank you so much for grabbing this! I thought I was going to have to wait another 2 weeks to hear this again.

[@silverspoon4652]

I agree. It was the first album I've ever pre-ordered that I had no regrets toward.

[@Abetterworld117]

ezra and rostam's harmonies are gorgeous

[@eliscar5147]

This song was played beautifully, live!

[@rebekas.4280]

Okay I've said this so many times, but Ezra doesn't even sound human. His voice is so incredible to me, I can't believe it. I love him so much,

[@gondwanaman9362]

Beautiful song

[@mellymutton]

I hate how much I love this!!!!

[@jasonbunter]

in the audiences defense, throughout the whole song they told em, "dont waaaaaait!"

[@wellab76]

I LOVE IT too!

[@jessicasarah95]

waaaah this makes me so excited to see them at the troxy!! 2 days :D

[@MusicMrsLove]

i love how relateble this song actually is

[@lemonhead1256]

so great my love

[@ZwienerZ]

Interesting. I like their 2nd better than the first. This album is great too. They're just getting better! They'll be around for awhile if they stick together.

[@pfarkas70]

I love how absolutely silent the audience is during this

[@SerZachariah]

I still feel the need to shave daily,. In good faith. Brilliant song.

[@DrBelser12]

Maybe they have sold out in their marketing strategy but in no way can anyone say they have sold out in their sound. In fact, quite the opposite: this is a daring album. And yet people are loving it because it's brilliant

[@gingeyscientist]

This was amazing live in bournemouth two nights ago 3 rostam is fab

[@free533]

Rostam says "That's one of my favourite Vampire Weekend songs"

[@kkeot]

holy shit i LOVE rostam in this *cries forever*

[@LukeMth]

This song is decent, but Rostam's piano solo at the end simply eclipses the entire thing. The moment I heard it on the album it brought me to tears.

[@vindicator112]

I’ll be asleep on the floor of our high school gym, Thinking of you and wondering if anyone else could begin,

[@rahulb.4925]

Don't forget the rich ones who were kind🎶

[@babieblue242]

swooning

[@yiannev]

Just listen to Rostam at the end, he sounds so proud

[@buenogoodlive]

We call my friend a bicycle (long story) and I found it completely hilarious that there is now a song called "Obvious Bicycle" haha!

[@太郎激突]

anthem

[@abmanc98]

It's okay if you don't like the music but you can't say they are sellouts just because they are changing their style a bit. This is Vampire Weekend we are talking about, they can do whatever the hell they want.

[@MusicMrsLove]

omg rostam vocals *.*

[@michaellitsch2488]

this new sound is very Paul Simon! rite? AWESOMENESS

[@DudeAbides97]

Rostam is great on the back up vocals

[@smhailu1]

lol that made my dayy :D

[@FlyBird]

I'm a huge fan of Paul Simon actually, and Vampire Weekend's music as a whole draws from Paul Simon as an influence, not just this album. On the album, songs like Diane Young, Finger Back, Worship You, Ya Hey, sound nothing like Paul Simon. Oxford Comma is poppier than any of the song on Modern Vampires. And Vampire Weekend is with XL Records, an indie label. they have full creative freedom. Again, you're making up bullshit to justify disliking the album. Just say you dislike it and move on.

[@sofrshsocln4]

THANK YOU I hear the influence. Obviously they were alluding to the sarcasm like "oh no this is all is, we call it West Side Soweto" and the publications all fell for it. They could never be pegged and that's why I love that they got so popular. Ezra teaches you by just looking at things curiously and sharing it. Playing with elements of diff genres concepts and just loving the art.... And some how simplifying Simon's method of references and storytelling by using timeless songwriting in this digital age so that we piece it together... Seriously the Beatles of this generation ijs but isaidwhatisaid

[@neonreggaesunsplash]

I did record the whole thing, but youtube won't let me upload it. I'll have it up on vimeo (there's a link to it on my youtube channel page under "about") next week though. In the meantime, Amex does have Ya Hey up on their music page. :)

[@Dubfiyah1977]

Niyabinghi Beat for sure love me some VW

[@EnochJC]

That fucking piano outro right there.

[@SegaGenesis3000]

im jealous.

[@justindc5362]

3:00 where is this nostalgia coming from?

[@abirbhavdutta5687]

He went flat so many times. Excellent song though.

[@mshartz5]

They've always kind of had that Paul Simon sound. I think they even reference him in a song along with Peter Gabriel.

[@Shaniflewog]

I like the new style for the album, but what would top the album for me is if there was some more upbeat tubes, liven it up a bit, but great work!

[@elbarenev_]

This song sounds like My Morning Jacket :)

[@TheOriginalNR]

obvious bicycle is obvious

[@wwallace17]

Is that back beat the sound of a Pogo stick hopping around?

[@lordluc3]

found there first album good, not terrible, second one was not as good, Contra was their only real good song, Modern City IS THERE BEST ONE YET!!!!! SO GOOOOOOOD

[@Neveruseobi]

I think it is a little bit slow for an album opener.

[@rdragongrrl7]

THAT'S TOTALLY WHAT I THOUGHT WHOA

[@lindianthomas1630]

The drum beat is straight out of the Nyabinghi form of Rastafari from Jamaica.

[@ThelemicMagick]

True... I guess you're specifically refering to 'Graceland'...? Hearing quite some Talking Heads as well

[@JonnyHosq]

this is good, but I was expecting a lot more faster/upbeat songs on the album

[@Cian097]

New song :(

[@hollleeee]

Chris Coco or Choco?

[@TheShadyGnome]

Did you get the whole recording? Would love if you can upload Ya Hey

[@shaakirei]

hi

[@MuhdAkmalAdnan]

Does this song has a music video or official recorded? I couldnt find any of it

[@doonman324]

sounds a little flat on the chorus. awesome song, even better album.

[@J8776]

it's slow because it needs to be!

[@justindc5362]

buy ins

[@endlesshore]

*so

[@palbo4]

Lol? How?

[@Wispunk]

Sound like paul mccartney

[@roydagger]

Great live version except for the obvious taped backing vocals (the "listennnn" parts). Those female coral choir parts sound great on the album but to use that sample here in a live setting is just fraudulent. I'd love to see just Ezra and Rostam handle these parts, together. LIVE!!!

[@jakefromstatefarm4508]

roydagger I’ve seen that in a lot of their live performances, and it does hurt. Either play them stripped down or hire the people you need to make the sound, right?

[@smhailu1]

thats a lot of anger over one song. i think maybe it's time for your nap.

[@JBChandler]

Paul Simon music is more record label friendly then "Who gives a fuck about an oxford comma" music. The album sounds okay, but will wither away like the new MGMT album, or the new XX album. Who I think have also sold out.

[@arturomurillo2813]

Ok then

[@0shungurl]

Gorgeous song. White business shirt, not so great.

[@BossSauceIsGood]

HAVE YOU EVEN HEARD HANNAH HUNT? No feeling my arse.

[@JBChandler]

because they fully shifted into the Paul Simon sound. Every song I've heard thus far have no feeling. The money has sucked out their souls.

[@joshmonster375]

Ive enjoyed all your bitching as I watch this. So many comments from you crying like a little bitch. As if this band owes you something personally. You should od on something.

[@selomehailu6057]

Eh, I'll pass this time. Go ahead and play without me but thanks for the offer.

[@Psergiorivera]

Gorgeous song. Stupid audience couldn't wait til it finished.

[@gareth7013]

Strangled English

[@MrBobopoe]

Sounds a bit John Lennon... :)

[@jcblrogers]

i love this song. album of the year for sure, but this is NOT a great performance.

[@JBChandler]

maybe you don' t know who Paul Simon is, but all these songs sound like slow Paul Simon songs. That ain't bulshit, thats the truth. The record company likes Paul Simon songs better then "Who gives a fuck about an oxford comma." songs. But I don't.

[@JBChandler]

agreed. Need more punk, less Paul Simon.

[@FlyBird]

that makes zero sense. You can say you dislike it but don't try to justify it by making up bullshit.

[@xor444]

i don't dislike it, i fucking hate it 8)

[@JBChandler]

sell outs.