Song of the Day, Part Three: Vampire Weekend, “Unbelievers”

Because I was challenged by my friend Diane at Ladies Who Lunch blog, for this Song A Day Challenge, I’m supposed to post the lyrics of a favorite song for five days in a row, and explain what the song lyrics mean to me.

This song is here to occupy my made-up category of “a song by my favorite band.”

Vampire Weekend is my favorite band, even though they are, technically, sort of broken up. In January 2016, the guy on the left, Rostam Batmanglij, said he had quit Vampire Weekend to go solo. This song, “Unbelievers,” is from the 2013 album Modern Vampires of the City, their most recent album.

What do these song lyrics mean? That’s a toughie, but I’ll make a stab at it. I’ve read that this song is about being Jewish, as the lead singer, Ezra Koenig, is Jewish. And I can see that. But I think I see something broader in there, as well.

Personally, I interpret the song to refer to zealots of any denomination or credo, religious or political or otherwise, who can come to be intolerant and can be made to lash out violently and murderously at others.

However, counter to that interpretation of what it means to be a true believer is another — the idea of extending grace, or charity and goodwill to others. And the singer questions whether that extends to everyone, even those who aren’t members of a particular group.

But I didn’t write it, so I don’t know. Pop music lyrics are elliptical, and often we can pick our own story.

So here is “Unbelievers.” Much better played than read.