A-Punk

Album: Vampire Weekend (2008)
Charted: 55
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Vampire Weekend first appeared to a coast to coast American audience when they performed this song, dressed in sweaters, on the February 1, 2008 Late Show with David Letterman.
  • Garth Jennings directed the song's video and Nick Goldsmith produced it. Working under the pseudonym of Hammer and Tongs, they are best known for directing the promo for Blur's "Coffee & TV," which won the 1999 MTV Europe Music Award for Best Video. The duo also directed and produced the 2005 film version of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.
  • Frontman Ezra Koenig told the Daily Mail May 23, 2008: "We had a riff that sounded like a Punk song, but we played it on the high notes to make it sound more interesting."
  • Vampire Weekend performed the song three times in a row during their March 23, 2019 gig at the Islington Assembly Hall gig in London.

    After their first attempt, Koenig said: "Hmmmm that song is too short." After the second, he added: "These shows are essentially attended rehearsals, we've got a lot of shows to play this year. I'm sorry, but..." The band then played the song for a third time.

Comments: 6

  • Nady from Adelaide, Australia"cut his teeth on turquoise harmonica..." just wanted to know if it was a reference to something. settle down. it can make as much sense as you like..thats why it's so good:D
  • Reta from Frisco, Tx...is this song supposed to make sense?
  • Kelsey from Rustburg, VaHow can someone not know what a harmonica is for god's sake?
  • Joe from Phoenix, AzA turquoise harmonica is a free reed wind instrument that's colored an opaque, blue-to-green color.
  • Alex from Pompton Plains, Nji love this song, vampire weekend have such a unique sound it's great! and yeah what is a turquise harmonica? haha
  • Nady from Adelaide, AustraliaWhats a turquoise harmonica??bah who cares its a goooooood song
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Donnie Iris (Ah! Leah!, The Rapper)

Donnie Iris (Ah! Leah!, The Rapper)Songwriter Interviews

Before "Rap" was a form of music, it was something guys did to pick up girls in nightclubs. Donnie talks about "The Rapper" and reveals the identity of Leah.

Bass Player Scott Edwards

Bass Player Scott EdwardsSong Writing

Scott was Stevie Wonder's bass player before becoming a top session player. Hits he played on include "I Will Survive," "Being With You" and "Sara Smile."

Chris Fehn of Slipknot

Chris Fehn of SlipknotSongwriter Interviews

A drummer for one of the most successful metal bands of the last decade, Chris talks about what it's like writing and performing with Slipknot. Metal-neck is a factor.

Carol Kaye

Carol KayeSongwriter Interviews

A top session musician, Carol played on hundreds of hits by The Beach Boys, The Monkees, Frank Sinatra and many others.

James Bond Theme Songs

James Bond Theme SongsMusic Quiz

How well do you know the 007 theme songs?

Annie Haslam of Renaissance

Annie Haslam of RenaissanceSongwriter Interviews

The 5-octave voice of the classical rock band Renaissance, Annie is big on creative expression. In this talk, she covers Roy Wood, the history of the band, and where all the money went in the '70s.