White Sky

Album: Contra (2010)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song was already a live favorite prior to it being recorded. Vampire Weekend debuted this song at the album-release show for their first album in January 2008 and then performed it during their appearance on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon in March 2009.
  • Frontman Ezra Koenig explained to MTV News: "That song came together in a way that none of our older songs ever have. [Multi-instrumentalist/producer] Rostam [Batmanglij] made a beat and sent it to us, and I spent some time writing lyrics and a melody to it, and then we put it together into what it is now. On that level, it is very distinct from what we've done."
  • Koenig explained in track-by-track production notes: "It's inspired by some of the same African vibes and rhythms that influenced the debut, but the finished product represents a new chapter in the band's sound. "This song picks up where M79 left off. Similar people, similar geography, but, I think, a more developed sense of purpose."
  • Vampire Weekend are notorious for their use of African rhythms in their songs, describing their genre of music as "Upper West Side Soweto" Koenig commented to The Guardian January 7, 2010: "It's just as natural for us to listen to music from Africa as it is to Cream or whoever. There's no reason why Cream should be a bigger part of my heritage – my family is from eastern Europe and grew up in New Jersey and Eric Clapton is a British guy playing the blues. When you break it down like that, the rock'n'roll canon becomes a little less monolithic. Just because I grew up a white guy in America doesn't mean that's the music of my life."
  • One of the lyrics refers to a Richard Serra Skatepark. Koenig explained to The London Times January 23, 2010 that the phrase occurred to him after he saw a Serra sculpture at MoMA and thought, "if I could skate, that would be fun to skate on."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Trans Soul Rebels: Songs About Transgenderism

Trans Soul Rebels: Songs About TransgenderismSong Writing

A history of songs dealing with transgender issues, featuring Pink Floyd, David Bowie, Morrissey and Green Day.

Glen Phillips of Toad the Wet Sprocket

Glen Phillips of Toad the Wet SprocketSongwriter Interviews

The "All I Want" singer went through a long depression, playing some shows when he didn't want to be alive.

Tony Banks of Genesis

Tony Banks of GenesisSongwriter Interviews

Genesis' key-man re-examines his solo career and the early days of music video.

Tim Butler of The Psychedelic Furs

Tim Butler of The Psychedelic FursSongwriter Interviews

Tim and his brother Richard are the Furs' foundation; Tim explains how they write and tells the story of "Pretty In Pink."

Keith Reid of Procol Harum

Keith Reid of Procol HarumSongwriter Interviews

As Procol Harum's lyricist, Keith wrote the words to "A Whiter Shade Of Pale." We delve into that song and find out how you can form a band when you don't sing or play an instrument.

Top American Idol Moments: Songs And Scandals

Top American Idol Moments: Songs And ScandalsSong Writing

Surprise exits, a catfight and some very memorable performances make our list of the most memorable Idol moments.