Cousins
Vampire Weekend · Contra [2010]
You found a sweater on the ocean floor
They're gonna find it if you didn't close the door.
You and this model sit outside the side
In a house on a street they wouldn't park on at night.
Dad was a risk taker. His was a shoe maker.
You greatest hits 2006, little listmaker.
Heard codes in the melodies, you heeded the call
You were born with ten fingers and you're gonna use them all.
Interesting colors, I discovered myself
If your art life is gritty, you'll be toasting my health
If an interest in cultures should be lining the wall,
When your birth right is interest you could just accrue it all.
Me and my cousins and you and your cousins
Its a line that is always running.
Me and my cousins, and you and your cousins,
I can feel it coming
You could turn your back on the bitter world
Me and my cousins and you and your cousins
Its a line that is always running.
Me and my cousins, and you and your cousins,
I can feel it coming
Me and my cousins and you and your cousins
Its a line that is always running.
Me and my cousins, and you and your cousins,
I can feel it coming
They're gonna find it if you didn't close the door.
You and this model sit outside the side
In a house on a street they wouldn't park on at night.
Dad was a risk taker. His was a shoe maker.
You greatest hits 2006, little listmaker.
Heard codes in the melodies, you heeded the call
You were born with ten fingers and you're gonna use them all.
Interesting colors, I discovered myself
If your art life is gritty, you'll be toasting my health
If an interest in cultures should be lining the wall,
When your birth right is interest you could just accrue it all.
Me and my cousins and you and your cousins
Its a line that is always running.
Me and my cousins, and you and your cousins,
I can feel it coming
You could turn your back on the bitter world
Me and my cousins and you and your cousins
Its a line that is always running.
Me and my cousins, and you and your cousins,
I can feel it coming
Me and my cousins and you and your cousins
Its a line that is always running.
Me and my cousins, and you and your cousins,
I can feel it coming
Cousins - Vampire Weekend
Released on the 2010 album Contra, "Cousins" stands as a defining track in Vampire Weekend's evolution from indie pop to a more complex, jazz-inflected sound. The song features a distinctive, looping guitar riff that anchors its upbeat tempo while exploring themes of familial connection and generational distance. It exemplifies the band's signature blend of New York indie rock with global musical influences, particularly drawing from Caribbean rhythms and funk. As a centerpiece of Contra, the recording showcases the group's ability to craft intricate arrangements that balance playful energy with introspective lyrics, solidifying their status as a key voice in modern alternative rock.