Cousins

Vampire Weekend's song 'Cousins' is a vibrant and energetic track that delves into themes of family, heritage, and the inevitable passage of time. The lyrics are filled with vivid imagery and seemingly disjointed phrases that, when pieced together, paint a picture of familial connections and the shared experiences that bind us. The opening lines, 'You found a sweater on the ocean floor / They're gonna find it if you didn't close the door,' suggest a sense of discovery and the importance of keeping certain things hidden or protected. This could be a metaphor for family secrets or personal memories that are meant to be cherished and kept within the family circle.

The song also touches on the idea of legacy and the roles we inherit from our ancestors. The lines 'Dad was a risk taker / His was a shoemaker' juxtapose the father's adventurous spirit with his humble profession, hinting at the complex nature of familial roles and expectations. The mention of 'greatest hits 2006' and 'little listmaker' could be a nod to the way we catalog and remember our personal histories, much like a greatest hits album captures the highlights of an artist's career.

The recurring chorus, 'Me and my cousins / And you and your cousins / It's a line that is always running,' emphasizes the enduring nature of family ties. Despite the passage of time and the changes that life brings, the connection between cousins—and by extension, family—remains constant. The repetition of 'You can turn your back on the bitter world' suggests that these familial bonds provide a refuge from the hardships and bitterness of the outside world. Ultimately, 'Cousins' is a celebration of the enduring connections that define us and the shared experiences that shape our identities.