Hudson by Vampire Weekend Lyrics Meaning – The Anthem of Historical Cycles and Identity
Lyrics
The water took its victim’s name
The river’s rise told Riverside to change their names again
A stranger walked in through the door
Said all apartments are pre-war
We laughed and asked him for his name
He stayed until the end
We watched the Germans play the Greeks
We marked the ninety nine year lease
Our fathers signed
Which I declined to try and comprehend
Over and over again, all these never-ending visions
Over and over again like a prize that’s changing hands
The time has a come
The clock is such a drag
All you who changed your stripes can wrap me in the flag
The legendary wooden gate
The first established real estate
Is lost in time like all the crimes
That won this pleasant land
Over and over again, all these never-ending visions
Over and over again like a prize that’s changing hands
The time has a come
The clock is such a drag
All you who changed your stripes can wrap me in the flag
Hudson died on Hudson Bay
But I was born on Sutton Place
The rising tide helped me decide to change my name again
Some men tend to linger on and some make haste from Babylon
Some will roam their ruined home, rejoicing ’til the end
Over and over again, all these never-ending visions
Over and over again like a prize that’s changing hands
The time has come
The clock is such a drag
All you who changed your stripes can wrap me in the flag
The lines are drawn
The map is such a drag
All you who changed your stripes can wrap me in the flag
In the labyrinth of modern music, rare gems that encapsulate both the historic continuum and the evolving self carve a niche in the hearts of listeners. Enter ‘Hudson’ by Vampire Weekend, a dense weave of allegory and introspection set to the band’s signature indie rock finesse.
Vampire Weekend, known for their erudite lyrics and eclectic sound, have never shied away from intellectual depth. The track ‘Hudson’ from their album ‘Modern Vampires of the City’ serves as a deep dive into themes of legacy, change, and identity, all underpinned by historical references.
A Journey Through Time: ‘Hudson’ in Historical Context
The song’s eponymous Hudson appears to be a reference to the explorer Henry Hudson and his demise in Hudson Bay – a tragic end that merges man and nature. This intertwining of human life with geographic legacy serves as a backdrop for the track’s broader exploration of how places and people are inextricably linked, often adopting each other’s identities.
Through depicting an evolving New York City, Vampire Weekend reflects on the impermanence and malleability of both our surroundings and our selves. The cityscape, with its pre-war apartments and gentrified neighborhoods, is not only a testament to change but also embodies the memories and histories of those long gone.
Unraveling the Enigma: The Hidden Meaning Behind the Lyrics
The repeated phrase ‘Over and over again’ implies a cyclical view of history, as the song speaks to the persistence of certain patterns and the inevitable repetition of the past. As the lyrics juggle temporality with the notion of victories and losses, the band posits that the flux of possession and identity is a kind of game, one directly linked to power and conquest.
Moreover, the reference to a ‘ninety nine year lease’ underscores the temporary nature of ownership, possibly alluding to the transience of human endeavors and the triviality of clinging to fixed notions of self in a world where change is constant.
The Striped Chameleon: Identity and Belonging in ‘Hudson’
Identity is at the core of ‘Hudson,’ where the decision to ‘change my name again’ signals a deeper contemplation of what it means to belong. The song’s persona recognizes the role of heritage and birthplace, yet also acknowledges the individual’s capacity for reinvention and departure from the old ways.
The idea of changing ‘stripes’ embodies the human inclination to adapt and align with prevailing norms or powers — a survival mechanism that can result in a loss of original identity but also grants newfound allegiances.
The Flags We Wrap Ourselves In: Patriotism and Its Discontents
The mention of ‘wrap me in the flag’ evokes the theme of patriotism and the use of national symbols to assert belonging or assert authority. Here, Vampire Weekend seems to question the authenticity and merit of such displays, possibly criticizing the ease with which identities are adopted and discarded for expediency’s sake.
In a world where borders and allegiances are frequently contentious, ‘Hudson’ appears to challenge the listener to reflect on the true meaning of national pride, and whether it serves as a unifying force or merely another ‘drag,’ a burden imposing conformity and constraint.
Memorable Lines: The Lyrical Standouts of ‘Hudson’
‘The time has come / The clock is such a drag’ – these words resonate as a declaration of impatience with the relentless passage of time and its bearing on one’s sense of identity. The concept of time as a heavyweight reflects the human struggle against a world that is constantly being redefined, often beyond our control.
Equally potent is the line ‘Some men tend to linger on and some make haste from Babylon,’ suggesting a choice between dwelling on the past and actively fleeing from it, perhaps even from a corrupted civilization rich with historic resonance but fraught with contemporary implications.
