Title: Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa
Cape Cod is a summer town in Massachusetts. Suggests wealth, relaxation, privilege
Kwassa Kwassa is an African dance rhythm that was popular in the 80s. Peter Gabriel and Paul Simon were fond of using it in their music. More recently, Vampire Weekend used it in this song.
Elements: linen, made beds, sweaters on, United colors of Benetton, Louis Vuitton, awkward yet bold proposal for sex, unnatural feeling
Themes: Hints of of affluent, late 80s girl who is relatively sheltered, Late 80's era music
Analysis: This is a portrait of sheltered young people, probably in Cape Cod. The themes here make the whole narrative feel rather like a J. Crew catalog: Bright, name-branded, anesthetized. Chorus brings these elements to the fore ( "is your bed made?") right before "do you want to fuck?" This is intended to be an inversion. The contradictory nature of the chorus is strengthened by "feels so unnatural..."; even so, there is a curiosity on the part of the singer. He is highly inquisitive and analytical, asking various questions and analyzing the feel of the situation instead of diving right into it.
It would appear that that VW invoke Peter Gabriel and United Colors of Benetton to create a tone of pseudo-cultural awareness in a relatively shelter milieu (as well as background: it's the late 80s, Peter Gabriel is huge, Benetton ads are everywhere, making people feel as though they can buy multiculturalism at a shopping mall). This is not the point, however: A Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa refers to a rhythm, the kwassa kwassa rhythm as interpreted by Cape Cod.
The point: VW seem to be discussing the sheltered, somewhat pampered, wholly neutered existence of this young couple. There is a curiosity and interest in the world around them, but their various luxuries are a hiderance to the growth of their consciousnesses. Well intentioned though they are, their forays are clumsy, obvious, and ill-conceived. So who are these young people? Kids today? VW listeners? People VW knew earlier in life? Your guess is as good as mine.
I read in an interview that it's about yuppie's, so I guess that answers Mr.Me's question 'So who are these young people?'
I read in an interview that it's about yuppie's, so I guess that answers Mr.Me's question 'So who are these young people?'
Yuppie is short for 'young urban professional' and are executives etc in their 20s and 30s who have been so busy job-hopping that they've never developed their skills (i've actually almost literally copied this from wikipedia btw cause my english isn't that good) and this term was mostly used in the 80's so I guess that also matched the years Mr.Me mentioned as well.
Yuppie is short for 'young urban professional' and are executives etc in their 20s and 30s who have been so busy job-hopping that they've never developed their skills (i've actually almost literally copied this from wikipedia btw cause my english isn't that good) and this term was mostly used in the 80's so I guess that also matched the years Mr.Me mentioned as well.
i totally agree with your analysis of the song's lyrics. your interpretation of this song is probably the most intelligent interpretation i've ever read on this site. a whole lot more insightful than the other crap on here. good job.
i totally agree with your analysis of the song's lyrics. your interpretation of this song is probably the most intelligent interpretation i've ever read on this site. a whole lot more insightful than the other crap on here. good job.
I made this account because I wanted to tell you how impressed I am with this review. It's the most professional post in an online discussion board I have ever seen and it's in the most unexpected place. Kudos to you my friend. And thanks for the analysis.
I made this account because I wanted to tell you how impressed I am with this review. It's the most professional post in an online discussion board I have ever seen and it's in the most unexpected place. Kudos to you my friend. And thanks for the analysis.
Although you're analysis was perfectly written, as a true "Cape Codder" i do have some points to make:
Although you're analysis was perfectly written, as a true "Cape Codder" i do have some points to make:
Cape Cod is not a town. It is a Cape, Technically it is an island, and in some respects it is its own little world but it is not A TOWN! Cape Cod Consists of 15 Towns in the County of Barnstable.
Of the 17 years I have spent with a residence on Cape Cod, I have never seen this "Yuppie" Lifestyle that Vamp. Weekend Talks about. Yes, there are certain areas of higher wealth and privilege, but it is...
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Cape Cod is not a town. It is a Cape, Technically it is an island, and in some respects it is its own little world but it is not A TOWN! Cape Cod Consists of 15 Towns in the County of Barnstable.
Of the 17 years I have spent with a residence on Cape Cod, I have never seen this "Yuppie" Lifestyle that Vamp. Weekend Talks about. Yes, there are certain areas of higher wealth and privilege, but it is far from the norm here. The Cape is nothing like The Hamptons for example, the overwhelming majority of Cape Codders are middle class, driving minivans and mid range SUVs, having a boat but not using it much because the gas is too expensive, working for a living and relaxing on the beach when we get the chance.
3.Cape Cod Teens are by no means sheltered, its not like anyone pulls into the student parking lot at Mashpee High School in a BMW or Cadillac (that is less than 15 years old at least). These kids earn their money washing the dishes of the tourists and selling them the shit that we have to put up with the other 8 months out of the year.
my guess is that these kids are either summer people in some of the more high end areas of the cape, there only for a month or so, or they are playing on a characterization of the cape that many people conjure the image of when the have never been here or spent any time here at all.
Let's break it down:
Title: Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa Cape Cod is a summer town in Massachusetts. Suggests wealth, relaxation, privilege Kwassa Kwassa is an African dance rhythm that was popular in the 80s. Peter Gabriel and Paul Simon were fond of using it in their music. More recently, Vampire Weekend used it in this song.
Elements: linen, made beds, sweaters on, United colors of Benetton, Louis Vuitton, awkward yet bold proposal for sex, unnatural feeling
Themes: Hints of of affluent, late 80s girl who is relatively sheltered, Late 80's era music
Analysis: This is a portrait of sheltered young people, probably in Cape Cod. The themes here make the whole narrative feel rather like a J. Crew catalog: Bright, name-branded, anesthetized. Chorus brings these elements to the fore ( "is your bed made?") right before "do you want to fuck?" This is intended to be an inversion. The contradictory nature of the chorus is strengthened by "feels so unnatural..."; even so, there is a curiosity on the part of the singer. He is highly inquisitive and analytical, asking various questions and analyzing the feel of the situation instead of diving right into it. It would appear that that VW invoke Peter Gabriel and United Colors of Benetton to create a tone of pseudo-cultural awareness in a relatively shelter milieu (as well as background: it's the late 80s, Peter Gabriel is huge, Benetton ads are everywhere, making people feel as though they can buy multiculturalism at a shopping mall). This is not the point, however: A Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa refers to a rhythm, the kwassa kwassa rhythm as interpreted by Cape Cod. The point: VW seem to be discussing the sheltered, somewhat pampered, wholly neutered existence of this young couple. There is a curiosity and interest in the world around them, but their various luxuries are a hiderance to the growth of their consciousnesses. Well intentioned though they are, their forays are clumsy, obvious, and ill-conceived. So who are these young people? Kids today? VW listeners? People VW knew earlier in life? Your guess is as good as mine.
I read in an interview that it's about yuppie's, so I guess that answers Mr.Me's question 'So who are these young people?'
I read in an interview that it's about yuppie's, so I guess that answers Mr.Me's question 'So who are these young people?'
Yuppie is short for 'young urban professional' and are executives etc in their 20s and 30s who have been so busy job-hopping that they've never developed their skills (i've actually almost literally copied this from wikipedia btw cause my english isn't that good) and this term was mostly used in the 80's so I guess that also matched the years Mr.Me mentioned as well.
Yuppie is short for 'young urban professional' and are executives etc in their 20s and 30s who have been so busy job-hopping that they've never developed their skills (i've actually almost literally copied this from wikipedia btw cause my english isn't that good) and this term was mostly used in the 80's so I guess that also matched the years Mr.Me mentioned as well.
Wow, great analysis Mr Me. Well written and very insightful.
Wow, great analysis Mr Me. Well written and very insightful.
cape cod is not a town. it's... a cape.
cape cod is not a town. it's... a cape.
i totally agree with your analysis of the song's lyrics. your interpretation of this song is probably the most intelligent interpretation i've ever read on this site. a whole lot more insightful than the other crap on here. good job.
i totally agree with your analysis of the song's lyrics. your interpretation of this song is probably the most intelligent interpretation i've ever read on this site. a whole lot more insightful than the other crap on here. good job.
I made this account because I wanted to tell you how impressed I am with this review. It's the most professional post in an online discussion board I have ever seen and it's in the most unexpected place. Kudos to you my friend. And thanks for the analysis.
I made this account because I wanted to tell you how impressed I am with this review. It's the most professional post in an online discussion board I have ever seen and it's in the most unexpected place. Kudos to you my friend. And thanks for the analysis.
absolutely perfect.
absolutely perfect.
Although you're analysis was perfectly written, as a true "Cape Codder" i do have some points to make:
Although you're analysis was perfectly written, as a true "Cape Codder" i do have some points to make:
Cape Cod is not a town. It is a Cape, Technically it is an island, and in some respects it is its own little world but it is not A TOWN! Cape Cod Consists of 15 Towns in the County of Barnstable. Of the 17 years I have spent with a residence on Cape Cod, I have never seen this "Yuppie" Lifestyle that Vamp. Weekend Talks about. Yes, there are certain areas of higher wealth and privilege, but it is...
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