Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa

Album: Vampire Weekend (2008)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This name checks ex-Genesis frontman Peter Gabriel, while another Vampire Weekend track "Oxford Comma" mentions the Atlanta crunk rapper, Lil John. Drummer Chris Tomson explained this name-checking to State magazine: "I think that it can be very helpful describing something by using someone's name, as opposed to an emotion. Hopefully it will bring up different things for different people."
  • Frontman Ezra Koenig told the Daily Mail May 23, 2008: "The beats make this one of our most African sounding songs, but I think it also sounds Irish. I was listening to accordion music when I wrote it."
  • Peter Gabriel is such a fan of Vampire Weekend that he covered this song in collaboration with the British electropop band Hot Chip. He paid tribute to Vampire Weekend in Q magazine: "They have a unique style. It's very exciting for them to introduce African influences to a whole new audience. They do it with intelligence and enthusiasm. And a sense of humor."
  • Kwassa Kwassa refers to a dance rhythm from the African country of Congo.
  • Ezra Koenig told Mojo magazine that when he wrote this song and name checked Peter Gabriel, "I wasn't thinking of him as a person, I was almost using his name as an adjective."
  • Mojo asked Gabriel what he understands of this song's lyrics and his part in them. He replied: "I've got no idea why they stuck me in there other than it was sort of African-ish and I've done some African-ish things."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star Riders

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star RidersSongwriter Interviews

Writing with Phil Lynott, Scott saw their ill-fated frontman move to a darker place in his life and lyrics.

Marc Campbell - "88 Lines About 44 Women"

Marc Campbell - "88 Lines About 44 Women"They're Playing My Song

The Nails lead singer Marc Campbell talks about those 44 women he sings about over a stock Casio keyboard track. He's married to one of them now - you might be surprised which.

Andrew Farriss of INXS

Andrew Farriss of INXSSongwriter Interviews

Andrew Farriss on writing with Michael Hutchence, the stories behind "Mystify" and other INXS hits, and his country-flavored debut solo album.

Chris Fehn of Slipknot

Chris Fehn of SlipknotSongwriter Interviews

A drummer for one of the most successful metal bands of the last decade, Chris talks about what it's like writing and performing with Slipknot. Metal-neck is a factor.

Thomas Dolby

Thomas DolbySongwriter Interviews

He wrote "She Blinded Me With Science" so he could direct a video about a home for deranged scientists.

Superman in Song

Superman in SongSong Writing

Not everyone can be a superhero, but that hasn't stopped generations of musicians from trying to be Superman.