Mansard Roof

Album: Vampire Weekend (2008)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is a song about neo classical buildings and in particular the Mansard Roof, which was popularized by the French architect Francois Mansart (1598-1666). The Mansard Roof has two slopes on each of the four sides and they were considered especially practical because they allowed usable living quarters to be placed in the attic. Mansart used these double-sloped roofs so extensively that they were coined 'Mansard' after his name.
  • The song also references the war in the South Atlantic between Britain and Argentina in 1982.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

JJ Burnel of The Stranglers

JJ Burnel of The StranglersSongwriter Interviews

JJ talks about The Stranglers' signature sound - keyboard and bass - which isn't your typical strain of punk rock.

John Doe of X

John Doe of XSongwriter Interviews

With his X-wife Exene, John fronts the band X and writes their songs.

Glen Burtnik

Glen BurtnikSongwriter Interviews

On Glen's résumé: hit songwriter, Facebook dominator, and member of Styx.

Dino Cazares of Fear Factory

Dino Cazares of Fear FactorySongwriter Interviews

The guitarist/songwriter explains how he came up with his signature sound, and deconstructs some classic Fear Factory songs.

George Harrison

George HarrisonFact or Fiction

Did Eric Clapton really steal George's wife? What's the George Harrison-Monty Python connection? Set the record straight with our Fact or Fiction quiz.

Steely Dan

Steely DanFact or Fiction

Did they really trade their guitarist to The Doobie Brothers? Are they named after something naughty? And what's up with the band name?