Jump to content

Harmony Hall (song): Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Annie.svu (talk | contribs)
57 edits
m accidentally bolded word in previous edit
GreenC bot (talk | contribs)
Bots
2,547,815 edits
 
(34 intermediate revisions by 23 users not shown)
Line 10: Line 10:
| A-side = "[[2021 (song)|2021]]" (double A-side)
| A-side = "[[2021 (song)|2021]]" (double A-side)
| released = January 24, 2019
| released = January 24, 2019
| recorded = 2012
| format = [[Music download|Digital download]]
| genre = <!-- DO NOT change without source -->
| genre = <!-- DO NOT change without source -->
* [[Indie pop]]
* [[Indie Pop]]
* [[Baggy]]
* [[country music|country]]-[[soul music|soul]]
| length = 5:08
| length = 5:08
| label =
| label = * Spring Snow
* Spring Snow
* [[Columbia Records|Columbia]]
* [[Columbia Records|Columbia]]
| writer = [[Ezra Koenig]]
| writer = [[Ezra Koenig]]
| producer =
| producer = * [[Ariel Rechtshaid]]
* [[Ariel Rechtshaid]]
* Ezra Koenig
* Ezra Koenig
* [[Rostam Batmanglij]] ({{abbr|add.|additional production}})
* [[Rostam Batmanglij]] ({{abbr|add.|additional production}})
Line 28: Line 26:
| next_title = [[Sunflower (Vampire Weekend song)|Sunflower]]" / "[[Big Blue (song)|Big Blue]]
| next_title = [[Sunflower (Vampire Weekend song)|Sunflower]]" / "[[Big Blue (song)|Big Blue]]
| next_year = 2019
| next_year = 2019
| misc = {{Audio sample
| misc = {{Audio sample
| type = single
| type = single
| file = Vampire Weekend - HarmonyHall.ogg
| file = Vampire Weekend - HarmonyHall.ogg
Line 36: Line 34:
}}
}}
}}
}}
"'''Harmony Hall'''" is a song by American indie pop band [[Vampire Weekend]]. It is the lead single from their fourth [[studio album]] ''[[Father of the Bride (album)|Father of the Bride]]'', and was released on January 24, 2019 by [[Columbia Records]] as a [[double A-side]] with "[[2021 (song)|2021]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/vampire-weekend-new-song-harmony-hall-783785/|title=Vampire Weekend Return After Six Years With 'Harmony Hall,' '2021'|last=Blistein|first=Jon|date=January 24, 2019|website=[[Rolling Stone]]|accessdate=January 27, 2019}}</ref> It received a nomination for [[Grammy Award for Best Rock Song|Best Rock Song]] at the [[62nd Annual Grammy Awards]].
"'''Harmony Hall'''" is a song by American indie pop band [[Vampire Weekend]]. It is the lead single from their fourth [[studio album]], ''[[Father of the Bride (album)|Father of the Bride]]'', and was released on January 24, 2019, by [[Columbia Records]] as a [[double A-side]] with "[[2021 (song)|2021]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/vampire-weekend-new-song-harmony-hall-783785/|title=Vampire Weekend Return After Six Years With 'Harmony Hall,' '2021'|last=Blistein|first=Jon|date=January 24, 2019|website=[[Rolling Stone]]|accessdate=January 27, 2019}}</ref> It is the band's highest-charting single on the U.S. [[Alternative Songs]] and [[Hot Rock Songs]] charts, peaking at No. 8 and No. 5, respectively. It also received a nomination for [[Grammy Award for Best Rock Song|Best Rock Song]] at the [[62nd Annual Grammy Awards]].


==Music and lyrics==
==Music and lyrics==
The "rolling country-soul"<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Lynskey|first=Dorian|date=June 2019|title=Marital Bliss|magazine=[[Q (magazine)|Q]]|location=London|publisher=[[Bauer Media Group]]}}</ref> and [[indie pop]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ft.com/content/bee88248-6b41-11e9-80c7-60ee53e6681d|title=Vampire Weekend: Father of the Bride — a fussy muddle of country, experimental and indie-pop|last=Hunter-Tilney|first=Ludovic|date=May 3, 2019|website=[[Financial Times]]|access-date=May 10, 2019}}</ref> of "Harmony Hall" has been compared to the [[Grateful Dead]], specifically their song "[[Touch of Grey]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.spin.com/2019/01/vampire-weekend-harmony-hall-track-review/|title=Vampire Weekend Made It a Hot Line, Then Made it a Hot Song|last=Cush|first=Andy|date=January 24, 2019|website=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]|accessdate=January 28, 2019}}</ref><ref name="Pitchfork">{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/vampire-weekend-harmony-hall/|title="Harmony Hall" by Vampire Weekend Review|last=Larson|first=Jeremy D.|date=January 24, 2019|website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]|accessdate=January 28, 2019}}</ref><ref name="Variety"/><ref name="The Atlantic"/> The song's release saw the band once again receive comparisons to the music of [[Paul Simon]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.brooklynvegan.com/vampire-weekend-share-harmony-hall-2021/|title=Vampire Weekend share "Harmony Hall" & "2021"|last=Sacher|first=Andrew|date=January 24, 2019|website=[[BrooklynVegan]]|accessdate=January 28, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://relevantmagazine.com/culture/youve-gotta-check-out-vampire-weekends-first-new-songs-in-six-years/|title=You've Gotta Check Out Vampire Weekend's First New Songs in Six Years|date=January 24, 2019|website=[[Relevant (magazine)|Relevant]]|accessdate=January 28, 2019}}</ref><ref name="DIY"/><ref>{{cite magazine|last=Lynskey|first=Dorian|date=June 2019|title=Marital Bliss|magazine=[[Q (magazine)|Q]]|location=London|publisher=[[Bauer Media Group]]}}</ref> The track's piano groove, percussion, and breakbeats are influenced by British [[baggy]], [[rave]], and [[Madchester]] music from the 1990s, such as "Step On" by Happy Mondays, while the piano and strings in the bridge exhibit a [[Baroque music|Baroque]] style.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.radiox.co.uk/artists/vampire-weekend/radio-x-soundcheck-session-live/|title=Vampire Weekend talk new music & perform Harmony Hall, This Life & A-Punk in Radio X Soundcheck Sessions|publisher=[[Radio X (United Kingdom)|Radio X]]|date=May 11, 2019|access-date=May 17, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2019/01/vampire-weekend-harmony-hall-song-review-uncool-joy/581449/|title=The Thrilling Uncoolness of Vampire Weekend’s ‘Harmony Hall’|last=Kornhaber|first=Spencer|date=January 19, 2019|website=[[The Atlantic]]|access-date=May 17, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://bristolinstereo.com/releases-of-the-month-may-3/|title=Releases of the Month // May|last=Wright|first=Danny|date=May 2, 2019|website=[[Bristol in Stereo]]|access-date=May 17, 2019}}</ref>
The "rolling country-soul"<ref name="Lynskey">{{cite magazine|last=Lynskey|first=Dorian|date=June 2019|title=Marital Bliss|magazine=[[Q (magazine)|Q]]|location=London|publisher=[[Bauer Media Group]]}}</ref> and [[indie pop]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ft.com/content/bee88248-6b41-11e9-80c7-60ee53e6681d|title=Vampire Weekend: Father of the Bride — a fussy muddle of country, experimental and indie-pop|last=Hunter-Tilney|first=Ludovic|date=May 3, 2019|website=[[Financial Times]]|access-date=May 10, 2019}}</ref> of "Harmony Hall" has been compared to the [[Grateful Dead]], specifically their song "[[Touch of Grey]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.spin.com/2019/01/vampire-weekend-harmony-hall-track-review/|title=Vampire Weekend Made It a Hot Line, Then Made it a Hot Song|last=Cush|first=Andy|date=January 24, 2019|website=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]|accessdate=January 28, 2019}}</ref><ref name="Pitchfork">{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/vampire-weekend-harmony-hall/|title="Harmony Hall" by Vampire Weekend Review|last=Larson|first=Jeremy D.|date=January 24, 2019|website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]|accessdate=January 28, 2019}}</ref><ref name="Variety"/><ref name="The Atlantic"/> The song's release saw the band once again receive comparisons to the music of [[Paul Simon]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.brooklynvegan.com/vampire-weekend-share-harmony-hall-2021/|title=Vampire Weekend share "Harmony Hall" & "2021"|last=Sacher|first=Andrew|date=January 24, 2019|website=[[BrooklynVegan]]|accessdate=January 28, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://relevantmagazine.com/culture/youve-gotta-check-out-vampire-weekends-first-new-songs-in-six-years/|title=You've Gotta Check Out Vampire Weekend's First New Songs in Six Years|date=January 24, 2019|website=[[Relevant (magazine)|Relevant]]|accessdate=January 28, 2019}}</ref><ref name="DIY"/><ref name="Lynskey"/> The track's piano groove, percussion, and breakbeats are influenced by British [[baggy]], [[rave]], and [[Madchester]] music from the 1990s, such as "[[Unbelievable (EMF song)|Unbelievable]]" by [[EMF (band)|EMF]], while the piano and strings in the bridge exhibit a [[Baroque music|Baroque]] style.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.radiox.co.uk/artists/vampire-weekend/radio-x-soundcheck-session-live/|title=Vampire Weekend talk new music & perform Harmony Hall, This Life & A-Punk in Radio X Soundcheck Sessions|publisher=[[Radio X (United Kingdom)|Radio X]]|date=May 11, 2019|access-date=May 17, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2019/01/vampire-weekend-harmony-hall-song-review-uncool-joy/581449/|title=The Thrilling Uncoolness of Vampire Weekend's 'Harmony Hall'|last=Kornhaber|first=Spencer|date=January 19, 2019|website=[[The Atlantic]]|access-date=May 17, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://bristolinstereo.com/releases-of-the-month-may-3/|title=Releases of the Month // May|last=Wright|first=Danny|date=May 2, 2019|website=[[Bristol in Stereo]]|access-date=May 17, 2019|archive-date=February 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200202111347/https://www.bristolinstereo.com/releases-of-the-month-may-3/|url-status=dead}}</ref>


The song's lyrics present a feeling of dread, contrasted against its upbeat sound.<ref name="Rolling Stone"/><ref name="Pitchfork"/> The song's chorus features the lyric "Anybody with a worried mind could never forgive the sight/Of wicked snakes inside a place you thought was dignified." The single's artwork features a snake. The chorus also features the lyric "I don’t wanna live like this, but I don't wanna die," an [[Interpolation (popular music)|interpolation]] of the same lyric from Vampire Weekend's song "Finger Back" from their third album ''[[Modern Vampires of the City]]''.<ref name="Rolling Stone">{{cite web|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/vampire-weekend-harmony-hall-song-you-need-to-know-783485/|title=Song You Need to Know: Vampire Weekend, ‘Harmony Hall’|last=Tijerina|first=Daniela|date=January 27, 2019|website=[[Rolling Stone]]|accessdate=January 28, 2019}}</ref>
The song's lyrics present a feeling of dread, contrasted against its upbeat sound.<ref name="Rolling Stone"/><ref name="Pitchfork"/> The song's chorus features the lyric "Anybody with a worried mind could never forgive the sight/Of wicked snakes inside a place you thought was dignified." The single's artwork features a snake. The chorus also features the lyric "I don’t wanna live like this, but I don't wanna die," an [[Interpolation (popular music)|interpolation]] of the same lyric from Vampire Weekend's song "Finger Back" from their third album, ''[[Modern Vampires of the City]]''.<ref name="Rolling Stone">{{cite web|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/vampire-weekend-harmony-hall-song-you-need-to-know-783485/|title=Song You Need to Know: Vampire Weekend, 'Harmony Hall'|last=Tijerina|first=Daniela|date=January 27, 2019|website=[[Rolling Stone]]|accessdate=January 28, 2019}}</ref>


==Title==
==Title==
Line 47: Line 45:


==Critical reception==
==Critical reception==
Jeremy D. Larson of ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]'' described the song as "buoyant, filled with the kind of sunlit energy created when throwing open the shutters," but described its similarity to "Touch of Grey" as "a bit out of step".<ref name="Pitchfork"/> Will Richards of ''[[DIY (magazine)|DIY]]'' praised the new upbeat sound, saying, "Of all the experimentation five and a half years could've brought for Vampire Weekend, 'Harmony Hall' simply sees them refining, expanding their palate subtly and gorgeously."<ref name="DIY">{{cite web|url=http://diymag.com/2019/01/24/vampire-weekend-harmony-hall-track-review|title=Track review: Vampire Weekend - Harmony Hall|last=Richards|first=Will|date=January 24, 2019|website=[[DIY (magazine)|DIY]]|accessdate=January 28, 2019}}</ref> Raisa Bruner of ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' called the song "sweet and nimble" and said its "rich guitar and piano riffing" would please longtime fans.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://time.com/5512427/5-songs-you-need-to-listen-to-this-week-71/|title=5 Songs You Need to Listen to This Week|last=Bruner|first=Raisa|date=January 25, 2019|website=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|accessdate=January 31, 2019}}</ref>
Jeremy D. Larson of ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]'' described the song as "buoyant, filled with the kind of sunlit energy created when throwing open the shutters," but described its similarity to "Touch of Grey" as "a bit out of step".<ref name="Pitchfork"/> Will Richards of ''[[DIY (magazine)|DIY]]'' praised the new upbeat sound, saying, "Of all the experimentation five and a half years could've brought for Vampire Weekend, 'Harmony Hall' simply sees them refining, expanding their palate subtly and gorgeously."<ref name="DIY">{{cite web|url=http://diymag.com/2019/01/24/vampire-weekend-harmony-hall-track-review|title=Track review: Vampire Weekend - Harmony Hall|last=Richards|first=Will|date=January 24, 2019|website=[[DIY (magazine)|DIY]]|accessdate=January 28, 2019}}</ref> Raisa Bruner of ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' called the song "sweet and nimble" and said its "rich guitar and piano riffing" would please longtime fans.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://time.com/5512427/5-songs-you-need-to-listen-to-this-week-71/|title=5 Songs You Need to Listen to This Week|last=Bruner|first=Raisa|date=January 25, 2019|website=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|access-date=January 31, 2019}}</ref>


==Music video==
==Music video==
A music video for the song was released on February 20, 2019. It features the band, as well as cameo appearances from [[Jonah Hill]], [[Ariel Rechtshaid]], [[Dev Hynes]], and [[Danielle Haim]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/watch-vampire-weekend-new-harmony-hall-video/|title=Watch Vampire Weekend's New "Harmony Hall" Video|last=Blais-Billie|first=Braudie|date=February 20, 2019|website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]|accessdate=February 22, 2019}}</ref> It was directed by [[Emmett Malloy]], who previously directed videos for the band's singles "[[Giving Up the Gun]]" and "[[Holiday (Vampire Weekend song)|Holiday]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/8499213/vampire-weekend-video-harmony-hall|title=Vampire Weekend's Ezra Koenig Makes Pancakes, Jonah Hill Cameos in 'Harmony Hall' Video: Watch|last=Acevedo|first=Angelica|date=February 20, 2019|website=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|accessdate=February 22, 2019}}</ref>
A music video for the song was released on February 20, 2019. It features Koenig preparing [[pancake art]] using a [[spirograph]], and cutaways featuring a [[green tree python]], the band performing in front of [[pyrotechnics]], and cameo appearances from [[Jonah Hill]], [[Ariel Rechtshaid]], [[Dev Hynes]], and [[Danielle Haim]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/watch-vampire-weekend-new-harmony-hall-video/|title=Watch Vampire Weekend's New "Harmony Hall" Video|last=Blais-Billie|first=Braudie|date=February 20, 2019|website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]|accessdate=February 22, 2019}}</ref><ref name="Joyce 2019 ">{{cite web |last=Joyce |first=Colin |title=The Snake Is the Star in Vampire Weekend's "Harmony Hall" Video |website=VICE |date=February 20, 2019 |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/panz4v/vampire-weekend-harmony-hall-video |access-date=February 18, 2024}}</ref><ref name="Innes 2019">{{cite web |last=Innes |first=Katia |title=Vampire Weekend's misplaced nostalgia trip |website=The McGill Tribune |date=February 26, 2019 |url=https://www.thetribune.ca/a-e/vampire-weekends-misplaced-nostalgia-trip-02262019/ |access-date=February 18, 2024}}</ref><ref name="Doyle 2019 ">{{cite web |last=Doyle |first=Patrick |title=Watch Vampire Weekend's Breakfast-Themed Video for 'Harmony Hall' |website=Rolling Stone |date=February 20, 2019 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/watch-vampire-weekends-breakfast-themed-video-for-harmony-hall-796697/ |access-date=February 18, 2024}}</ref> It was directed by [[Emmett Malloy]], who previously directed videos for the band's singles "[[Giving Up the Gun]]" and "[[Holiday (Vampire Weekend song)|Holiday]]".<ref name="Doyle 2019 "/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/8499213/vampire-weekend-video-harmony-hall|title=Vampire Weekend's Ezra Koenig Makes Pancakes, Jonah Hill Cameos in 'Harmony Hall' Video: Watch|last=Acevedo|first=Angelica|date=February 20, 2019|website=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|accessdate=February 22, 2019}}</ref>


==Personnel==
==Personnel==
Line 67: Line 65:
* [[Justin Meldal-Johnsen]] – bass guitar
* [[Justin Meldal-Johnsen]] – bass guitar
* Garrett Ray – drums
* Garrett Ray – drums
* Buddy Ross – keyboards, synthesizer
* [[Buddy Ross]] – keyboards, synthesizer
* [[Ariel Rechtshaid]] – bass guitar, percussion, programming, synthesizer, background vocals
* [[Ariel Rechtshaid]] – bass guitar, percussion, programming, synthesizer, background vocals
* [[Chris Tomson]] – background vocals
* [[Chris Tomson]] – background vocals
Line 85: Line 83:


==Charts==
==Charts==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}

===Weekly charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|-
|-
Line 94: Line 96:
{{single chart|Wallonia|45|artist=Vampire Weekend|song=Harmony Hall|rowheader=true|accessdate=April 5, 2019}}
{{single chart|Wallonia|45|artist=Vampire Weekend|song=Harmony Hall|rowheader=true|accessdate=April 5, 2019}}
|-
|-
{{single chart|Billboardcanadarock|19|artist=Vampire Weekend|access-date=September 22, 2022|rowheader=true}}
⚫
! scope="row"| New Zealand Hot Singles ([[Recorded Music NZ|RMNZ]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nztop40.co.nz/chart/hotsingles?chart=4588|title=NZ Hot Singles Chart|publisher=[[Recorded Music NZ]]|date=February 4, 2019|accessdate=February 1, 2019}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | China Airplay/FL (''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'')<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billboardchina.cn/top/radiocharts/2019-05-13.html|title=China Airplay Chart/Foreign Language - 13/05/2019|work=[[Billboard China]]|language=Chinese|accessdate=September 22, 2022|archive-date=2019-05-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190523190837/http://www.billboardchina.cn/top/radiocharts/2019-05-13.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| 42
|-
!scope="row"| Iceland ([[Tónlistinn]])<ref name = "ICEPeak">{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190508143838/http://plotutidindi.is/lagalistinn/|archivedate=May 8, 2019|url=http://plotutidindi.is/lagalistinn/|title=Vika 18 – 2019|language=is|website=Plötutíðindi|access-date=September 29, 2022}}</ref>
| 20
|-
⚫
! scope="row"| New Zealand Hot Singles ([[Recorded Music NZ|RMNZ]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/hot-singles/2019-02-01|title=NZ Hot Singles Chart|publisher=[[Recorded Music NZ]]|date=February 4, 2019|access-date=February 1, 2019}}</ref>
| 25
| 25
|-
|-
{{single chart|Scotland|63|date=20190322|rowheader=true|accessdate=March 23, 2019}}
{{single chart|Scotland|63|date=20190322|rowheader=true|accessdate=March 23, 2019}}
|-
! scope="row"| Switzerland Airplay ([[Schweizer Hitparade]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hitparade.ch/charts/airplay/09-2019|title=Schweizer Airplay Charts 09/2019 - hitparade.ch |publisher=hitparade.ch |access-date=February 23, 2022}}</ref>
| 73
|-
{{single chart|UKdownload|62|date=20190322|rowheader=true|accessdate=13 May 2020}}
|-
|-
{{single chart|Billboardadultalternativesongs|1|artist=Vampire Weekend|rowheader=true|accessdate=March 18, 2019}}
{{single chart|Billboardadultalternativesongs|1|artist=Vampire Weekend|rowheader=true|accessdate=March 18, 2019}}
|-
|-
{{single chart|Billboardalternativesongs|10|artist=Vampire Weekend|rowheader=true|accessdate=March 18, 2019}}
{{single chart|Billboardalternativesongs|8|artist=Vampire Weekend|rowheader=true|accessdate=March 18, 2019}}
|-
|-
{{single chart|Billboardrockairplay|7|artist=Vampire Weekend|rowheader=true|accessdate=March 18, 2019}}
{{single chart|Billboardrockairplay|7|artist=Vampire Weekend|rowheader=true|accessdate=March 18, 2019}}
Line 107: Line 122:
{{single chart|Billboardrocksongs|5|artist=Vampire Weekend|rowheader=true|accessdate=February 5, 2019}}
{{single chart|Billboardrocksongs|5|artist=Vampire Weekend|rowheader=true|accessdate=February 5, 2019}}
|}
|}
{{col-2}}

===Year-end charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|-
! scope="col"| Chart (2019)
! scope="col"| Position
|-
! scope="row"| US Adult Alternative Songs (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2019/adult-alternative-songs|title=Adult Alternative Songs – Year-End 2019|work=Billboard|accessdate=December 12, 2019}}</ref>
| 6
|-
! scope="row"| US Alternative Songs (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2019/alternative-songs|title=Alternative Songs – Year-End 2019|work=Billboard|accessdate=December 12, 2019}}</ref>
| 39
|-
! scope="row"| US Hot Rock Songs (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2019/hot-rock-songs|title=Hot Rock Songs – Year-End 2019|work=Billboard|accessdate=December 12, 2019}}</ref>
| 35
|-
! scope="row"| US Rock Airplay Songs (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2019/rock-airplay-songs|title=Rock Airplay Songs – Year-End 2019|work=Billboard|accessdate=December 12, 2019}}</ref>
| 33
|}
{{col-end}}

==Certifications==
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|award=Gold|artist=Vampire Weekend|title=Harmony Hall|relyear=2019|certyear=2021|access-date=November 24, 2021}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|noshipments=true|streaming=true}}


==References==
==References==
Line 112: Line 153:


{{Vampire Weekend}}
{{Vampire Weekend}}

{{authority control}}


[[Category:2019 songs]]
[[Category:2019 songs]]

Latest revision as of 04:37, 20 November 2024

"Harmony Hall"
Single by Vampire Weekend
from the album Father of the Bride
A-side"2021" (double A-side)
ReleasedJanuary 24, 2019
Recorded2012
Genre
Length5:08
Label
Songwriter(s)Ezra Koenig
Producer(s)
Vampire Weekend singles chronology
"Unbelievers"
(2013) 		"Harmony Hall" / "2021"
(2019) 		"Sunflower" / "Big Blue"
(2019)
Audio sample
Music video
"Harmony Hall" on YouTube

"Harmony Hall" is a song by American indie pop band Vampire Weekend. It is the lead single from their fourth studio album, Father of the Bride, and was released on January 24, 2019, by Columbia Records as a double A-side with "2021".[1] It is the band's highest-charting single on the U.S. Alternative Songs and Hot Rock Songs charts, peaking at No. 8 and No. 5, respectively. It also received a nomination for Best Rock Song at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards.

Music and lyrics

[edit]

The "rolling country-soul"[2] and indie pop[3] of "Harmony Hall" has been compared to the Grateful Dead, specifically their song "Touch of Grey".[4][5][6][7] The song's release saw the band once again receive comparisons to the music of Paul Simon.[8][9][10][2] The track's piano groove, percussion, and breakbeats are influenced by British baggy, rave, and Madchester music from the 1990s, such as "Unbelievable" by EMF, while the piano and strings in the bridge exhibit a Baroque style.[11][12][13]

The song's lyrics present a feeling of dread, contrasted against its upbeat sound.[14][5] The song's chorus features the lyric "Anybody with a worried mind could never forgive the sight/Of wicked snakes inside a place you thought was dignified." The single's artwork features a snake. The chorus also features the lyric "I don’t wanna live like this, but I don't wanna die," an interpolation of the same lyric from Vampire Weekend's song "Finger Back" from their third album, Modern Vampires of the City.[14]

Title

[edit]

The song shares the name of an undergraduate dormitory at Columbia University, where Vampire Weekend formed.[6] Frontman Ezra Koenig has, however, said that the title is not a reference to the dormitory. The title has also been interpreted as a synonym for "echo chamber".[7]

Critical reception

[edit]

Jeremy D. Larson of Pitchfork described the song as "buoyant, filled with the kind of sunlit energy created when throwing open the shutters," but described its similarity to "Touch of Grey" as "a bit out of step".[5] Will Richards of DIY praised the new upbeat sound, saying, "Of all the experimentation five and a half years could've brought for Vampire Weekend, 'Harmony Hall' simply sees them refining, expanding their palate subtly and gorgeously."[10] Raisa Bruner of Time called the song "sweet and nimble" and said its "rich guitar and piano riffing" would please longtime fans.[15]

Music video

[edit]

A music video for the song was released on February 20, 2019. It features Koenig preparing pancake art using a spirograph, and cutaways featuring a green tree python, the band performing in front of pyrotechnics, and cameo appearances from Jonah Hill, Ariel Rechtshaid, Dev Hynes, and Danielle Haim.[16][17][18][19] It was directed by Emmett Malloy, who previously directed videos for the band's singles "Giving Up the Gun" and "Holiday".[19][20]

Personnel

[edit]

Credits adapted from Qobuz and Tidal.[21][22]

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[40] Gold 500,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Blistein, Jon (January 24, 2019). "Vampire Weekend Return After Six Years With 'Harmony Hall,' '2021'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 27, 2019.
  2. ^ a b Lynskey, Dorian (June 2019). "Marital Bliss". Q. London: Bauer Media Group.
  3. ^ Hunter-Tilney, Ludovic (May 3, 2019). "Vampire Weekend: Father of the Bride — a fussy muddle of country, experimental and indie-pop". Financial Times. Retrieved May 10, 2019.
  4. ^ Cush, Andy (January 24, 2019). "Vampire Weekend Made It a Hot Line, Then Made it a Hot Song". Spin. Retrieved January 28, 2019.
  5. ^ a b c Larson, Jeremy D. (January 24, 2019). ""Harmony Hall" by Vampire Weekend Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved January 28, 2019.
  6. ^ a b Gopalan, Nisha (January 25, 2019). "Vampire Weekend's New Music Nods to Steve Martin, the Dead and the Band's College Roots". Variety. Retrieved January 27, 2019.
  7. ^ a b "The Thrilling Uncoolness of Vampire Weekend's 'Harmony Hall'". The Atlantic. January 29, 2019. Retrieved January 30, 2019.
  8. ^ Sacher, Andrew (January 24, 2019). "Vampire Weekend share "Harmony Hall" & "2021"". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved January 28, 2019.
  9. ^ "You've Gotta Check Out Vampire Weekend's First New Songs in Six Years". Relevant. January 24, 2019. Retrieved January 28, 2019.
  10. ^ a b Richards, Will (January 24, 2019). "Track review: Vampire Weekend - Harmony Hall". DIY. Retrieved January 28, 2019.
  11. ^ "Vampire Weekend talk new music & perform Harmony Hall, This Life & A-Punk in Radio X Soundcheck Sessions". Radio X. May 11, 2019. Retrieved May 17, 2019.
  12. ^ Kornhaber, Spencer (January 19, 2019). "The Thrilling Uncoolness of Vampire Weekend's 'Harmony Hall'". The Atlantic. Retrieved May 17, 2019.
  13. ^ Wright, Danny (May 2, 2019). "Releases of the Month // May". Bristol in Stereo. Archived from the original on February 2, 2020. Retrieved May 17, 2019.
  14. ^ a b Tijerina, Daniela (January 27, 2019). "Song You Need to Know: Vampire Weekend, 'Harmony Hall'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 28, 2019.
  15. ^ Bruner, Raisa (January 25, 2019). "5 Songs You Need to Listen to This Week". Time. Retrieved January 31, 2019.
  16. ^ Blais-Billie, Braudie (February 20, 2019). "Watch Vampire Weekend's New "Harmony Hall" Video". Pitchfork. Retrieved February 22, 2019.
  17. ^ Joyce, Colin (February 20, 2019). "The Snake Is the Star in Vampire Weekend's "Harmony Hall" Video". VICE. Retrieved February 18, 2024.
  18. ^ Innes, Katia (February 26, 2019). "Vampire Weekend's misplaced nostalgia trip". The McGill Tribune. Retrieved February 18, 2024.
  19. ^ a b Doyle, Patrick (February 20, 2019). "Watch Vampire Weekend's Breakfast-Themed Video for 'Harmony Hall'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved February 18, 2024.
  20. ^ Acevedo, Angelica (February 20, 2019). "Vampire Weekend's Ezra Koenig Makes Pancakes, Jonah Hill Cameos in 'Harmony Hall' Video: Watch". Billboard. Retrieved February 22, 2019.
  21. ^ "Harmony Hall / 2021 | Vampire Weekend". Qobuz. Retrieved January 27, 2019.
  22. ^ "Harmony Hall / 2021 / Vampire Weekend". Tidal. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
  23. ^ "Vampire Weekend – Harmony Hall" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved March 2, 2019.
  24. ^ "Vampire Weekend – Harmony Hall" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved April 5, 2019.
  25. ^ "Vampire Weekend Chart History (Canada Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved September 22, 2022.
  26. ^ "China Airplay Chart/Foreign Language - 13/05/2019". Billboard China (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 2019-05-23. Retrieved September 22, 2022.
  27. ^ "Vika 18 – 2019". Plötutíðindi (in Icelandic). Archived from the original on May 8, 2019. Retrieved September 29, 2022.
  28. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. February 4, 2019. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  29. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 23, 2019.
  30. ^ "Schweizer Airplay Charts 09/2019 - hitparade.ch". hitparade.ch. Retrieved February 23, 2022.
  31. ^ "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
  32. ^ "Vampire Weekend Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 18, 2019.
  33. ^ "Vampire Weekend Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved March 18, 2019.
  34. ^ "Vampire Weekend Chart History (Rock Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved March 18, 2019.
  35. ^ "Vampire Weekend Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 5, 2019.
  36. ^ "Adult Alternative Songs – Year-End 2019". Billboard. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
  37. ^ "Alternative Songs – Year-End 2019". Billboard. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
  38. ^ "Hot Rock Songs – Year-End 2019". Billboard. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
  39. ^ "Rock Airplay Songs – Year-End 2019". Billboard. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
  40. ^ "American single certifications – Vampire Weekend – Harmony Hall". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Harmony_Hall_(song)&oldid=1258516726"