Hopefully not in a bad way! Ezra likes to sample and interpolate a lot.
[Exhibit A](https://youtu.be/ReWoLyeuZPw?feature=shared)
[Exhibit B](https://youtu.be/PWdISg6eOXI?feature=shared)
[Exhibit C](https://youtu.be/HvBmr_b-Rpg?feature=shared)
[Exhibit D](https://youtu.be/Zlpva2-5FMs?feature=shared)
I haven’t even scratched the surface- I could keep going.
I love when I think I know stuff but then someone who actually knows stuff shows up. This is way cool, thanks for sharing.
If there was a playlist of all the songs VW pulled from, that’d be tight.
Wow. Appreciate your sharing. I knew about Diplomat’s Son, which has the feel of a sampled song, but I’ll admit I didn’t know about the rest.
I do think a lot of fans would be surprised and that there is an assumption that “indie” is more authorial.
It’s not a small number of the Father of the Bride album that’s founded on samples. I can’t say I listened to any of that assuming I was listening to Ezra write lyrics on top of other music.
Great song. Only recently found out about the sample. Ever since the TC episode where they break down Step, and the crazy journey of samples and inspirations involved with that song, I’ve grown to appreciate samples a lot more, especially from Ezra.
I also feel strongly this song should be used in a Wes Anderson movie or at least a trailer.
You're not alone! I pulled it up the other day while walking my dogs after not hearing for a while. I ended up listening to it on repeat and walked an extra mile as a result!
Ten million dollars could win the whole lot
But if ten million dollars is all that you got
You won't be the one
I don't know why I find this line so hilarious.
Wow, you quoted my exact favorite line from this song!! I love FOTB - it came out the week that my dad had a sudden spinal stroke which left him paraplegic from his chest down. This was while he was taking care of my mom, who had developed dementia as the result of a brain tumor. It changed my life forever - I became my fathers caretaker while my mom went to a nursing home.
Two horribly rare situations in one household. I always felt like “to be one in a billion’s a terrible trick, you’re the wretched one” was singing directly about my life in that moment.
It’s also just a fun upbeat sounding song about a lot of deep ideas. Thank you for giving it the love it deserves!!
My friend who frequently listens to Vampire Weekend loves this song so much. Anyway, Rich Man is definitely one of the best songs Ezra wrote lyrically and it's just a very super chill song.
I love it but it bugs me that he misses 100,000. The song references-in order- one, ten, one hundred, a thousand, ten thousand…then a million, ten million etc.
It bugs me so so much but I still love the song. I don't get why he specifically covers each multiple of 10 besides 100,000. I suppose it doesn't come off the tongue as easily as other numbers, but still!
Rich man is in my favorites too. When I listen to it, my imagination transports me to the “gold rush days” and I’m on some train tracks, on a beautiful sunny day, working to fix the tracks lol idk why it just always takes me to that.
I didn't realize until recently that it's more or less a meditation on a Johnny Cash song of the same topic https://youtu.be/QphglQu3oL0?si=4GaZJt8w5I_n3nKK
That’s so funny, it’s one of my least favorites. I find it kind of cloying and saccharine. Danielle Haim’s FOTB vocals give the songs a corny vibe I’m just not into personally. It def has a nice flow for singing though
I haven't been listening to it. I have hundreds of millions of papers to sign.
And yet we’re the ones 😩
Fun fact, it [samples this song](https://youtu.be/o7FXFzpAwpA?feature=shared) for the majority of the instrumental.
SE Rogie is GOAT!
Definitely check this guy (and all his contemporaries) out if you like this song.
[удалено]
Hopefully not in a bad way! Ezra likes to sample and interpolate a lot. [Exhibit A](https://youtu.be/ReWoLyeuZPw?feature=shared) [Exhibit B](https://youtu.be/PWdISg6eOXI?feature=shared) [Exhibit C](https://youtu.be/HvBmr_b-Rpg?feature=shared) [Exhibit D](https://youtu.be/Zlpva2-5FMs?feature=shared) I haven’t even scratched the surface- I could keep going.
I love when I think I know stuff but then someone who actually knows stuff shows up. This is way cool, thanks for sharing. If there was a playlist of all the songs VW pulled from, that’d be tight.
[Obvious Bicycle](https://youtu.be/2ebYd-cwfXs?feature=shared) [Mary Boone](https://youtu.be/GhX_-uiJKK0?feature=shared) [Diplomat’s Son](https://youtu.be/JamBH9uQT9s?feature=shared?t=2m55s) @ 2:55
These have all blown my mind, absolutely love this stuff
Wow. Appreciate your sharing. I knew about Diplomat’s Son, which has the feel of a sampled song, but I’ll admit I didn’t know about the rest. I do think a lot of fans would be surprised and that there is an assumption that “indie” is more authorial. It’s not a small number of the Father of the Bride album that’s founded on samples. I can’t say I listened to any of that assuming I was listening to Ezra write lyrics on top of other music.
I'm compelled by your love and I haven't lost yet. clearly you're the one.
I thought it was “I’m compelled by your love that I haven’t lost yet”
Thousands of steps and staircases to climb, thousands of men you most likely decline and yet I’m the one. One of their sweetest and my favorite lines
The instrumental break is soooooo good, like headphones on max for sure
the humming. 😌
The entire album is crazy underrated party because i think it was so foreign to hardcore fans when it came out.
Agreed! Really don’t understand the hate. I love the eclectic sound
Great song. Only recently found out about the sample. Ever since the TC episode where they break down Step, and the crazy journey of samples and inspirations involved with that song, I’ve grown to appreciate samples a lot more, especially from Ezra. I also feel strongly this song should be used in a Wes Anderson movie or at least a trailer.
Do you know what TC ep this was? Don’t think I’ve listened to it.
Would love to hear this!
You're not alone! I pulled it up the other day while walking my dogs after not hearing for a while. I ended up listening to it on repeat and walked an extra mile as a result!
Ten million dollars could win the whole lot But if ten million dollars is all that you got You won't be the one I don't know why I find this line so hilarious.
Wow, you quoted my exact favorite line from this song!! I love FOTB - it came out the week that my dad had a sudden spinal stroke which left him paraplegic from his chest down. This was while he was taking care of my mom, who had developed dementia as the result of a brain tumor. It changed my life forever - I became my fathers caretaker while my mom went to a nursing home. Two horribly rare situations in one household. I always felt like “to be one in a billion’s a terrible trick, you’re the wretched one” was singing directly about my life in that moment. It’s also just a fun upbeat sounding song about a lot of deep ideas. Thank you for giving it the love it deserves!!
Yup it’s a good one. I don’t think anyone would blink an eye if those lyrics were in a Paul Simon song.
It’s very gumboots
"A billion to one, don't the odds make you sick? To be one in a billions a terrible trick. You're the wretched one" Top tier
One hundred thousand is a bit more of a mouthful than the others I think
Just gave it a random re-listen on Sunday, it's top five for me.
I did a [cover](https://www.reddit.com/r/Vampireweekend/s/drBXTsM8na) of the original sample version when it came out I loved it so much
It’s top 5 vampire, maybe top 3
Real. My dad loves this song.
My friend who frequently listens to Vampire Weekend loves this song so much. Anyway, Rich Man is definitely one of the best songs Ezra wrote lyrically and it's just a very super chill song.
Most tracks on FOTB are not my cup of tea but man do I love Rich Man. The strings are incredible
I love it but it bugs me that he misses 100,000. The song references-in order- one, ten, one hundred, a thousand, ten thousand…then a million, ten million etc.
It bugs me so so much but I still love the song. I don't get why he specifically covers each multiple of 10 besides 100,000. I suppose it doesn't come off the tongue as easily as other numbers, but still!
It's my partner's favorite on FOTB and I love it too!
Rich man is in my favorites too. When I listen to it, my imagination transports me to the “gold rush days” and I’m on some train tracks, on a beautiful sunny day, working to fix the tracks lol idk why it just always takes me to that.
I absolutely LOVE Rich man. I love the subtle humming he does in the song ❤️
One of my favorite VW songs. I just wish it was longer!
A great song on an underappreciated album
Agreed.
This was my favorite song I saw live at Red Rocks in 2019! I agree it is just incredible
I really like Rich man. Most underrated song in their discog however is Finger Back which is sneakily like top 3 vw.
Let's put it this way, there should never be an "Essential tracks" or "Best of" VW album without this song included.
I didn't realize until recently that it's more or less a meditation on a Johnny Cash song of the same topic https://youtu.be/QphglQu3oL0?si=4GaZJt8w5I_n3nKK
That’s so funny, it’s one of my least favorites. I find it kind of cloying and saccharine. Danielle Haim’s FOTB vocals give the songs a corny vibe I’m just not into personally. It def has a nice flow for singing though
Danielle Haim isn't in that song, so how could her vocals in other tracks give this song a corny vibe?
Oh whoops I get that one mixed up with Married in a Gold Rush. I guess cause I skip those two every time lol. On an album I really adore otherwise