BTB Breakdown #1

THE FIRST SONG SYNOPSIS. The premiere of the primary purpose of this particular blog. Basically this is how the idea goes: I'll post the lyrics, the video/link for the song, and then go into an elaborate breakdown of what I (KEY WORD "I") believe the song means.

DISCLAIMER: always read fine print because it looks suspicious. Oh and don't forget that this is how "I" interpret the song. If you disagree or have a different point of view I'd be glad to hear it but don't bag on me for my opinion.

Title: Giving Up the Gun
Artist: Vampire Weekend
Genre: Indie
[Official Music Video]
 

Lyrics

Your sword's grown old and rusty, burnt beneath the rising sun
It's locked up like a trophy, forgetting all the things it's done
And though it's been a long time, you're right back where you started from
I see it in your eyes that now you’re giving up the gun

When I was 17, I had wrists like steel and I felt complete
And now my body fades behind a brass charade and I'm obsolete
But if the chance remains to see those better days, I'd cut the cannons down
My ears are blown to bits from all the rifle hits, but still I crave that sound

Your sword's grown old and rusty, burnt beneath the rising sun
It's locked up like a trophy, forgetting all the things it's done
And though it's been a long time, you're right back where you started from
I see it in your eyes that now you’re giving up the gun

I heard you play guitar down at a seedy bar where skinheads used to fight
Your Tokugawa smile and your garbage style used to save the night
You felt the coming wave, told me we'd all be brave, you said you wouldn't flinch
But in the years that passed since I saw you last, you haven't moved an inch

Your sword's grown old and rusty, burnt beneath the rising sun
It's locked up like a trophy, forgetting all the things it's done
And though it's been a long time, you're right back where you started from
I see it in your eyes that now you’re giving up the gun

I see you shine in your way
Go on, go on, go on

Your sword's grown old and rusty, burnt beneath the rising sun
It's locked up like a trophy, forgetting all the things it's done
And though it's been a long time, you're right back where you started from
I see it in your eyes that now you’re giving up the gun

 Time to get down to Business:

The Japanese Background
First off here's some brief background knowledge I will reference: The song's title shares resemblance to the historical analysis of Japan called Giving Up the Gun: Japan's Reversion to the Sword, 1543-1879 by Noel Perrin. The novel elucidates Japan's technological oscillations during around the Tokugawa's Rule. Tokugawa was "Of or relating to a family of shoguns that ruled Japan from 1603 to 1867, a period marked by centralized feudalism, the growth of urban centers, exclusionary policies against the West, and a rise in literacy." Simply stated, this ruling family cut off trade from the West because of its influence on Japan. One of the most significant points is of course the introduction of the gun. In Japan, the rifle was taken by storm and purchased in mass. However, after the weapon was mastered, the country abandoned it and went back to traditional weapons, mainly the notorious sword. If you haven't picked up the connections between the song and these tidbits then please re-listen to the song. If you think this is an obscure relation that happened by chance, the video has Japanese writing in the intro which is another link, so to say. 
 
This Japanese adornment is mainly a backdrop for Giving Up The Gun's more 'between the line' meaning. The main theme is, in a sense, a longing for the past yet content with the future. There's a few ways the song can be taken from perspective wise: the more personal feeling for Ezra and the band, the Japanese connection, and a more general moral. 

Ezra's [VW's Singer] Personal Link
The more personal translation can be seen in the lines 

"When I was 17, I had wrists like steel and I felt complete
And now my body fades behind a brass charade and I'm obsolete
But if the chance remains to see those better days, I'd cut the cannons down
My ears are blown to bits from all the rifle hits, but still I crave that sound"

This has a musical undertone in the point that Ezra is singing how his wrists like steel are linked to playing the guitar, in this case his metaphorical sword. He is now obsolete because of the technological advancements and vast changes in the music industry, especially with all the synths and electronic inventions [noticeable in the different sound of their new album]. His body is fading because his music is being overshadowed by all the new technology and sounds that the modern generation desires. He wishes he could cut down the cannons of the musical technology and return to the old style of music, however although he's been hurt by the new changes in music he still craves the song. In the overall picture, Ezra is pointing towards his personal perspective on the music industry and how it's changing and his "sword's grown old and rusty, burnt beneath the rising sun," the rising sun being the technological changes in music. However, although he dislikes the change he is still content with the future and knows he cannot purely return to his roots of musical sounds. This is linked to the Tokugawa story because the Japanese had became obsessed with the new weapon yet they had always wanted to return to their origins and traditional weapons. They had an aversion for the changes the new weapon brought and although they had to adapt and master it, the masters and shoguns' honor would never let them give in to the gun's power. They stuck with their traditional samurai sword.

The General Message
As a whole this song can be linked to people's lives who have experienced most of the following:
-In the past they had dreams and aspirations for a fantastic future [the rusty sword] and their planned out future was their main goal for their life
-Time has taken over and they have forgotten their dreams and have resulted to more pragmatic careers and lifestyle's to fit their needs for survival
-Looking back they yearn for their past dreams to have came true, yet it is too late now to completely go back and return to their dreams. However, they are content with their lives now for although they didn't accomplish their dreams they have found a way of life that satiate's their past desires.
-After their epiphany, they decide that they can give up their "gun's" for the lives they have now. They can move on and discover their new desires or at least go on living their lives with content for they can't have the past they desired but they have adapted to the future and have implemented as much of the past into their modern lives as they possibly could.

The final verse of the song sums up the overall conclusive epiphany that the 'people' have, in a way, come to accept.

I see you shine in your way
Go on, go on, go on

 They are shining now for they have remembered their past and although they yearn for it they have overcome life's course change and are now going on with the lives that they are content with.

This song's aesthetic sounds and Vampire Weekend's style have such a unique aftertaste for it takes multiple takes to finally begin to piece together what the song is truly saying. That being said, Giving Up the Gun is one of my favorite songs on their new album and my personal perspective makes me take this meaning away from the song:

Hold on to your dreams and desires and work your hardest to reach them, but if life goes on and changes course find satisfaction within yourself for the position you have come to. Remember your desires but don't throw away your current success for a past mirage of aspirations.


Completion! I've finally created my first Song Synopsis and I had a blast looking into the deeper meanings of one of my favorite band's amazing song. I hope my logic was clear and for this next week my next synopsis is up for suggestions! Let me know what you thought about this one and what you'd like my next one to be.

Thanks a bunch for sticking with this blog and finally having the chance to see my idea come to life! With love,
-Rami