Harmony Hall (song)

"Harmony Hall"
Single by Vampire Weekend
from the album Father of the Bride
A-side	"2021" (double A-side)
Released	January 24, 2019
Recorded	2012
Genre	Indie Pop Baggy
Length	5:08
Label	Spring Snow Columbia
Songwriter(s)	Ezra Koenig
Producer(s)	Ariel Rechtshaid Ezra Koenig Rostam Batmanglij (add.)
Vampire Weekend singles chronology
"Unbelievers" (2013) "Harmony Hall" / "2021" (2019) "Sunflower" / "Big Blue" (2019)
Audio sample
file help
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

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

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

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

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

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

Musicians Ezra Koenig – vocals, acoustic guitar, piano Chris Baio – background vocals Danielle Haim – vocals Tommy King – piano Greg Leisz – electric guitar, steel guitar David Longstreth – electric guitar, vocals Benji Lysaght – guitar Justin Meldal-Johnsen – bass guitar Garrett Ray – drums Buddy Ross – keyboards, synthesizer Ariel Rechtshaid – bass guitar, percussion, programming, synthesizer, background vocals Chris Tomson – background vocals

Engineers Ariel Rechtshaid – recording Dave Schiffman – recording John DeBold – recording Chris Kasych – recording Manny Marroquin – mixing Chris Galland – engineering Chris Allgood – assistant engineering Robin Florent – assistant engineering Scott Desmarais – assistant engineering Emily Lazar – mastering

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (2019) Peak position Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[23] 50 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[24] 45 Canada Rock (Billboard)[25] 19 China Airplay/FL (Billboard)[26] 42 Iceland (Tónlistinn)[27] 20 New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[28] 25 Scotland (OCC)[29] 63 Switzerland Airplay (Schweizer Hitparade)[30] 73 UK Singles Downloads (OCC)[31] 62 US Adult Alternative Songs (Billboard)[32] 1 US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[33] 8 US Rock Airplay (Billboard)[34] 7 US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[35] 5

Year-end charts Chart (2019) Position US Adult Alternative Songs (Billboard)[36] 6 US Alternative Songs (Billboard)[37] 39 US Hot Rock Songs (Billboard)[38] 35 US Rock Airplay Songs (Billboard)[39] 33

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[40]	Gold	500,000^‡
^‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

1. Blistein, Jon (January 24, 2019). "Vampire Weekend Return After Six Years With 'Harmony Hall,' '2021'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 27, 2019.
2. 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. Larson, Jeremy D. (January 24, 2019). ""Harmony Hall" by Vampire Weekend Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved January 28, 2019.
6. 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. "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. 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. 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. 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.