Listen: Vampire Weekend Covers Andrea Bocelli, ‘Con te Partirò’

showcased a hell of a lot on their year-defining ‘Modern Vampires Of The City’ album in 2013. But not this. Not Ezra Koenig singing in actual Italian, back by harp strings and a reggae rhythm.

The cause is for Starbucks’ Valentine’s Day compilation ‘Sweetheart 2014’, in which the likes of Beck and Phosphorescent are also participating.

Vampire Weekend’s contribution is a cover of Andrea Bocelli, ‘Con te Partirò’. Their version sounds twenty times more original than any Il Divo number, and probably a fair bit more romantic too. Ezra singing in Italian is, as suspected, a revelation.



‘Sweetheart 2014’ tracklist:

01. Jim James – “Turn Your Lights Down Low” (Bob Marley cover)
02. Vampire Weekend – “Con Te Partirò” (Inspired by the Andrea Bocelli recording)
03. Beck – “Love” (John Lennon cover)
04. Phosphorescent – “Tomorrow Is A Long Time” (Bob Dylan cover)
05. The Head and the Heart – “Don’t Forget Me” (Harry Nilsson cover)
06. Valerie June – “Happy or Lonesome” (the Carter Family cover)
07. Bahamas – “Always on My Mind” (Willie Nelson cover)
08. Thao – “If You Were Mine” (Ray Charles cover)
09. Ben Harper – “Fade Into You” (Mazzy Star cover)
10. Fiona Apple – “I’m In The Middle of a Riddle” (Anton Karas cover)
11. Brandi Carlile – “The Chain” (Fleetwood Mac cover)
12. Blake Mills – “I Hope” (Bobby Charles cover)
13. Sharon Jones – “Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours” (Stevie Wonder cover)