Unbelievers (song)

For other topics, see Unbeliever (disambiguation).

"Unbelievers" is a song by American indie pop band Vampire Weekend. Written by the band's lead singer Ezra Koenig and multi-instrumentalist Rostam Batmanglij, and produced by Ariel Rechtshaid and Batmanglij, the song was released as the third single from their third studio album Modern Vampires of the City in August 2013.^[1] The band initially premiered "Unbelievers" in a live performance on Jimmy Kimmel Live on October 31, 2012.^[2][3] They also performed the song live on an episode of Saturday Night Live prior to it being released as a single.^[4]

"Unbelievers"
Single by Vampire Weekend
from the album Modern Vampires of the City
Released	August 12, 2013 (2013-08-12)
Length	3:22
Label	XL
Composer(s)	Rostam Batmanglij Ezra Koenig
Lyricist(s)	Ezra Koenig
Producer(s)	Rostam Batmanglij Ariel Rechtshaid
Vampire Weekend singles chronology
"Ya Hey" (2013) "Unbelievers" (2013) "Harmony Hall" / "2021" (2019)

Commercial performance

The song peaked at number seven on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart, becoming the band's first top ten hit on the chart,^[5] and has also peaked at number 24 on the Billboard Hot Rock Songs chart^[6] and number 158 on the UK Singles Chart.^[7]

Personnel

Vampire Weekend

• Chris Baio – bass
• Rostam Batmanglij – piano, guitars, banjo, vocal harmonies and backing vocals, drum and synth programming, keyboards, shaker
• Ezra Koenig – lead vocals, piano
• Chris Tomson – drums

Additional musicians

• Johnny Bravo – flistle
• Brendan Ryan – accordion
• Elizabeth Lea – trombone
• Danny T. Levin – trumpet
• Seth Shafer – tuba
• Ariel Rechtshaid – additional drum and synth programming

Technical

• Scott Jacoby – mixing
• Emily Lazar – mixing, mastering
• Joe LaPorta – mastering

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2013–14)	Peak position
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[8]	20
Canada Rock (Billboard)[9]	21
Mexico Ingles Airplay (Billboard)[10]	19
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[7]	158
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[6]	24
US Rock Airplay (Billboard)[11]	7
US Adult Alternative Songs (Billboard)[12]	6
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[5]	7

Year-end charts

Chart (2013)	Position
US Adult Alternative Songs (Billboard)[13]	30

Chart (2014)	Position
US Hot Rock Songs (Billboard)[14]	51
US Rock Airplay (Billboard)[15]	28
US Alternative Songs (Billboard)[16]	27

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[17]	Gold	40,000‡
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

1. "Believe That: Vampire Weekend's Latest "Unbelievers" Added To The KROQ Playlist". 21 August 2013. Archived from the original on 7 November 2014. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
2. "Vampire Weekend Debut 'Unbelievers' on 'Kimmel'". November 1, 2012. Archived from the original on November 3, 2012. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
3. "New Vampire Weekend Song 'Unbelievers' Debuts On 'Jimmy Kimmel Live' (VIDEO)". Huffington Post. 1 November 2013. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
4. "Vampire Weekend - Unbelievers (Live on SNL)". YouTube. 13 May 2013. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
5. "Vampire Weekend Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved December 21, 2014.
6. "Vampire Weekend Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 21, 2014.
7. "CHART: CLUK Update 3.08.2013 (wk30)". Zobbel.de. Retrieved December 21, 2014.
8. "Vampire Weekend – Unbelievers" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved December 21, 2014.
9. "Vampire Weekend Chart History (Canada Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved December 21, 2014.
10. "Mexico Ingles Airplay". Billboard. October 26, 2013. Retrieved June 15, 2014.
11. "Vampire Weekend Chart History (Rock Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved December 21, 2014.
12. "Vampire Weekend Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 21, 2014.
13. "Triple A Songs: 2013 (Year-End)". Billboard. Retrieved May 13, 2014.
14. "Hot Rock Songs: Year End 2014". Billboard. Retrieved December 21, 2014.
15. "Rock Airplay Songs: Year End 2014". Billboard. Retrieved December 21, 2014.
16. "Alternative Songs: Year End 2014". Billboard. Retrieved December 21, 2014.
17. "Canadian single certifications – Vampire Weekend – Unbelievers". Music Canada. Retrieved January 10, 2018.