Flake Music released two 7-inch singles and a 1997 full-length album, "When You Land Here It's Time to Return."
The Shins
Flake Music Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is that why there's sand in your eyes?
You should look up cause they're nothing at all
Blow me a kiss and I'll try
Wade through the mud and return wearing white
Hanging like clothes on a line
And I'll wait for you to spend all your time
Waiting like grapes on a vine
Wheels are off the track
I'm dripping everywhere
Eyes are in the clouds
While they pull the rug out
Pull me to the track
I'll give this a try
Down's the wrong way out
Fools himself to climb
But then you look back and wonder why
What made it so hard to decide
When the difference isn't black and white
Will the settled always have to fly for a home
Is it too near when they're nice?
Is that why there's sand in your eyes?
Don't wait, it's hard to get around when you're old
Blow me a kiss and we'll try
We'll scale the walls and go five miles high
We'll scale the walls and go five miles high
Wheels are off the track
I'm dripping everywhere
Eyes are in the clouds
While they pull the rug out
Pull me to the track
I'll give this a try
Down's the wrong way out
Fools himself to climb
But then you look back and wonder why
What made it so hard to decide
When the difference isn't black and white
Will the settled always have to fly for a home
Wheels are off the track
I'm dripping everywhere
Eyes are in the clouds
While they pull the rug out
Wheels are off the track
The lyrics to Flake Music's "The Shins" express a contemplation of life's decisions and the struggle to decide between choices that may not be clear-cut. The first stanza asks whether it's uncomfortable to be around nice things because it reminds the singer of what they don't have, as suggested by the sand in their eyes. The following two lines seem like they could be addressed to the same person ("you") who should "look up" and realize that the nice things aren't important. The line "Blow me a kiss and I'll try" could be interpreted as the singer being comforted in their indecision by someone else. The mention of mud and white clothes suggests a struggle to stay clean and pure, and waiting for something to happen while being trapped like grapes on a vine.
The second stanza continues with the idea of things being off-course or not going as planned, perhaps because of the difficult decisions mentioned in the first stanza. There is a sense of being pulled in opposing directions or experiencing conflicting emotions. The line "Down's the wrong way out / Fools himself to climb" suggests that taking an easy or misaligned path may seem like a solution but will ultimately lead to disappointment or failure. The last two lines repeat the earlier sentiment that decisions may not be easily distinguishable and that life may not always provide a clear direction. The overall tone of the song seems reflective and contemplative, with a sense of being lost or stuck.
Line by Line Meaning
Is it too near when they're nice?
Is their friendliness too close for comfort?
Is that why there's sand in your eyes?
Are you blinded by their kindness?
You should look up cause they're nothing at all
You shouldn't put too much value in superficial niceness.
Blow me a kiss and I'll try
Let's try to make this work with a small gesture of affection.
Wade through the mud and return wearing white
Push through the hard times and come out stronger and pure.
Hanging like clothes on a line
Feeling vulnerable and exposed like laundry on a clothesline.
And I'll wait for you to spend all your time
I'll be patient while you figure things out and spend time on your own.
Waiting like grapes on a vine
Like grapes waiting to be picked, waiting for the right time to take action.
All of the goals you have yet to design
Looking forward to achieving goals you have not yet set.
Wheels are off the track
Things are not going according to plan.
I'm dripping everywhere
Feeling overwhelmed and losing control.
Eyes are in the clouds
Being oblivious to reality.
While they pull the rug out
Feeling like someone else is sabotaging your efforts.
Pull me to the track
Taking a risk and trying something new.
I'll give this a try
Optimistically taking on a new challenge.
Down's the wrong way out
Failing is not an acceptable option.
Fools himself to climb
Trying to succeed at all costs, even if it means being foolish.
But then you look back and wonder why
Reflecting on past decisions and actions.
What made it so hard to decide
Questioning the difficulty of making a choice.
When the difference isn't black and white
When the decision is not clear cut and obvious.
Will the settled always have to fly for a home
Is it necessary to leave a comfortable situation in order to find a true sense of belonging?
Don't wait, it's hard to get around when you're old
Don't wait too long to make a move, because it will be harder to do so when you are older.
We'll scale the walls and go five miles high
Let's take on challenges and overcome obstacles to achieve great heights.
Wheels are off the track
Things are still not going according to plan.
I'm dripping everywhere
Still feeling overwhelmed and losing control.
Eyes are in the clouds
Still being oblivious to reality.
While they pull the rug out
Still feeling like someone else is sabotaging your efforts.
Wheels are off the track
Still not going according to plan.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Richard Grimes
The reissue sounds great so far. This album deserves it. Should be a pretty good filler before the next Shins album.
Adolescent Daydreams
why don't more people know about this? these songs are great
Thaddeus Es
I love this album!
Matthew Boyd
This album and the first Shins album meant a lot to me. I thought they nailed an American version of the suburban gothic macabre that the Clientele were doing around the same time. Having Natalie Portman make The Shins the soundtrack for manic pixie dreamgirls and the boys who love them really diminished their power...they got twee really fast. I still really love this song and this album.
Adam H
This is awesome. Thank You for sharing 🙂
Cap'n Peanut B. Crunch
Glad this output is getting this treatment. Got into it when digging up B-Sides, and I'm glad more people can know about it. This version sounds great, btw.
party poison
This track is amazing
Poor Boys Adventures
I forgot about Flake music. :) Beautiful. Cant believe they reissued this. Cant believe ive been out of the loop for these years. :)
peetie f
Wow so glad i found this band
jamie krutsch
i remember my friend and i freaking out about this new sub pop band in 99.