<… Read Full Bio ↴The Shins is an American indie rock band centered around James Mercer.
The band formed in 1997, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States as a side project of Mercer (previously of Blue Roof Dinner) and drummer Jesse Sandoval, who were both members of Flake Music. The band's original lineup was Mercer (vocals, guitar), Sandoval (drums), Marty Crandall (keyboards) and Dave Hernandez (bass). Neil Langford replaced Hernandez in 1998. Hernandez returned to the band in 2003, as Langford had left the band in 2001. Hernandez remained in the band until 2009. Fruit Bats keyboardist Eric Johnson joined the band in 2006.
Their debut album, Oh, Inverted World was issued in 2001 and contained the singles "New Slang" and "Caring is Creepy", which were both featured in the 2004 film "Garden State". The band's next album, Chutes Too Narrow was released in 2003 and featured the single "So Says I". The band's third album Wincing The Night Away, was released in 2007 and debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200 charts, the highest charting album in Sub Pop history until Arcade Fire's"The Suburbs" debuted at #1. After a short hiatus, Mercer announced in 2009 that the band was to record a new album and that Marty Crandall, and Jesse Sandoval were no longer members of The Shins. The band's new lineup included James Mercer, Eric Johnson, Modest Mouse drummer Joe Plummer and Grand Archives keyboardist Ron Lewis.
Before the release of Port of Morrow, the band lineup changed once more with only Mercer and Plummer remaining from the previously announced lineup. The newly added members were announced as guitarist Jessica Dobson, bassist Yuuki Matthews (formerly of Crystal Skulls) and keyboardist Richard Swift.
The Simple Song Songfacts reports that "Simple Song." was the first single from the Port Of Morrow album, the band's debut release on James Mercer's Aural Apothecary record label. It was also the first offering to be heard from the band following the departure of Jesse Sandoval and Marty Crandall.
The current line-up for the live act is James Mercer (vocals, guitar), Jessica Dobson (guitar), Yuuki Matthews (bass), Richard Swift (keyboards) and Joe Plummer (drums).
2017 - Fifth Album & World Tour
The band released their 5th studio album, "Heartworms" on March 10, 2017 on the Aural Apothecary/Columbia Records, together with a supporting world tour. "Heartworms" features Mercer's most diverse lyrical palette to date: From fictional character sketches ('Fantasy Island', 'Rubber Ballz'), autobiographical accounts ('Mildenhall'), to first single 'Name For You', a resounding call for female empowerment inspired by Mercer’s three daughters.
More information:
*http://www.theshins.com
*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Shins
05. Turn a Square
The Shins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wearing tennis shorts made of stripes
Hand in hand to the grass and we got it right
Got it nice, nice, nice
Just a glimpse of an ankle and I
React like it's 1805
And I'd swim to the poles just to find the right satellite
It'll take all of my strength to give up
But you all know I tried
So forget about it, girl
My head's like a kite
When such a creature I sight
To town!
Where you're feet leave no prints on the ground
Have I left my home just to whine in this microphone?
It gets worse every time that we talk
Can't afford to be just one in a flock
But that's your lot
When you're after such a well-made lock
Who was classically trained to give up
And my friends know I tried
So forget about it, girl
Even I don't know why
I can't just stay the course
Keep my hands on the wheel
Our detractors were right
My head's like a kite
'cause all my thoughts run astray
And I'm a walking cliche
When such a creature I sight
In "Turn a Square," The Shins use their signature indie-rock sound to explore themes of lust, longing, and inner conflict. The first verse sets the tone, with the singer describing the attraction he feels for a woman he sees wearing striped tennis shorts. He feels compelled to pursue her, even to the ends of the earth (or at least to the poles) to find the "right satellite." However, he also acknowledges that giving in to this desire would take all his strength, and that he has already "tried" and failed before.
The second verse brings in an element of self-reflection and frustration, with the singer lamenting his inability to stay focused and accomplish his goals. He feels like he's just another "one in a flock," unable to stand out from the crowd. The repetition of "forget about it, girl" suggests he's trying to convince himself that he doesn't really want what he's chasing, but his "head's like a kite" and his thoughts "run astray" every time he sees the woman in question.
The chorus brings a change in tone, with the singer figuratively flying away on his own thoughts and emotions. He feels as though he's leaving no trace on the ground, and wonders if he's just whining into a microphone instead of taking action. However, he can't help feeling like he's been "trained to give up," or that he's trapped in a cycle of wanting something he knows he shouldn't pursue.
Overall, "Turn a Square" is a moody exploration of the conflict between desire and reason, and a reflection on the difficulties of staying focused and committed in the face of temptation.
Line by Line Meaning
She shone up bright like a knife
She appeared dazzling and sharp, catching my attention.
Wearing tennis shorts made of stripes
Her attire consisted of striped shorts that were perfect for tennis.
Hand in hand to the grass and we got it right
We held hands and walked towards the grass, and everything felt perfect.
Got it nice, nice, nice
The situation was so good that I couldn't stop saying how nice it was.
Just a glimpse of an ankle and I
I couldn't help but react strongly to seeing just a small part of her body.
React like it's 1805
My reaction was so intense, it felt like I had time-travelled back to 1805.
And I'd swim to the poles just to find the right satellite
I'd go to extreme lengths to find what I'm looking for.
It'll take all of my strength to give up
It's going to be really hard to let go of this situation.
But you all know I tried
Everyone is aware that I made an effort to move on.
So forget about it, girl
I'm telling her to forget about it and move on as well.
My head's like a kite
My mind is floating and uncontrolled.
When such a creature I sight
When I see someone like her.
To town!
Let's go out and have some fun.
Where you're feet leave no prints on the ground
We're going to a place where our actions won't have any consequences.
Have I left my home just to whine in this microphone?
Am I wasting my time by complaining about my problems into a microphone?
It gets worse every time that we talk
The more we discuss our issues, the worse they become.
Can't afford to be just one in a flock
I can't settle for being average or blending in with everyone else.
But that's your lot
That's the way things are for you.
When you're after such a well-made lock
When you're trying to find something that's perfect and difficult to obtain.
Who was classically trained to give up
I was taught to give up in certain situations.
And my friends know I tried
My friends are aware that I made an effort to move on.
Even I don't know why
I don't understand my own behavior and thoughts.
I can't just stay the course
I can't continue on the same path, even if it's the right one.
Keep my hands on the wheel
Stay in control of my actions.
Our detractors were right
The people who didn't believe in us were correct.
My head's like a kite
My mind is floating and uncontrolled.
'cause all my thoughts run astray
My thoughts are going in every direction and are disorganized.
And I'm a walking cliche
I'm acting like a typical and unoriginal person.
When such a creature I sight
When I see someone like her.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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