<… 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
Baby Boomerang
The Shins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Angel of the night
Riding like a cowboy
In the graveyard of the night
New York Witch
In the dungeon of the day
I'm trying to write my novel
But all you do is play
Baby Boomerang, Baby Boomerang
Well, you never spike a person
But you always bang the whole gang
Oh yeah...
Mince pie dog-eye
Eagle on the wind
I'm searching through this garbage
Just looking for a friend
Your uncle with an alligator
Chained to his leg
Dangles you your freedom
Then he offers you his bed
It seems to me to dream
Is something too wild
In Max's Kansas City
You're belladonna child
Riding on the highways
On the gateways to the south
You're talking with your boots
And you're walking with your mouth
Baby Boomerang, Baby Boomerang
Well, you never spike a person
But you always bang the whole gang
Thank you ma'am
The Shins' "Baby Boomerang" is a song about a mysterious woman known as the "New York Witch," who rides through the night like a cowboy in the graveyard. Despite the singer's attempts to write their novel, the woman's constant playing distracts him. The chorus repeats "Baby Boomerang" as a reference to the woman's unpredictable and volatile behavior. The lyrics are vague, leaving room for interpretation, but there is a sense of danger surrounding the woman.
The second verse introduces more surreal imagery, such as a "mince pie dog-eye" and an "eagle on the wind." The singer searches through garbage for a friend and encounters the woman's uncle, who has an alligator chained to his leg. He offers her freedom but then offers her his bed. The final verse involves a reference to Max's Kansas City, a famous rock venue in New York in the 1970s. The woman is described as a "belladonna child," which is another reference to her dangerous allure. She speaks loudly and walks with confidence, making a name for herself on the highways and gateways to the south.
One possible interpretation of "Baby Boomerang" is that it's a cautionary tale about the dangers of getting involved with unpredictable people. The woman is a fascinating and alluring figure, but her behavior is erratic and dangerous. The singer may be intrigued by her, but he knows that she's not good for him. The lyrics suggest that there are more important things to do than get caught up in her wild world.
Line by Line Meaning
Slim lined sheik faced
Describing a person who is thin and looks like a fashionable man from Middle-Eastern and African regions
Angel of the night
A person who is fascinating and attractive in the nocturnal hours
Riding like a cowboy
Moving fast and confidently, taking risks like a wild west adventurer
In the graveyard of the night
Being in a place or situation that is dark and dangerous
New York Witch
A woman who is enchanting and mysterious, living in a place known for its fast-paced and vibrant lifestyle
In the dungeon of the day
Being trapped in a place or state of mind that is unpleasant, uncomfortable, or oppressive
I'm trying to write my novel
Struggling to create something original and meaningful
But all you do is play
Being distracted by something or someone that is unimportant or trivial
Baby Boomerang, Baby Boomerang
Referring to a person who keeps returning or coming back, like a boomerang
Well, you never spike a person
Not being physically violent or aggressive towards others
But you always bang the whole gang
Being socially outgoing and engaging with multiple people at once
Mince pie dog-eye
Describing something that is unappetizing and unpleasant to look at
Eagle on the wind
Referring to someone who is confident and free-spirited
I'm searching through this garbage
Trying to find something of value or significance in a place or situation that is unpleasant or chaotic
Just looking for a friend
Feeling alone and in need of companionship
Your uncle with an alligator
A relative who is bizarre or unconventional
Chained to his leg
Being controlled or constrained by someone or something else
Dangles you your freedom
Giving the impression of offering freedom or independence, but with strings attached
Then he offers you his bed
Being subjected to unwanted advances or inappropriate behavior
It seems to me to dream
Being uncertain or skeptical about the value or possibility of dreaming
Is something too wild
Perceiving dreams as being too unrealistic or outside the realm of possibility
In Max's Kansas City
Being in a place known for its lively music scene
You're belladonna child
A person who has dangerous allure, like the poisonous plant belladonna
Riding on the highways
Traveling quickly and efficiently on the main roads
On the gateways to the south
Heading towards a place that is warmer, more relaxed and inviting
You're talking with your boots
Being assertive and confident with one's actions rather than words
And you're walking with your mouth
Being unafraid to speak one's mind and voice their opinions
Thank you ma'am
A polite and courteous way to end the song
Lyrics © Spirit Music Group
Written by: MARC BOLAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Marty Pentz
i love this
Hannah S
We got asked a T-Rex question on pub trivia today and this was on the tip of my tongue the whole night, so frustrating when you forget the band name lol
walendxweg
TOP
NICE RUNONNES CARTIER
studygrrl
I prefer Marc Bolan of The Rex. Heard a DJ on the radio that thought The Shins wrote this.
Laine Alpha
Is Ariana Grande a Good witch; Sailor Moon Mermaid Like Me; did her boo wake at the ocean shore ; her Prince Eric; waiting for a blood moon; waiting for the Evening Star to help plant his seed of eternal love with 311 somber stardust ; on a sunbeam; the dead astronauts found their way out of the dark cave; over came amnesia ; together; though they couldn’t remember her name; they remember her voice ; ehat they laugh about