Bait and Switch
The Shins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Peace and quiet, the means of subtraction
And how she got in, I'm not sure that I know
Two weeks on and my spine was in traction, my eyes in a basket
Well, god in my heart is so out of phase
And that kind of girl she ain't nobody's daughter
I'm just not used to these powerful waves
What am I to do now?
I call on a beautiful wish with a moral compass
I better swim
Hide from my psychic derailleur
Drive this car to the sea
Spend the night as high as a cannon in a towering hemlock
But it's no use you can always be found
A creature of habit has no real protection
I'll tell her I leave if she don't settle down
She sees it's a lie on closer inspection
Like everyone else does
The running, a terrible chomp
All this smoke in my eyes
I'm just a simple man
Cursed with an honest heart
Why'd she go and tear it all apart?
The running, a terrible chomp
All this smoke in my eyes
I'm just a simple man
Cursed with an honest heart
Why'd she go and tear it all apart?
The lyrics to "Bait and Switch" by The Shins appear to describe the aftermath of a relationship gone wrong. The singer initially feels content with the state of his life, with his "ducks in a row" and a sense of peace and quiet. However, a woman enters his life and disrupts this sense of calm; he is unsure how she managed to do so, but her presence soon leads to physical discomfort ("my spine was in traction") and emotional turmoil ("my eyes in a basket").
The singer seems conflicted in his feelings towards the woman, describing her as a "powerful wave" that he's not used to. He tries to resist her pull, calling upon a "beautiful wish with a moral compass", but ultimately finds himself drowning ("she shallows the breath and I'm taking on water"). He contemplates running away, hiding, or even lying to her in order to regain control, but realizes that it may be futile ("it's no use you can always be found"). The song ends with the singer lamenting the pain of heartbreak, feeling betrayed and questioning why she "tore it all apart".
Overall, "Bait and Switch" seems to explore the theme of vulnerability in relationships, particularly when one person has more power or influence than the other. The lyrics suggest a sense of helplessness on the part of the singer, who struggles to maintain his sense of self and control in the face of a strong attraction. The imagery of drowning and being overwhelmed by waves is particularly effective in conveying this feeling of powerlessness.
Line by Line Meaning
I finally had all my ducks in a row
I had finally achieved perfect order and organization in my life
Peace and quiet, the means of subtraction
The calmness and silence was the perfect way to remove negative influences from my life
And how she got in, I'm not sure that I know
I'm uncertain about how she managed to enter my life
Two weeks on and my spine was in traction, my eyes in a basket
After two weeks of being with her, my physical and emotional state deteriorated severely
Well, god in my heart is so out of phase
The way I feel is not in sync with my religious beliefs
And that kind of girl she ain't nobody's daughter
She is not the kind of girl who fits the traditional stereotype of a good daughter
I'm just not used to these powerful waves
I'm unaccustomed to experiencing such intense emotions
She shallows the breath and I'm taking on water
She takes away my breath and leaves me feeling overwhelmed and struggling to keep my head above water
What am I to do now?
I'm unsure how to proceed in this situation
I call on a beautiful wish with a moral compass
I hope for a positive outcome guided by my sense of morality
I better swim
I need to take action to resolve the situation
Hide from my psychic derailleur
I try to avoid negative thoughts that affect my behavior
Drive this car to the sea
I want to escape my problems through an extreme action
Spend the night as high as a cannon in a towering hemlock
I want to numb myself and escape reality through substance abuse
But it's no use you can always be found
I cannot hide my problems forever and they will eventually find me
A creature of habit has no real protection
Being predictable and following routines does not offer real protection from harm
I'll tell her I leave if she don't settle down
I will threaten to leave her if she does not change her behavior
She sees it's a lie on closer inspection
She realizes that my threat is insincere upon closer examination
Like everyone else does
She responds to my behavior in the same way others do
The running, a terrible chomp
The constant pursuit takes a great toll on me
All this smoke in my eyes
I am blinded by the distractions and obstacles in my way
I'm just a simple man
I am an ordinary person
Cursed with an honest heart
My honesty often brings me more trouble than good
Why'd she go and tear it all apart?
I am confused and hurt by her destructive behavior
The running, a terrible chomp
The constant pursuit takes a great toll on me
All this smoke in my eyes
I am blinded by the distractions and obstacles in my way
I'm just a simple man
I am an ordinary person
Cursed with an honest heart
My honesty often brings me more trouble than good
Why'd she go and tear it all apart?
I am confused and hurt by her destructive behavior
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: JAMES MERCER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sajjad Jaffery
Bait And Switch"
I finally had all my ducks in a row,
peace and quiet, the means of subtraction.
And how she got in, I'm not sure that I know.
Two weeks on and my spine was in traction, my eyes in a basket.
Well, god in my heart is so out of phase,
and that kind of girl she nobody's daughter.
I'm just not used to these powerful waves
She's Shining the brass and I'm taking on water.
What am I to do now?
I call on a beautiful wish with a moral compass
Bait and Switch
Hide from my psychic derailer,
drive this car to the sea,
spend the night as high as I can in a towering hemlock.
But it's no use I can always be found
A creature of habit has no real protection
I'll tell her I leave if she don't settle down
She sees it's a lie on closer inspection
Like everyone else does.
The running, a terrible charm,
all this smoke in my eyes
I'm just a simple man
cursed with an honest heart
Why'd she go and tear it all apart?
The running, a terrible charm,
all this smoke in my eyes
I'm just a simple man
cursed with an honest heart.
Why'd she go and tear it all apart?
Trevor Garford
I've been listening to The Shins with a passion since 2001. This song is fuckin unreal. The lyrics are incredible. He's way ahead of his time, James Mercer. He's a poet.
Christian Alfaro
Trevor Garford Chill
Stefan Marraccini
YES. I'm right there with you. I've been entranced with them since I first heard Caring is Creepy back when it came out. He is a poet and a genius. This song feels like a bit of a departure in mood, I find this to be a truly happy song. I rely on the Shins and James for mystery and melancholy. Yet this song rocks, really love the solo during the bridge.
Annie Keller
This and The Rifle's Spiral are my favorites from this album <3
Aron Lewis
40 Mark Strasse?
Annie Keller
@Trevor Garford that's fantastic! I'd love to meet him someday. I've been a Shins fan since I was a little third grader.
Trevor Garford
@Annie Keller I had the pleasure of meeting James and the old Shins in Dublin after a gig. He's a real gentleman. His lyrics are outstanding.
Annie Keller
Yes! Ironically, right as I read that comment, 40 Mark was actually stuck in my head. @Reese Roberts
Random Dude
40 mark is where it's at!
jergisen
This one and No Way Down are my faves from this album! All of the Shins songs and albums are excellent.