<… 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
Girl Inform Me
The Shins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Your clever eyes could easily disguise
Some backwards purpose
It's enough to make me nervous
Do you harbor sighs, or spit in my eye
But your lips when we speak
Are the valleys and peaks of a mountain range on fire
I can cut the mustard well enough
'Cause you know as soon as breathe we scrutinize
Unknown quotients, you must be using potions
How else could you tie my head to the sky?
This new convection has left me wondering why
I can't concern myself with ordinary tripe
Like what's this morning's paper got to say?
And which brand of coffee to make
This is no umbrella to take into the wind
But before we begin, is there nothing to kill this anxiety?
But your lips when we speak
Are the valleys and peaks of a mountain range on fire
So let me walk these coals 'til you believe
I can cut the mustard well enough
'Cause you know as soon as breathe we scrutinize
The paint away
The lyrics to The Shins's song "Girl Inform Me" capture the singer's anxiety and confusion regarding their romantic interest. The singer is asking the girl to be honest with him and inform him of her true intentions. He is nervous that she may have a hidden agenda behind her actions and words. He questions whether she is harboring feelings for him or simply trying to deceive him. However, despite his apprehension, he is still drawn to her and finds her irresistible.
The lyrics also touch upon the idea of unknown and mysterious forces at play in their relationship, which the singer attributes to the girl's "clever eyes" and "potions." He feels like he's been swept up in some new and exciting experience, questioning the importance of mundane activities such as reading the morning paper or making coffee. The singer's desire for the girl is so intense that he is willing to face any sort of challenge or obstacle to prove to her that he is worthy of her affection.
Overall, "Girl Inform Me" is a song that captures the complex emotions and uncertainties of falling in love. It conveys the anxiety and elation that comes with pursuing an intense attraction, while also acknowledging the unknown and mysterious aspects of relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Girl, inform me all my senses warn me
I have a feeling that you know something that I don't.
Your clever eyes could easily disguise
You're a master of deception, and I can't read you.
Some backwards purpose
I can't tell if you have ulterior motives.
It's enough to make me nervous
Your behavior is making me anxious.
Do you harbor sighs, or spit in my eye
Are you attracted to me or trying to take me down?
But your lips when we speak
When we talk, your words have a powerful effect on me.
Are the valleys and peaks of a mountain range on fire
Your words are passionate and intense.
So let me walk these coals 'til you believe
I'm willing to do whatever it takes to win you over.
I can cut the mustard well enough
I'm confident in my abilities to impress you.
'Cause you know as soon as breathe we scrutinize
We both analyze every little detail.
Unknown quotients, you must be using potions
Your effect on me is inexplicable.
How else could you tie my head to the sky?
You're making me feel things I've never felt before.
This new convection has left me wondering why
I can't stop thinking about you.
I can't concern myself with ordinary tripe
Nothing else matters as much to me as you do.
Like what's this morning's paper got to say?
I couldn't care less about the news.
And which brand of coffee to make
Even my daily routine feels meaningless.
This is no umbrella to take into the wind
I know this could be dangerous.
But before we begin, is there nothing to kill this anxiety?
I'm nervous and hoping for a way to calm down.
The paint away
This last line is unclear and can't be reworded as it is likely used for poetic or artistic effect.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: JAMES MERCER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind