<… 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 On A Wing
The Shins Lyrics
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Lays flat my whole take on us
You're the girl on the wing of a barnstormer
The tidal rabbit who came of age before her time
Could have been so good-natured
If I'd relented when you insisted
But we've been backed against
You felt abandoned by me
I recall the sunshine as you were melting
And though the comedy softens the fall
They still hear us with their ears to the wall
I sold all my evil motives
No icicles stuck in my hide
I'm through with riddles, I know we're little
Just help me feel warm inside
Before we take this ride and let it slide
Into the cracks where fall and winter collide
I surrender all my gall in a song of modern love
Remember you're the one who summoned me above any other kind
Any other kind
Could have been so good-natured
If you'd relented when I insisted
We take a week off, let the garden grow by itself
And let the gluttons fill themselves with all the worst of the gory nineties
And though the comedy softens the fall, we still fall short
Before we take this ride and let it slide
Into the cracks where fall and winter collide
I surrender all my gall in a song of modern love
Remember you're the one who summoned me above any other kind
Any other kind
The lyrics to The Shins' song Girl On A Wing depict a failed relationship and the regret that comes with it. The first verse talks about how a sudden realization – a "wound up punch of intuition" – changes the singer's entire perspective on the relationship. He compares his former partner to the "girl on the wing of a barnstormer," someone who takes risks and lives life freely. However, it seems that they were not able to make things work, as they "been backed against all nature's walls far too long." The second verse shows how the relationship ended with one person feeling abandoned and the other recalling past memories of happiness. However, even though it is a comedy, the relationship is still being talked about.
The chorus then speaks of the singer surrendering his "gall" in a "song of modern love." He wants to move past the failures and start anew, asking the other person to help him "feel warm inside." The final verse suggests that they could have been happy together if they had relented to each other's wishes. The singer suggests taking a break and letting things grow on their own rather than forcing them. However, despite the comedy that might ease the situation's tension, they still fall short.
Overall, the lyrics convey a sense of lost potential and what could have been. The singer seems to regret how things ended and wishes for a second chance, but is also aware that past mistakes cannot be undone.
Line by Line Meaning
One wound up punch of intuition
Suddenly, my gut feeling changed everything.
Lays flat my whole take on us.
It completely alters my perspective on our relationship.
You're the girl on the wing of a barnstormer
You are adventurous and fearless, like a performer in a daring show.
The tidal rabbit who came of age before her time.
You had to grow up quickly, like a rabbit caught in a swift current.
We could have been so good-natured
We had the potential to be kind and easygoing together.
If i'd relented when you insisted,
If I had just given in to your wishes earlier,
But we've been backed against All nature's walls far too long.
Our relationship has been strained and we've faced too many obstacles.
You felt abandoned by me,
You thought I left you alone and helpless,
I recall the sunshine as you were melting
I remember how you struggled and suffered in the glaring light of day.
And though the comedy softens the fall
Even though humor can ease the pain of our failures,
They still hear us with their ears to the wall.
Others can still hear us and judge us, even if they're not directly involved.
I sold all my evil motives,
I got rid of all my selfish intentions,
No icicles stuck in my hide.
I am no longer cold and guarded.
I'm through with riddles, i know we're little
I'm done with playing games and pretending, I know we're insignificant.
Just help me feel warm inside.
Just make me feel loved and content.
Before we take this ride and let it slide
Before we make a big decision and let things fall apart,
Into the cracks where fall and winter collide.
Into the difficult and harsh realities of life.
I surrender all my gall in a song of modern love.
I am giving up all my pride and arrogance in this modern love song.
Remember you're the one who summoned me above any other kind.
Remember that you are the one who chose me to be with over anyone else.
We take a week off, let the garden grow by itself
Let's take a break and let things happen naturally, without interference.
And let the gluttons fill themselves with all the worst of the gory ninties.
Let those who are selfish and greedy indulge in the worst parts of the past decade.
And though the comedy softens the fall, we still fall short.
Even though humor can help us cope with our shortcomings, we are still lacking.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: James Mercer
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind