<… 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
It
The Shins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You want to hop along with the giddy throng through life
But how will you learn to steer when you're grinding all your gears?
You've been talking for hours
You say time will wash every tower to the sea
And now you've got this worry in your heart
We all spend a little while going down the rabbit hole
The things they taught you, they're lining up to haunt you
You got your back against the wall
I call you on the telephone, won't you pick up the receiver?
I've been down the very road you're walking now
It doesn't have to be so dark and lonesome
It takes a while but we can figure this thing out
And turn it back around
You used to be such a lion
Before you got into all this crying on my lap
Back when you thought I'd never get this far
But did you really think I'd shut an open door?
The future's calling and I'mma answer her
The wheels in motion, I never drank your potion
And I know it breaks your heart
Open up your parachute, something's gotta stop the free fall
I've been down the very road you're walking now
It doesn't have to be so dark and lonesome
It takes a while but we can figure this thing out
And turn it back around
The song "It" by The Shins is a reflective piece on life's struggles and how to navigate through them. The first stanza describes the natural desire of wanting to fit in or follow the crowd, but finding it difficult to do so. The feeling of grinding gears is a metaphor for the difficulty in moving forward when feeling stuck. The second stanza acknowledges that life is not always easy, and sometimes we find ourselves going down a dark path or a "rabbit hole" of negative emotions. The lyrics suggest that talking about our worries can help alleviate some of the burden. The chorus acknowledges the universal struggle of overcoming hardships, but emphasizes that it is possible to figure things out and turn things around. The third stanza expresses disappointment in someone who has lost their confidence and strength, but also reassures them that they can get back to that place. The final line suggests taking action and finding a way to stop the "free fall."
Overall, "It" is a song about perseverance and hope. It acknowledges that life is full of challenges, but it also encourages listeners to keep moving forward, to seek help from others, and to believe that things can get better.
Line by Line Meaning
Died in the world, you've been cornered by a natural desire
You feel stuck in your current situation due to your innate desires.
You want to hop along with the giddy throng through life
You long to join the rest of society in their carefree way of life.
But how will you learn to steer when you're grinding all your gears?
It will be difficult for you to make progress while struggling to find your footing.
You've been talking for hours
You have been expressing your concerns at great length.
You say time will wash every tower to the sea
You believe that over time, everything will crumble and cease to exist.
And now you've got this worry in your heart
You are burdened with anxiety over your current state of affairs.
Well I guess it's only life, it's only natural
This is the way of life and it is to be expected.
We all spend a little while going down the rabbit hole
At times, we all find ourselves in confusing and difficult situations.
The things they taught you, they're lining up to haunt you
Your past experiences and teachings are now causing you distress.
You got your back against the wall
You are feeling trapped and have limited options.
I call you on the telephone, won't you pick up the receiver?
I am reaching out to offer my support and guidance.
I've been down the very road you're walking now
I have experienced a similar situation and can empathize with you.
It doesn't have to be so dark and lonesome
You do not have to face this alone and it does not have to be as bleak as it seems.
It takes a while but we can figure this thing out
It may take time and effort, but we can come up with a solution.
And turn it back around
We can reverse the negative effects and restore positivity.
Before you got into all this crying on my lap
Before you became emotional and vulnerable with me.
But did you really think I'd shut an open door?
Did you truly believe I would turn you away or not want to help?
The future's calling and I'mma answer her
I am ready and willing to face the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
The wheels in motion, I never drank your potion
I am taking action towards my goals and not swayed by outside influence.
And I know it breaks your heart
My actions may cause you pain or disappointment.
Open up your parachute, something's gotta stop the free fall
Take action to slow or stop your descent before it becomes too late.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Ana-dt7wf
Letra:
Dyed in the wool, you've been, cornered by a natural desire
You want to hop along with the giddy throng through life
But how will you learn to steer when you're grinding all your gears?
You've been talking for hours
You say "time will wash every tower to the sea"
And now you've got this worry in your heart
Well I guess it's only life, it's only natural
We all spend a little while going down the rabbit hole
The things they taught you, they're lining up to haunt you
They've got your back against the wall
I call you on the telephone, won't you pick up the receiver?
I've been down the very road you're walking now
It doesn't have to be so dark and lonesome
It takes a while but we can figure this thing out
And turn it back around
You used to be such a lion
Before you got into all this crying on my lap
Back when you thought I'd never get this far
But did you really think I'd shut an open door?
The future's calling and Imma answer
The wheel's in motion, I never drank your potion
And I know it breaks your heart
Open up your parachute, something's gotta stop the freefall
I've been down the very road you're walking now
It doesn't have to be so dark and lonesome
It takes a while but we can figure this thing out
And turn it back around
@donaldandrade2037
Lyrics
Died in the world, you've been cornered by a natural desire
You want to hop along with the giddy throng through life
But how will you learn to steer when you're grinding all your gears?
You've been talking for hours
You say time will wash every tower to the sea
And now you've got this worry in your heart
Well I guess it's only life, it's only natural
We all spend a little while going down the rabbit hole
The things they taught you, they're lining up to haunt you
You got your back against the wall
I call you on the telephone, won't you pick up the receiver?
I've been down the very road you're walking now
It doesn't have to be so dark and lonesome
It takes a while but we can figure this thing out
And turn it back around
You used to be such a lion
Before you got into all this crying on my lap
Back when you thought I'd never get this far
But did you really think I'd shut an open door?
The future's calling and I'mma answer her
The wheels in motion, I never drank your potion
And I know it breaks your heart
Open up your parachute, something's gotta stop the free fall
I've been down the very road you're walking now
It doesn't have to be so dark and lonesome
It takes a while but we can figure this thing out
And turn it back around
@charlottebartlett4905
I seriously loved seeing all the nice comments on this video! My uncle was the bass player for this band for a while and it made me so happy to see what you all thought of this! <3
@NITISHKUMAR-ll9fz
wow thats so cool!
@HaiNguyen-gy5mf
No way!
@thepersonyouhaveseen
i have listened to this song for i guess more than thousands of times. some days, this song is the only one i listen to all day. please send my regards to your uncle. i am surprised how all people in the world do not get up in the mornings yelling this song out in their windows.
@mervynhowell7784
@thepersonyouhaveseen completely agree.wonderfully unique
@amazingabby25
I love the shins
@linleyp3655
All I can say about this song is that it literally warms my heart and has helped me through some incredibly painful times lately.
@Mynamedoesntreallyfi
Linley P i'm hoping for the same
@jalinelovesvintage
Linley P me too
@adinemaduro9200
same