The Shins is an American indie rock band centered around James Mercer.
<… 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's OK Try Again
The Shins Lyrics

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Sometimes you win
Sometimes you lose
Sometimes you win
Sometimes you lose
But it's ok
You try again
Sometimes you win
Sometimes you lose

Sometimes you win
Sometimes you lose
But it's okay
You try again

Winning, that is so fun
Losing, can be no fun
Crying when it's all done
Hold your head up
You hold your head up high 'cause

Sometimes you win
Sometimes you lose
Sometimes you win
Sometimes you lose
But it's okay
You try again
Sometimes you win
Sometimes you lose
Sometimes you win
Sometimes you lose
But it's okay
You try again

Winning, that was so fun
Losing, can be no fun
Crying when it's all done
Do your best
So, you hold your head up high 'cause

Sometimes you win
Sometimes you lose
Sometimes you win
Sometimes you lose
But it's okay
You try again
Sometimes you win
Sometimes you lose
Sometimes you win
Sometimes you lose
But it's okay
You try again

Laaa la la la la la la laaaaa

La la la la la la laaaaa

Sometimes you win
Sometimes you win
Sometimes you lose

Sometimes you lose
Sometimes you win

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to The Shins' song It's OK Try Again provide a message of perseverance and resilience in the face of failure. The repetition of "Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose" emphasizes the inevitability of both success and disappointment in life, but the phrase "It's okay, you try again" highlights the importance of learning from one's mistakes and persevering towards one's goals.

In the second verse, the lyrics take a slightly different approach, emphasizing the emotional aspect of winning and losing. Winning is described as "so fun," while losing is "no fun" and can lead to tears. However, even when feeling emotional after a loss, the lyrics encourage holding one's head up high and continuing to do one's best.

Overall, the simple yet effective lyrics of It's OK Try Again convey an important message about resilience and determination in the face of adversity.

Line by Line Meaning

Sometimes you win
Winning, that is so fun

Sometimes you lose
Losing, can be no fun

Sometimes you win
Winning, that was so fun

Sometimes you lose
Losing, can be no fun

But it's ok
Crying when it's all done

You try again
Hold your head up and Do your best

Sometimes you win
Winning, that is so fun

Sometimes you lose
Losing, can be no fun

Sometimes you win
Winning, that was so fun

Sometimes you lose
Losing, can be no fun

But it's okay
Crying when it's all done