<… 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 Only Life
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 lyrics of The Shins' song 'It's Only Life' touch upon themes of existential questioning, self-doubt, and the challenges of finding one's way through life. The opening stanza of the song talks about feeling trapped by a natural desire and wanting to be a part of the crowd, but not knowing how to navigate life's challenges. The lyrics suggest that time can help wash away the doubts and fears that emerge over time as we struggle to figure out how to steer our way through life.
The chorus of the song suggests that these struggles are natural and that everyone goes through them, but it also acknowledges that the things we're taught can come back to haunt us as we try to find our path. The songwriter calls out to someone who is struggling, saying that they've walked the same road and that it doesn't have to be so dark and lonesome. They offer words of comfort, saying that it may take time, but things can be turned around.
The final stanza talks about the songwriter's own journey, which has taken them further than perhaps their friend ever expected. The songwriter acknowledges that they never gave up and that the wheels are in motion towards the future. They suggest that the friend needs to let go of their fears and doubts and open their parachute to stop the free fall they're experiencing. The song as a whole speaks to the challenges of finding one's way through life and the importance of persevering through those challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
Died in the world, you've been cornered by a natural desire
You feel trapped by your innate impulses and urges that you cannot resist
You want to hop along with the giddy throng through life
You desire to live carelessly and experience life's pleasures like everyone else
But how will you learn to steer when you're grinding all your gears?
You cannot progress if you keep making mistakes and failing to operate smoothly
You've been talking for hours
You have been worrying and obsessing about something for a long time
You say time will wash every tower to the sea
You hope that time will eventually destroy all the things that trouble you
And now you've got this worry in your heart
You are currently experiencing anxiety or fear
Well I guess it's only life, it's only natural
Such struggles are a part of life and to be expected
We all spend a little while going down the rabbit hole
We all encounter situations that take us on a daunting and challenging journey
The things they taught you, they're lining up to haunt you
Your past experiences and teachings may come back to negatively affect you
You got your back against the wall
You are feeling trapped and have no escape
I call you on the telephone, won't you pick up the receiver?
I am trying to reach out to you and offer my help and support
I've been down the very road you're walking now
I can empathize with your situation because I have experienced something similar
It doesn't have to be so dark and lonesome
You do not have to feel hopeless and alone in your struggles
It takes a while but we can figure this thing out
Overcoming this challenge may take time, but it is possible to solve
And turn it back around
You can reverse the negative effects of your current circumstances
Before you got into all this crying on my lap
Before you started relying on me for comfort and support
But did you really think I'd shut an open door?
I am willing and eager to help you, so why would I reject you?
The future's calling and I'mma answer her
I am ready to face the challenges of the future and overcome them
The wheels in motion, I never drank your potion
I have my own way of doing things and did not let your influence affect me
And I know it breaks your heart
I understand that my actions or decisions may disappoint or hurt you
Open up your parachute, something's gotta stop the free fall
Take action to prevent yourself from spiraling out of control and worsening your situation
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: JAMES MERCER
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