<… 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
Mieke
The Shins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To take the hard shots with me
You make it easy to decide
Showed all your feathers to me
There's a trail that ends tonight
Within the walls of this living room
All of my thoughts that weren't so right
Like two strays in a terminal
Floating cinders in the sky
Drifting leaves while stoned aside
This is the race we’re meant to run
In The Shins' song Mieke, the lyrics begin with the plea for someone to stand next to the singer through life's challenges. The lines, "I want you on my side / To take the hard shots with me / You make it easy to decide / Showed all your feathers to me" show the singer's vulnerability and need for a partner in their life. By using the metaphor of "feathers," the singer symbolically represents how the person they're addressing has revealed their true self, and they've seen all of their many layers.
The second verse of the song is about self-reflection and growth. The lyrics, "There's a trail that ends tonight / Within the walls of this living room / All of my thoughts that weren't so right / No longer threaten or bother me" showcase an individual's growth and letting go of negative thoughts. The metaphorical "trail" represents a negative pattern that the singer is determined to leave behind. The singer expresses gratitude to their partner for being a positive influence and helping them find their inner peace.
In conclusion, the song Mieke by The Shins is an introspective song about vulnerability and the need for a strong partner to help navigate life's journey. It also highlights the importance of self-reflection and growth as key aspects of personal development.
Line by Line Meaning
I want you on my side
I need your support and companionship.
To take the hard shots with me
To face and endure together the difficult situations in life.
You make it easy to decide
Your presence helps me make clear decisions and choices.
Showed all your feathers to me
You revealed your true colors and character to me.
There's a trail that ends tonight
Tonight marks the closure of a certain path or journey.
Within the walls of this living room
Inside this confined space, where we share our experiences and emotions.
All of my thoughts that weren't so right
All the negative and troubling thoughts within me.
No longer threaten or bother me
They no longer haunt me or cause me distress.
Like two strays in a terminal
We are lost wanderers in this vast and bustling world.
Floating cinders in the sky
We are mere sparks, insignificant against the vastness of the universe.
Drifting leaves while stoned aside
We are like leaves, aimlessly moving along with the currents of life.
This is the race we’re meant to run
This is the journey and battle that we are destined to endure.
Contributed by Bailey Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
phrozen17
currently favourite song. I went snowboarding and was carving to this tune. heaven.
Em V
How have I not heard this version?!!
ramona a
Flake was so amazing...
Mark Coldham
YES! i love flake music.....
Cyd Birch
my apologies, is there a place where we can find the correct song order for the album?
Cyd Birch
strange, I only have 11 songs. I don't have the untitled after Deluca.
Emsye
@flakemusic86 Where the hell do you find vantage?