<… 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
Rubber Ballz
The Shins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Drinking a minimum wage
I fell in with a girl so vastly superior
She wore Mardi Gras beads in her hair
And I just can't get her out of my bed
Wish I'd gone with her sister instead
Love life imploded
Can't get her out of my bed
I know
If she gave a fuck then it would show
And she wouldn't have me stabbing other boys
Like it's just a bit of sweetness she enjoys
Devil's daughter (the devil's daughter)
So much for Simon's "50 Ways"
What can a lonely boy do when all else seems inferior
No come-along will pull me away
And I just can't get her out of my bed
Should've mainlined saltpeter instead
My vices have voted, her ass duly noted
Can't kick her out of my bed
Hold on, maybe this girl is alright
Just wants the benefit of a modern love life
And I don't know the difference anymore
I've turned making bad decisions into some kind of art form
Don't mention boundaries on the phone
They slide and glide on out the door
Can't get her out of my bed
Can't get her out of my bed
My vices have voted, her ass duly noted
Can't get her out of my bed
Slow down
I don't know what I'm hoping for
So silently I'm opening the latch
I swear she'll be the last one I dispatch
The lyrics of The Shins’ song “Rubber Ballz” describe the singer’s chaotic love life, full of bad decisions and broken hearts. In the first verse, we learn that the singer is in a “larval state,” seemingly young and inexperienced. He meets a girl who is “vastly superior” to him and becomes infatuated with her. However, his love for her is not reciprocated, and he can’t seem to forget her even though he wishes he had chosen her sister instead.
As the song progresses, the singer reveals that he has been hurt badly by this girl, who he calls the “devil’s daughter.” He implies that she enjoys seeing him hurt, and that he has even resorted to violence because of her. Despite all of this, he still can’t get her out of his head or his bed. He ponders whether this girl is worth it and questions the boundaries in their relationship, but ultimately decides to give in to his impulses one last time.
The lyrics of “Rubber Ballz” are darkly humorous and tell a story of a young man making terrible decisions in love. Despite the catchy beat and playful tone of the song, it is clear that the singer is deeply unhappy and in need of some self-reflection.
Line by Line Meaning
In a larval state
In a young and immature stage of life
Drinking a minimum wage
Struggling to make ends meet and barely making enough money to survive
I fell in with a girl so vastly superior
I became involved with a girl who was much better than me in every way
She wore Mardi Gras beads in her hair
She was unique and flamboyant, and wore unconventional accessories
And I just can't get her out of my bed
I am infatuated with her and cannot stop thinking about her
Wish I'd gone with her sister instead
I regret choosing her and wish I had chosen her sister instead
Love life imploded
My romantic relationships fell apart and caused me emotional distress
My dice were all loaded
I had cheated or manipulated situations to get what I wanted
I know
I am aware and understand
If she gave a fuck then it would show
If she cared about me, she would show it more
And she wouldn't have me stabbing other boys
She would not make me jealous or competitive over other guys
Like it's just a bit of sweetness she enjoys
She likes the attention and affection she gets from others, but does not truly care for me
Devil's daughter (the devil's daughter)
She is a bad influence and brings out the worst in me
So much for Simon's '50 Ways'
The advice about love given in the song '50 Ways to Leave Your Love' by Paul Simon does not apply to my situation
What can a lonely boy do when all else seems inferior
I do not know what to do when I am lonely and feel like everything is worse than her
No come-along will pull me away
I cannot be convinced or persuaded to leave her
Should've mainlined saltpeter instead
I should have taken a substance that lowers sex drive instead of pursuing her
Hold on, maybe this girl is alright
I am reconsidering my negative thoughts about her and thinking she might be good after all
Just wants the benefit of a modern love life
She is only interested in having fun, casual relationships like many people in modern times
And I don't know the difference anymore
I am confused and cannot distinguish between good and bad decisions
I've turned making bad decisions into some kind of art form
I have become skilled at making poor choices and view it as a form of expression
Don't mention boundaries on the phone
Do not bring up limitations or rules during phone conversations with her
They slide and glide on out the door
The boundaries I set for myself are easily broken or ignored when I am with her
Slow down
Take a break and calm down
I don't know what I'm hoping for
I am lost and unsure of what I want
So silently I'm opening the latch
I am quietly trying to leave without alerting her
I swear she'll be the last one I dispatch
I promise myself that she will be the last woman I leave or end things with
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind