<… 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
Sleeping Lessons
The Shins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'Til the need seeps in
You're low, anymore
Collecting your novel petals for the stem
And glow
Glow
Melt and flow
Spill it out on the ragged floor
A thousand different versions of yourself
And if the old guard still offend
They got nothing left on which you depend
So enlist every ounce
Of your bright blood
And off with their heads
Jump from the hook
You're not obliged to swallow anything you despise
See, those unrepenting buzzards want your life
And they got no right
As sure as you have eyes
They got no right
Just put yourself in my new shoes
And see that I do what I do
Because the old guard still offend (their pudgy hearts and shiny hands)
They got nothing left on which we depend
So enlist every ounce
Of your bright blood
And off with their heads
Jump from the hook
You're not obliged
To swallow anything you despise
That you despise
That you despise
That you despise
That you despise
The lyrics of "Sleeping Lessons" by The Shins can be interpreted as a call to action for individuals who are tired of conforming to societal expectations and living a low-energy, unfulfilling existence. The opening lines suggest that one should go without, removing themselves from the routine and mundane activities that make up their day-to-day life until they feel a need or desire to do something more. The line "collecting your novel petals for the stem" can be interpreted as collecting unique experiences and knowledge that can help one grow.
Moving on to the chorus, the words "glow," "melt," and "flow" suggest a transformation or melting away of old ways of being, leading to a disarrayed yet essential state of mind. The line "a thousand different versions of yourself" reinforces this idea that one can be many things and should not limit themselves to just one version of who they are.
The second half of the song is a more direct call to action, with clear allusions to the idea of breaking away from the old guard or established societal norms. The lines "enlist every ounce of your bright blood" and "jump from the hook" suggest a willingness to take action and fight for what one believes in, rather than being held back by fear or complacency. The repetition of "you're not obliged to swallow anything you despise" reinforces this notion and serves as a battle cry for individuals who are ready to make a change.
Overall, "Sleeping Lessons" can be seen as a rallying cry for anyone who is feeling stuck or unfulfilled, urging them to break away from the old ways and embrace their own unique path.
Line by Line Meaning
Go without
Abstain from something until the need arises for it
'Til the need seeps in
Wait until you feel a natural desire or urge for something
You're low, anymore
You feel depleted or lacking in some way
Collecting your novel petals for the stem
Gathering new experiences and ideas to add to your existing knowledge and growth
And glow
Radiate with positive energy and emotions
Glow
Continue that powerful energy and positivity
Melt and flow
Surrender to the moment and let things happen naturally
You disarrayed your the fragile fray
You have disrupted the delicate balance or situation
Spill it out on the ragged floor
Release your emotions or thoughts in an unfiltered and raw manner
A thousand different versions of yourself
You contain many facets and aspects that make up who you are
And if the old guard still offend
If the traditional or established ways of thinking or doing things still bother you
They got nothing left on which you depend
They have no more power or influence over you
So enlist every ounce
Use every bit of energy or effort you have
Of your bright blood
Of your vitality and life force
And off with their heads
Free yourself from their oppressive control or influence
Jump from the hook
Escape the trap or situation that is holding you back
You're not obliged to swallow anything you despise
You don't have to accept or tolerate something that goes against your values or beliefs
See, those unrepenting buzzards want your life
Those who are unapologetic or remorseless will take advantage of you if given the chance
And they got no right
They have no authority or claim to what is rightfully yours
As sure as you have eyes
As certain as your own vision or perception of reality
Just put yourself in my new shoes
Imagine yourself in my position or circumstances
And see that I do what I do
Understand my actions or decisions and the reasons behind them
Because the old guard still offend (their pudgy hearts and shiny hands)
Because those who hold onto the past ways of doing things still bother me (their corrupt and greedy nature)
They got nothing left on which we depend
They have lost their power or influence over us
So enlist every ounce
Use all of your energy or resources
Of your bright blood
Of your life force or vitality
And off with their heads
Remove their oppressive control or influence over us
Jump from the hook
Break free from the trap or situation that is holding us back
You're not obliged
You are not obligated or required
To swallow anything you despise
To accept or tolerate something that goes against your values or beliefs
That you despise
That which you strongly dislike or reject
That you despise
That which you strongly dislike or reject
That you despise
That which you strongly dislike or reject
That you despise
That which you strongly dislike or reject
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: James Russell Mercer
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@violentnomad.
Go without,
'Till the need seeps in,
You low animal,
Collect your novel petals for the stem,
And glow,
Glow,
Melt and flow,
Evascerate your fragile frame,
And spill it out on the ragged floor,
A thousand different versions of yourself,
And if the old guards still offend,
They got nothing left on which you depend,
So enlist every ounce,
Of your bright blood,
And off with their heads,
Jump from the hook,
You're not obliged to swallow anything you despise,
See, those unrepenting buzzards want your life,
And they got no right,
As sure as you have eyes,
They got no right,
Just put yourself in my new shoes,
And see that I do what I do,
Because the old guard still offend,
(Their pudgy hearts and slimy hands)
they got nothing left on which we depend,
So enlist every ounce,
Of your bright blood,
And off with their heads,
Jump from the hook,
And you're not obliged,
To swallow anything you despise.
@7a9b8c1111
Seeing everyone that listened to this song years ago and came back with better lives make me hope I can do the same. Remind me to come back in a few years.
@Nick-wu8zn
'Check-up'
@buffalobill7016
wait a few more years
@alejandrozombie8740
Hope you doing good man
@kimberly5946
❤💎❤
@daystillnight
good luck
@jeetyall8084
Flashback to high school, this was one of the songs I can say literally saved my life. It was poetry that i could not only see, but also hear and feel. I was at the worst point in life when I discovered this song. Thanks to the shins and a few other true artists I'm still around and these days use this song as a lullaby for my beautiful 1 year old daughter. Works like magic
@chuchaftw
I also found this song during some tough times in high school. And I finally heard it again yesterday after what I believe has been 8 or 9 years since I last heard it. Teared up a bit because of the memories and feelings it brought back. Thank you The Shins
@hartbreaker332211
As a young adult, I now understand why my Dad played this album ALL the time and during EVERY long car ride.
@doodooswaggy3825
oh yeah?
What's his name?