<… 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
We Built a Raft and We Floated
The Shins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Spent like dimes, saved in the hat on an old man′s head
Trapped like rats, Cornered by the flood
We built a raft and we floated
Save for the tricks And the endless lies
It could be liked for its motives
It could be liked for its motives but...
I'd rather be crushed,
Or crushed the life out of someone
Than be caught fitting in with
The "League of the Collapsing Grin"
Baby it′s hard when you can see
That they don't even know, that they don't know
Trapped like rats, Cornered by the flood
We built a raft and we floated
Save for the tricks And the endless lies
They could be liked for its motives
They could be liked for their motives but...
I′d rather be crushed,
Or crushed the life out of someone
Than be caught fitting in with
The "League of the Collapsing Grin"
Baby it′s hard when you can see
That they don't even know
The lyrics of "We Built a Raft and We Floated" begin with a nostalgic tone as the singer recalls a time when they had a grand adventure with their friends, sailing on a river caught in the gold share. They reminisce on how they had little material possessions but were content spending their money and pooling their contributions together, saved in the hat of an old man's head. However, soon their joy is ended, and they are trapped by a flood, which forces them to build a raft and set sail in search of safety. They lament how they have had to resort to trickery and lies, but ultimately they could be praised for their ingenuity and resourcefulness. However, the singer is honest in their admission that they prefer causing harm to another person than surrendering to the pressures of conforming to the social norms and expectations of what is expected from them from the “League of the Collapsing Grin." Pride is more important to the singer than pleasing others, and it's excruciating to see how they are surrounded by people who don't understand what they are going through.
One can deduce that the song, "We Built a Raft and We Floated," by The Shins is a reflection of how complacency has affected society, and how those who dare to go against the norms will feel alienated from the masses. The song is more than just a story about friendship and adventure but also a commentary on the tensions between individuality and conformity. The lyrics speak to the struggles of individuals who feel unheard or unseen, who choose to stand out and not succumb to social pressure. The singer feels frustrated when people around them do not understand what is happening, so they hide behind the mask of the “League of the collapsing grin."
Overall, The Shins have crafted a poignant piece with moments of nostalgia and action, conveying the challenges that come with social pressure and conformity. The song is a call to remain true to oneself despite the pressures of society.
Line by Line Meaning
One fat, tumbling time we graced the Gold Share
Once, we had a glorious time at Gold Share, spending money like it's nothing and saving whatever we can.
Spent like dimes, saved in the hat on an old man's head
Despite spending like dimes, we still managed to save some in the old man's hat.
Trapped like rats, Cornered by the flood
Feeling helpless and trapped like rats due to the approaching flood.
We built a raft and we floated
We worked hard and built a raft to escape from the flood and float to safety.
Save for the tricks and the endless lies
If not for the deceptive actions and lies of some people, our journey could've been more enjoyable.
It could be liked for its motives
The journey could still be appreciated for its original intentions.
It could be liked for its motives but...
However, despite the good intentions, there are still lingering negative feelings.
I'd rather be crushed, or crushed the life out of someone
I'd rather face a terrible fate or even inflict harm on someone than conform to the 'League of the Collapsing Grin'.
Than be caught fitting in with the 'League of the Collapsing Grin'
I would never want to be associated with the group of people who pretend to be happy but are actually struggling within.
Baby it's hard when you can see
It's difficult when you realize that some people are oblivious to their own struggles.
That they don't even know, that they don't know
They are unaware that they don't have a grasp on their reality and are stuck in their own illusion.
They could be liked for its motives
Those people could still be appreciated for their original intentions.
They could be liked for their motives but...
Despite their good intentions, there are still negative feelings toward them.
I'd rather be crushed, or crushed the life out of someone
Again, I would rather face a terrible fate or even harm others than conform to the 'League of the Collapsing Grin'.
Writer(s): James Russell Mercer
Contributed by Kaylee G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Apple Snitch
definately the best Shins song. Thanx for posting
laker2125
New shit is good.
CoffeyMayne
*trapped like a rat, caught by the flood
Sean Augustine March
Best Shins song
TheDudezer
nope this is original version...i like its rawness kind of.
Abigail Clough
push me down
TheDudezer
this is not new this stuff is some of their oldest work from the late 90s my friend. actually their new album(port of morrow) actually sucks probably cuz James Mercer kicked the original band out and formed a new group yet had the nerve to keep his band called "The Shins" just to sell albums.
JungHunt
8 years ago. Not even close to when this band started or had good singles.
Nice try tho.