When You Notice the Stripes
The Shins Lyrics


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Gold teeth and a curse for this town were all in my mouth
Only, I don't know how they got out, dear
Turn me back into the pet that I was when we met
I was happier then with no mind-set

And if you'd 'a took to me like
A gull takes to the wind
Well, I'd 'a jumped from my tree
And I'd a danced like the king of the eyesores
And the rest of our lives would 'a fared well

New slang when you notice the stripes, the dirt in your fries
Hope it's right when you die, old and bony
Dawn breaks like a bull through the hall
Never should have called
But my head's to the wall and I'm lonely

And if you'd 'a took to me like
A gull takes to the wind
Well, I'd 'a jumped from my tree
And I'd a danced like the kind of the eyesores
And the rest of our lives would 'a fared well

God speed all the bakers at dawn may they all cut their thumbs
And bleed into their buns 'till they melt away

I'm looking in on the good life I might be doomed never to find
Without a trust or flaming fields am I too dumb to refine?
And if you'd 'a took to me like




Well I'd a danced like the queen of the eyesores
And the rest of our lives would 'a fared well

Overall Meaning

The first verse of the song describes the singer's dissatisfaction with his current state. He feels as though he has lost a sense of himself, referring to himself as a "pet" when he first met his partner. The reference to "gold teeth and a curse for this town" could symbolize a sense of being trapped, unable to escape his current situation. The line "Only, I don't know how they got out, dear" suggests a lack of control over his own life.


The chorus and second verse introduce the idea of "new slang," which could represent a way of thinking or a new perspective. The mention of "the stripes, the dirt in your fries" suggests a moment of clarity in which one notices something that was previously overlooked. The line "Hope it's right when you die, old and bony" speaks to the idea of living a life worth living, not just passing through it. The references to "the king of the eyesores" and "the queen of the eyesores" suggest a rejection of societal norms and a desire to be true to oneself.


The final verse contains some abstract imagery, including the idea of bakers cutting their thumbs and bleeding into their buns. This could represent sacrifice or a willingness to make mistakes in pursuit of something greater. The line "I'm looking in on the good life I might be doomed never to find" speaks to a sense of longing and uncertainty about the future.


Line by Line Meaning

Gold teeth and a curse for this town were all in my mouth
I was once the embodiment of the town's greed and misery, with a mouth full of gold teeth symbolizing my corruption and a curse that reflected the town's unhappiness.


Only, I don't know how they got out, dear
Despite not knowing why or how, I have lost the possessions and traits that once represented my connection to the town and its people.


Turn me back into the pet that I was when we met
I want to return to a time when I felt loved and cared for, like a pet that depends on its owner for affection and attention.


I was happier then with no mind-set
In the past, I was content with a simple, carefree existence, without the burdensome thoughts and worries of adulthood.


And if you'd 'a took to me like A gull takes to the wind Well, I'd 'a jumped from my tree And I'd a danced like the king of the eyesores And the rest of our lives would 'a fared well
If only you had accepted me and loved me unconditionally, I would have thrown caution to the wind and lived life to the fullest, and we would have had a bright and happy future together.


New slang when you notice the stripes, the dirt in your fries Hope it's right when you die, old and bony Dawn breaks like a bull through the hall Never should have called But my head's to the wall and I'm lonely
The harsh realities of life are revealed when you notice the flaws and imperfections in the world around you. As you face your own mortality, you hope that you have made the right choices and lived a meaningful life. The dawn brings a new day, but I regret reaching out to you because it only made me feel more isolated and alone.


God speed all the bakers at dawn may they all cut their thumbs And bleed into their buns 'till they melt away
May the hardworking bakers of the world find success and happiness, even if their efforts are sometimes painful and exhausting. May their passion and dedication help them rise to the top, until all their hard work and sacrifice is rewarded.


I'm looking in on the good life I might be doomed never to find Without a trust or flaming fields am I too dumb to refine?
I am envious of those who seem to have found happiness and fulfillment in life, and worry that I myself will never achieve such contentment. Without a clear direction or purpose, I wonder if I am incapable of achieving greater sophistication and wisdom.


And if you'd 'a took to me like Well I'd a danced like the queen of the eyesores And the rest of our lives would 'a fared well
Once again, I express regret at missing out on the opportunity to dance and be happy with you. A happy future together is still a possibility, if only you had given me the chance to prove my worth and potential.




Contributed by London P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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