<… 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
Wonderful Christmastime
The Shins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The spirit’s up
We’re here tonight
And that’s enough
Simply having a wonderful Christmas time
Simply having a wonderful Christmas time
The feelin’s here
That only comes
This time of year
Simply having a wonderful Christmas time
Simply having a wonderful Christmas time
The choir of children sing their song
Ding dong, ding dong
Ding dong, ding, oh, oh
Simply having a wonderful Christmas time
Simply having a wonderful Christmas time
The word is out
About the town
To lift a glass
Ah, don’t look down
Simply having a wonderful Christmas time
Simply having a wonderful Christmas time
The choir of children sing their song
They practiced all year long
Ding dong, ding dong
Ding dong, ding dong
Ding dong, ding dong
The party’s on
The spirit’s up
We’re here tonight
And that’s enough
Simply having a wonderful Christmas time
Simply having a wonderful Christmas time
The moon is right
The spirit’s up
We’re here tonight
And that’s enough
Simply having a wonderful Christmas time
Simply having a wonderful Christmas time
Simply having a wonderful Christmas time
Simply having a wonderful Christmas time
Oh, Christmas time
The lyrics to The Shins' rendition of Paul McCartney's classic "Wonderful Christmastime" express the joy and excitement of the holiday season. The first few lines set the scene, with the moon shining bright and the holiday spirit in the air. The singer is surrounded by loved ones, and simply being together is enough to make it a wonderful Christmas time. This sentiment is repeated in the chorus several times, with the singer emphasizing that happiness can be found in the simple act of being together.
The second verse continues the theme, with mentions of Christmas parties and the special feeling that comes just once a year. The choir of children enters the song with their joyful and infectious "ding dong" refrain. The lyrics suggest that the children have been practicing for this moment, and their happy performance is a highlight of the gathering. The final verses acknowledge the celebratory atmosphere of the town, with everyone raising a glass and enjoying the moment. The final repetition of the chorus drives home the message that it really is possible to have a wonderful Christmas time simply by being surrounded by good people and good cheer.
Overall, The Shins' version of "Wonderful Christmastime" adds a slightly more acoustic, folksy edge to McCartney's original, but the lyrics remain a joyful celebration of the holiday season.
Line by Line Meaning
The moon is right
The timing is perfect
The spirit’s up
We’re feeling festive and joyful
We’re here tonight
We’re gathered together in celebration
And that’s enough
We're content with what we have
Simply having a wonderful Christmas time
We don't need anything more than what we have right now
The party’s on
We’re celebrating!
The feelin’s here
We’re in the mood for Christmas cheer
That only comes
This feeling is unique to this time of year
This time of year
The holiday season
The choir of children sing their song
A group of kids sing a Christmas carol
Ding dong, ding dong
The sound of jingle bells
The word is out
The news has spread
About the town
People in the town are aware
To lift a glass
To raise a toast
Ah, don’t look down
Don't be negative, look on the bright side
They practiced all year long
The children have been rehearsing for months
Oh, Christmas time
A time of celebration, happiness and love
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Lennon, George Harrison, Richard Starkey, Paul Mccartney
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mr Mike
Love it. Sounds like something out of the Beatles era.
doomer cave
Mr Mike How dare you.
iwantcompletion
@doomer cave How dare you get mad at someone for liking a song?
MikeDrewYT
Opening sounds like a direct Beach Boys homage
Bea Beifong-Firth
I've never heard this version of the song but it's really good !!
izzybizzyliz
Love this song and the shins. Classic
Toasted Ravioli
First thing I thought of on first listening is that the Shins went old school, evoking the sound of the Cowsills in this cover of Paul McCartney's classic Christmas tune. Well done!
Anais Anais
My favorite Christmas song right now. I'm so sick of all the others This is sweeeet!
Killn12
love it! they play it where I work all the time!
Mau Antezana
My favorite band covering my favorite classic band! Love them