<… 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
Young Pilgrims
The Shins Lyrics
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And there are no barking sparrows
Just emptiness to dwell upon
I fell into a winter slide
And ended up the kind of kid who goes down chutes too narrow
Just eking out my measly pies
Know there is this side of me that
Wants to grab the yoke from the pilot and just
Fly the whole mess into the sea
Another slow train to the coast
Some brand new gory art from way on high
I sink and then I swim all night
I watch the ice melt on the glass
While the eloquent young pilgrims pass
And leave behind their trail
Imploring us all not to fail
Of course I was raised to gather courage from those
Lofty tales so tried and true and
If you're able I'd suggest it 'cause this
Modern thought can get the best of you
This rather simple epitaph can save your hide, your falling mind
Fate isn't what we're up against, there's no design, no flaws to find
There's no design, no flaws to find
But I learned fast how to keep my head up 'cause I
Know I got this side of me that
Wants to grab the yoke from the pilot and just
Fly the whole mess into the sea
The Shins' "Young Pilgrims" is a song about growing up and facing the challenges of life head-on. At the beginning of the song, the singer describes a cold and wet November dawn and how it leaves him feeling empty and alone. He goes on to describe how he fell into a "winter slide" and became the kind of person who is always struggling to get by.
Despite this, the singer finds the strength to keep going and to keep his head up. He knows that inside of him there is a part that wants to take control and fly the whole mess into the sea. In the second half of the song, the singer talks about watching the eloquent young pilgrims pass by and how he was raised to gather courage from their lofty tales.
The singer suggests that we can all benefit from these tales and it is a simple epitaph that can save our minds from falling apart. Fate is not what we are up against, but rather the challenges of modern thought. There is no design or flaws to find, we must simply keep our heads up and keep moving forward.
Overall, the song emphasizes the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity, and how we can always find the strength within ourselves to overcome our struggles.
Line by Line Meaning
A cold and wet November dawn
The singer sets the scene for their story, describing the weather and time of day as gloomy.
And there are no barking sparrows
The singer is emphasizing the emptiness and lack of life around them.
Just emptiness to dwell upon
The singer is feeling a sense of loneliness and isolation in their surroundings.
I fell into a winter slide
The artist is using a metaphor to describe a period of difficulty in their life.
And ended up the kind of kid who goes down chutes too narrow
The artist is suggesting that they have struggled to find their place or path in life.
Just eking out my measly pies
The singer is expressing a sense of dissatisfaction or frustration with their current situation.
But I learned fast how to keep my head up 'cause I
The singer is acknowledging their ability to persevere and stay optimistic in the face of challenges.
Know there is this side of me that
The artist is highlighting an aspect of themselves that is determined and ambitious.
Wants to grab the yoke from the pilot and just
The artist is using a metaphor to express their desire to take control of their own life.
Fly the whole mess into the sea
The artist is expressing a desire to start over or make a drastic change in their life.
Another slow train to the coast
The singer is describing a journey they are taking, possibly physically or metaphorically.
Some brand new gory art from way on high
The artist is describing a shocking or disturbing sight they have encountered.
I sink and then I swim all night
The singer is describing a state of fluctuation, moving between good and bad moods.
I watch the ice melt on the glass
The singer is describing a mundane activity that occupies their time and thoughts.
While the eloquent young pilgrims pass
The singer is observing other people around them, possibly feeling disconnected from them.
And leave behind their trail
The artist is suggesting that others are making an impact in the world or leaving a mark.
Imploring us all not to fail
The artist is suggesting that these others are sharing a message of hope or encouragement.
Of course I was raised to gather courage from those
The singer is explaining that they were taught to find inspiration and strength from others' stories.
Lofty tales so tried and true and
The singer is emphasizing the importance of historical stories or traditions.
If you're able I'd suggest it 'cause this
The artist is recommending that others follow this same mindset.
Modern thought can get the best of you
The artist is suggesting that some contemporary ideas or attitudes may be harmful.
This rather simple epitaph can save your hide, your falling mind
The artist is proposing a simple message or guideline that can help others in difficult times.
Fate isn't what we're up against, there's no design, no flaws to find
The singer is suggesting that life is not predetermined or inherently flawed.
But I learned fast how to keep my head up 'cause I
The artist is restating their earlier realization about their ability to stay positive and take control of their life.
Know I got this side of me that
The singer is reaffirming their determination and ambition.
Wants to grab the yoke from the pilot and just
The singer is reusing the same metaphor to express their continued desire for control and change.
Fly the whole mess into the sea
The singer is repeating their earlier expression of a desire for a fresh start or major change in their life.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: James Russell Mercer
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind