Wooden Shjips is a vital and refreshingly inspired quartet from San Francis… Read Full Bio ↴Wooden Shjips is a vital and refreshingly inspired quartet from San Francisco playing loud rock ‘n’ roll in a style heavily influenced by the experimentalism of psychedelia, classical minimalism and garage rock excess. Started as an experiment in rhythmic primitivism and group improvisation, the current lineup brings a more structured rock approach to its performances, utilizing a traditional lineup of drums (Omar Ahsanuddin), bass (Dusty Jermier), organ (Nash Whalen), guitar (Erik “Ripley” Johnson) and vocals.

Its songs sound something akin to the icy garage rock of early Echo & The Bunnymen crossed with the sun-bleached tremolo-punk of the Scientists. There are hints of krautrock, the trance-inducing organ haze of Suicide, Deerhunter style dance-drone, classic desert-fried garage psych and the mysterious, obscure Japanese lysergic-rock band Les Rallizes Denudes all mixed into one explosive whole on Wooden Shjips self-titled Holy Mountain debut.

The experience of Wooden Shjips (yes, shjips, not ships) has been equated to that of the Japanese phenomenon called maboroshi, which is somewhat similar to seeing a mirage or hallucinating in time. In the context of imagination/dreams, maboroshi is attributed to past occurrences and can take on a meaning like "phantoms." The group's songs seem to exist in a dream state in which anything is possible.

Wooden Shjips released two acclaimed records in 2006, beginning early in the year with the self-released 10” EP Shrinking Moon for You. The record quickly sold-out, after capturing the attention of well-regarded tastemakers, such as Tom Lax and Byron Coley, who penned rave reviews on Siltblog and in The Wire magazine, respectively. A 7” followed on the Sick Thirst label, and received similar praise from music bloggers, as well as from veteran scribe David Fricke in Rolling Stone.

The band has three new releases lined up for 2007: the LP/CD for Holy Mountain, a 7” for Sub Pop and a 7” for Pollymaggoo Records. They played at NoisePop 2007 with Roky Erickson in March, as well as playing a packed showcase at the SXSW Music conference in Austin, TX.

ruins
Wooden Shjips Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Under my skin
Chases after all the blues
Look out for the king
In the writers and lost

This will be uncertain
This will be ruins

Born in the light
Cast a shadow of our love
Thinking the sun
Blurring innocence of tired
We all know, you all wrong

Out of the night
Was so long I can't recall
Chasing after night
At the end of so to fall
Did you know so much home

Lost the purpose execution
Everybody knows

Wouldn't be so easy
We've only hold a dream

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of the song 'Ruins' by Wooden Shjips convey a sense of uncertainty and a search for purpose in life. The opening line "Under my skin" suggests that the emotions are deeply rooted and persistent. The line "Chases after all the blues" could mean trying to get rid of the sadness or trying to find and explore new territories. The message to "Look out for the king" is a warning to be careful of people in power or those who desire power. The line "In the writers and lost" could refer to the people who write history or the ones trying to find their path in life.

The chorus of the song "This will be uncertain, this will be ruins" implies that every endeavor, every journey in life is uncertain, and there could be ruins along the way. The lyrics "Born in the light, Cast a shadow of our love" suggest that the light brings out love, but it also casts a shadow that could blur one's innocence. The lines "Thinking the sun, Blurring innocence of tired, We all know, you all wrong" could mean that the search for fulfillment and happiness can lead to disillusionment, and what we believe to be true may not always be right.

The verses "Out of the night, Was so long I can't recall, Chasing after night, At the end of so to fall, Did you know so much home, Lost the purpose execution, Everybody knows, Wouldn't be so easy, We've only hold a dream" convey a sense of being lost and not knowing where to go or what to do. The lines "Lost the purpose execution, Everybody knows" suggests that people could lose their sense of purpose and direction in life, and everyone knows this but may not acknowledge it. The last line "We've only hold a dream" could mean that despite the uncertainty and the ruins along the way, one can hold on to their dreams.

Line by Line Meaning

Under my skin
Deeply affecting me

Chases after all the blues
In pursuit of everything that makes me feel low

Look out for the king
Be aware of those who have power and control

In the writers and lost
Among those who create stories and those who feel adrift

This will be uncertain
The outcome is unknown

This will be ruins
What we have built will crumble

Born in the light
Starting out with good intentions

Cast a shadow of our love
Our love is tainted by negative emotions

Thinking the sun
Believing in a brighter future

Blurring innocence of tired
The weariness of experience is distorting our beliefs

We all know, you all wrong
We recognize the error in your ways