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The Shins — We Will Become Silhouettes
Album: Such Great Heights (Postal Service single)
Avg rating:
6.4

Your rating:
Total ratings: 389









Released: 2003
Length: 2:58
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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I've got a cupboard with cans of food
Filtered water and pictures of you
And I'm not coming out until this is all over
And I'm looking through the glass
Where the light bends at the cracks
And I'm screaming at the top of my lungs
Pretending the echoes belong to someone
Someone I used to know

And we become silhouettes when our bodies finally go
Ba ba ba...

I wanted to walk through the empty streets
To feel something constant under my feet,
But all the news reports recommended that I stay indoors
Because the air outside will make
Our cells divide at an alarming rate
Until our shells simply cannot hold
All our insides in, and that's when we'll explode
(and it won't be a pretty sight)

And we'll become silhouettes when our bodies finally go
Ba ba ba...
And we'll become silhouettes when our bodies finally go
Ba ba ba...
And we'll become silhouettes when our bodies finally go
Ba ba ba...
And we'll become silhouettes when our bodies finally go
Ba ba ba...

And we'll become
And we'll become
Comments (62)add comment
Like this,but must say I like P.S. better.
Posted 15 years ago by Jazbo    [ Reply ]
Interesting take on this track. Like the pop version of, what was it, "Gin and Juice"?
Posted 15 years ago by jakewhite77    [ Reply ]
Lameo - just for the preadolescent!
Posted 15 years ago by Feghoot    [ Reply ]
Laugh out loud funny.

 window wrote:

Yeah, you're right dude.  It sucks when musicians are friends with other musicians.  And what it makes it worse is when when they make music together! 

{#Rolleyes}

 


Posted 15 years ago by Dahnyul    [ Reply ]
nice low-fi rock'n'roll!
Posted 15 years ago by bobcat1963    [ Reply ]
 iggam wrote:
Is it just me, or is there just too much commraderie among all the emo bands (or whatever the blanket genre the Shin's and Death Cab are in). It's like a co-marketing thing or something.
 
Yeah, you're right dude.  It sucks when musicians are friends with other musicians.  And what it makes it worse is when when they make music together! 

{#Rolleyes}

Posted 16 years ago by window    [ Reply ]
Is it just me, or is there just too much commraderie among all the emo bands (or whatever the blanket genre the Shin's and Death Cab are in). It's like a co-marketing thing or something.
Posted 16 years ago by iggam    [ Reply ]
dogpound wrote:
love this song, interesting cover
Love it too, as well as many other Shin-songs.
Posted 16 years ago by Beinte    [ Reply ]
youngj wrote:
I suppose I'm the minority. I like this version better.
justin4kick wrote:
I'm with you.
Well that makes 3 of us.
Posted 16 years ago by ScottishWillie    [ Reply ]
youngj wrote:
I suppose I'm the minority. I like this version better.
I'm with you.
Posted 16 years ago by justin4kick    [ Reply ]
jadewahoo wrote:
It is rare that I even bother to rate a song on RP that is below par in my estimation. This song was just so-o-o-o Ho-Hum that it moved me... moved me to rate it a 3. Ho-Hum.
Uva grad here. Know what you mean. lol. moved me too, but not a 3. how 'bout a 5?
Posted 16 years ago by ilibjorn    [ Reply ]
jadewahoo wrote:
It is rare that I even bother to rate a song on RP that is below par in my estimation. This song was just so-o-o-o Ho-Hum that it moved me... moved me to rate it a 3. Ho-Hum.
Ex-Uva grad here. Know what you mean. lol. moved me too, but not a 3. how 'bout a 5?
Posted 16 years ago by ilibjorn    [ Reply ]
love this song, interesting cover
Posted 16 years ago by dogpound    [ Reply ]
Hinkamp wrote:
I was pretty disappointed with their live appearance on Saturday Night Live. Other opinions?
Unfortunately, not many people sound good on SNL. Not sure why. :
Posted 17 years ago by vorkosigan    [ Reply ]
Tight harmonies. They do a great job putting that \'Shins\' sound on this cover.
Posted 17 years ago by window    [ Reply ]
strick wrote:
Not familiar with the original... I just thought it sounded like the Kinks....
Agreed. Thought this song sounded pleasant enough, I guess, but now I want to hear the more edgy original. Bill?
Posted 17 years ago by ProfessorFrink    [ Reply ]
not bad, just different...
Posted 17 years ago by davyjrshort    [ Reply ]
Not familiar with the original... I just thought it sounded like the Kinks....
Posted 17 years ago by strick    [ Reply ]
Hinkamp wrote:
I was pretty disappointed with their live appearance on Saturday Night Live. Other opinions?
Hmmm, sure made me sit up and notice!
Posted 17 years ago by Monkeysdad    [ Reply ]
Hinkamp wrote:
I was pretty disappointed with their live appearance on Saturday Night Live. Other opinions?
Flip -- I thought it was great. I've seen a lot worse. They had smiles, the harmony was going. Oh, wait. I think I saw them on Letterman, come to think of it. Is that possible?
Posted 17 years ago by reedifus    [ Reply ]
Hinkamp wrote:
I was pretty disappointed with their live appearance on Saturday Night Live. Other opinions?
I agree. They weren't very good live. I've seen them live before and they weren't great sounding but it was a fun show.
Posted 17 years ago by youngj    [ Reply ]
I was pretty disappointed with their live appearance on Saturday Night Live. Other opinions?
Posted 17 years ago by Hinkamp    [ Reply ]
jubilantme wrote:
whoa, i wasn't expecting this one! i like this cover. it doesn't sound exactly like the original, and isn't that the point of a good cover?
That IS the point of a good cover, and this is a good one. I've always belived that if an artist tries to make a cover sound exactly like the ortiginal, then what's the point of even doing the cover?
Posted 17 years ago by Smoove_D    [ Reply ]
I suppose I'm the minority. I like this version better.
Posted 17 years ago by youngj    [ Reply ]
The Shins get too much play time.
Posted 17 years ago by Wisecrowe    [ Reply ]
I agree the original is better, but I still like the Shins overall so I'll still listen to this one. Does anyone else think of The Martian Chronicles when they hear this song?
Posted 18 years ago by meydele    [ Reply ]
whoa, i wasn't expecting this one! i like this cover. it doesn't sound exactly like the original, and isn't that the point of a good cover?
Posted 18 years ago by jubilantme    [ Reply ]
Eh. It's not bad. But it's not special. The Postal Service version is special. It makes you take notice. This one is forgettable.
Posted 18 years ago by pescivendolo    [ Reply ]
StellarSwarm wrote:
I've been trying to pinpoint what it is that I dislike about this version. I think it's the way they've changed the emphasis in the phrasing. Most notably in the phrase "Silhouettes when our bodies finally go". The Postal Service version seems more drawn out while the Shins version seems like they are trying to cram too many words into a measure. I understand that one of the hallmarks of a good cover is that you're not just replaying the original version but putting your own flare on it. I just don't particularly like the Shins "flare" on this song.
I agree completely. This one just doesn't have any emotion in it, to me. The idea of the song is a lovely one, and I'm not a big fan of the way the Shins have reinterpreted it. It's kind of too peppy for me. Personally, I prefer the Postal Service version to this one. The Shins should stick to their own music, which they do very well.
Posted 18 years ago by penguinja    [ Reply ]
ndfan75 wrote:
why don't I like this band? I haven't figured it out yet, but I know it's there.
They come off as a bunch of prissy know it all snobs. Not that they are. Or aren't. Self-consciously unpretentious to the point it rubs you the wrong way, like a chick that playfully runs her hands through your hair, but it's just annoying.
Posted 18 years ago by bmo    [ Reply ]
why don't I like this band? I haven't figured it out yet, but I know it's there.
Posted 18 years ago by ndfan75    [ Reply ]
ChardRemains wrote:
Okay well let us hear the Postal Service version so we can vote!
YES PLEASE.
Posted 18 years ago by luminousjune    [ Reply ]
I've been trying to pinpoint what it is that I dislike about this version. I think it's the way they've changed the emphasis in the phrasing. Most notably in the phrase "Silhouettes when our bodies finally go". The Postal Service version seems more drawn out while the Shins version seems like they are trying to cram too many words into a measure. I understand that one of the hallmarks of a good cover is that you're not just replaying the original version but putting your own flare on it. I just don't particularly like the Shins "flare" on this song.
Posted 18 years ago by StellarSwarm    [ Reply ]
Posted 18 years ago by Mari    [ Reply ]
I adore the Postal Service original but this one is pretty good on it's own merits.
Posted 18 years ago by pixidrizzl    [ Reply ]
physicsgenius wrote:
No no no, the original by Postal Service was much better. MUCH.
A rarity - I agree with you. Especially the silly chanting at the end.
Posted 18 years ago by Ender43    [ Reply ]
I'm going to say that I also like The Postal Service version better, though I do like this one as well. Maybe it's just that I like Ben Gibbard's voice better.
Posted 18 years ago by serendipity_blue    [ Reply ]
Posted 18 years ago by Sobient    [ Reply ]
dwa375 wrote:
RP - these guys get a lot of air - why?
yes, RP, why?
Posted 19 years ago by panda    [ Reply ]
not one of my favorite shins songs. There are so many better ones out there.
Posted 19 years ago by laughingflower    [ Reply ]
But a pale imitation of Tom Lehrer's "We Will All Go Together When We Go."
Posted 19 years ago by Baby_M    [ Reply ]
It is rare that I even bother to rate a song on RP that is below par in my estimation. This song was just so-o-o-o Ho-Hum that it moved me... moved me to rate it a 3. Ho-Hum.
Posted 19 years ago by jadewahoo    [ Reply ]
I also like this version better than the postal service's, maybe its just because i like the shins more in general
Posted 19 years ago by elokin2141    [ Reply ]
Covering this tune is a great idea, I think, even though I love the original. That said, the voicing of the lyrics sounds sloppy to my ears, as though it was planned hastily with little thought lent to the nature of the lyrics/mood.
Posted 19 years ago by coldatlantic    [ Reply ]
rainfairy wrote:
Overall I prefer the original by The Postal Service. There are moments of folkiness that I began to enjoy but it just wasn't satisfying enough.
See, on the other hand, I like this one better. In fact, when I heard the Postal Service version I was confused--didn't realize there was more than one.
Posted 19 years ago by babygirl614    [ Reply ]
RP - these guys get a lot of air - why?
Posted 19 years ago by dwa375    [ Reply ]
Overall I prefer the original by The Postal Service. There are moments of folkiness that I began to enjoy but it just wasn't satisfying enough.
Posted 19 years ago by rainfairy    [ Reply ]
Now, my Cousin Kyrsten loves this and I suppose every generation re-discovers sounds and bands. To me they sound really derivative of the Balancing Act from years ago. They're good, but not new by any stretch.
Posted 19 years ago by Daveinbawlmer    [ Reply ]
Great track...more punch than the Service version...
Posted 19 years ago by wbmarco2    [ Reply ]
gandalfbmg wrote:
OK, this is the second Postal Service cover I've heard in two days. Is their album a cover album and I've been hearing the originals, or have bands been rushing out Postal Service covers??
The Shins and Postal Service toured together for a while a few years back, and they've both recorded alternate versions of each others' songs. Just a friendly thing, I think.
Posted 19 years ago by rah    [ Reply ]
I note from looking at the Radio Paradise Cam that it caught Bill in motion. Maybe he is working on fixing this song.
Posted 19 years ago by Darlington    [ Reply ]
physicsgenius wrote:
No no no, the original by Postal Service was much better. MUCH.
You got that exactly right, except the other way 'round.
Posted 19 years ago by phineas    [ Reply ]
Okay well let us hear the Postal Service version so we can vote!
Posted 19 years ago by ChardRemains    [ Reply ]
lowelltr wrote:
NOT EVEN CLOSE to Postal Service version. Which is the original? I'll give it a mediocre "5", cause it's a good song - PS's version gets a "9"
As the PS version grows on me, so does this one... It's just a great song, and I think the two versions are working together to drill into my brain.
Posted 19 years ago by gandalfbmg    [ Reply ]
lowelltr wrote:
NOT EVEN CLOSE to Postal Service version. Which is the original? I'll give it a mediocre "5", cause it's a good song - PS's version gets a "9"
precisely. and PS did it first.
Posted 20 years ago by Bill_Kunsler    [ Reply ]
Stevo wrote:
I've been wondering the same thing. Anyone know?
both of those are cover versions of Postal Service songs - 'b-sides' from the PS single for "Such Great Heights"
Posted 20 years ago by Platypus    [ Reply ]
gandalfbmg wrote:
OK, this is the second Postal Service cover I've heard in two days. Is their album a cover album and I've been hearing the originals, or have bands been rushing out Postal Service covers??
I've been wondering the same thing. Anyone know?
Posted 20 years ago by Stevo    [ Reply ]
OK, this is the second Postal Service cover I've heard in two days. Is their album a cover album and I've been hearing the originals, or have bands been rushing out Postal Service covers??
Posted 20 years ago by gandalfbmg    [ Reply ]
There's just something about the Postal Service that can't be imitated. I just doubt I would have ever fallen in love with this song if I heard this version first.
Posted 20 years ago by ArbiterOfGoodTaste    [ Reply ]
happy! happy!
Posted 20 years ago by asparklinggirl    [ Reply ]
No no no, the original by Postal Service was much better. MUCH.
Posted 20 years ago by physicsgenius    [ Reply ]
NOT EVEN CLOSE to Postal Service version. Which is the original? I'll give it a mediocre "5", cause it's a good song - PS's version gets a "9"
Posted 20 years ago by lowelltr    [ Reply ]