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The Shins — New Slang (When You Notice the Stripes)
Album: Oh! Inverted World
Avg rating:
7.8

Your rating:
Total ratings: 5039









Released: 2001
Length: 3:45
Plays (last 30 days): 2
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.
Comments (384)add comment
Love this song, but it hurts my heart a bit.
 Dave_Mack wrote:

Har har, Elbow and then the Shins! I ain't complaining.



Agreed!

It's an anatomical mix :)
 Tomasni wrote:

My rating goes down to 3  and I DO SKIP 


Skip like there's no tomorrow, Skippy!
 jp33442 wrote:

Who cares I sure don’t 

Then why are you writing??  I don’t care about comments positive or negative, I care about this useless drivel wasting others time. Get on with your life
A very sweet little ditty and I like it.
After all these years hearing this song I realize that bizarre guitar sound is not a guitar, but a banjo plugged into reverb!!!! O.O
 lily34 wrote:

almost reminds me of something Elliott Smith would do. or one of the Finns.

i love the cover art.



Completely concur on Elliot Smith! Definitely one of my very favorites from The Shins
almost reminds me of something Elliott Smith would do. or one of the Finns.

i love the cover art.
 Aural_not_Oral wrote:
Can you recommend some good Manic Pixie Dream Girl movies?

I thought Scott Pilgrim vs. The World was great fun. Also features music by Beck and Metric.
This is such a great song.
I was just listening to a Broken Bells song and it made me think about how much I love this song, and how I never hear it on RP.

4400+ ratings suggests it has gotten plenty of plays, guess it is just temporarily out of rotation.
Good Tune!
From Zero 7 to this...both songs from Garden State soundtrack.
Normally, I would say Bill programmed the set that way.
But I'm listening to my 'Favorites' stream....
 poulain.g wrote:

Hello.
Sorry for the delay, but I'm looking for a title scheduled for September 14, 2021. It aired between 7am and 8am (local hour). It was an adaptation of a French rock group ... "indochine" or "telephone". Is it possible to find it and give me the title please?
Thank you.




try digging here: https://radioparadise.com/musi...
Hello.
Sorry for the delay, but I'm looking for a title scheduled for September 14, 2021. It aired between 7am and 8am (local hour). It was an adaptation of a French rock group ... "indochine" or "telephone". Is it possible to find it and give me the title please?
Thank you.
Love this song. 9
Queen of the eyesores.... man, I'd love to sing along but it's very difficult.
Driving a red Renault 4 and listening  to this song wih my cat Hobbes on the road to Vet.  Triple Checked. Hallelujah.

First heard of the Shins on the Garden State soundtrack. It introduced me to a whole new generation of artists and helped keep me feeling young and more connected with my kids.
Hard to believe this is almost 20 years old.
Har har, Elbow and then the Shins! I ain't complaining.
Not many writers can turn these kind of poetic lyrics into a well-crafted melody. Or I wonder if he starts with a melody in his writing? Anybody know if he ever did an interview on this in between firing band members?
Discovered the Shins here and bought some vinyl. Nice. 
 Tomasni wrote:
My rating goes down to 3  and I DO SKIP 
 
We've been warned.
Sometimes I wonder at how some such musically simple songs are so stunning. 

Not sure it changed my life, but it's pretty darn catchy.  ; )
 Tomasni wrote:
My rating goes down to 3  and I DO SKIP 
 
Who cares I sure don’t 
I love it when you can understand every word an artist like JB sings...
Excellent!
My rating goes down to 3  and I DO SKIP 
Rating to me is a  weak 7 but I choose not to Skip
I have heard a lot of great stuff on radio paradise keep it up
I used to burn this tune to like every mix cd I burnt back then
"God speed all the bakers at dawn may they all cut their thumbs, 
And bleed into their buns 'till they melt away. "

Wow... 
RIP Richard Swift.
I WAS ASTOUNDED TO FIND OUT from a rather taciturn but acknowledged and revered MusicKnowItAll Ozzie after discovering, with Chutes Too Narrow, what a great band this was, that they had already done THIS AMAZING RECORDING before it... IMMORTAL!
 treatment_bound wrote:

Here's a reprinted list from Wikipedia of movies with MPDG's, which include some from Hollywood's Golden Era.

I've seen most of them which were released since the late 90's, and I can't really recommend any of those except "Almost Famous" (which included a 2nd generation MPDG).

But then C. Crowe had to go back to the MPDG well again with "Elizabethtown", and it pretty much derailed his career permanently. 

CharacterPortrayed byMovieDate
Susan Vance Katharine HepburnBringing Up Baby1938
Jean Harrington Barbara StanwyckThe Lady Eve1941
Gery JeffersClaudette ColbertThe Palm Beach Story1942
Sugar "Kane" KowalczykMarilyn MonroeSome Like It Hot1959
Patricia FranchiniJean SebergBreathless1960
Holly GolightlyAudrey HepburnBreakfast at Tiffany's1961
CatherineJeanne MoreauJules and Jim1962
Sara DeeverSandy DennisSweet November1968
Toni SimmonsGoldie HawnCactus Flower1969
Judy MaxwellBarbra StreisandWhat's Up, Doc?1972
Jill TannerGoldie HawnButterflies Are Free1972
BellePaige O'HaraBeauty and the Beast1991
LaylaChristina RicciBuffalo '661998
Penny LaneKate HudsonAlmost Famous2000
Sara DeeverCharlize TheronSweet November2001
SamNatalie PortmanGarden State2004
Claire ColburnKirsten DunstElizabethtown2005
KimRachel BilsonThe Last Kiss2006
AllisonZooey DeschanelYes Man2008
Summer FinnZooey Deschanel500 Days of Summer2009
Maggie MurdockAnne HathawayLove & Other Drugs2010
Penelope LockhartKeira KnightleySeeking a Friend for the End of the World2012

 
"500 Days of Summer" was great, although at times quite painful. "Almost Famous" was quite good, although I don't know if it would stand up to a re-watching. 

Rachel Bilson:   {#Hearteyes}
 Not the greatest segue: Chantays "Pipeline" —> this. Big dropoff in energy. 
 Skydog wrote:

they seem to be compatible to me, 

 
Especially with the new guy, Chris Thile. 
https://www.prairiehome.org/shows/55421 
 Grammarcop wrote:
The Shins performed on A Prairie Home Companion last week. 

Two things I thought I would never see in the same sentence: The Shins and A Prairie Home Companion.  

 
they seem to be compatible to me, 
 BCarn wrote:
 
Uh, ya think I may have been kidding? Loosely quoting the movie maybe? Silly person.

 
I feel like James Mercer has written a lot of songs that helped wake me up to myself.
The Shins performed on A Prairie Home Companion last week. 

Two things I thought I would never see in the same sentence: The Shins and A Prairie Home Companion.  
treibstoff for positronics teddybear.
 Aural_not_Oral wrote:

Can you recommend some good Manic Pixie Dream Girl movies?

 
Here's a reprinted list from Wikipedia of movies with MPDG's, which include some from Hollywood's Golden Era.

I've seen most of them which were released since the late 90's, and I can't really recommend any of those except "Almost Famous" (which included a 2nd generation MPDG).

But then C. Crowe had to go back to the MPDG well again with "Elizabethtown", and it pretty much derailed his career permanently. 

CharacterPortrayed byMovieDate
Susan Vance Katharine HepburnBringing Up Baby1938
Jean Harrington Barbara StanwyckThe Lady Eve1941
Gery JeffersClaudette ColbertThe Palm Beach Story1942
Sugar "Kane" KowalczykMarilyn MonroeSome Like It Hot1959
Patricia FranchiniJean SebergBreathless1960
Holly GolightlyAudrey HepburnBreakfast at Tiffany's1961
CatherineJeanne MoreauJules and Jim1962
Sara DeeverSandy DennisSweet November1968
Toni SimmonsGoldie HawnCactus Flower1969
Judy MaxwellBarbra StreisandWhat's Up, Doc?1972
Jill TannerGoldie HawnButterflies Are Free1972
BellePaige O'HaraBeauty and the Beast1991
LaylaChristina RicciBuffalo '661998
Penny LaneKate HudsonAlmost Famous2000
Sara DeeverCharlize TheronSweet November2001
SamNatalie PortmanGarden State2004
Claire ColburnKirsten DunstElizabethtown2005
KimRachel BilsonThe Last Kiss2006
AllisonZooey DeschanelYes Man2008
Summer FinnZooey Deschanel500 Days of Summer2009
Maggie MurdockAnne HathawayLove & Other Drugs2010
Penelope LockhartKeira KnightleySeeking a Friend for the End of the World2012
Great song!!!
I don't own any Shins but I've liked every single track that RP has played by them.
  BCarn wrote:
This song, it changed my life!

 treatment_bound wrote:

How?  Do you no longer watch movies with Manic Pixie Dream Girls?

 
Can you recommend some good Manic Pixie Dream Girl movies?
 BCarn wrote:
This song, it changed my life!

 
How?  Do you no longer watch movies with Manic Pixie Dream Girls?
and another one,
RP lays out stacks of wax like a record shop
need more of this 
love the shins!
This song, it changed my life!
I don't know many if any actual details, but I can tell you that the time I saw them play at Club Quattro in Shibuya, Tokyo in the winter of 2008, there was obvious friction among the band members, and, specifically, the drummer seemed to be getting shunned by the others, and was not introduced; indeed, I noticed that James was out on stage without him and/ or the bass player at times. There were lots of drinks served to all, but all were at least capable as far as I could see, and on "Sea Legs," the bass player really took it to the next level. However, though Mercer was a full-on Brian Wilson-type mastermind, he clearly jammed with childlike verve and glee, and I did catch a vibe that he might well have been frustrated by the drinking, drugs, and/ or antics of fellow band-mates on the Tour... It seems to be a pattern of rock and roll history that often repeats itself, much as any other... 

——- 
dsd wrote:
When I hear this song now, I always think,  "and this was the band he fired?"
What gives?  Such a wonderfully performed piece.   Was this band really lame and did Mercer play every instrument himself on this recording (as others have done?)  Can someone educate me on this?

 Timbo080 wrote:
One of the best songs EVER - could hear it every day!

 
It's a good song, but somehow, I just feel like I'm getting tired of it.

 
When I hear this song now, I always think,  "and this was the band he fired?"
What gives?  Such a wonderfully performed piece.   Was this band really lame and did Mercer play every instrument himself on this recording (as others have done?)  Can someone educate me on this? 
 coloradojohn wrote:
One of the things I always dig about The Shins is the cryptic abyss of heartbreaking lyricism they illuminate and paint with trippy music!

 
So well said. I always try to decipher lyrics of any band. But the Shins pleasantly confound me sometimes.  
 skindy wrote:
WHAT the WHAT? Cue the Twilight Zone theme... I've liked this song ever since I first heard it on the Garden State soundtrack. After listening to it again just now on RP, I went a-huntin' for the lyrics to try to figure what the heck they mean. So, per Wikipedia (yeah, I know), the song "concerns his hometown of Albuquerque, New Mexico and his experiences there in his late twenties." Albuquerque is where I now live. I think my hair just stood on end for a few seconds. {#Eyes}

 
"We've traced the call... it's coming from inside the house!"
WHAT the WHAT? Cue the Twilight Zone theme... I've liked this song ever since I first heard it on the Garden State soundtrack. After listening to it again just now on RP, I went a-huntin' for the lyrics to try to figure what the heck they mean. So, per Wikipedia (yeah, I know), the song "concerns his hometown of Albuquerque, New Mexico and his experiences there in his late twenties." Albuquerque is where I now live. I think my hair just stood on end for a few seconds. {#Eyes}
💙
{#No}
One of the best songs EVER - could hear it every day!
This is my favorite Shins song.....
 boober wrote:


What does this have to do with The Shins?
Everyone in my cubicle is wondering? 

 
How many people can you actually fit in a cubicle?  I'm the only one in mine, and it still feels cramped.
One of the things I always dig about The Shins is the cryptic abyss of heartbreaking lyricism they illuminate and paint with trippy music!
Just something about this one - so compelling and satisfying...
Never get tired of this song.
 GarageDragon wrote:
Gold teeth and a curse for this town, were all in my mouth.  Only, I don't know how they got out, dear.

Best opening lyric, ever. 

 
Certainly one of the most impenetrably gnomic, for sure. One of these days The Shins will write a song that doesn't require a degree in semiotics to decipher. Always a nice poppy sound, though, so even if they sung the I Ching in Sanskrit they'd be worth listening to. 7 from the befuddled Nottingham jury.
 Buddyo wrote:
ditto on overplayed

 
Some songs are overplayed.  Not this one.
this is nice, don't know nothin' about them
a perfect song on every way
Still love this song all these years later. Pop perfection.
{#Heartkiss}  8 >>>> 9
Gold teeth and a curse for this town, were all in my mouth.  Only, I don't know how they got out, dear.

Best opening lyric, ever. 
Love how guitar on this song links with the last song. Bill seems to pick themes that emerge out of the dark pines of the mind. 
 Lazarus wrote:

A Year On, Pussy Riot Claim a Victory in Russia

Yekaterina Samutsevich has few regrets about the day a year ago when she marched into a Russian Orthodox church with four other members of the Pussy Riot punk band, pulled on a balaclava and reached for her guitar.

Guards grabbed her before she could join in the band's "punk prayer" against Vladimir Putin, and she went on to spend several months in detention before facing trial last year with two bandmates who are still in jail...

 

What does this have to do with The Shins?
Everyone in my cubicle is wondering? 
 melzabutch wrote:
The Shins on Yo Gabba Gabba


  

 
    Sometimes you win
    Sometimes you loose
    some - times you win, some - time you lose
    But it's O-kay, you try again

    Winning, that is so fun
    But losing, that is no fun
    Crying when it's all done
    You hold your head up,
    You hold your head up high 

Far and away, these are James Mercer's most cryptic and indecipherable lyrics to date.
Hey, I wonder if he subconsciously wrote these lyrics knowing he was about to fire all the people in this video? 

 
ditto on overplayed
 Thijs wrote:
Excellent song, but it gets overplayed on RP {#Eek}

 
NO, NO, it does not!  {#Roflol}
Song of all songs!
I love this song so long as I don't listen to the lyrics too hard.
The Shins on Yo Gabba Gabba


  
Excellent song, but it gets overplayed on RP {#Eek}
8->7 - just not holding up well for me over time and repeated playing
 millab00 wrote:

That was first comment when I heard the song pLaying. Great movie and tune :)
 
The sound track for Garden State was one of the best things about that movie. Not only were the songs themselves excellent, but how and where they were used really helped set the tome for the film.


Natalie Portman's comment: You should hear this, it will change your life, I swear. Classic line, now classic song!!
 Saire wrote:
This song is used in the movie "Garden State" and always makes me think of the film when I hear it. If you haven't seen the film I heartily recommend it!
 
That was first comment when I heard the song pLaying. Great movie and tune :)
One finds himself wondering exactly why this very "small" cut is so very listenable?  It may be that it's just a good arrangement against impeccable production values.  Regardless, it is very listenable.
Please give it a rest and do not play this for a few months.   So sick of hearing it.
Please no more than once a month.....7 times in 30 days is way too often....
Timeless, maybe - but that doesn't justify playing it 7 times in 30 days....{#Yawn}
Oh yes, instant classic. Lyrically awesome, musically awesome - timeless. 

'I could dance like the queen of the eye-sores'...?


 mkinnan wrote:
Over and over and over and over 7 in 30 way too much
 
7 out of how many?
Over and over and over and over 7 in 30 way too much
 Peter_K wrote:
Nice tune, but how many times a day do we need to hear it? 
 
0.233, according to the playcount.  But I know just what you mean. :-)
Nice tune, but how many times a day do we need to hear it? 
Amazing, what an assortment of sounds, what a spectrum of lyrics this man, this band has given the world...and thanks, RP, for turning us onto them from the beginning!
Excellent tune - one of their best. I love the voice and the guitar - colossal with kind of a remorseful feel.
This song is used in the movie "Garden State" and always makes me think of the film when I hear it. If you haven't seen the film I heartily recommend it!
Fabulous melody line. Graceful lyrics
love it, ,just moved it up a notch
Insufferable.
Simply excellent band.


The Shins: Oh yes! Excellent performance of the Band of James Mercer today at Lollapalooza, Grant Park in downtown Chicago, Illinois. As indeed had been the Bonaroo concert last month. A sound homogeneous, compact, and interlaced. Some songs in a slightly faster pace (being live), all new elements of the "new" band corresponds fully to expectations, the sound is more "ultra.dimensional" (I invented the term now, lol), where I highlight the guitar solo Jessica Dobson (ex-Beck´s Guitarrist), who is a "finding", discrete, very good attitude, plays well, has a face something exotic, whom I would advise two things, to act without sunglasses and devote himself as much as possible also in the accompaniments vocals.

Dawes:  Today at Lollapalooza, Grant Park in downtown Chicago, Illinois; The new songs seemed to me as well, some interesting guitar solos, good voice of the lead-singer, good piano. They have a clean sound. A group decent and promising, I think. I do not know the previous work, so I can not get a broader view. I got the feeling that may have its own space and assert itself. But it seems that did not have much luck here in Paradise, and are from Los Angeles, California. "Better to fall in grace, than to be funny".


 Biscobret wrote:
Changed this from a 7 to a 9 after the opening chords made me go "oooh!  I like this song" outloud sitting here by myself!

{#Dance}
 
I've just done exactly the same thing! {#Roflol}
 gigikent wrote:
it sounds too 60-ish
at least new bands could play some refreshing sounds.
 
Nyahh. 
Changed this from a 7 to a 9 after the opening chords made me go "oooh!  I like this song" outloud sitting here by myself!

{#Dance}
 harrybeall wrote:
{#Bananajam}Wish I had written this one.  I can't say that about too many song!
 
funny, this song elicits that same feeling with me. maybe more than any other song.
{#Daisy}
{#Group-hug}
 Exene wrote:
8 > 10
I'm looking in on the good life I might be doomed never to find... 
 
Isn't The Good Life just to the East of you in Nebraska?
{#Bananajam}Wish I had written this one.  I can't say that about too many song!
8 > 10
I'm looking in on the good life I might be doomed never to find... 
I don't know how the Shins can pull stuff like this out of their hats from time to time, when the bulk of their music is, well, much less impressive!

This one though is an easy 10, and I don't even think I've seen Garden State. ;)
 gigikent wrote:
it sounds too 60-ish
at least new bands could play some refreshing sounds.
 
So we're not tired of it yet?   Cool !
it sounds too 60-ish
at least new bands could play some refreshing sounds.
 Hannio wrote:

You are probably thinking that sim is rating this less than 3, but that is actually an internet sideways heart, as in "Ezra Klein <3 Justin Bieber", for example.
 
Got it. 

{#Beat}

{#Arrowu}
(rdo on left)

Quit reminding me of my age, jerky!
 ziggytrix wrote:
check out this unlikely mashup (new slang + phoenix's 1901)
 
That is just horrible.  
OK have to up my rating from "8" to "9" - this really is a powerful and inspirational tune!  Subtle but so powerful.  Love it!
 redmachine wrote:
Ah Natalie in this film you are my perfect girl: quirky, gorgeous, sweet, funny, sexy and damaged.
Great tune too.
 
2 words: Black Swan.

{#Notworthy}
 Hannio wrote:
You are probably thinking that sim is rating this less than 3, but that is actually an internet sideways heart, as in "Ezra Klein <3 Justin Bieber", for example.
 
I was wonderin' what's up with all those fallen-over ice cream cones ...