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The Shins — Australia
Album: Wincing The Night Away
Avg rating:
7.1

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2241









Released: 2007
Length: 3:51
Plays (last 30 days): 1
Born to multiply, born to gaze into night skies
All you want is one more Saturday
But look here, until then they're gonna buy your life's time
So keep your wick in the air and your feet in the fetters 'til the day

We come in doing cartwheels
We all cut out by ourselves
And your shape on the dance floor
Will have me thinking such filth I'll gouge my eyes

You'd be damned to be one of us, girl
Faced with the dodo's conundrum
I felt like I could just fly
But nothing happened every time I tried

A duotone on the wall, the selfless fool who hoped he'd save us all
Never dreamt of such sterile hands
You keep them folded in your lap and raise them up to beg for scraps
You know he's holding you down with the tips of his fingers just the same

Will you be pulled from the ocean
But just a minute too late?
Or changed by a potion?
We'll find a handsome young mate for you to love

You'll be damned to pining through the windowpanes
You know you'd trade your life for any ordinary Joe's
Do it now or grow old
Your nightmares only need a year or two to unfold

Been alone since you were twenty-one
You haven't laughed since January
You try and make like this is so much fun
But we know it to be quite contrary

Damned to be one of us, girl
Facing the android's conundrum
I felt like I should just cry

But nothing happens every time I take one on the chin
You're Himmler in your coat, you don't know how long I have been
Watching the lantern dim, starved of oxygen
So give me your hand and let's jump out the window
Comments (192)add comment
 philonair wrote:
I raised my 7 to an eight! This song is making happy for some reason. It´s f*cking awesome! 


Just did same thing - I'm with 'ya! This whole album is excellent, with other tunes on it even better than this IMHO.
I raised my 7 to an eight! This song is making happy for some reason. It´s f*cking awesome! 
This was the last album before he ditched his original bandmates. Those first 3 albums were great!
 jim1964 wrote:

This song always makes me smile when I hear it and I don't have a clue what he's singing about, probably Australia.


The lyrics are dark with a reference to the Nazi holocaust.  

Nice upbeat sound though.
Man, that snare drum really pops.  I wonder if it's the drum kit or the mic setup.
 deepwoodskev wrote:

I can imagine the bassist had a rollicking good time playing this.



Yes -- exactly! Saw them play Club Quattro in Shibuya that tour, and for most of the show, the bassist was bounding around like he was on a pogo stick!  It was wild!
I like this song, but have no idea what is has to do with Australia. 
 YoKayGee wrote:
Sounds like you're thinking of "synchronicity" by The Police, although you've got the lyrics a little crossed up

Bordering on significantly crossed up.
 Ahnyer_Keester wrote:

I love this song despite myself. In it, Sting seems to demeen the very people who made The Police so popular. "You little people in your shiny metal boxes, going to and from meaningless jobs, leading pathetic lives. All you can ever think to do is watch!"



Sounds like you're thinking of "synchronicity" by The Police, although you've got the lyrics a little crossed up
 jim1964 wrote:

This song always makes me smile when I hear it and I don't have a clue what he's singing about, probably Australia.



Indecipherable lyrics - I don't even get a sub-conscious vibe about what Shin's songs mean.  Same goes for New Pornographers and Neko Case.  They sound pretty cool as long as you don't try to comprehend.
 Ahnyer_Keester wrote:

I love this song despite myself. In it, Sting seems to demeen the very people who made The Police so popular. "You little people in your shiny metal boxes, going to and from meaningless jobs, leading pathetic lives. All you can ever think to do is watch!"


Hunh?
 OldFrenchie wrote:
crushedvelvet wrote: Weird lot, those Australians (click here)


13 years later click here for the curious.
 TerryS wrote:

Anyone remember that game where you took a piece of paper, wrote a line at the top,  folded the paper so it was hidden, then passed it to the next person who repeated the process and so on tho the last person in the line?
Strikes me that this scenario explains the lyrics.



Official video explains everything, finally
I can imagine the bassist had a rollicking good time playing this.
duotone Jesus
Fabulously jaunty!
 TerryS wrote:
Anyone remember that game where you took a piece of paper, wrote a line at the top,  folded the paper so it was hidden, then passed it to the next person who repeated the process and so on tho the last person in the line?
Strikes me that this scenario explains the lyrics.

I used to play another version where everybody takes a piece of paper and writes a subject, then folds; passes on and writes a transitive verb on the piece of paper they were handed, folds again, passes; writes a direct object, folds; time adverbial, folds; place adverbial, passes and then everyone unfolds and reads the sentence (you need to conjugate the verb properly of course.

Fun!! But then again, I'm a nerd.

Good to teach parts of a sentence.

And another song I really like by the Shins :)

Lead singer reminds me of Morrissey.  Shame about the terrible lyrics though.
woweeeee!
I love this "Straya" song and love the Shins and I can tell you that this song is the perfect soundtrack for a loping red kangaroo in the Red Centre 
 Ahnyer_Keester wrote:
I love this song despite myself. In it, Sting seems to demeen the very people who made The Police so popular. "You little people in your shiny metal boxes, going to and from meaningless jobs, leading pathetic lives. All you can ever think to do is watch!"
 
Sting?
I love this song despite myself. In it, Sting seems to demeen the very people who made The Police so popular. "You little people in your shiny metal boxes, going to and from meaningless jobs, leading pathetic lives. All you can ever think to do is watch!"
Anyone remember that game where you took a piece of paper, wrote a line at the top,  folded the paper so it was hidden, then passed it to the next person who repeated the process and so on tho the last person in the line?
Strikes me that this scenario explains the lyrics.
 Stephen_Phillips wrote:
Why did they name this song Australia - anyone have a clue?
 
The singer's incomprehensible accent, maybe?
Why did they name this song Australia - anyone have a clue?
 MojoJojo wrote:
Time to poot zee heedphonz on!

 
Thank you. Thought I was forgetting somethin'.

Speakers off, crank up the 'phones... :)


Rock and rollick.
 MojoJojo wrote:
Time to poot zee heedphonz on!

 
NOO!
I gotta bump that. 7 > 8. If it got more bouncy it might float away. This has more hooks than a fishing boat. 
So many good lyrics, but this one struck me on reading them:

And your shape on the dance floor
Will have me thinking such filth I'll gouge my eyes

 
I tend to have a Goldfish-minded appreciation for my favorite Shins songs (ie the one currently playing is my favorite), but this really is my favorite Shins song.
Really great lyrics to this song.  I wonder if they all just came to him in a 5-minute flurry of creative brilliance.
so good for the soul - I've just burnt my trailer and moved into an old church...its a good day
Lordy, Lordy what a happy song!
Whoever the engineer is that records the drum tracks on the Shins' albums always does a great job.
Love these guys (and gal). They remind me of Split Enz. One great pop tune after another. Split Enz went on to even greater things as Crowded House. I really look forward to what The Shins will give us next.
Also chair dancing!
Help me out here: is that Stingray nuttting on at the very beginning? 

(possible translation below:)

Geeky man ranting in car
Great jaunty tune for a Friday. It's got my backside bouncing in the old Aeron chair!
One of my favorite songs of the last 20 years.
Mr. Mercer, melody master
Love the Shins and some great photos of Oz to go with it!
 jt1 wrote:


Overplayed?
3 times in 30 days...I make that about 1 song in 3000 (very very roughly)
 
Your math is right on.  I'll add to it and say precisely that ANY complaint about overplay on RP is absolute rubbish.  And incredibly tiresome.  
 oilydwarf wrote:
overplayed, let's give it an RP extended vacation
 

Overplayed?
3 times in 30 days...I make that about 1 song in 3000 (very very roughly)
Sorry Dwarf, no such thing as too much Shins at the moment.  Latest album is leading to my newfound appreciation for their earlier stuff, including this.  Ratings revising...{#Arrowu}
overplayed, let's give it an RP extended vacation
 calypsus_1 wrote:


Just to remind: "Australia" is that "class" of songs by his originality, creativity, great sense of musicality, superb melody, written by James Mercer / Shins in 2007, will endure in time, I think. I had this feeling, the first time I heard this song, and I still have today. Incidentally, this album "Wincing the Night Away" (2007), come from a particularly happy moment of inspiration, is a musical richness exceptional, characteristics that can be repeated in the future or not. I think we all wish so. The success, and artistic merit obtained by this class of songs (regardless of the commercial aspect), are often inexplicable, including for the artists who conceived them.

The songs that comprise this album, as a whole, persisted over time, and can obtain the same level of satisfaction as on day 1, and resist , unscathed, numerous and endless auditions, whether in the studio version 2007 The Shins v1.0 or Live on stage The Shins v2.0 . This is fundamental to a "music lover" at a stage where there is a real void in the music and creative despair.

For me
, the best and most original song on the album, continues to be, "A Comet Appears".



 

Hear hear, greatly underappreciated if you ask me, those shins boys (and girl nowadays!). I've been a big fan of the Wincing the Night Away record since day one and as far as I could understand what you were saying, I agree. So many songs that stay really good even after having heard them for at least a couple of dozen times.
 Proclivities wrote:

True, "carelessly" is the wrong term, "loosely" or "casually" may have been better - maybe not.  I was being too literal about the term being a psychological  assessment of human behavior and not being a noun phrase used to describe creative works.  No offense intended; carry on...  Good tune.
 



..yer just rationalizing things now, Proc.. :P
La la la la la la la...

 


Just to remind: "Australia" is that "class" of songs by his originality, creativity, great sense of musicality, superb melody, written by James Mercer / Shins in 2007, will endure in time, I think. I had this feeling, the first time I heard this song, and I still have today. Incidentally, this album "Wincing the Night Away" (2007), come from a particularly happy moment of inspiration, is a musical richness exceptional, characteristics that can be repeated in the future or not. I think we all wish so. The success, and artistic merit obtained by this class of songs (regardless of the commercial aspect), are often inexplicable, including for the artists who conceived them.

The songs that comprise this album, as a whole, persisted over time, and can obtain the same level of satisfaction as on day 1, and resist , unscathed, numerous and endless auditions, whether in the studio version 2007 The Shins v1.0 or Live on stage The Shins v2.0 . This is fundamental to a "music lover" at a stage where there is a real void in the music and creative despair.

For me
, the best and most original song on the album, continues to be, "A Comet Appears".





 drsteevo wrote:

It was really only mentioned once.  My comment was a direct reply to the original post and I don't think either of us invoked the term carelessly.
 
True, "carelessly" is the wrong term, "loosely" or "casually" may have been better - maybe not.  I was being too literal about the term being a psychological  assessment of human behavior and not being a noun phrase used to describe creative works.  No offense intended; carry on...  Good tune.
 Proclivities wrote:
Good tune.  Interesting, how many other tunes have the phrase "cognitive dissonance" carelessly invoked at least two times in the song comments?  At least "rationalizing" doesn't seem to have been brought up.
 
It was really only mentioned once.  My comment was a direct reply to the original post and I don't think either of us invoked the term carelessly.
SHINS!... keepn' me "go happy" :) 
Good tune.  Interesting, how many other tunes have the phrase "cognitive dissonance" carelessly invoked at least two times in the song comments?  At least "rationalizing" doesn't seem to have been brought up.
So glad I got to catch them on the tour for this album when they had the original lineup...THEY ROCKED TOKYO PRETTY HARD! and though I like their new stuff okay enough, and their first two collections were incredible, this was possibly their creative and energetic peak.
 jkhandy wrote:
True, to the point of how each and every human has felt at one time another. You are only as sick as your secrets.
 

Ah yes, secrets .... not just "ordinary secrets" but SECRETS!.  Ones which make you cringe and curl your toes; secrets which cause you to quickly crawl into a nearby closet and cover yourself with old laundry whilst moaning "oh God, please!  No!".  Secrets which, if revealed would result in death.  Not just "ordinary death" but literal defenestration, with vivisection of the soul and an eternal burning in pits of hell so intense that the greatest supernova of all times could not compare.

Secrets.  I have too, too many.


 alaken wrote:

But when you really look at the Shins' lyrics, they're far darker than anything Morrisey ever wrote. I got into the Shins last year, just couldn't get enough of their amazing tunes and music – once I started reading the lyrics, I liked them a little less! There's often incredible cognitive dissonance between the music and words.
 
I love cognitive dissonance between the music and words.  Happy music with downer lyrics — my favorite kind of music.
True, to the point of how each and every human has felt at one time another. You are only as sick as your secrets.
 jim1964 wrote:
This song always makes me smile when I hear it and I don't have a clue what he's singing about, probably Australia.
 
Not exactly...

"Been alone since you were twenty-one/ You haven't laughed since January/ You try and make like this is so much fun/ But we know it to be quite contrary."

"
You don't know how long I've been/ Watching the lantern dim/ Starved of oxygen/ So give me your hand, and let's jump out the window."

Cheery, eh? {#Whisper}

This song always makes me smile when I hear it and I don't have a clue what he's singing about, probably Australia.
 Shimmer wrote:
This is nice enough. I think it's what The Smiths would've sounded like if Morrisey had been on anti-depressants and talk therapy.
 
you may have a point. {#Lol}

the only 'bad' part of this tune is when th mention the 'window'

freaks me out


 gratefulgator wrote:
This song improves my mood on what seems like the billionth rainy day of this year... 7
 
Today = 1,000,000,001. It's so frigging wet here, there's moss growing on the mold...or is it the other way around?

Time to poot zee heedphonz on!
I've not become tired of this CD after 4 years of regular rotation in my player. Good stuff.
 sieversfam wrote:
La la la laaaaaa! 

Peppy..
 
Indeed!!!

Hu Hu Hu Hu

La la la laaaaaa! 

Peppy..
This song improves my mood on what seems like the billionth rainy day of this year... 7

I'm a sucker for clever lyrics.


 1wolfy wrote:
I already have it and enjoy it...too bad you're not liking it. I've bought a few CDs that I didn't like much, but later returned to them and liked them. Huey wrote:
I bought this CD. Hate it. Who wants it? PM me. the best reason gets it. I pay mailing.

 
 
I love it too.  Amazing stuff through and through.  And this song is actually bouncy!  Who'd a thunk it?

I already have it and enjoy it...too bad you're not liking it. I've bought a few CDs that I didn't like much, but later returned to them and liked them. Huey wrote:
I bought this CD. Hate it. Who wants it? PM me. the best reason gets it. I pay mailing.

 


I bought this CD. Hate it. Who wants it? PM me. the best reason gets it. I pay mailing.

 Shimmer wrote:
This is nice enough. I think it's what The Smiths would've sounded like if Morrisey had been on anti-depressants and talk therapy.
 
But when you really look at the Shins' lyrics, they're far darker than anything Morrisey ever wrote. I got into the Shins last year, just couldn't get enough of their amazing tunes and music – once I started reading the lyrics, I liked them a little less! There's often incredible cognitive dissonance between the music and words.
 ashjonesie wrote:
This is my all time most favorite song by my all time favorite band... ever. This song just makes me happy!
 
Every time I hear the banjo come in for the first time, I crack up.


 stickers11 wrote:
getting into the wine...will soon start giving everything at least and "8" vote....this one a "9" cause the Shins kick ass.
 
Good on ya mate! Cheers {#Cheers}
Toe-tapping goodness!
A solid 8 from me.
This is nice enough. I think it's what The Smiths would've sounded like if Morrisey had been on anti-depressants and talk therapy.
I love The Shins. Love the little minor key turn they bend towards in their melodies. Never sure where the melody line is going to lead as a result. Lyrics are beautiful, too.
 TimeWaster wrote:
I really like these guys, but am I the only one who has a hard time making out their lyrics?
 
On two levels.  First, I have a hard time making out exactly what words he is singing; then, once I understand, I have a hard time figuring out what they mean.  

Which is fine. James Mercer has a fine talent for a turn of phrase that you wouldn't normally think would fit into the meter of a pop song (e.g. "faced with the dodo's/android's conundrum"), and it seems like he's usually getting at something pretty interesting, even if it's wrapped in obscure metaphors and private jokes.

Lots of The Smiths in this.
ballyhairs wrote:
Hmm.. I never felt glad for someone's death as his, always bothering animals around just to keep his pathetic show going, well done sting-ray {#Clap}
I still love this song {#Dancingbanana}

 

What a repellent and stupid comment. Irwin raised the consciousness of millions of people around the world to the natural habitat, especially because many people believe that reptiles are strictly ugly animals the world would be better without. I am sure that he did more for protecting wildlife than you will do in a hundred lifetimes.
You should withdraw this comment and look inside yourself about where it is coming from.
 
Agree 100% - I don't think the Sea Shephard folks would have named theur whale rescuing vessel after Steve if .. oh forget it ballyhairs - if you are still out there - please delete your insipid comment


 ashjonesie wrote:
This is my all time most favorite song by my all time favorite band... ever. This song just makes me happy!
 

Love the tune and the Shins..... but you must be fairly ....ah ... young
This is my all time most favorite song by my all time favorite band... ever. This song just makes me happy!
 Stefen wrote:
This is rather hard to take after two fine soul songs.  Mute!
 
Well, you are warned at the start of the song: "Time to put ze ear goggles on!" {#Smile}
This is rather hard to take after two fine soul songs.  Mute!
 peacockangel wrote:

ok I'll try ~ here goes ~

there are people who live and there are those that don't ~ a level of consciousness vs robothood ~

sounds like he tries to save them that don't ~ they never care lol ~

the Hermit ~ (inner secret) ~ holds a latern/lamp ~ (the light) —— or the lantern hanging in ritual space ~ same concept kinda ~

it becomes so futile trying to help sometimes ~ makes ya wanna jump ~ but we keep trying anyway lol ~

I'm probably nowhere close lol ~ a dream within a dream...

sorry just felt a little devilish
 
{#Think}....{#Undecided} ....{#Doh}.... {#Yes} ... {#High-five} ... {#Cry}... I see, it makes more sense why I like this song so much, thank you

 Dave_Mack wrote:

It's a perfectly cromulent word!

 
Indeed!  As cromulent as an esquilax.


shinny shin by ~xMirrorMex
©2007-2010 ~xMirrorMex

The Shins
8.30.07
Bend, OR
Les Schwab Ampitheatre


 ballyhairs wrote:

Hmm.. I never felt glad for someone's death as his, always bothering animals around just to keep his pathetic show going, well done sting-ray {#Clap}
I still love this song {#Dancingbanana}

 
What a repellent and stupid comment. Irwin raised the consciousness of millions of people around the world to the natural habitat, especially because many people believe that reptiles are strictly ugly animals the world would be better without. I am sure that he did more for protecting wildlife than you will do in a hundred lifetimes.
You should withdraw this comment and look inside yourself about where it is coming from.


 diegotz wrote:

As far as I'm concerned, it is dedicated to Steve Irwin

 
Hmm.. I never felt glad for someone's death as his, always bothering animals around just to keep his pathetic show going, well done sting-ray {#Clap}
I still love this song {#Dancingbanana}

Snappy.....luv it
7 => 8
 a_genuine_find wrote:

Dare to be one of us, girl,
Facing the android's conundrum,
I felt like I should just cry,
But nothing happens every time I take one on the chin,
You himmler and your coat,
You don't know how long I've been,
Watching the lantern dim,
Starved of oxygen,
So give me your hand,
And let's jump out the window.

{#Stupid} Clear as mud {#Question}

 
ok I'll try ~ here goes ~

there are people who live and there are those that don't ~ a level of consciousness vs robothood ~

sounds like he tries to save them that don't ~ they never care lol ~

the Hermit ~ (inner secret) ~ holds a latern/lamp ~ (the light) —— or the lantern hanging in ritual space ~ same concept kinda ~

it becomes so futile trying to help sometimes ~ makes ya wanna jump ~ but we keep trying anyway lol ~

I'm probably nowhere close lol ~ a dream within a dream...

sorry just felt a little devilish


 Jack_Jefferson wrote:
{#Bananajam}{#Dancingbanana}{#Motor}{#Bananapiano}{#Bananasplit}{#Dance}{#Bananajumprope}{#Clap}
 
you're absolutely right!

 vandal wrote:

And i believe that is the first time I've ever seen such a recondite word as "abstruse" used in a song comment. . . I like it! 

{#Cheesygrin}
 
It's a perfectly cromulent word!

 elementary wrote:
 The film clip to this song is wonderful
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHTSxw6zN1E

 

You are correct. Thanks for sharing! Put a smile on my face!
{#Bananajam}{#Dancingbanana}{#Motor}{#Bananapiano}{#Bananasplit}{#Dance}{#Bananajumprope}{#Clap}
getting into the wine...will soon start giving everything at least and "8" vote....this one a "9" cause the Shins kick ass.
 The film clip to this song is wonderful
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHTSxw6zN1E

 moose8454 wrote:
I really like the Shin but I don't understand any of their lyrics.
 
Dare to be one of us, girl,
Facing the android's conundrum,
I felt like I should just cry,
But nothing happens every time I take one on the chin,
You himmler and your coat,
You don't know how long I've been,
Watching the lantern dim,
Starved of oxygen,
So give me your hand,
And let's jump out the window.

{#Stupid} Clear as mud {#Question}

I really like the Shin but I don't understand any of their lyrics.
These guys are masters at writing great pop songs and this is an example of that.
 darcyc wrote:
what does this song have to do with Australia ?

 
As far as I'm concerned, it is dedicated to Steve Irwin

 Lolabird wrote:
So love this song. Makes me dance like a Muppet.
 
Something like this?


 Lolabird wrote:
So love this song. Makes me dance like a Muppet.
 
This comment just won. You all saw it. It just happened.

 fredriley wrote:
"facing the android's conundrum" - wtf? The Shins do have a habit of using abstruse language in their songs - I'll swear that the only time I've ever heard the word "polymorphism" in a song was in a Shins number. For al the gnomic lyrics, a nice enough song. 6 from the Nottingham jury.
 
And i believe that is the first time I've ever seen such a recondite word as "abstruse" used in a song comment. . . I like it! 

{#Cheesygrin}


i'm in ABQ now and worked PDX for six months and my sis lives there. ABQ is a bit strange. PDX is beautifully wet.

Up to you.

these guys are a 6.6. They don't let it hang out.
"facing the android's conundrum" - wtf? The Shins do have a habit of using abstruse language in their songs - I'll swear that the only time I've ever heard the word "polymorphism" in a song was in a Shins number. For al the gnomic lyrics, a nice enough song. 6 from the Nottingham jury.
what does this song have to do with Australia ?

So love this song. Makes me dance like a Muppet.
Wow...I can't believe how many people actually think this is an Australian group...Just because of the song title I guess?? Now pay attention;

The Shins are an American indie rock band comprising singer, songwriter, and guitarist James Russell Mercer, bassist Ron Lewis, bassist/guitarist Dave Hernandez, drummer Joe Plummer, and Eric Johnson of the Fruit Bats.The Shins formed in Albuquerque, New Mexico, but are now based in Portland, Oregon.

 karapen wrote:

I'm Australian myself and I object to the stereotype of the 'dinky-di Aussie', we can speak properly!
but i am happy that there's some Australian music being played on rp!
you guys should listen to some of Youth Group's songs, they would rly suit this station! 
 
Shins is an American band.

To be repetitive . . .

Shins - Thursday in NY LIVE at Terminal 5

https://www.terminal5nyc.com/event/2888

{#Dancingbanana_2}
This song is just plain awesome. 9.5! {#Dancingbanana}
upgrading from a 1 to a 2 today.  i must be in a good mood.
This is just - happy!

Ian 
And, you've obviously never met the dreaded Lollipop Guild:

See full size image


pinklife wrote:

I don't know about lollipops, but apparently unicorns play chess with the fate of mankind as stakes...and they are wicked good chess players.  We're all doomed.

 

Ntropy wrote:


Lollipops and unicorns are bad things? Where have I been?



anyone remember the "Some Kind of Wonderful" soundtrack?  This is like a modern reinterpretation of Lick the Tin perhaps...

...that said, I sure love the couple albums of theirs that I have...they make me feel good, which IMO (the ability to make one feel anything at all) makes for successful art.

...we're not all too cool to feel good anymore are we?
The cheerful Manic Street Preachers?
 Ntropy wrote:


Lollipops and unicorns are bad things? Where have I been?
 
I don't know about lollipops, but apparently unicorns play chess with the fate of mankind as stakes...and they are wicked good chess players.  We're all doomed.