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Iron & Wine — Boy With a Coin
Album: The Shepherd's Dog
Avg rating:
7.3

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1912









Released: 2007
Length: 3:37
Plays (last 30 days): 0
A boy with a coin he found in the weeds
With bullets and pages of trade magazines
Close to a car that flipped on the turn
When God left the ground to circle the world

A girl with a bird she found in the snow
Then flew up her gown and that's how she knows
If God made her eyes for crying at birth
Then left the ground to circle the earth

A boy with a coin he crammed in his jeans
Then making a wish he tossed in the sea
Walked to a town that all of us burn
When God left the ground to circle the world
Comments (210)add comment
 stevesaw wrote:

Is there a weird dripping sound on the left speaker? Its driving me nuts. Of course now that's all you will hear too. Sorry!



A new stereo is needed
Is there a weird dripping sound on the left speaker? Its driving me nuts. Of course now that's all you will hear too. Sorry!
 stegokitty wrote:
Good music, idiotic lyrics.
 

I would have to agree there.
saw Iron & Wine the other day.
Must see band, in my opinion....
{#Meditate} 
Good music, idiotic lyrics.
Is his name Michael, and is it a nickel?
Sounds like the guitar work of Leo Kottke.
 JoBo wrote:
One of the most beautiful music videos I have ever seen!!

 
ditto! {#Daisy}
Fantastic song. Fantastic artist. Fantastic album.
Okay, first off, this is not an arpeggio. I think it's an arpeggiated chord.

Secondly, I agree that all the clapping adds nothing to this tune.

Lastly, I played this song solo live for many years, and people really liked it. With no clapping.

Double lastly, I seriously doubt that any of you experts on music could play this. It's a little tricky.

 
One of the most beautiful music videos I have ever seen!!
Analysis is just a fancy cover for disliking it. Should not have read it, it left bad taste in my mouth. I like this song, it touches something inside, and like everything, it's not perfect.
 thrdmnkrcrds wrote:
Core arpeggio figure is a solid idea, but it never develops.  Handclaps should have dropped out in the verses to give more space.  Chorus guitar work should have deviated from the main verse rhythm and delivered a different chord progression.  This song remains in the same place dynamically for way too long.  It's interesting reading feedback on this song up here- almost like people who don't read full articles on the internet, it's as if they just listen to the first minute of a song and respond.  Ending of this song could have been the bridge- and opened the song up as it is, it's just a pointless tag.

 
Must agree with the sentiment of your forensic analysis.  The claps add nothing and only serve to distract from whatever is obscured underneath.  Almost like they recorded the song and said "jeez, this is really boring.  Screw it, let's just add some claps and be done with it".  A producer's last ditch effort to fill out a relatively unremarkable composition.
 boober wrote:

It's interesting reading YOUR feedback on this song.Do you realize how you sound?
It's just a song man...just a song.
"Core arpeggio figure is a solid idea"??
I read your ENTIRE post by the way.   

 
Sure it's just a song, but thrdmnkrcrds has some training in music—playing or theory or both, I don't know. His/her analysis adds some insight into how a song could be structured. Gazraman agrees with thrdmnkrcrds but the latter goes into a little more detail; why snark at him or her for using knowledge or ability to talk about a song? As Gazraman points out, saying "it's just a song" doesn't take the rest of us anywhere conversationally. 
 DaidyBoy wrote:

Yet another reply to your post....  As a failed musician it is great to hear a perspective from someone who knows what they are talking about instead of the chaff I would put up there - like, don't like, yawn etc.  Thanks, my friend.

 
Indeed.  Almost makes me wish I'd hung in there for the second semester of music theory.  Almost, but not quite.
 thrdmnkrcrds wrote:
Core arpeggio figure is a solid idea, but it never develops.  etc
 
Yet another reply to your post....  As a failed musician it is great to hear a perspective from someone who knows what they are talking about instead of the chaff I would put up there - like, don't like, yawn etc.  Thanks, my friend.
 thrdmnkrcrds wrote:
Core arpeggio figure is a solid idea, but it never develops.  Handclaps should have dropped out in the verses to give more space.  Chorus guitar work should have deviated from the main verse rhythm and delivered a different chord progression.  This song remains in the same place dynamically for way too long.  It's interesting reading feedback on this song up here- almost like people who don't read full articles on the internet, it's as if they just listen to the first minute of a song and respond.  Ending of this song could have been the bridge- and opened the song up as it is, it's just a pointless tag.

 

Nah.  It just don't sound good.
The really irritating clapping has driven this song from a 6 to a 1. TFFPSD
 Just a song? Are  you one of those "its just a dog person too?"  To call it just a song might be your truth but not for others.  It may be the song I first made love to or the one I heard when I buried my father.  Don't dismiss it for all of us.     boober wrote:

It's interesting reading YOUR feedback on this song.Do you realize how you sound?
It's just a song man...just a song.
"Core arpeggio figure is a solid idea"??
I read your ENTIRE post by the way.   

 


I was in the act of getting up with a purpose, and then this came on. Sitting back down.
Ya. OK. Bill. This is a set:

This post apparently contained an image that was dragged into the post editor. Sorry, but any text contained in the post after this point has been lost.
love love love this one {#Daisy}
:)
 thrdmnkrcrds wrote:
Core arpeggio figure is a solid idea, but it never develops.  Handclaps should have dropped out in the verses to give more space.  Chorus guitar work should have deviated from the main verse rhythm and delivered a different chord progression.  This song remains in the same place dynamically for way too long.  It's interesting reading feedback on this song up here- almost like people who don't read full articles on the internet, it's as if they just listen to the first minute of a song and respond.  Ending of this song could have been the bridge- and opened the song up as it is, it's just a pointless tag.

 
I LIKE the analysis.  Not a musician, the only comment I could make is "This is boring."  And your analysis helps me know why, could make me listen more intelligently next time.  Many songs aren't "just songs", they mean something -Simon & Garfinkel come to mind - and the musical approach helps create the meaning. 


Classy video...
Beautifully haunting song!!
Thrdmnk is right IMO. The song doesn't develop and there's not enough there to keep you hooked. It's a decent analysIs. tgw "it's just a song" reply renders all comments pointless except maybe " this rocks" or " this sucks". 
Love this song!

These guys are at the Fox tonight, I think? Wish I could go, but parenthood has me tied down at the moment . . . :-)
 thrdmnkrcrds wrote:
Core arpeggio figure is a solid idea, but it never develops.  Handclaps should have dropped out in the verses to give more space.  Chorus guitar work should have deviated from the main verse rhythm and delivered a different chord progression.  This song remains in the same place dynamically for way too long.  It's interesting reading feedback on this song up here- almost like people who don't read full articles on the internet, it's as if they just listen to the first minute of a song and respond.  Ending of this song could have been the bridge- and opened the song up as it is, it's just a pointless tag.
 
It's interesting reading YOUR feedback on this song.Do you realize how you sound?
It's just a song man...just a song.
"Core arpeggio figure is a solid idea"??
I read your ENTIRE post by the way.   
 thrdmnkrcrds wrote:
Core arpeggio figure is a solid idea, but it never develops.  Handclaps should have dropped out in the verses to give more space.  Chorus guitar work should have deviated from the main verse rhythm and delivered a different chord progression.  This song remains in the same place dynamically for way too long.  It's interesting reading feedback on this song up here- almost like people who don't read full articles on the internet, it's as if they just listen to the first minute of a song and respond.  Ending of this song could have been the bridge- and opened the song up as it is, it's just a pointless tag.

 
yeah but its a good song there nietzsche...
c'mon dude, its not as complex as creme-brule but then again, what is? (even though your basic point is right, the song is unlike anything out there which does make it sorta 'special' :)
this is msg
 YES!!! (cue the cowbell....more cowbell, baby!)

  Hippostar wrote:


"I got a fever, and the only prescription...is more clapping!!"

 


 pjlk wrote:
Pleasant song...love the slideshow btw!
 

 
What slideshow?
Thank you Mr Dj. :)
Fleetwood Mac, leave this body now !
pure 10 {#Daisy}
It sounds a bit like Lindsey Buckingham, except without the clever guitar work. Not bad for Iron & Wine, whom I usually find tedious at best.
 rdo wrote:
It has been a long time coming, but I am starting to get this group. 


 

Score a big one for RP.   Iron and Wine is one of my fave bands now and I have bought most of their work on CD....
IMHO - this shit is 90% better than the Turin Brakes crap that preceded it.
 thrdmnkrcrds wrote:
Core arpeggio figure is a solid idea, but it never develops.  Handclaps should have dropped out in the verses to give more space.  Chorus guitar work should have deviated from the main verse rhythm and delivered a different chord progression.  This song remains in the same place dynamically for way too long.  It's interesting reading feedback on this song up here- almost like people who don't read full articles on the internet, it's as if they just listen to the first minute of a song and respond.  Ending of this song could have been the bridge- and opened the song up as it is, it's just a pointless tag.

 
90% of everything is crap.
 thrdmnkrcrds wrote:
Core arpeggio figure is a solid idea, but it never develops.  Handclaps should have dropped out in the verses to give more space.  Chorus guitar work should have deviated from the main verse rhythm and delivered a different chord progression.  This song remains in the same place dynamically for way too long.  It's interesting reading feedback on this song up here- almost like people who don't read full articles on the internet, it's as if they just listen to the first minute of a song and respond.  Ending of this song could have been the bridge- and opened the song up as it is, it's just a pointless tag.

 
really...excuse us...
Core arpeggio figure is a solid idea, but it never develops.  Handclaps should have dropped out in the verses to give more space.  Chorus guitar work should have deviated from the main verse rhythm and delivered a different chord progression.  This song remains in the same place dynamically for way too long.  It's interesting reading feedback on this song up here- almost like people who don't read full articles on the internet, it's as if they just listen to the first minute of a song and respond.  Ending of this song could have been the bridge- and opened the song up as it is, it's just a pointless tag.
Pleasant song...love the slideshow btw!
 
I love this album and I really dig the way it expands on the pure acoustic folk of his previous records.  That said, the more recent couple of releases have gone too far with electronics and experimental production.  This one found the sweet spot.
Adding this track after Buddy Holly's Rave On was brilliant.  The transition worked
The beat just thumps along like a pounding headache. 

Nice melody though, but not nice enough.
Chilean.
Every time I hear this song, I raise the rating.... 8—>9 for me too.
8 -> 9. This is just so ... tender, I guess.
lovely
This has been on my playlist for a couple years at  least.. LOVE it! {#Dancingbanana_2}
 OK...I'll agree to an extent. linzie wrote:
am I the only one who thinks this sounds like Fleetwood Mac?
 


 Poacher wrote:

Thanks for the link. . . that is one cool vid.
 
I just watched the video and love it!!  It's a scene that would happen in a Gabriel Garcia Marquez story.  Fabulous.
I love Iron & Wine, but this track was always a little lackluster for me.  Until I watched the video — I have a new appreciation — bumping from a 6 to 8.
 linzie wrote:
anybody else think this sounds like Lindsey Buckingham?
 
Yes!{#Dance}
Good point.  7 for me. 

polird wrote:
Hi, this is my first comment here, although I've listened for a long time. Smile This is a great song, but I think it could be a little better without the vocal effects. 8 from me.
 


Hi, this is my first comment here, although I've listened for a long time. Smile This is a great song, but I think it could be a little better without the vocal effects. 8 from me.
love,love, love!  (jumping up and down, hands-clapping, love!)
 Poacher wrote:

Thanks for the link. . . that is one cool vid.
 

WMG killed the video star.
Damn, I had no idea Jim Morrison was in this band.

 
a_genuine_find wrote:
photorandy jackson

 


 secretsauce wrote:

Agreed!  Somethin' about it makes it one of the sexiest damn videos I can remember.

 

If women are what turn you on, I guess so. If not, I'm afraid I&W is not comparable eye candy. Love his music though.
 CamLwalk wrote:
I am nuts about the video to this song.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLNyVLbqdEg
 
Thanks for the link. . . that is one cool vid.
Hey - saw him last night in Brighton!  Not bad - the venue wasn't conducive to this type of music.  He played this (I think!)
 CamLwalk wrote:
I am nuts about the video to this song.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLNyVLbqdEg
 
Agreed!  Somethin' about it makes it one of the sexiest damn videos I can remember.

I give it an 8.  Very unique and catchy.  Love it.  Never heard of this band before.  Vocalist is a bit Lindsay Buckingham-ish.


"I got a fever, and the only prescription...is more clapping!!"
7 to 8  {#Whistle}{#Notworthy}
THIS IS WHAT I APPRECIATE: THEY SOUND VERY GOOD AND LIKE NOBODY ELSE...
 linzie wrote:
am I the only one who thinks this sounds like Fleetwood Mac?
 
Can't hear them here ... I hear more the fussion approach of Peter Gabriel, Paul Simon, Caetano Veloso, and perhaps David Byrne ... me likes it {#Sunny}


 CamLwalk wrote:
I am nuts about the video to this song.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLNyVLbqdEg 

That is VERY cool.  The best part for me is how disinterested he seems about what's going on...


I am nuts about the video to this song.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLNyVLbqdEg

...and yeah I hear Lindsey.  Vocally and a bit in the guitar.  Diff song writing though.

am I the only one who thinks this sounds like Fleetwood Mac?
I like IW more and more. I'm getting addicted.
I am so, SO glad I bought this excellent album.

I never have liked his whisper-sing style much, but this song is pretty good. Definitely the best I&W I've heard.
Another example of how great RP is... I would not have heard this group had it not been for RP!  I've purchased 4 albums (including the Calexico - Iron & Wine collaboration) so far.  Although my wife gets a bit upset with me when my Visa bill comes and there is charges for a half a dozen albums every month {#Cheesygrin}
 sirdroseph wrote:
Oh what the hell, 7 -> 8.
 

ya just talked me into it {#Yes}
Oh what the hell, 7 -> 8.
 linzie wrote:
anybody else think this sounds like Lindsey Buckingham?
 
Very much - in fact, first time I played it for a friend, thats exactly who she thought it was.
He writes a good tune and he's really beginning to grow on me. Some people have compared our music to Iron and Wine....can't see it myself but I'm not complaining, he's very good :-) judge for yourself https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=656132090&v=app_2405167945&ref=profile
 Businessgypsy wrote:
Sometimes artists really evoke the environment where they gained awareness. I know Sam Beam went to Virginia Commonwealth University as an art major (painting) then graduated from the Florida State University Film School with an MFA degree - and lived in Central Florida for a long spell. Maybe that visual arts training is why Iron & Wine songs paint such wonderful moving pictures in my head.

Can't think of a better growth medium for the next crop than Austin.


 

Beam grew up in SC, and I remember seeing a web article (which I found via RP, I think) that listed out the best band and artist from each state; for SC, they chose James Brown for the artist (hard to argue with that) and chose Iron & Wine for best band. This really surprised me, because I thought a more popular (not necessarily better, mind you, but more popular) band like Hootie & The Blowfish would have been their choice.


anybody else think this sounds like Lindsey Buckingham?
Cruzan wrote:
Not a big Iron and Wine fan (even though I live in Austin TX where I think they are from)
But I have to admit, I do really like this song.........
{#Meditate}
Sometimes artists really evoke the environment where they gained awareness. I know Sam Beam went to Virginia Commonwealth University as an art major (painting) then graduated from the Florida State University Film School with an MFA degree - and lived in Central Florida for a long spell. Maybe that visual arts training is why Iron & Wine songs paint such wonderful moving pictures in my head.

Can't think of a better growth medium for the next crop than Austin.


He was at the Ann Arbor Folk Festival last week and played this song acoustic - sounded great. Good performer.
Another very good one. More Iron & Wine

8 → 9  {#Dance}
This song does not deserve to follow-up Otis Redding, but it's close.
It has been a long time coming, but I am starting to get this group. 

 Cruzan wrote:
Not a big Iron and Wine fan (even though I live in Austin TX where I think they are from)
But I have to admit, I do really like this song.........
{#Meditate}
 

{#Yes}
Not a big Iron and Wine fan (even though I live in Austin TX where I think they are from)
But I have to admit, I do really like this song.........
{#Meditate}
fantastic.. my favorite song from the shepard's dog album. but the whole album is great.

I like this, at first I thought it was Andrew Bird, but then I realized...no whistling. {#Whistle}
 thejake wrote:
I do now. Thanks.
 
Yeah, like for serious!
photorandy jackson

Growing on me...
My favourite track of a terrific album.
Lazaerus wrote:
You are one of the biggest whiners who posts here... why don't you go somewhere else! even when you're cynical you whine! bye now, see yeah, don't let the door hit you in the a__

Holy crap!  Just looked at his comment history!  Apparently his mother got the saying wrong, because he never has anything nice to say...but has no problem saying it!

Lazaerus wrote:
You are one of the biggest whiners who posts here... why don't you go somewhere else! even when you're cynical you whine! bye now, see yeah, don't let the door hit you in the a__


don't feed that roll!
you don't know where it's been!

Have to thank Bill for introducing me to I&W with 'Endless Numbered Days'. Still love it (and them)
{#Yawn}
Wow.  I really am digging this song. {#Clap}
 Odyzzeuz wrote:
Yeah, what's cool about Iron and Wine is that it's actually just one dude.
 

Yeah, but the band live are quite a collection ....
Yeah, what's cool about Iron and Wine is that it's actually just one dude.
 This song got me interested in all of Iron and Wine 


You are one of the biggest whiners who posts here... why don't you go somewhere else! even when you're cynical you whine! bye now, see yeah, don't let the door hit you in the a__ Excelsior wrote:
Alright!!! Boy with a coin AGAIN!!! Man, I was starting to get worried, it had been almost 24 hours since this was last played.
Excelsior wrote:
So sick of hearing this song.
And I'm so sick of seeing you comment on every song single you dislike. Try commenting on something you like for once.
After watching the video, this rose from a saintly 9 to a godlike 10 for me. Goosepimply awesome.
Otomi wrote:
Innovative creators' golden rule: Don't pay attention when they tell you that you can't do it.
Good point. Well taken. But in this particular case it's distracting.
Alright!!! Boy with a coin AGAIN!!! Man, I was starting to get worried, it had been almost 24 hours since this was last played.
MiketheKnife wrote:
Clapping-as-Percussion 101: Less is more. Nice tune though.
Innovative creators' golden rule: Don't pay attention when they tell you that you can't do it.
Clapping-as-Percussion 101: Less is more. Nice tune though.
cafortier wrote:
The more I hear this song, the more I enjoy it. Very nice.
Me, too, cafortier! Me, too!
So sick of hearing this song.
I like the earlier Iron & Wine stuff better... They've gotten too over-produced, IMO.
I just saw him on Friday in Wheaton. One guy with a guitar. Not what I was expecting but he was great! Best guitar playing I've heard in a while. He did this song too. Good concert, good music.
I know! ..but,.. Boy With a Coin
Boy With a Coin
Sunny
LOVE the understated clapping. Cool way to lay down a rhythm track.