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The Shins — It's Only Life
Album: Port Of Morrow
Avg rating:
6.8

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1657









Released: 2012
Length: 3:55
Plays (last 30 days): 4
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Dyed in the wool, you've been cornered by a natural desire
You want to hop along with the giddy throng through life
But how will you learn to steer when you're grinding all your gears?

You've been talking for hours
You say time will wash every tower to the sea
And now you've got this worry in your heart

Well I guess it's only life, it's only natural
We all spend a little while going down the rabbit hole
The things they taught you, they're lining up to haunt you
You got your back against the wall
I call you on the telephone, won't you pick up the receiver?

I've been down the very road you're walking now
It doesn't have to be so dark and lonesome
It takes a while but we can figure this thing out
And turn it back around

You used to be such a lion
Before you got into all this crying on my lap
Back when you thought I'd never get this far

But did you really think I'd shut an open door?
The future's calling and Imma answer her
The wheels in motion, I never drank your potion
And I know it breaks your heart
Open up your parachute, something's gotta stop the freefall

I've been down the very road you're walking now
It doesn't have to be so dark and lonesome
It takes a while but we can figure this thing out
And turn it back around
Comments (63)add comment
first read "hop along with the giddy thong"! yup, that would be about right
Posted 6 months ago by xcranky_yankee    [ Reply ]
I love the songwriting here. Shades of Neil Finn (who happens to be one of my all-time favorites!).
Posted 7 months ago by tompoll    [ Reply ]
I LOVE the Shins but this song is meh
Posted 2 years ago by MavenofMayhem    [ Reply ]
I'm not a massive Shinshead, but I do love this song
Posted 2 years ago by Ditch999    [ Reply ]
not my favorite Shins' tune... maybe trying for something "more accessible"?
Posted 2 years ago by xcranky_yankee    [ Reply ]
This song makes me turn away from work and follow along with the lyrics! 
Posted 3 years ago by Sawyer    [ Reply ]
 Egctheow wrote:
Ah, The Shins. Thank you for being there, and thanks Bill for playing them
 
Look after the king of R n R please 
Posted 3 years ago by 69Grace_M    [ Reply ]
Love the vocal of James Mercer and the sound of this band...unique tone; great harmonies, great builds
Posted 4 years ago by Eojdvm    [ Reply ]
Ah, The Shins. Thank you for being there, and thanks Bill for playing them
Posted 5 years ago by Egctheow    [ Reply ]
RIP Richard Swift.

https://www.gofundme.com/medical-fund-for-richard-swift
Posted 6 years ago by Webfoot    [ Reply ]
Amazing song! I needed to hear this! {#Guitarist} 
Posted 6 years ago by cavemanleong    [ Reply ]
Statistically,  what are  the chances of dying twice 'in dyed in the wool' on the same day
                                           Do I like dark  roads?
Posted 8 years ago by twoplain2sea    [ Reply ]
 DaidyBoy wrote:
How can you not like the Shins?

 
easily...
Posted 8 years ago by jnesser    [ Reply ]
beautiful song
Posted 8 years ago by arserocket    [ Reply ]
Great comBo of phish dirt and thIs.  Only RP would see these songs go together.
Posted 9 years ago by mlh7n    [ Reply ]
How can you not like the Shins?
Posted 9 years ago by DaidyBoy    [ Reply ]
boy, this really blows
Posted 10 years ago by alaskan_listener    [ Reply ]
Excellent song on an excellent album.
Posted 10 years ago by Padutarb    [ Reply ]
I stopped what I was doing to walk across the room to PSD this song.
Posted 10 years ago by dwlangham    [ Reply ]
Love the Shins....can't stand this song.
Posted 10 years ago by avidfan    [ Reply ]
 stephw wrote:
Average rating 6.6? {#Snooty}  This is an 8 or more!

 
... this one grates the wrong way...
Posted 10 years ago by drivingunit103    [ Reply ]
 dwlangham wrote:
Still hating this one. Lame lyrics, lame music. Lame song. Lame criticism, I know, but how eloquently does one need to say "this shit sucks"?

 
...but c'mon...tell us how you REALLY feel.
Posted 11 years ago by ziakut    [ Reply ]
Average rating 6.6? {#Snooty}  This is an 8 or more!
Posted 11 years ago by stephw    [ Reply ]
"I'm a fool to do your diiirty work..."
Posted 11 years ago by ick    [ Reply ]
Somewhat Squeeze like.
Posted 11 years ago by Cyclehawk    [ Reply ]
 hagz21 wrote:

Kinda sounds like a Crowded House type song.



 
Agree.  Nothing wrong with that either!
Posted 11 years ago by Dav3thedog    [ Reply ]
I like it!
Posted 11 years ago by Dav3thedog    [ Reply ]
..has a Gorillaz sensibility to it, methinks..
Posted 11 years ago by cShaggy    [ Reply ]
His warbly singing really bugs me on this one! I tend to enjoy most Shins songs, too.
Posted 11 years ago by zair99    [ Reply ]
I used to love the Shins.  Saw them in Columbus pre-Garden State (right up front!).  Great show!

I still can't get over the fact the whole band has changed, except James Mercer. 
Posted 11 years ago by Paul_the_wonk    [ Reply ]
 lily34 wrote:

that's the same for me. they always make me think of someone else...and for the life of me i can't think of who it is...
 



 Troutnskibum wrote:
Just like every other Shins song I like.... Time release, baby... Love it now, thought it was weak the first few listens.
 
..to lily: George?..
Posted 11 years ago by cShaggy    [ Reply ]
 hagz21 wrote:

Kinda sounds like a Crowded House type song.

 
Kinda bad CH tribute band. Really tedious song. 
Posted 11 years ago by hbs47    [ Reply ]

Kinda sounds like a Crowded House type song.


Posted 11 years ago by hagz21    [ Reply ]
Blech!

Loved the old shins. This is mute button bad.

 
Posted 12 years ago by jhorton    [ Reply ]
..pretty, with pretty sentiments..
Posted 12 years ago by cShaggy    [ Reply ]
Still hating this one. Lame lyrics, lame music. Lame song. Lame criticism, I know, but how eloquently does one need to say "this shit sucks"?
Posted 12 years ago by dwlangham    [ Reply ]
 Troutnskibum wrote:
Just like every other Shins song I like.... Time release, baby... Love it now, thought it was weak the first few listens.
 
that's the same for me. they always make me think of someone else...and for the life of me i can't think of who it is...
Posted 12 years ago by lily34    [ Reply ]
 dwlangham wrote:
Definitely not standing up to repeat plays. From 3 to 2. That's enough, Bill. Move along. {#Shhh}
 
Ditto my opinion from the other day. The chorus reminds me of the chorus from the song "Gone for Good" ("I found a fatal flaw in the logic of love"), and the reminder each time makes me think this not nearly so good a song as that.
Posted 12 years ago by dwlangham    [ Reply ]
Loving this song. 
Posted 12 years ago by Jamunca    [ Reply ]
In my humble opinion, this is the best album of the year!

 
Posted 12 years ago by Toronto_Bhoy    [ Reply ]
Definitely not standing up to repeat plays. From 3 to 2. That's enough, Bill. Move along. {#Shhh}
Posted 12 years ago by dwlangham    [ Reply ]
This is only pretty good; hence I give it a 6.  It is not as good as others of theirs played here.
Posted 12 years ago by bachbeet    [ Reply ]
This song is a waste of time.
Posted 12 years ago by dwlangham    [ Reply ]
Kind of tired of the elementary and predictable song structures. Nice and gentle, yes. But far too predictable.
Posted 12 years ago by ERERER    [ Reply ]
C'est mou !
Posted 12 years ago by Swan_Jack    [ Reply ]
 KaiT wrote:

I wholeheateredly agree. {#Cheers}
 

Indoobitably.
Posted 12 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
It doesn't have to be so dark and lonesome no! Yep.
Posted 12 years ago by ziakut    [ Reply ]
Continues to grow on me.
Posted 12 years ago by djaychicago    [ Reply ]
Digging it with a shovel.
Posted 12 years ago by grogg    [ Reply ]
like it! Dude knows how to write pop songs.
Posted 12 years ago by arlvatom    [ Reply ]
Just like every other Shins song I like.... Time release, baby... Love it now, thought it was weak the first few listens.
Posted 12 years ago by Troutnskibum    [ Reply ]
have to say, it's growing on me.
Posted 12 years ago by soulcollision    [ Reply ]
 ziakut wrote:
I'm going against the grain here. I like this tune! Nice chorus and decent chords and melody.
 
I wholeheateredly agree. {#Cheers}
Posted 12 years ago by KaiT    [ Reply ]
I'm going against the grain here. I like this tune! Nice chorus and decent chords and melody.
Posted 12 years ago by ziakut    [ Reply ]
 daveesh wrote:
love the shins, but i gotta say i'm a bit underwhelmed by this one.
 
Have to agree with this.  Very plain and rather boring.  Sounds like a slightly polished garage band.
Posted 12 years ago by xtalman    [ Reply ]
Rather liked this tune when they did it for SNL. Can't explain but the studio version sounds less inspired.
Posted 12 years ago by Jamunca    [ Reply ]
love the shins, but i gotta say i'm a bit underwhelmed by this one.
Posted 12 years ago by daveesh    [ Reply ]
Totally uninspiring, a ho-hum song.  This guy needs to hire his old band back.
Posted 12 years ago by Andy_B    [ Reply ]
Gets better with each listen. Mercer seems to be settling comfortably into the next stage of his musical evolution, that of road weary traveller along life's highway of relationships. He's no longer searching for answers but rather serving up his observations on the road so far.
Posted 12 years ago by Sasha2001    [ Reply ]
A bit shrill to my ears, like a lot of their stuff.
Posted 12 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
Second!
Posted 12 years ago by soulcollision    [ Reply ]
First!
I generally like The Shins. One of my 9 ratings is a Shins tune. But this is highly forgettable. sorry. 5.
 
Posted 12 years ago by BikeCoachDave    [ Reply ]