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The Shins — Sleeping Lessons
Album: Wincing The Night Away
Avg rating:
7.2

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2998









Released: 2007
Length: 3:55
Plays (last 30 days): 3
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Go without 'til the need seeps in
You low animal, collect your novel petals for the stem
And glow, glow, melt and flow, eviscerate your fragile frame
Spill it out on the ragged floor, a thousand different versions of yourself

And if the old guard still offend
They've got nothing left on which you depend
So enlist every ounce of your bright blood and off with their heads
Jump from the hook, you're not obliged to swallow anything you despise

See, those unrepenting buzzards want your life
And they got no right
As sure as you have eyes
They've got no right

Just put yourself in my new shoes and see that I do what I do
Because the old guard still offends (their pudgy hearts and slimy hands)
They've got nothing left on which we depend
So enlist every ounce of your bright blood and off with their heads
Jump from the hook, you're not obliged to swallow anything you despise

That you despise
You despise
Comments (288)add comment
I needed a shot of cosmic music right about now!
Posted 6 months ago by VV    [ Reply ]
Zach Braff nearly ruined this band for me, nearly.
Posted 8 months ago by brianbouton    [ Reply ]
Interesting choice to play this instead of the 'hits' from the album like Australia or Phantom limb. I like it.
Posted 10 months ago by erikdelaquis    [ Reply ]
Great album all the way through… I saw them on this tour and it was EXCEPTIONAL
Posted 2 years ago by tm    [ Reply ]
Off with their heads seems a disproportional response. How about no more Christmas cards.
Posted 2 years ago by itsme_bygolly    [ Reply ]
haha.  me too.  
Posted 2 years ago by dougalbumski    [ Reply ]
I see comments that were made 15 years ago and I think: Oh yeah... Here we go... And we arr all still here listening to RP and great music.
Posted 2 years ago by ericcabrals    [ Reply ]
I like this!  I had never actually heard the shins, prior to RP, Now I like several of their tunes!  Thanx RP!
Posted 2 years ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
Top playlist Bill & Rebecca!
Posted 2 years ago by BonzoWiltsUK    [ Reply ]
Amazing set of Music Sunday 3/07/2022
Posted 2 years ago by bennie482    [ Reply ]
Not a bad song on this entire album.
Posted 3 years ago by Ok_Sobriquet    [ Reply ]
Weird. My Pets both wanted petting when this Shins song began. I loved seeing The Shins play!
Posted 3 years ago by notestobilly2222    [ Reply ]
 marysclark wrote:
The Shins can do no wrong.
 Until they get kicked.

Posted 3 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
 Rockit9 wrote:
This is way too short...should be at least 5 minutes.
 at least 4!

Posted 3 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
 Baby_M wrote:
I signed up for sleeping lessons once, but I couldn't stay awake in class.
 
You should be teaching it!
Posted 4 years ago by Dave_Mack    [ Reply ]
Unfortunately the cover art for this CD now reminds me of the image used to depict the COVID-19 virus. Ugh!
Posted 4 years ago by VV    [ Reply ]
I like the Shins but sometimes their lyrics are a word-salad. Its like they intentionally try to be incomprehensible.
Posted 4 years ago by sm11    [ Reply ]
This is way too short...should be at least 5 minutes.
Posted 4 years ago by Rockit9    [ Reply ]
 drewd wrote:
I majored in sleeping through most of high school. 
 
From what I see of those who didn't lately, you haven't missed much, and of that, it was probably to the good.
Posted 4 years ago by jpfueler    [ Reply ]
Strikingly inventive, charismatic, just like 'Penguin Orchestra' but with creative audio, pace and drive!
Posted 4 years ago by Matt_Maurer    [ Reply ]
I majored in sleeping through most of high school. 
Posted 4 years ago by drewd    [ Reply ]
Wow these guys...they continuosly make me bump their songs from a 7 to 8 or 9 in the first minute  funnily they get a 7 the moment the song starts 
Posted 5 years ago by Donar    [ Reply ]
Argh with this most vexing of songs. Went for seemingly decades thinking it was "you need spies" rather than "you despise." Hate when that happens. I liked it as the "you need spies" better. 
Posted 5 years ago by Grayson    [ Reply ]
The Shins can do no wrong.
Posted 5 years ago by marysclark    [ Reply ]
 Proclivities wrote:

Better at what?  Soccer(football)?  Cricket?  Cooking?  Trivial Pursuit?
 
Euchre.
Posted 5 years ago by Rockit9    [ Reply ]
Final encore song at their concert last week that mixed in a bit of TP's American Girl. They brought the house down.
Posted 7 years ago by Webfoot    [ Reply ]
 WonderLizard wrote:
It's impossible to separate Yorke from Radiohead
 
You don't count The Eraser?
Posted 7 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
{#Roflol}SONG IS GOOD PERFECT FOR A AFTENNON
Posted 7 years ago by BikeLab    [ Reply ]
Great to hear at such a 4-20 Orbit, great to celebrate that special day here with homies, Gdg and Flo, the Shins, and some local brews!
Posted 7 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
 scraig wrote:
Who's better: Thom Yorke or James Mercer? Discuss amongst yourselves...

 
Better at what?  Soccer(football)?  Cricket?  Cooking?  Trivial Pursuit?
Posted 8 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
 Despite Independency I depend.
Posted 8 years ago by twoplain2sea    [ Reply ]
 Piranga wrote:
Uh oh! Had to get out of my chair again! Thanks RP!!

 
Shaking everything I have on my officechair. {#Bananajam}
Thank god it's friday!
Posted 9 years ago by prickelpit96    [ Reply ]
Uh oh! Had to get out of my chair again! Thanks RP!!
Posted 9 years ago by Piranga    [ Reply ]
so good. Love the Shins.  {#Jump}
Posted 9 years ago by Dazzerb    [ Reply ]
 mgkiwi wrote:
I prefer the RAC Mix! Still a great tune though.

 
Agreed. Favorite Shins song, and favorite RAC remix... tough one to top.
Posted 9 years ago by OceanBlue    [ Reply ]
I signed up for sleeping lessons once, but I couldn't stay awake in class.
Posted 9 years ago by Baby_M    [ Reply ]
This is my favorite song in quite a while. Way way up there. Now if Bill would just follow it up with The Wait from the Pretenders...
Posted 10 years ago by ScottFromWyoming    [ Reply ]
 a_genuine_find wrote:
You're not obliged to swallow anything you despise
 
Now you tell me.
Posted 10 years ago by averybadcat    [ Reply ]
 scraig wrote:
Who's better: Thom Yorke or James Mercer? Discuss amongst yourselves...

 
Interesting, if false, proposition. It's impossible to separate Yorke from Radiohead, and in the context of the band, he's a genius. I still wince (NPI) at his falsetto, but Yorke and Radiohead are the real deal. Mercer is The Shins, despite the trappings of a, more or less, regular band he kept around--at least until Port of Morrow. Also, his Broken Bells gig with Dangermouse is very different from The Shins. They're both at the top of their games. Better for us, yes?
Posted 10 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
I prefer the RAC Mix! Still a great tune though.
Posted 11 years ago by mgkiwi    [ Reply ]
The aliens are coming!
Posted 11 years ago by LowPhreak    [ Reply ]
 Algis wrote:
We could be heroes ...

 
No, I don't hear that.
Posted 11 years ago by oldsaxon    [ Reply ]
 MassivRuss wrote:
Everyone in my head loves this song!  {#Dancingbanana_2}

 
What he said! {#Bounce}
Posted 11 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
Everyone in my head loves this song!  {#Dancingbanana_2}
Posted 11 years ago by MassivRuss    [ Reply ]
{#Roflol}
Posted 11 years ago by stephw    [ Reply ]
Rolf Harris thought so too. Current experience may indicate otherwise.
Posted 11 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
I think I could get the same sound with a sheet of aluminum siding of just the right size...
Posted 11 years ago by phobos    [ Reply ]
 ziggytrix wrote:

They're saying that because Mercer had fired everyone in the band.  But now he's replaced them with new musicians, hence the new album, tour, etc.
  
Old Shins is okay.  New Shins is superb.

Posted 12 years ago by xkolibuul    [ Reply ]
 Algis wrote:
We could be heroes ...
 


But just for one day.
Posted 12 years ago by Zep    [ Reply ]
We could be heroes ...
Posted 12 years ago by Algis    [ Reply ]
 flyboy wrote:
Why do people keep saying that they broke up?  They played the Jimmy Fallon show the day after this comment, and there's nothing on their website that indicates that they aren't continuing to play together.  In fact they seem to have an album coming out next year, and appear to have a full tour schedule.
 
They're saying that because Mercer had fired everyone in the band.  But now he's replaced them with new musicians, hence the new album, tour, etc.
Posted 12 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
Apple Inc. took this song as a score for their PR-intro-clip for their new stores in China and Shanghai in the presentation of october 2011, one day before Steve Jobs passed. But there was no singer - just instruments. Does anyone know about an instrumental version of the song or has Apple maybe created a special version by sampling parts of the original?
Posted 12 years ago by iSoul    [ Reply ]

I can't help but turn the volume up on this trak. This band has a very appealing sound.


Posted 12 years ago by eroz    [ Reply ]
 terrapin52 wrote:
I'm a huge Shins fan and I have listened to Wincing a few thousand times, but still find it lacking.  Maybe Mercer needs to move back to New Mexico.  I guess it doesn't matter now that they are disbanded.  I was just kind of not overwhelmed with this album.  

 
The opposite. I like this more than the others. Aren't people different. Thank the Gods for that!

Posted 13 years ago by inindian    [ Reply ]
 a_genuine_find wrote:
You're not obliged to swallow anything you despise

 

Yes!
Posted 13 years ago by bluecshells    [ Reply ]
You're not obliged to swallow anything you despise

Posted 13 years ago by a_genuine_find    [ Reply ]
 terrapin52 wrote:
I'm a huge Shins fan and I have listened to Wincing a few thousand times, but still find it lacking.  Maybe Mercer needs to move back to New Mexico.  I guess it doesn't matter now that they are disbanded.  I was just kind of not overwhelmed with this album.  

  Why do people keep saying that they broke up?  They played the Jimmy Fallon show the day after this comment, and there's nothing on their website that indicates that they aren't continuing to play together.  In fact they seem to have an album coming out next year, and appear to have a full tour schedule.


Posted 13 years ago by flyboy    [ Reply ]
Best album I've bought from the last 10 years.  Bought it because of this song, but every one on there is a winner.
Posted 13 years ago by flyboy    [ Reply ]
<3 <3 <3 !!!
 
Posted 13 years ago by dynamaniak    [ Reply ]
I'm a huge Shins fan and I have listened to Wincing a few thousand times, but still find it lacking.  Maybe Mercer needs to move back to New Mexico.  I guess it doesn't matter now that they are disbanded.  I was just kind of not overwhelmed with this album.  

Posted 13 years ago by terrapin52    [ Reply ]
 kaybee wrote:
The more I hear this album, the more I gotta get it.
   jpgr69 wrote:

You won't be sorry. Excellent from beginning to end. And rewards repeat listening. 
 
Yes, indeed!  That was 20 bucks very well spent!

Posted 13 years ago by kaybee    [ Reply ]
 coloradojohn wrote:
hard to believe, sigh! that they have since dissolved into thin air...guess I should be grateful that Broken Bells is such a nice compensation...long live the Shins on RP, in any case!

 
Shins have a new album due out next next and are planning a tour to support it. :)

Posted 13 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
Love how this thing revs and revs and keeps right on burning hard...
Hard to believe it's been over 3 and a half years already gone by since they jammed this cool cranker out on stage at Club Quattro in Shibuya here and blew us all away...(shoulda seen the bass player get down and bounce around like a mad pogo stick on Sea Legs! and how they managed to do something surreal with the sound system that no one else before or since has seemed to approach) and hard to believe, sigh! that they have since dissolved into thin air...guess I should be grateful that Broken Bells is such a nice compensation...long live the Shins on RP, in any case!

Posted 13 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
 brians201 wrote:
A bit Stone Rosish .... but lyrics are so cool and on the money ...... never heard them before ,,  I'll buy this .
 
Good call.

Posted 13 years ago by westslope    [ Reply ]
Love the building in this tune.  I'm a sucker for a long crescendo.
Posted 13 years ago by Dave_Mack    [ Reply ]
First time hearing this one, but I know I'll like it even more the next time I hear it. Its got a lil RADIOhead in it.  
Posted 13 years ago by estprophet22    [ Reply ]
Entrancing...swirly...like it
Posted 13 years ago by KC-NZ    [ Reply ]
Nice!
Posted 13 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]
 scraig wrote:
Who's better: Thom Yorke or James Mercer? Discuss amongst yourselves...
 

It's like looking at the 60's and saying "Who's better - John Lennon or Ray Davies?"

Love Ray - a great prolifice writier, singer band leader, and the Kinks were a terrific band.

But - John Lennon is.........well John Lennon and the Beatles are musical deities.

As are Radiohead and as are not the Shins.

Love him, rated this song a 9 but...

Posted 13 years ago by lemmoth    [ Reply ]
I could use some Sleeping Lessons.  I think I made a mistake around 3:00 AM this morning.
Posted 13 years ago by Dave_Mack    [ Reply ]
 scraig wrote:
Who's better: Thom Yorke or James Mercer? Discuss amongst yourselves...
 
Radiohead was the band of the 90's, then the Shins of the 00's, but Radiohead is better.  Yorke's Eraser was mediocre, but Broken Bells is out-of-this-world.  So, it's a draw. 
Posted 13 years ago by rdo    [ Reply ]
 jim1964 wrote:
Excellent friday morning music!
 
So right!

Posted 13 years ago by zamorane2001    [ Reply ]
 Huey wrote:
I bought this CD. Hate it. Who wants it? PM me. the best reason gets it. I pay mailing.
 

Crazy — it's easily my favorite Shins CD.  Do you have any of the others or was this your first dive into The Shins?

Posted 13 years ago by Synth80s    [ Reply ]
I bought this CD. Hate it. Who wants it? PM me. the best reason gets it. I pay mailing.
Posted 13 years ago by Huey    [ Reply ]
 jim1964 wrote:
Excellent friday morning music!
 
Thursday afternoon now.  {#Lol}

Posted 13 years ago by xtalman    [ Reply ]
I like the dreamy, tropical feeling of this song.
Posted 13 years ago by nerakdon    [ Reply ]
Excellent friday morning music!
Posted 14 years ago by jim1964    [ Reply ]
Perfectly titled track. I yawned right through it. After the "Garden State" Soundtrack I thought I liked The Shins, but I haven't heard anything from them since that has moved me much. Not bad, just nothing to write home about.
Posted 14 years ago by grungepuppy    [ Reply ]
Who's better: Thom Yorke or James Mercer? Discuss amongst yourselves...
Posted 14 years ago by scraig    [ Reply ]
The Shins shine again {#Sunny}
Posted 14 years ago by peter_james_bond    [ Reply ]
 greyfin10 wrote:
Can you wear a groove in a file?  No?  Good (phew)!  Haven't gotten sick of this even though I've played it enough that by rights I should have.  Great album!
 
 {#Roflol}      that's funny — i think i'm guilty of the same thing....

Posted 14 years ago by socalhol    [ Reply ]
The Shins: yet another wonderful product of New Mexico — like GREEN CHILES!!
Posted 14 years ago by justin_thyme    [ Reply ]
An odd version of Chopsticks with lyrics. ;-)
Posted 14 years ago by ubuntourist    [ Reply ]
Fell in love with the Shins this year, got all their albums, not a bad one in the bunch. Amazing songwriting, melody, arrangements. Lyrics a bit dense, though!
Posted 14 years ago by alaken    [ Reply ]
Can you wear a groove in a file?  No?  Good (phew)!  Haven't gotten sick of this even though I've played it enough that by rights I should have.  Great album!
Posted 14 years ago by greyfin10    [ Reply ]
I've just got to buy this disc.
Posted 14 years ago by dkwalika    [ Reply ]
Good!
Posted 14 years ago by Stingray    [ Reply ]

James Mercer Three by ~TVtrays
©2006-2010 ~TVtrays

James Mercer of the Shins.

Crystal Ballroom
Portland Oregon


Posted 14 years ago by calypsus_1    [ Reply ]
Woke up with this song in my head. How weird is that?
Posted 14 years ago by ableape    [ Reply ]
Love, love love this song. it puts me on the perfect mood to go for a long walk in the city, until midnight and the change to the next year. it's time to go anyway, seven hours left before this year ends.
Happy New Year, nice Blue Moon!

Posted 14 years ago by ambrebalte    [ Reply ]
 Flipmode wrote:
The one song i dislike by the shins. i just can't find the melody. reminds me of a skating rink or something
 
It takes all kinds; this is their one song I like.

Posted 14 years ago by Stefen    [ Reply ]
The one song i dislike by the shins. i just can't find the melody. reminds me of a skating rink or something
Posted 15 years ago by Flipmode    [ Reply ]
I have yet to hear a song by The Shins that I don't like.
Posted 15 years ago by Rick_V    [ Reply ]
comprising singer songwriter and guitarist James Russell Mercer guitarist/bassist Dave Hernandez Eric Johnson of the Fruit Bats  Joe Plummer the drummer and bassist Ron Lewis their sound draws on many several musical genres The Shins were formed in Albuquerque New Mexico but are now based in Portland  Oregon and this song is awesome in concert

*no comment *{#Devil_pimp}      * 8/9 * this song is good for the ears

Posted 15 years ago by a_genuine_find    [ Reply ]
 kaybee wrote:
The more I hear this album, the more I gotta get it.
 
You won't be sorry. Excellent from beginning to end. And rewards repeat listening. 
Posted 15 years ago by jpgr69    [ Reply ]
"Spill it out in a ragged flow" - wtf? {#Stupid} I vote The Shins in the top 5 of Groups Writing The Most Gnomic Lyrics chart (topped for decades by the baroque and esoteric Yes). Surely they're the only group to mention "polymorphism" in a song. Nice sound, mind.

Posted 15 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
 bachbeet wrote:
I've liked everything RP has played by this group.  I'm glad RP has turned me on to them and I will have to buy some of their albums.
 
Buy mine...

Posted 15 years ago by Huey    [ Reply ]
 tpa29970 wrote:
There's something I really like about this song.  What is it?

BTW:  Their album cover is ugly, and the band-name is...hurty.  So what is it?  What is it I like?
 

I like them because they are tuney. 
Posted 15 years ago by Hannio    [ Reply ]
man i wish i could take some sleeping lessons right now.
Posted 15 years ago by lily34    [ Reply ]
Perhaps it's the huge break when they go from the thing going "doo-de-doodley-doo" for the first minutes of the song into the sort of garage rock thump that they fade with. 

tpa29970 wrote:
There's something I really like about this song.  What is it?

BTW:  Their album cover is ugly, and the band-name is...hurty.  So what is it?  What is it I like?
 


Posted 15 years ago by FrankMc    [ Reply ]
 tpa29970 wrote:
There's something I really like about this song.  What is it?

BTW:  Their album cover is ugly, and the band-name is...hurty.  So what is it?  What is it I like?
 

The fact that it's good.
Posted 15 years ago by copymonkey    [ Reply ]
There's something I really like about this song.  What is it?

BTW:  Their album cover is ugly, and the band-name is...hurty.  So what is it?  What is it I like?
Posted 15 years ago by tpa29970    [ Reply ]
 andrewimft wrote:
redtex wrote:


I come here to listen to music. If I want to read the lyrics I'll head for the library.
I stuck through the entire song (again) and still not getting it. But I will suffer the few flaws of the playlist as the positives of RP far outweigh the negatives.



That's no excuse. You don't have to walk, run or drive to the library. All you have to do is google the song name plus the word lyrics and find it for free in 5 seconds. What effort is that? There really is no excuse.

 
It's even easier than that.  There's a Google Lyrics Search link in the intro box for every song on RP. 
Posted 15 years ago by Stefen    [ Reply ]
 a_genuine_find wrote:
They got nothing left on which we depend.
So enlist every ounce
Of your bright blood.
And off with their heads.

Jump from the hook.
You're not obliged to swallow anything you despise
 


Posted 15 years ago by winter    [ Reply ]
woah, I really like this!
Posted 15 years ago by linz_bobinz    [ Reply ]
I've liked everything RP has played by this group.  I'm glad RP has turned me on to them and I will have to buy some of their albums.
Posted 15 years ago by bachbeet    [ Reply ]
The fisrt song I heard by The Shins was "New Slang" such a beautiful song.
Posted 15 years ago by GirlAfraid    [ Reply ]
This album is SO good....
Posted 15 years ago by deepwoodskev    [ Reply ]
They got nothing left on which we depend.
So enlist every ounce
Of your bright blood.
And off with their heads.

Jump from the hook.
You're not obliged to swallow anything you despise

Posted 15 years ago by a_genuine_find    [ Reply ]
This was the first time I have heard The Shins. Where the hell have I been? Gotta buy this!
Posted 15 years ago by acupunk    [ Reply ]
keoaddi there
Posted 15 years ago by gutboy    [ Reply ]
 snowcat wrote:
Love this disc, love their music, but as my friend says..."The only people who understand what The Shins are singing about are The Shins".
 
Never hurt R.E.M. any. . . .

Posted 15 years ago by Xeric    [ Reply ]
Shins in NY in May - YEAH!
{#Cool} {#Sunny} {#Dancingbanana_2}


Posted 15 years ago by a_genuine_find    [ Reply ]
Sleeping Lessons Go without,
Till the need seeps in
You low animal,
Collect your novel petals for the stem. And glow.
Glow.
Melt and flow.
Eviscerate your fragile frame.
And spill it out on ragged floor.
A thousand different versions of yourself. And if the old gods still offend,
They got nothing left on which you depend.
So enlist every ounce
Of your bright blood.
And off with their heads. Jump from the hook.
You're not obliged to swallow anything you despise.
See, those unrepenting buzzards want your life,
And they got no right.
As sure as you have eyes,
They got no right. Just put yourself in my new shoes.
And see that I do all I do.
Because the old god still offends.
(Their pudgy hearts and slimy hands)
They got nothing left on which we depend.
So enlist every ounce
Of your bright blood.
And off with their heads. Jump from the hook.
You're not obliged to swallow anything you despise,
That you despise.

woot!
Posted 15 years ago by laroue    [ Reply ]
 osbyec wrote:

Exactly what I heard!

I hope you get a hearing check soon.

 


Posted 15 years ago by Jim__Sheila    [ Reply ]
Incredible band - I'm jonesing for some new material

Posted 15 years ago by michaeltrego    [ Reply ]
 ThePoose wrote:
Mister Sandman, bring me a dream
Make him the cutest that I've ever seen....
 
Exactly what I heard!

Posted 15 years ago by osbyec    [ Reply ]
wincing, indeed. 
Posted 15 years ago by wrangler    [ Reply ]
The cover looks like horsetails I think. 
Posted 15 years ago by fuh2    [ Reply ]
kaybee wrote:
The more I hear this album, the more I gotta get it.

I did and I am happy to report it was an excellent decision.

Posted 15 years ago by RadioDoc    [ Reply ]