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The Shins — Simple Song
Album: Port Of Morrow
Avg rating:
7.2

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2115









Released: 2012
Length: 4:11
Plays (last 30 days): 4
Well, this is just a simple song,
To say what you done.
I told you 'bout all those fears,
And away they did run.
You sure must be strong,
And you feel like an ocean being warmed by the sun.

When I was just nine years old,
I swear that I dreamt,
Your face on a football field,
And a kiss that I kept,
Under my vest.
Apart from everything,
But the heart in my chest.

I know that things can really get rough,
When you go it alone.
Don't go thinking you gotta be tough,
To play like a stone.
Could be there's nothing else in our lives so critical,
As this little home.

My life in an upturned boat,
Marooned on a cliff.
You brought me a great big flood,
And you gave me a lift.
Girl, what a gift.
Will you tell me with your tongue,
And your breath was in my lungs,
And we float over the rift.

I know that things can really get rough,
When you go it alone.
Don't go thinking you gotta be tough,
To play like a stone.
Could be there's nothing else in our lives so critical,
As this little home.

Well, this would be a simple song,
To say what you done.
I told you 'bout all those fears,
And away they did run.
You sure must be strong,
And you feel like an ocean being warm by the sun.

Remember walking a mile to your house,
Aglow in the dark?
I made a fumbling play for your heart,
And the act struck a spark.
You wore a charm on the chain that I stole,
Especial for you.
Love's such a delicate thing that we do,
With nothing to prove,
Which I never knew.

Comments (111)add comment
James Mercer has a knack with melody doesn't he - reminds me of Neil Finn in this respect. 
"And you feel like an ocean warmed by the sun"

I knew such a girl. And 50 years later I can still feel her sweetness.
Remembering. Shivers and sighs,

But Harry Chapin happened;

"She took off to find the footlights
And I took off to find the sky"

Or rather;

She took off for a college
And I took off for a war





Perfection! Mercer is a genius, simples.
I love this song, and the video is beautiful!
It reminds me of when I was a child and I often fought with my brothers and sisters but in the end we always hugged each other!
Even today, after so many years we are still very united!
I like this song, but I have an instant knee jerk negative reaction to any song that has "song" in the title. Other examples 'Your song', 'Northern song', 'Immigrant song'.  This self referential cr*p just bugs me. I know I am being a tw&t.

The only exception I'll make is 'Song 2'. 

I'll shut up now....
Love the SHiNs! creative, tight, fun!
Sounds like three different songs. LOL But I like em all.
 Amyjacksoncc wrote:

I think they they really hit something special on this song ... Not that every Shins song doesn't have a great hook, but this one has such a sweet storyline ... Mwah! 



i agree.
8 -> 9.  Lovely, catchy and interesting production.
Stumbled across the video for this song and thought it was great.



The Shins - Simple Song (Video) - YouTube
this is why i come here... yall are amazing
Right to The Shins !!!!
The more I hear this tune, the more I like it!  Thanx RP!
Excellent Tune!
 frisbeepilot wrote:

I love this song, but there's something weird about the mix used here. Very echo-y in the vocals.




Weird, but GOOD! ...Kind of Phil Spector(ish)! I like it! ...Great in FLAC w/K701 studio phones, amp &DAC!
This is growing on me. 
I love this song, but there's something weird about the mix used here. Very echo-y in the vocals.
 tomperth1 wrote:
My favourite Shins song - thanks, Bill!
 
I always preferred the first two albums. This is a song for falling in love, perhaps?
Did that a long time ago with someone who introduced me to a lot of music and we still comment on our favorite Radio Paradise tunes, old and new
 tomperth1 wrote:
My favourite Shins song - thanks, Bill!
 
The first track I ever heard from them - thanks again RP - and still my favourite by a mile.
That cover image reminds me of the 'enchanter' scene from Monty Python and the Holy Grail :o)
My favourite Shins song - thanks, Bill!
 spacemanspiff wrote:
This album and Wincing the Night Away are two amazing albums. Not just one or two great songs but full with amazing music.
 

Thanks for that. I will check them out!
What a wonderful song! Have been enjoying it for more than 4 years now.
This album and Wincing the Night Away are two amazing albums. Not just one or two great songs but full with amazing music.
What's not to like u dork?
RIP Richard Swift.


https://www.gofundme.com/medical-fund-for-richard-swift
How much do I adore this amazing song?
Bill, seriously? Al Green, then this ,, you are pulling on my personal heartstrings today 
 tedevlin wrote:
Gee, where was that main hook from?  Sounded really familiar.

Now, listen to 'North Country Girl" by Pete Townshend from "Chinese Eyes" album. That's were I heard it from!  They must be fans

Listen to it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WavnVVDlBak

 
That "hook" you're making reference to is really just a guitar-strumming style or pattern, which precedes Peter Townshend.  "North Country Girl" is a traditional British folk song.  However, it's likely these guys are fans. 
More 'The - The' please

 
If you've never caught the video and huge twist at the end, I highly recommend it.....one of my favorites of all time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoLTPcD1S4Q 
My favourite Shins album
Surprises me....I thought this was getting too much air play.  Only twice this month.  Hmmmm.  I like the Shins.  Quite a bit actually.  Maybe I'm getting burned out because I think RP likes them a lot too - not just this song, of course.  Unfortunately my numbers for them are actually diminishing.   
{#Undecided}
Great stuff, never listened by me before 
Love it!
Exhilarating!!!
Very FUN & upbeat
I think they they really hit something special on this song ... Not that every Shins song doesn't have a great hook, but this one has such a sweet storyline ... Mwah! 
Gosh, I just don't have an ear for this song. All I hear are the echos of the songs that drew me to The Shins in the first place.
 djengs wrote:
Channeling The Who on this one, methinks

 
Interesting. I'm not really hearing the connection...but interesting nonetheless.
Channeling The Who on this one, methinks

marvelous...  love it...
 

Awesome song...as for the rest of ths CD...does Mercer need the ole haddock treatment...Fred?


 rdo wrote:
By far the best song on a mediocre, disappointing CD...
 

Very true and that´s a shame.
By far the best song on a mediocre, disappointing CD...
 bindi wrote:
Second listen, . .I had to bump this up a notch.  Soooo good
 
I agree. I just bumped it up it to an 8. I love that melody. The song has so much life. 
For some reason, I can't get excited about this album even though I liked all the other. Something about the behind-the-scenes band change turned me off maybe.
Second listen, . .I had to bump this up a notch.  Soooo good
 tedevlin wrote:
Gee, where was that main hook from?  Sounded really familiar.

Now, listen to 'North Country Girl" by Pete Townshend from "Chinese Eyes" album. That's were I heard it from!  They must be fans

Listen to it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WavnVVDlBak
 
The Who, fans of The Shins? Yeah, I can see that.
Gee, where was that main hook from?  Sounded really familiar.

Now, listen to 'North Country Girl" by Pete Townshend from "Chinese Eyes" album. That's were I heard it from!  They must be fans

Listen to it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WavnVVDlBak
I love this band - a great lead vocalist.
Reminds me of The Arcade Fire....only happier

{#Bananasplit}
I like this song more every time I hear it.  The video is pretty funny too!
 Sasha2001 wrote:

Go for the music, just don't expect a "show." Mercer's new backup band appears younger and more energetic than him so perhaps their live shows will have a little more energy than the one I saw several years ago.
 

Right -  the music.  Maybe the era of the Rock Star is winding down.  Is that really such a bad thing?  I think the more we can appreciate genius like he has, as the pure art that it is, the better for all of us lovers of Rock music. 
I saw them last night, along with what seemed like about 10,000 others, at a free show at SXSW and I have to agree.  Generally only groups that really rock can hold onto a crowd that big, especially outdoors.  The Shins aren't really that type of band.

The new band was good, but then I never saw the old one so I can't really compare.

iTunes is allowing streaming of the whole new CD before it is released.  I've listened to it throughout a couple times and I like it.
 
Sasha2001 wrote:

Go for the music, just don't expect a "show." Mercer's new backup band appears younger and more energetic than him so perhaps their live shows will have a little more energy than the one I saw several years ago.
 
 LPCity wrote:
Is anybody familiar with these guys in concert.  I have an opportunity to see them but don't really know much about them.
  


 LPCity wrote:
Is anybody familiar with these guys in concert.  I have an opportunity to see them but don't really know much about them.
 
Go for the music, just don't expect a "show." Mercer's new backup band appears younger and more energetic than him so perhaps their live shows will have a little more energy than the one I saw several years ago.
This song rocks city blocks. 7 to 8 to 9 on repeated listens, I really like the vocal range on display as well as the instrumental reach. Once I get back to some distance running this will definitely be in the playlist.
I got hooked on the Shin's with Gold Teeth and a Curse for this Town, or whatever that song was called, and then it's all been down hill from there. Everything Mercer has done since sounds so limp to me. Pleasant enough, but drab.
Whole new band? And if this song is representative of the whole album (I hope it's not), I fear they might have jumped the shark... 'tis a shame, they were the best band of the 'aughts', IMO.
 romeotuma wrote:


This song is soooo good it puts a spring in my step this winter day...

 
 
And I'll bet you're dancing in your room too!  I'm dancing in the main salon.


Is anybody familiar with these guys in concert.  I have an opportunity to see them but don't really know much about them.
How refreshing after that horrible Beatles song - God!
Nice.
Something in there gives me a Quadrophenia-era Who vibe.
Another favorite by The Shins....love this
very nice new song !
Get a bit tired to always listen their olds songs
I love this song.  Just sayin'...
 WonderLizard wrote:

Maybe the same reason Sam Beam calls himself "Iron and Wine." It's not just you, but whoever you gather about you, the creative nexus, to collaborate on a musical enterprise. In the end, IMHO it doesn't matter a whit so long as the music is good, yes?
 
Or the same reason why Mark Everrett calls his band Eels when he is the only constant, or Badly Drawn Boy, or....

Cool tune - I like it better than anything from Broken Bells. 

I cannot wait til March 20.   I think this is my 3rd listen.  One word:  Godlike.



I think I have figured out what's on top of the rock:

 
Yuk.  This sounds like something from 80's radio.  Shocked it was the Shins.
Hey, cool...the Shins are back on the musical scene...Mercer's incredible, they're fantastic, and I root for them in the future!
 kapetto wrote:

I'm a cynic.  I always expect my favorite band's next album to be its death knell.  I always listen to the new singles with a critical ear.  I haven't been this optimistic about a new album since hearing the singles off of Ganging Up on the Sun, by Guster, some seven-odd years ago.

But, then, I generally avoid the singles so I won't judge them all cynically, and prefer to wait until I forget the new album is even coming out, and only remember 6 months after its release when I hear some tracks, or a friend tells me.

Come to think of it, I'm pretty much the anti-hipster.  "You probably know them.  They're been played to death."
 
Let's see... always expecting a band's newer work to suck, constantly critical in nature, conscious avoidance of widely available music information to protect your well-refined judgements...
 
Gee - for an anti-hipster, you sure do adhere closely to the strict hipster creed!
 justin4kick wrote:
At last a new song. It has been worth waiting for.

I am going to see them for the second time 25 March in Amsterdam.
 
NICE!

At last a new song. It has been worth waiting for.

I am going to see them for the second time 25 March in Amsterdam.
I agree.  But they are a great band

 
ziggytrix wrote:
I normally love the Shins, but find this tune strangely uninspiring.
 


I normally love the Shins, but find this tune strangely uninspiring.
 oldsaxon wrote:

Steely Dan was never just Fagen and Becker. 
 
They did have a "Skunk" in the band.


 Sasha2001 wrote:
+Interesting comments below. It makes me wonder though, if the last band wasn't contributing enough creatively (this is pure conjecture of course) what makes Mercer think a new band will be that much better? I'm considering the man's ego here. He might go out and get musicians he respects more, but at the end of the day, they're still glorified side-men and he's really just a solo act, no?

 
Mercer is clearly the artist here.  It could be the other band members' egos at play and not so much his own.  If they have nothing relevant to contribute artistically except playing their parts and yet want to exercise some creative control or direction, that would be their problem, not his (also pure conjecture).  Given Mercer surely understands its "his" music, then perhaps labeling it "The Shins" is his way of keeping his own ego in check.

Also, re the Iron & Wine reference below: Mercer could be thinking of "The Shins" as a 'project', much as Steve Wilson has his Porcupine Tree and Blackfield projects. Just a thought.


 WonderLizard wrote:

Maybe the same reason Sam Beam calls himself "Iron and Wine." It's not just you, but whoever you gather about you, the creative nexus, to collaborate on a musical enterprise. In the end, IMHO it doesn't matter a whit so long as the music is good, yes?
 
Steely Dan was never just Fagen and Becker. 
+Interesting comments below. It makes me wonder though, if the last band wasn't contributing enough creatively (this is pure conjecture of course) what makes Mercer think a new band will be that much better? I'm considering the man's ego here. He might go out and get musicians he respects more, but at the end of the day, they're still glorified side-men and he's really just a solo act, no?

 Troutnskibum wrote:
 I just don't know why he doesn't call himself a solo act at this point. Is it really "The Shins" when it's just one person?
 
I think the name "The Shins" will sell more records than "James Mercer." He's not exactly a household name.

 Troutnskibum wrote:

<snip> I just don't know why he doesn't call himself a solo act at this point. Is it really "The Shins" when it's just one person?
 
Maybe the same reason Sam Beam calls himself "Iron and Wine." It's not just you, but whoever you gather about you, the creative nexus, to collaborate on a musical enterprise. In the end, IMHO it doesn't matter a whit so long as the music is good, yes?

 Troutnskibum wrote:

I agree, but if you watch some of the Youtube interviews with Mercer, he seemed really frustrated with the band. I think he was the only true creative contributor to the albums and felt he was dragging everyone else along. I think maybe working with Danger Mouse really opened his eyes. I just don't know why he doesn't call himself a solo act at this point. Is it really "The Shins" when it's just one person?
 
He should be just a Shin.
And what about Danger Mice?


 dreadpixie wrote:
really!?  you just played this yesterday.   It has not improved with age, though it is cheesy.   and romeotuma says the same thing about every song.  
 
He doesn't understand that there are other people in the world,he doesn't understand that he is polluting the song comments for everyone else with his gibberish.

 rtree wrote:
Shoulda kept the original band{#Arghhh}
 
I agree, but if you watch some of the Youtube interviews with Mercer, he seemed really frustrated with the band. I think he was the only true creative contributor to the albums and felt he was dragging everyone else along. I think maybe working with Danger Mouse really opened his eyes. I just don't know why he doesn't call himself a solo act at this point. Is it really "The Shins" when it's just one person?
Shoulda kept the original band{#Arghhh}
I am REALLY happy to hear some new stuff from these guys.  Very cool.
 KurtfromLaQuinta wrote:

They've all been so far.
 
I'm a cynic.  I always expect my favorite band's next album to be its death knell.  I always listen to the new singles with a critical ear.  I haven't been this optimistic about a new album since hearing the singles off of Ganging Up on the Sun, by Guster, some seven-odd years ago.

But, then, I generally avoid the singles so I won't judge them all cynically, and prefer to wait until I forget the new album is even coming out, and only remember 6 months after its release when I hear some tracks, or a friend tells me.

Come to think of it, I'm pretty much the anti-hipster.  "You probably know them.  They're been played to death."
 Troutnskibum wrote:
I just love The Shins. Interesting that Mercer cleaned out the entire band. It looks like every single band members was replaced and I hear he plays almost all instruments on the actual album. So are the band members for touring only?. This (and all Shins albums) sounds great to me, but is he some kind of control freak? 

 
Wow, I didn't know he had dumped the entire band. Disappointing to hear that, although I do like this tune. A big, full sound here (as opposed to the somewhat low-fi sound of Broken Bells) 

I just love The Shins. Interesting that Mercer cleaned out the entire band. It looks like every single band members was replaced and I hear he plays almost all instruments on the actual album. So are the band members for touring only?. This (and all Shins albums) sounds great to me, but is he some kind of control freak? 

New album?

Oh jolly! {#High-five}
really!?  you just played this yesterday.  It has not improved with age, though it is cheesy.  and romeotuma says the same thing about every song. 
 romeotuma wrote:


This song is soooo good for the ears...


 
 
5 "o's"?  really?  meh, maybe it'll grow on me.

Strangely, I like almost everything from The Shins, even though they usually have a very characteristic sound. But so do, e.g., Mumford and Sons and many others, and I don't necessarily like all their output like Shins'. On the other hand, I liked M&S a lot at first but now everything of theirs—including what I previously liked enough to buy—I like less now and have even downgraded in my ratings. Funny how music works on us! And the Beatles rage on.
 winter wrote:
Yay! New Shins!
 
{#Yes}

Yay! New Shins!
 kapetto wrote:
Definitely a good sign.  I think the new album is going to be a keeper.
 
They've all been so far.

I wish some posters on here wouldn't keep saying that the Shins disbanded years back, because they plainly haven't. I can't see the Shins every doing a 'simple song', mind - their lyrics are, to put it mildly, 'gnomic', but they do have a nice poppy sound to go with their lyrical erudition. 7 from the Nottingham jury.

nice!   love me some new shins
Great!
Definitely a good sign.  I think the new album is going to be a keeper.
new shins?  who knew?
FINALLY!