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The Shins — Phantom Limb
Album: Wincing The Night Away
Avg rating:
7.2

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2040








Released: 2007
Length: 4:45
Plays (last 30 days): 2
Foals in winter coats, white girls of the north
File past one, five and one
They are the fabled lambs of Sunday ham
The E.H.S. norm

And they can float above the grass in circles if they tried
A latent power I know they hide
To keep some hope alive that a girl like I could ever try
Could ever try

So we just skirt the hallway sides
A phantom and a fly
Follow the lines and wonder why
There's no connection

A week of rolling eyes and cheap shots from the trite
And we're off to Nemarca's porch again
Another afternoon with the goat head tunes
And pilfered booze

We wandered through her mama's house and the milk from the window lights
Family portraits circa '95
This is that foreign land with the sprayed on tans
And it all feels fine, be it silk or slime

So when they tap our Monday heads, two zombies walk in our stead
This town seems hardly worth the time
And we'll no longer memorize or rhyme, too far along in our climb
Stepping over what now towers to the sky with no connection

So when they tap my Sunday head, two zombies walk in our stead
This town seems hardly worth the time
And we'll no longer memorize or rhyme, too far along in our climb
Stepping over what now towers to the sky with no connection
Comments (207)add comment
Love it!!
 TallCreative1 wrote:


Brian Wilson called.... he wants his falsetto back.  


Good stuff LOL
 robb104 wrote:

Am I the only person who hears The Beach Boys in this song? I've been a casual fan of The Shins for a few years, but today, while playing in the background I thought I was hearing some lost/new Beach Boys type of tune. When my attention returned, I realized I was listening to The Shins. Today was the first I heard that Beach Boys influence. Just a noticing.
Have a fine day!



LOL yep! i like it, though.
 robb104 wrote:

Am I the only person who hears The Beach Boys in this song? I've been a casual fan of The Shins for a few years, but today, while playing in the background I thought I was hearing some lost/new Beach Boys type of tune. When my attention returned, I realized I was listening to The Shins. Today was the first I heard that Beach Boys influence. Just a noticing.
Have a fine day!



Brian Wilson called.... he wants his falsetto back.  
Am I the only person who hears The Beach Boys in this song? I've been a casual fan of The Shins for a few years, but today, while playing in the background I thought I was hearing some lost/new Beach Boys type of tune. When my attention returned, I realized I was listening to The Shins. Today was the first I heard that Beach Boys influence. Just a noticing.
Have a fine day!
 xcranky_yankee wrote:
well, he's talking about white girls from the north, so maybe not? 



TIL he was. The United States is the north relative to Mexico. Neat!
https://www.reddit.com/r/Music...
 jukes1 wrote:

I like having the lyrics available. Now I can be 100% sure I don't have the slightest idea what this is about.



'Songwriter and lead singer James Mercer described it as "a hypothetical, fictional account of a young, lesbian couple in high school dealing with the shitty small town they live in."'

Yeah... I'll take his word for it, I guess. :)
 the_jake wrote:

What is "The E.H.S. norm" at the end of the 1st verse?
Eldorado High School in Albuquerque maybe.

well, he's talking about white girls from the north, so maybe not? 

 marysclark wrote:

clearly the record producer wanted more tamborine




Well, we all know it needed more cowbell, but whatever...
Just love how that voice rises into falsetto with power.  What a great band.
this is one of the best albums of the last 20 years…
 jukes1 wrote:

I like having the lyrics available. Now I can be 100% sure I don't have the slightest idea what this is about.


"They are the fabled lambs of Sunday ham
The E.H.S. norm"

Me, just nodding: "yes, lamb ham"
These guys just bleed melodies! Awesome and definitely worth seeing live if you can catch them, pretty spiritual...
When I first heard this song, I thought it was a missed track from The Fixx.  
The Shins music is so complex and uniquely different...I love it!
What is "The E.H.S. norm" at the end of the 1st verse?
Eldorado High School in Albuquerque maybe.
Same vocalist in group Broken Bells.
clearly the record producer wanted more tamborine
Would have sworn this song was about frozen intercourse…
 jukes1 wrote:
I like having the lyrics available. Now I can be 100% sure I don't have the slightest idea what this is about.
 
Some info here.  You can also click on the shaded lyrics to read detailed interpretations.
https://genius.com/The-shins-phantom-limb-lyrics
I like having the lyrics available. Now I can be 100% sure I don't have the slightest idea what this is about.
Phantom Limb

Phantom Limb - The Venture Bros.
Most excellent. I have no idea where his lyrics come from, and while a little more difficult to follow along, so worth it. Saw The Shins in Phoenix before X-mas and they put on one helluva show. Only wish it was longer...
 treatment_bound wrote:
This is their best song...much better than "New Slang".  

However, it still didn't change my life either.

 
Maybe your life didn't need changing. Perhaps it's fine, be it silk or slime.
 treatment_bound wrote:
This is their best song...much better than "New Slang".  

However, it still didn't change my life either.

 
....what, better than 'Australia? 
This is their best song...much better than "New Slang".  

However, it still didn't change my life either.
 justin4kick wrote:

The Shins have taken the Beach Boys to the next level.

 
that's it, The Beach Boys, 
I never could put my finger on who Mercer sounds like,
I keep trying to come up with a female singer
but it's the Beach Boys                                                                                                     (I never liked The Beach Boys) 
God I love this song.
 FlatCat wrote:
Time for my 3rd daily dose of the Shins/Broken Bells. About as tasty as castor oil.

 
MMMmmmmmmm MMMMMmmmmm MMmmmmmmm Drink it down. Very tasty
Time for my 3rd daily dose of the Shins/Broken Bells. About as tasty as castor oil.
 MusiqueMusique wrote:

Fun fun fun 'til her daddy takes the T-Bird away
 
The Shins have taken the Beach Boys to the next level.
 Stephen_Phillips wrote:
Just listen to his singing and try to sing along with him,  Only then will you appreciate how many tricks he is using with his voice and that this is not usual sing along fare.  Vocal and lyrical gymnastics at its best - yes I am liking the Shins.

 
I appreciate that, but even with intentional listening, I cannot understand the lyrics. Not a fan.
Prime example of why it's a lifetime highlight to be in the first rows of a Shins show; in many spots, Mercer's singing eclipses even that of Brian Wilson! And to me, the deeper meaning's worth the mining: growing up in repressive school life, escaped by boozing weekends; hungover after. Leave town, feel the pain later. And so it goes. I know he hated growing up in Albuquerque, and couldn't wait to get out, and very well he's done!
The Shins are one of those bands that I feel that I should like with more exposure.  I'm glad that RP plays more than just this "hit song" by them.  
 treatment_bound wrote:
Probably their best song.

 
Meh! Not even their best song on this album.

At least half of Oh, Inverted World and pretty much all of Chutes Too Narrow is better than this track.  
Just listen to his singing and try to sing along with him,  Only then will you appreciate how many tricks he is using with his voice and that this is not usual sing along fare.  Vocal and lyrical gymnastics at its best - yes I am liking the Shins.
One of their more melodic efforts. Good tune.
Probably their best song.
 juanos wrote:
This song will always take me back to New Zealand!... 

 
That is cheap airfare.
 MusiqueMusique wrote:

Fun fun fun 'til her daddy takes the T-Bird away

 
Yeah, it sounds exactly like it - same tempo and chords with the "Chuck Berry-style" riffs and all.  Actually it sort of sounds more like Mozart's "Requiem Mass in D Minor".
{#Propeller}
Fantastic song from a fantastic album.  I count myself blessed to have seen them rock out at Club Quattro in Shibuya on the tour for this!
 MusiqueMusique wrote:

Fun fun fun 'til her daddy takes the T-Bird away
 
Right on, but also maybe a pinch of jackson browne?
Exactly.  Is this really RP, or just all the music I bought after listening to RP?  But I am safe in the knowledge that after the apocalypse I will still have the music, as long as I can find a solar charger.   

wossName wrote:
I have to stop buying music I hear on Radio Paradise. I had just finished listening to this album when I turned RP on...playing this song. {#Rolleyes}

 



Fun fun fun 'til her daddy takes the T-Bird away

This song will always take me back to New Zealand!... 
{#Cowboy}
I have to stop buying music I hear on Radio Paradise. I had just finished listening to this album when I turned RP on...playing this song. {#Rolleyes}
this is the perfect kind of song for my brain no to explode this morning... {#Clap}
Great song from a truly remarkable album.
Pure genius pop! Agree with earlier comments that this just doesn't get old. Love it!
Love this song!
Endless Joy. Never old!!
Love this song.
Agreed! Breaking Bad doesn't quite paint the rosiest picture of the Duke City, but there's a lot here to like about it - Shins being one.

 justin_thyme wrote:

And they got their start in Albuquerque, one of the best (and much under-appreciated) cities in the lower 48.  Bravo, muchachos!
 

Santa didn't buy me this album for Christmas...I think I'll have to go and buy it for myself!
I bought this CD. Hate it. Who wants it? PM me. the best reason gets it. I pay mailing.
It's happened to me too!
 
Govi wrote:
Is it like this for you?  There are bleak places in the RP playlist, places in which I find I like none of the songs.  When I go to rate the songs, I find that I've already rated them.  And I agree with my past self. 

 


I listen to this song limitlessly. Countless blissful listens!!!!  Magic joy.
The CD is one of the Best All Time.

One of my favorite bands.
 Thistle wrote:

Okay I think these guys are border-line genius. I haven't heard anything bad from them yet.


 
Ditto. Most of the time, at first, I would always pop my head up to see who it was when I was thinking "this is good." Now, I know it's always gonna be them. This song is their "worst" song for me so far.


 rdo wrote:


{#Yes}

I agree, except I'll won't qualify it, they are genius.
 
And they got their start in Albuquerque, one of the best (and much under-appreciated) cities in the lower 48.  Bravo, muchachos!

 Thistle wrote:

Okay I think these guys are border-line genius. I haven't heard anything bad from them yet.


 

{#Yes}

I agree, except I'll won't qualify it, they are genius.

Okay I think these guys are border-line genius. I haven't heard anything bad from them yet.


Is it like this for you?  There are bleak places in the RP playlist, places in which I find I like none of the songs.  When I go to rate the songs, I find that I've already rated them.  And I agree with my past self. 

I actually thought this was the Beach Boys at first.  So far, from what I've heard from this CD (all hail RP {#Notworthy} ) this is the "filler" song, but it's still very fine.  I can't wait til I get it.  Pity about the rather disgusting looking cover. 


 vandal wrote:

9 10

 
Did same today; perhaps because I haven't heard it in a while and now am rewinding it over and over and over and ...

Sounds so much better now on the headphones after a little distance from the staticy overplaying on FM of last year...

 eastcoast wrote:
This album gets a lot of airplay but I just can't connect with this band
 

same here.  "there's no connection" - ha.  his voice is nails on a chalkboard for me.
9 10
Sure this is 10!
rocco1207 wrote:
one of the best of 2007.... so far...
Okay, Bill needs to stop playing great music for a minute so I can go get some lunch!
This album gets a lot of airplay but I just can't connect with this band
I bought ths CD on the strength of the song " black wave", but it's disappointing really
one of the best of 2007.... so far...
SomeOldGuy wrote:
Like the Shins, hate this song. Sounds like a Beach Boy's reunion...
Agreed.
Went to their concert in Paradiso Amsterdam. I thought they were brilliant although the sound was shit. Imagine all of the audience singing ohhoooooohoohooooohoo.
squidish wrote:
Love that crayz pic. Slap that phantom limb and...bingo
bcorcoran wrote:
Can we get someone to delete that huge comment? Please?
I 2nd that request!
Can we get someone to delete that huge comment? Please?
bokey wrote:
Me either. That's probably because I always start googling for teenage lesbians and miss the song.
i second that.
Like it.
Pltzzzz.
I feel the same. There is nothing good about this song. And I feel a strong aversion. shakitten wrote:
I have the same reaction...it's weird, actually. It's just like everything in me just goes, "Meh!" I like other songs by the Shins...but this tune just gets me.
FeydBaron wrote:
I have a fairly strong yet unreasonable negative reaction to this song... I usually have it changed / turned off after the first two tones. It's inevitable, but it's a shame that happens on the local what's pop station as well as here.
I have the same reaction...it's weird, actually. It's just like everything in me just goes, "Meh!" I like other songs by the Shins...but this tune just gets me.
Its the key change on the soaring chorus that gets me !!
whoa, whoa oh, whoa oh... so much more inspired emo pop out there.
I have a fairly strong yet unreasonable negative reaction to this song... I usually have it changed / turned off after the first two tones. It's inevitable, but it's a shame that happens on the local what's pop station as well as here.
This band is really growing on me. I find myself head dancing and tapping my toes more often as they come on. RP has done it again. Now I need to spend more money on music... will I ever be able to afford that jetcar?
overplayed uninspired must be the shins again...
SomeOldGuy wrote:
Like the Shins, hate this song. Sounds like a Beach Boy's reunion...
Love the song, like The Shins.
didstanbul wrote:
I know a lot of people are raving about The Shins, but I just can't seem to get (into) it. At least this song.
Me either. That's probably because I always start googling for teenage lesbians and miss the song.
cc_rider wrote:
Ha, I commented on that the other day, when Bella (?) was begging to go out. Too funny. That's another thing that makes RP special. I know The Shins are the hot shizzle right now, and I DO like this song, but does it seem a bit over-played? Not so much on RP but everywhere? Maybe it's me (it has been before.) c.
For those of us who rarely/never listen to commercial radio overplaying hasn't been a problem.
I know a lot of people are raving about The Shins, but I just can't seem to get (into) it. At least this song.
Like the Shins, hate this song. Sounds like a Beach Boy's reunion...
This album has not held up for me. I loved it once. Now it is a love/hate relationship.
Ha, I commented on that the other day, when Bella (?) was begging to go out. Too funny. That's another thing that makes RP special. I know The Shins are the hot shizzle right now, and I DO like this song, but does it seem a bit over-played? Not so much on RP but everywhere? Maybe it's me (it has been before.) c.
Welly wrote:
I just love every track I hear from this album. That's it. I have to buy it.
I was thinking the same thing! I think I'll one click it right now!
Yes and I heard a small dog whining....puppy need to go outside?
Any one else hear a little fleetwood mac
There are so many nuances in this song that I newly discover each time I hear it. Definitely my fav. Shins song thus far.
I just love every track I hear from this album. That's it. I have to buy it.
RP = 9
Agent510 wrote:
Bill: "It's not a song about amputation, but a song about teenage lesbians". Heh!
So, the phantom limb is a...omg! Is there an emoticon for that?
healyf52 wrote:
I can't help it, I think this tune is an insipid piece of drivel... Does RP play any of their other tunes, cause this one really blows...
Insipid piece of drivel? Totally disagree. That description would be more appropriate applied to a song that repeats a simplistic phrase in its chorus over and over - this song, lyrically I still haven't figured out.
I can't help it, I think this tune is an insipid piece of drivel... Does RP play any of their other tunes, cause this one really blows...
You can watch the music video for this song on Amazon (it's how I first heard it). I don't know why, but the video actually makes this song for me, and I can't hear the song without thinking of the video and smiling. (I had the same reaction with "16 Military Wives").
Thanks for playing this - the melody has wafted its way into my brain's number #1.
did you just play the same song twice in a row - i'm bored
another boring band
Grew to love this song. Now we are growing apart. Same with the Shins. Still like them though and I don't think too much airplay (yet)
Very nice Bill. My wife and I have been commenting (in a positive way) how some sections of this new Shins album sounds like a Smiths/Morrisey tribute/homage. Playing them back to back just emphasizes it all. Kudos.
Rp certainly does like his Shins.
Agent510 wrote:
Bill: "It's not a song about amputation, but a song about teenage lesbians". Heh!
Why I Listen To RP..
I don't know why, but I love the little tremolo (guitar?) that plays right before each time the chorus is sung. Subtle, but cool.
Wow, is this song still going? It's like "Hey Jude" for the new generation.
Detlaps wrote:
Are you sure this isn't the Beach Boys?
With _all_ due respect to the beach boys (and I mean that in all seriousness), I hate 'em. So the comparison makes me wince. Here is another song Bill made me listen to until I gave in. I liked the Shins before but not this song, particularly. Now I have the disk. Thanks Bill, and thx from the Shins as well, I would guess.
At first I didn't really notice this song when it played but now the catchy ditty catches my ear every time it comes on. A great li'l pop tune for sure.