Fun Trivia : Shins

Structure Sub-topic of: Music Q-S Quizzes Interesting Questions, Facts and Information There are a total of 20 general entries.

Interesting Questions, Facts, and Information

Shins

How many albums did the Shins "Wincing the Night Away" sell in its first week in stores?

The Shins


118,000. This fantastic amount of records sold was a real shocker, as the previous album "Chutes Too Narrow" only reached #86 on the Billboard 200, and "Oh, Inverted World" which never even snuck onto the charts. This is compared to the album "Wincing the Night Away" which has reached #1 on the charts, a glory I'm sure Sub Pop records will bathe in for a long time.



What Shins song was played in the movie "A Guy Thing"?

The Shins


One by One All Day. The Shins have been featured in more than one movie, most notably in "Garden State"(2004), which included both the Shins' "Caring is Creepy" and "New Slang." "Gone For Good" and "Those to Come" were featured in the 2004 film "In Good Company".



Which Shins song was used in a McDonalds commercial?

The Shins


New Slang. "New Slang" is a quite impressive song, even by The Shins standards. The first lines, "Gold teeth and a curse for this town were all in my mouth/ Only, I don't know how they got out dear/ Turn me back to when I was the pet when me wet/I was happier then with no mind-set" showcase the Shins incredible and creative lyrics. "New Slang" is included on such popular TV shows as "The Sopranos" and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer."



On January 13, 2007, the Shins performed as a musical guest on what popular television show?

The Shins


Saturday Night Live. The Shins performed the popular songs "Phantom Limb" from their "Wincing the Night Away" album and "New Slang" from "Oh, Inverted World" to the wild appreciation of the audience. Jake Gyllenhaal was the celebrity host for that particular show. The Shins have also played on all of the other shows listed.



The album name "Chutes Too Narrow" originates from lyrics in what song?

The Shins


Young Pilgrims. The lyrics are "I fell into a winter slide/And ended up the kind of kid who goes down chutes too narrow/Just eking out my measly pies." These lyrics are most likely the inspiration for the album's title. "Young Pilgrims" has some amazing lyrics, such as the following "I watch the ice melt on the glass/While the eloquent young pilgrims pass/And leave behind their trail/Imploring us not to fail." How could you not love such lyrics as these?



Which one of the follow songs music video's features the members of the band in Mexico, surrounded by monarch butterflies?

The Shins


Saint Simon. It's "Saint Simon." The butterflies floating about effortlessly seem to compliment the upbeat song rather well. The music video for "Phantom Limb" is quite different, as it highlights the darker parts of history through a simple school play. (The Donnar Party, Cortez's conquering of the Aztecs, and Joan of Arc are all mixed throughout the video). "Pink Bullets" has a rather interesting music video, detailing a cow and his various adventures.



In what year did bassist Neal Langford leave the group?

The Shins


2001. Neal Langford left before the band's move from New Mexico to Portland, Oregon. Portland is famous for the indie rock scene, producing such bands as The Decemberists and The Dandy Warhols.



Which song contains children laughing, starting one minute and forty five seconds into the song?

The Shins


"Your Algebra". "Your Algebra" runs for 2:25 seconds, and is included on the album "Oh, Inverted World." "Pressed in a Book" and "Girl on the Wing" are also from "Oh Inverted World". "Pam Berry" is on the 2007 release, "Wincing the Night Away."



From which song come the lyrics, "Myriad lives like blades of grass Yet to be realized, bow as they pass"?

Lyrics of The Shins


Those to Come. "Those to Come" is from the Shins' second album, "Chutes Too Narrow". "Chutes Too Narrow" was released in 2003, two years after the Shins' debut album, "Oh, Inverted World". It is reminiscent of previous songs such as "Weird Divide" and "The Past and the Pending". It is a slow, mellow song with very vivid and descriptive lyrics. It is the only Shins' song to contain a whistling solo, which occurs at the very end of the song.



Which song contains the lyrics, "We can blow on our thumbs and posture, But the lonely is such delicate things"?

Lyrics of The Shins


A Comet Appears. "A Comet Appears" is from the Shins' third album, "Wincing the Night Away." "Wincing the Night Away" was released in 2007, quite a long wait for devoted fans. The song is in reference to the recent sighting of the seldom seen Hale-Bopp comet, which passed near the Earth in 1997. It is a soft song, with lead singer James Mercer almost whispering the poetic lyrics.



Which famous Shins' song has the lyrics, "Gold teeth and a curse for this town were all in my mouth. Only, I don't know how they got out, dear"?

Lyrics of The Shins


New Slang. "New Slang" is from the Shins' first album, "Oh, Inverted World". It features background singers singing the same soft, melodic tone continually throughout the song. The same type of background sound is heard in "Saint Simon" from their second album, "Chutes Too Narrow". It was featured in the critically acclaimed movie "Garden State", along with "Caring is Creepy" from their first album, "Oh, Inverted World."



The lyrics, "I knew the worthless dregs we are, The selfless, loving saints we are, The melting, sliding dice we've always been." come from which Shins' song?

Lyrics of The Shins


Know Your Onion!. "Know Your Onion!" is from the Shins' first album, "Oh, Inverted World". Why the song is so titled is a mystery, as the title is never mentioned in the song. It preaches accepting the good and the bad together. It is upbeat, and features lead singer James Mercer holding a conversation with himself, using different voices as different characters.



From which Shins' song come the lyrics, "And they can float above the grass, In circles if they tried"?

Lyrics of The Shins


Phantom Limb. "Phantom Limb" is from the Shins' third album, "Wincing the Night Away". It is one of two singles from the album, the other being "Australia". The song has a guitar riff at the end, which continually repeats until it fades away. The rareness of this in Shins' songs shows signs of evolution for the band, who ended the song in a manner more traditional of a rock band. The song also features a tambourine which is used throughout the song.



The lyrics, "I sold all my evil motives, No icicles stuck in my hide. I'm through with riddles, i know we're little Just help me feel warm inside" come from which Shins' song?

Lyrics of The Shins


Girl on the Wing. "Girl on the Wing" is from the Shins' first album, "Oh, Inverted World". "Girl on the Wing" deals with morality and karma, and the idea of guilt. The song is upbeat, and has very unique reverb effects in the background.



Which Shins' song involves the lyrics, "And if the old guard still offend, They got nothing left on which you depend, So enlist every ounce, Of your bright blood, And off with their heads"?

Lyrics of The Shins


Sleeping Lessons. "Sleeping Lessons" is from the Shins' third album, "Wincing the Night Away". "Sleeping Lessons" paves the way for the Shins into a more rock-like tone. The lyrics are said softly during the first verse, and are repeated much more loudly at the end of the song. It is unique for the Shins to blatantly repeat previously said lyrics, which emphasizes the importance of the message. The Shins had expressed a desire to address the human condition more on the album, and clearly tackle the issue in the first track.



The lyrics, "In our darkest hours We have all asked for some Angel to come Sprinkle his dust all around" come from which Shins' song?

Lyrics of The Shins


So Says I. "So Says I" is from the Shins' second album, "Chutes Too Narrow". The song mentions democracy and areas that are less fortunate, dictating the ever present human condition which is seen even more on "Wincing the Night Away". "So Says I" is one of three singles from "Chutes Too Narrow", along with "Kissing the Lipless" and "Fighting in a Sack".



From which Shins' song come the lyrics, "You told us of your new life there You got someone comin' around Gluing tinsel to your crown He's got you talking pretty loud"?

Lyrics of The Shins


Kissing the Lipless. "Kissing the Lipless" is from the Shins' second album, "Chutes Too Narrow". The song has a very obvious connotation with unreturned love. "Kissing the Lipless" is one of three singles from "Chutes Too Narrow", along with "So Says I" and "Fighting in a Sack".



The lyrics, "A dual tone under wall Selfish fool and hoped you'd save us all Never dreamt of such sterile hands, You keep them folded in your lap" come from which Shins' song?

Lyrics of The Shins


Australia. "Australia" is from the Shins' third album, "Wincing the Night Away". It is the second single released from the album, following "Phantom Limb". The song is upbeat, and yet very melodic, creating a very nice overall tone. The background contains background singers periodically screaming "La La La La" to the beat. Being par for the course, it mentions Australia at no point during the song.