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

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2079









Released: 2007
Length: 4:41
Plays (last 30 days): 1
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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 (208)add comment
just wonderful.  thank you.
Posted 6 months ago by liveaudio608    [ Reply ]
Love it!!
Posted 9 months ago by GingerandMe    [ Reply ]
 TallCreative1 wrote:


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


Good stuff LOL
Posted 11 months ago by renegade_X    [ Reply ]
 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.
Posted 1 year ago by lily34    [ Reply ]
 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.  
Posted 1 year ago by TallCreative1    [ Reply ]
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!
Posted 2 years ago by robb104    [ Reply ]
 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...
Posted 2 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
 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. :)
Posted 2 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
 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? 

Posted 2 years ago by xcranky_yankee    [ Reply ]
 marysclark wrote:

clearly the record producer wanted more tamborine




Well, we all know it needed more cowbell, but whatever...
Posted 3 years ago by bluefrog    [ Reply ]
Just love how that voice rises into falsetto with power.  What a great band.
Posted 3 years ago by cely    [ Reply ]
this is one of the best albums of the last 20 years…
Posted 3 years ago by tm    [ Reply ]
 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"
Posted 3 years ago by Mackmoney3000    [ Reply ]
These guys just bleed melodies! Awesome and definitely worth seeing live if you can catch them, pretty spiritual...
Posted 3 years ago by richardbraithwaite    [ Reply ]
When I first heard this song, I thought it was a missed track from The Fixx.  
Posted 4 years ago by pcicatar    [ Reply ]
The Shins music is so complex and uniquely different...I love it!
Posted 4 years ago by rpdevotee    [ Reply ]
What is "The E.H.S. norm" at the end of the 1st verse?
Eldorado High School in Albuquerque maybe.
Posted 4 years ago by the_jake    [ Reply ]
Same vocalist in group Broken Bells.
Posted 4 years ago by jwallstrom846    [ Reply ]
clearly the record producer wanted more tamborine
Posted 5 years ago by marysclark    [ Reply ]
Would have sworn this song was about frozen intercourse…
Posted 5 years ago by jukes1    [ Reply ]
 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
Posted 5 years ago by wingo395    [ Reply ]
I like having the lyrics available. Now I can be 100% sure I don't have the slightest idea what this is about.
Posted 5 years ago by jukes1    [ Reply ]
Phantom Limb

Phantom Limb - The Venture Bros.
Posted 6 years ago by Solanus    [ Reply ]
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...
Posted 6 years ago by johnalexford    [ Reply ]
 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.
Posted 7 years ago by haljordan    [ Reply ]
 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? 
Posted 7 years ago by jim1964    [ Reply ]
This is their best song...much better than "New Slang".  

However, it still didn't change my life either.
Posted 7 years ago by treatment_bound    [ Reply ]
 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) 
Posted 7 years ago by Skydog    [ Reply ]
God I love this song.
Posted 7 years ago by gjeeg    [ Reply ]
 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
Posted 8 years ago by Kaisersosay    [ Reply ]
Time for my 3rd daily dose of the Shins/Broken Bells. About as tasty as castor oil.
Posted 8 years ago by FlatCat    [ Reply ]
 MusiqueMusique wrote:

Fun fun fun 'til her daddy takes the T-Bird away
 
The Shins have taken the Beach Boys to the next level.
Posted 8 years ago by justin4kick    [ Reply ]
 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.
Posted 8 years ago by BaileyCat88    [ Reply ]
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!
Posted 8 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
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.  
Posted 8 years ago by FatPants    [ Reply ]
 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.  
Posted 8 years ago by JasondotG    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 9 years ago by Stephen_Phillips    [ Reply ]
One of their more melodic efforts. Good tune.
Posted 9 years ago by Stratocaster    [ Reply ]
Probably their best song.
Posted 9 years ago by treatment_bound    [ Reply ]
 juanos wrote:
This song will always take me back to New Zealand!... 

 
That is cheap airfare.
Posted 9 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
 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}
Posted 9 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
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!
Posted 9 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
 MusiqueMusique wrote:

Fun fun fun 'til her daddy takes the T-Bird away
 
Right on, but also maybe a pinch of jackson browne?
Posted 10 years ago by averybadcat    [ Reply ]
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}

 


Posted 10 years ago by mgilhuly    [ Reply ]

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

Posted 11 years ago by MusiqueMusique    [ Reply ]
This song will always take me back to New Zealand!... 
Posted 11 years ago by juanos    [ Reply ]
{#Cowboy}
Posted 11 years ago by MassivRuss    [ Reply ]
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}
Posted 11 years ago by wossName    [ Reply ]
this is the perfect kind of song for my brain no to explode this morning... {#Clap}
Posted 11 years ago by juanos    [ Reply ]
Great song from a truly remarkable album.
Posted 12 years ago by drsteevo    [ Reply ]
Pure genius pop! Agree with earlier comments that this just doesn't get old. Love it!
Posted 12 years ago by ziakut    [ Reply ]
Love this song!
Posted 12 years ago by Matron    [ Reply ]
Endless Joy. Never old!!
Posted 12 years ago by gjeeg    [ Reply ]
Love this song.
Posted 12 years ago by Deadwing    [ Reply ]
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!
 

Posted 12 years ago by SchoepTone    [ Reply ]
Santa didn't buy me this album for Christmas...I think I'll have to go and buy it for myself!
Posted 12 years ago by jt1    [ 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 ]
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. 

 


Posted 13 years ago by gjeeg    [ Reply ]
I listen to this song limitlessly. Countless blissful listens!!!!  Magic joy.
The CD is one of the Best All Time.

Posted 13 years ago by gjeeg    [ Reply ]
One of my favorite bands.
Posted 14 years ago by Romulus    [ Reply ]
 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.


Posted 14 years ago by Giselle62    [ Reply ]
 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!

Posted 14 years ago by justin_thyme    [ Reply ]
 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.
Posted 14 years ago by rdo    [ Reply ]

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


Posted 15 years ago by Thistle    [ Reply ]
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. 

Posted 15 years ago by Govi    [ Reply ]
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. 


Posted 15 years ago by kaybee    [ Reply ]
 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 ...

Posted 15 years ago by cmrump    [ Reply ]
Sounds so much better now on the headphones after a little distance from the staticy overplaying on FM of last year...

Posted 15 years ago by gandalfbmg    [ Reply ]
 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.
Posted 15 years ago by wrangler    [ Reply ]
9 10
Posted 16 years ago by vandal    [ Reply ]
Sure this is 10!
Posted 16 years ago by Kerly    [ Reply ]
rocco1207 wrote:
one of the best of 2007.... so far...
Posted 17 years ago by winter    [ Reply ]
Okay, Bill needs to stop playing great music for a minute so I can go get some lunch!
Posted 17 years ago by mattt    [ Reply ]
This album gets a lot of airplay but I just can't connect with this band
Posted 17 years ago by eastcoast    [ Reply ]
I bought ths CD on the strength of the song " black wave", but it's disappointing really
Posted 17 years ago by Huey    [ Reply ]
Posted 17 years ago by MojoJojo    [ Reply ]
one of the best of 2007.... so far...
Posted 17 years ago by rocco1207    [ Reply ]
SomeOldGuy wrote:
Like the Shins, hate this song. Sounds like a Beach Boy's reunion...
Agreed.
Posted 17 years ago by OldFrenchie    [ Reply ]
Went to their concert in Paradiso Amsterdam. I thought they were brilliant although the sound was shit. Imagine all of the audience singing ohhoooooohoohooooohoo.
Posted 17 years ago by justin4kick    [ Reply ]
squidish wrote:
Love that crayz pic. Slap that phantom limb and...bingo
Posted 17 years ago by inindian    [ Reply ]
bcorcoran wrote:
Can we get someone to delete that huge comment? Please?
I 2nd that request!
Posted 17 years ago by heyjoe3577    [ Reply ]
Can we get someone to delete that huge comment? Please?
Posted 17 years ago by bcorcoran    [ Reply ]
bokey wrote:
Me either. That's probably because I always start googling for teenage lesbians and miss the song.
i second that.
Posted 17 years ago by themotion    [ Reply ]
Like it.
Posted 17 years ago by mindless    [ Reply ]
Pltzzzz.
Posted 17 years ago by ranwulf    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 17 years ago by megas08    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 17 years ago by shakitten    [ Reply ]
Posted 17 years ago by squidish    [ Reply ]
Its the key change on the soaring chorus that gets me !!
Posted 17 years ago by gjeeg    [ Reply ]
whoa, whoa oh, whoa oh... so much more inspired emo pop out there.
Posted 17 years ago by sans    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 17 years ago by FeydBaron    [ Reply ]
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?
Posted 17 years ago by slugore    [ Reply ]
overplayed uninspired must be the shins again...
Posted 17 years ago by electronicshaman    [ Reply ]
SomeOldGuy wrote:
Like the Shins, hate this song. Sounds like a Beach Boy's reunion...
Love the song, like The Shins.
Posted 17 years ago by RobK    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 17 years ago by bokey    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 17 years ago by Marr    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 17 years ago by didstanbul    [ Reply ]
Like the Shins, hate this song. Sounds like a Beach Boy's reunion...
Posted 17 years ago by SomeOldGuy    [ Reply ]
This album has not held up for me. I loved it once. Now it is a love/hate relationship.
Posted 17 years ago by Wizzuvvoz    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 17 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
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!
Posted 17 years ago by Alpine    [ Reply ]
Yes and I heard a small dog whining....puppy need to go outside?
Posted 17 years ago by sutcliff    [ Reply ]
Any one else hear a little fleetwood mac
Posted 17 years ago by Jazbo    [ Reply ]
There are so many nuances in this song that I newly discover each time I hear it. Definitely my fav. Shins song thus far.
Posted 17 years ago by sirrus    [ Reply ]
I just love every track I hear from this album. That's it. I have to buy it.
Posted 17 years ago by Welly    [ Reply ]
RP = 9
Posted 17 years ago by jmpnbob    [ Reply ]
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?
Posted 17 years ago by skdenfeld    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 17 years ago by rocco1207    [ Reply ]
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...
Posted 17 years ago by healyf52    [ Reply ]
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").
Posted 17 years ago by spartan    [ Reply ]
Thanks for playing this - the melody has wafted its way into my brain's number #1.
Posted 17 years ago by rocco1207    [ Reply ]
did you just play the same song twice in a row - i'm bored
Posted 17 years ago by braincloud    [ Reply ]
another boring band
Posted 17 years ago by eastcoast    [ Reply ]
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)
Posted 17 years ago by Wizzuvvoz    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 17 years ago by Marr    [ Reply ]
Rp certainly does like his Shins.
Posted 17 years ago by wally42    [ Reply ]
Agent510 wrote:
Bill: "It's not a song about amputation, but a song about teenage lesbians". Heh!
Why I Listen To RP..
Posted 17 years ago by Darrooon    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 17 years ago by TimeWaster    [ Reply ]
Wow, is this song still going? It's like "Hey Jude" for the new generation.
Posted 17 years ago by Tygre    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 17 years ago by Wizzuvvoz    [ Reply ]