The Shins — Young Pilgrims
Album: Chutes Too NarrowAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 1794
Length: 2:41
Plays (last 30 days): 2
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A cold and wet November dawn and there are no barking sparrows
Just emptiness to dwell upon
I fell into a winter slide and ended up the kind of kid who goes down chutes too narrow
Just eking out my measly pipe
But I learned fast how to keep my head up
'Cause I know there is this side of me
That wants to grab the yoke from the pilot
And just fly the whole mess into the sea
Another slow train to the coast, some brand new gory art from way on high
I sink and then I swim all night
I watch the ice melt on the glass while the eloquent young pilgrims pass
And leave behind their trail, imploring us all not to fail
Of course, I was raised to gather courage
From those lofty tales so tried and true
But if you're able, I'd suggest it
'Cause this modern thought can get the best of you
This rather simple epitaph
Can save your hide, your falling mind
Fate isn't what we're up against
There's no design, no flaws to find
There's no design, no flaws to find
But I learned fast how to keep my head up
'Cause I know I got this side of me
That wants to grab the yoke from the pilot
And just fly the whole mess into the sea
Just emptiness to dwell upon
I fell into a winter slide and ended up the kind of kid who goes down chutes too narrow
Just eking out my measly pipe
But I learned fast how to keep my head up
'Cause I know there is this side of me
That wants to grab the yoke from the pilot
And just fly the whole mess into the sea
Another slow train to the coast, some brand new gory art from way on high
I sink and then I swim all night
I watch the ice melt on the glass while the eloquent young pilgrims pass
And leave behind their trail, imploring us all not to fail
Of course, I was raised to gather courage
From those lofty tales so tried and true
But if you're able, I'd suggest it
'Cause this modern thought can get the best of you
This rather simple epitaph
Can save your hide, your falling mind
Fate isn't what we're up against
There's no design, no flaws to find
There's no design, no flaws to find
But I learned fast how to keep my head up
'Cause I know I got this side of me
That wants to grab the yoke from the pilot
And just fly the whole mess into the sea
Comments (58)add comment
A fine song from arguably their best album. Cheers to a super cool band from the great city of Albuquerque!
This is like an alternate timeline Nirvana song where Kurt Cobain didn't have it so rough
jsjunk wrote:
Keyboard Assassins! :D
Amazed at the arrogant spite and vitriol some people spew on these comments pages, as though they are arbiters of good taste and quality writing. I'll wager most couldn't write a coherent email, never mind a song.
Keyboard Assassins! :D
I love his voice! 
Still their best album to me. Not quite as over-produced as the albums to follow.
hayduke2 wrote:
You are mistaken. The Shins were on Yo Gabba Gabba, not Teletubbies.
It's OK, Try Again - The Shins - Yo Gabba Gabba! - YouTube
Teletubby music
You are mistaken. The Shins were on Yo Gabba Gabba, not Teletubbies.
It's OK, Try Again - The Shins - Yo Gabba Gabba! - YouTube
q4Fry wrote:
15 now...
Seven years of comments on just this one page.
15 now...
jsjunk wrote:
I'll have you know that many of my emails have been referenced in the New York Times Email Review. In fact, one of my emails was shortlisted for a Booker Prize this year.
But I have never tried to write a song (outside of some punk rock as a teen) so you have me there.
Amazed at the arrogant spite and vitriol some people spew on these comments pages, as though they are arbiters of good taste and quality writing. I'll wager most couldn't write a coherent email, never mind a song.
I'll have you know that many of my emails have been referenced in the New York Times Email Review. In fact, one of my emails was shortlisted for a Booker Prize this year.
But I have never tried to write a song (outside of some punk rock as a teen) so you have me there.
I loved this album and song after discovering The Shins when they became popular with "New Slang" and "Caring is Creepy" from Oh, Inverted World. This album grows on you and you begin to realize it is their best
Amazed at the arrogant spite and vitriol some people spew on these comments pages, as though they are arbiters of good taste and quality writing. I'll wager most couldn't write a coherent email, never mind a song.
I've heard they really like your singing and writing.
FlatCat wrote:
FlatCat wrote:
ArbiterOfGoodTaste wrote:
Not all music needs to be manly. That said, I was surprised when I saw them live that they seemed to rock harder than I expected based on their albums.
Forget about manly. This is some of the most amateurish singing and writing I've heard on RP in a long time. And I thought I LIKED the Shins.
Not all music needs to be manly. That said, I was surprised when I saw them live that they seemed to rock harder than I expected based on their albums.
How cool was it to discover THIS and jam out to it when it went pop? What a new, exuberant, talented blend of sound and songwriting! In this more than some of his later works, Mercer's strumming is eerily like that of Syd Barrett, and some of his vocal syncopations, too!
Sigh. SOOO sick of the Shins. Lyrics are completely contrived and shout "LOOK AT ME. LOOK AT ME."
hayduke2 wrote:
Nah, this is nowhere near as profane as the Teletubby material. Those guys were constantly dropping "f-bombs" - they used them like they were commas.
Teletubby music
Nah, this is nowhere near as profane as the Teletubby material. Those guys were constantly dropping "f-bombs" - they used them like they were commas.
hayduke2 wrote:
It does have a Kindermusik feel...
Teletubby music
It does have a Kindermusik feel...
hayduke2 wrote:
Well, I love the teletubbies, too, so I agree!
Teletubby music
Well, I love the teletubbies, too, so I agree!
Teletubby music
elvis costello
sorry - no thanks,.. feels like I have just been kicked in the ........
FlatCat wrote:
har har
A little too soon to be playing songs about "grabbing the yoke and flying the plane into the sea", don't you think?
har har
A little too soon to be playing songs about "grabbing the yoke and flying the plane into the sea", don't you think?
rc1414 wrote
Yes
BijouBijou wrote:
Can The Shins even make a bad song?
Suuuch a good album, and a great choice from it.
love this song
Seven years of comments on just this one page.
Can The Shins even make a bad song?
sirdroseph wrote:
Great call. One of the few tracks who's lyrics I kind of get.
Probably my favorite Shins song.
Great call. One of the few tracks who's lyrics I kind of get.
Whoa, this is such a great album stem to stern! Haven't broken it out for years, but it's time again.
Probably my favorite Shins song.
FlatCat wrote:
Not every song is, or should be, a magnus opus. I enjoy the simplicity of the singing and playing in this one.
ArbiterOfGoodTaste wrote:
Not all music needs to be manly. That said, I was surprised when I saw them live that they seemed to rock harder than I expected based on their albums.
Forget about manly. This is some of the most amateurish singing and writing I've heard on RP in a long time. And I thought I LIKED the Shins.
Not all music needs to be manly. That said, I was surprised when I saw them live that they seemed to rock harder than I expected based on their albums.
Not every song is, or should be, a magnus opus. I enjoy the simplicity of the singing and playing in this one.
The Shins. You know them?
No.
You gotta hear this one song. It'll change your life. I swear.
What I always think of when I hear The Shins, no matter what song it is.
No.
You gotta hear this one song. It'll change your life. I swear.
What I always think of when I hear The Shins, no matter what song it is.
Always great!
ArbiterOfGoodTaste wrote:
Not all music needs to be manly. That said, I was surprised when I saw them live that they seemed to rock harder than I expected based on their albums.
Forget about manly. This is some of the most amateurish singing and writing I've heard on RP in a long time. And I thought I LIKED the Shins.
Not all music needs to be manly. That said, I was surprised when I saw them live that they seemed to rock harder than I expected based on their albums.
Cool stuff that.
DD closemindedmoron wrote:
Dude, please, the preferred nomenclature is "sensitive". While I don't consider them rockers, I'm still a big fan (and oz rocks). Also keep in mind, there have to be wussies if there are going to be hard guys like you. What's the sound of one hand clapping?
This band sounds like a bunch of wussy guys who write sissy music. They got to rock a little harder then this to deserve anything higher then a 2 from me.
Dude, please, the preferred nomenclature is "sensitive". While I don't consider them rockers, I'm still a big fan (and oz rocks). Also keep in mind, there have to be wussies if there are going to be hard guys like you. What's the sound of one hand clapping?
At least Wilco and this are out of the way now. No more threat hanging over our heads.
DD closemindedmoron wrote:
The bass player has a 14-inch dick and rides a Harley, and the drummer is known for trashing hotel rooms. There, you can like them now, macho man.
This band sounds like a bunch of wussy guys who write sissy music. They got to rock a little harder then this to deserve anything higher then a 2 from me.
The bass player has a 14-inch dick and rides a Harley, and the drummer is known for trashing hotel rooms. There, you can like them now, macho man.
You had me at the opening chords.
EssexTex wrote:
YEAH MAN...I LIKE VAN HALEN TOO
Blech! How did I have this rated as a 5?
DD closemindedmoron wrote:
This band sounds like a bunch of wussy guys who write sissy music. They got to rock a little harder then this to deserve anything higher then a 2 from me.
YEAH MAN...I LIKE VAN HALEN TOO
meh
this, i like.
DD closemindedmoron wrote:
This band sounds like a bunch of wussy guys who write sissy music. They got to rock a little harder then this to deserve anything higher then a 2 from me.
Not all music needs to be manly. That said, I was surprised when I saw them live that they seemed to rock harder than I expected based on their albums.
DD closemindedmoron wrote:
This band sounds like a bunch of wussy guys who write sissy music. They got to rock a little harder then this to deserve anything higher then a 2 from me.
Wow! Your web name is soooo appropriate.
Wow, this song seems to have been forgotten since the more recent album came out. The last comment was in late '06, and I see good old closemindedmoron a couple comments down. Don't miss that jerk!
Great tune! Thanks Bill for turning me on to The Shins! 
milehighYinzer wrote:
This band needs a new album God Damnit!!!!
The new one, Wincing the Night Away, is due out next month (January '07). The first single, "Phantom Limb", is already in rotation on RP. If it's any indication, Wincing... is going to be a killer.
Thistle wrote:
.... although some consider the lyrics a bit inaccessible.
I've always thought James Mercer has a penchant for a sort of nonsense verse (as in "just ekeing out my measly pie"), and he often gets at his point rather obliquely, so I can see why some people feel that way.
This song is one of his clearer works, though. It's a pretty tidy existential statement, embracing his own lack of faith while recognizing that a belief structure can make life more bearable for those who are able to hold it. But what's great is that it doesn't sound depressing or nihilistic at all: the line "there's no design, no flaws to find" is a perfect expression of why unbelief doesn't necessarily imply unhappiness.
It's a theme that I've come to see running throughout nearly all the lyrics on Chutes Too Narrow.
milehighYinzer wrote:
This band needs a new album God Damnit!!!!
I know... blasphemy!!
This band needs a new album God Damnit!!!!
The Shins are always great. I have not heard anything I didn't like.... although some consider the lyrics a bit inaccessible. Doesn't bother me much tho'...
stuartsw wrote:
No comments on this song? The Shins are writing some of the best stuff being currently released!
There were no comments because it was new here in March - my upload. I agree The Shins are great! This is such a neatly crafted little song, love both lyrics and melody. It kept playing in my head until I submitted and uploaded it.
Fate isn't what we're up against
There's no design
No flaws to find
I first heard the Shins on RP... We can't be sure they'll stand the test of time, but I think their first two CDs deserve it.
This guy is one of the best songwriters out there right now. A real talent for creating great melodies and chord progressions. I think The Shins music will definitely stand the test of time.
Word.
No comments on this song? The Shins are writing some of the best stuff being currently released!
A good song from a very good album. The Shins distinguish themselves from most of the rest of the "Indie" bands they're lumped-in with by having *way* more melody and structure in their songs. You *remember* a Shins song.