The Shins - Port Of Morrow (Live On Letterman)

[@juicingpixie]

I read the lyrics while listening to this and I have to say....these are some deep, passionate ideas and thoughts. I mean, damn....to realize that you are part of the apathy, that you are a part of the world's destruction and going from wanting to hide your loved ones from all the terror to wanting to teach them to not be a part of it...the idea is amazing, heartfelt, and true.

[@niquneqo]

i was a bit sceptic first about how they're gonna perform this song live but this almost listerally blew my mind, i love this song

[@themightykunal]

Rest in peace, Richard. You were phenomenal.

[@MrYouHaveNoClue]

This is The Shins that I remember..some of James best work lyrically.

[@VegetableHero]

best album of 2012

[@laurync4342]

Such an underrated band

[@ilijakavedzic517]

1:57. I love that part. Basse line and the whey you can see they feel that music. Just perfect!

[@juicingpixie]

Well, Mercer stated that he wrote this with his daughters in mind, which made me think that it was about his actual realization that he was a part of the apathy and destruction. The lyrics in the beginning talks about how he wants to hide his children from all the horrors, but then, he sees the pictures of death and thinks the world must have been full of evil people...but then, the epiphany that he was "there," and he now wants to impress the importance of standing up to his girls.

[@sdface]

Creepiest song James has written...simply amazing!

[@IrrationalRebel]

Wow. Great live performance, he really has an amazing voice, sounds like a studio recording

[@kylemagruder9178]

When I first clicked on this video, I wasn't sure how they would manage to make this sound good live. Holy shit is it good live.

[@Ryuhza]

Love the emotion at 2:25 James Mercer feels his words

[@dariorobertherma7169]

This song is brilliant.

[@IngoHerma]

ein guter, stilvoller Auftritt mit einer guten Atmosphäre

[@Iaido47]

It's surreal sitting here looking at the Freemont Bridge that he's singing about.

[@TheCapitalLetter]

Amazing. I really like the new album.

[@joeherald7319]

Easy band to like from the first you hear them.

[@pumpkinpoi3974]

The Shins is a rock band that appears in the episode "Bitzer Puts His Foot In It".

[@alexdeja]

Great song!

[@acd168]

Through the rain and all the clatter Under the Fremont bridge I saw a pigeon fly Fly in fear from the raptor come to take its life And as it closed in for the capture I funneled the fear through my ancient eyes To see in flight, what I know are the bitter mechanics of life Under my hat it reads "The lines are all imagined" A fact of life I know to hide from my little girls I know my place amongst the bugs and all the animals And it's from these ordinary people you are longing to be free My hotel and on the TV A preacher on a stage like a buzzard cries Out a warning of phony sorrow, he's trying to get a rise The cyanide from an almond Let him look at your hands, get the angles right Ace of spades, port of morrow, life is death is life I saw a photograph: Cologne in '27 And then a postcard after the bombs in '45 Must've been a world of evil clowns that let it happen But now I recognize, dear listeners That you were there and so was I Under my hat I know the lines are all imagined A fact of life I must impress on my little girls I know my place amongst the creatures in the pageant And there are flowers in the garbage, and a skull under your curls

[@getbuttkik]

There are many different perceptions about a piece of art. You have to respect his, too, because I am pretty sure that when Mercer wrote the song, he did not want it to be only interpret in his way.

[@Ryuhza]

Sounds BETTER than the studio recording, if you ask me. I always thought that many of the words in this song were hard to make out on the album version.

[@ELOSHAZZY]

This kind of reminds me of early Moody Blues music....

[@ericpressman5482]

thats a great interpretation, I was going to post something similiar but I think you nailed it better than I could have.

[@Xelt4]

reminds me a of beat poetry slam

[@TheEmbz502]

Wow

[@Permilias]

Yeaah! I'm the first comment! And proud of it. I love the Shins.

[@sb_dunk]

I had no idea Kevin Spacey played guitar!

[@sidnomis1]

I'm glad they're underrated. I don't want all the douches of the world getting wind of these amazing creatures. They're not for you!

[@dowkinners4106]

adding the artistry of James Mercer to your mental collection can only reduce how much of a 'dooche' you are hah

[@christoperswinehart7504]

i love this song its about me and my family and the other listeners and james mercer and its also about creatures that i encountered there which were robot people

[@Iaido47]

Wow, no kidding. He looks like he had a clue once...and lost it some where along the way.

[@dimvtls]

sounds a little sting-ish to me. Bet he is included in their influences

[@grendelum]

there is not nearly enough headbanging in that crowd...

[@CaptTerrific]

i had the opposite reaction - i found the lyrics to represent a childish false epiphany disguised as deep self-realization. i think we both saw the same "waking up to reality" message, but instead of seeing it as enlightening, I found it to be a "wow, you used to be really out of touch" moment. still love the tune though!

[@billylovil8583]

You told me to love you, and I did Tied my soul into a knot And got me to submit So when I got away, I only kept my scars The other me is gone Now I don't know where I belong Read more: Slipknot - Dead Memories Lyrics | MetroLyrics