The Shins - Sleeping Lessons [Live at Crystal Ballroom]

[@amodelqueso]

After 4 and a half years of this being the best live performance I could find, I finally saw them live last week. They closed with this song, and when they hit that climax in the middle the whole theater was shaking. The most incredible experience in my life.

[@7evenpm]

my god, 8 years ago

[@mothratemporalradio517]

@@7evenpm my god, it's already been another year.. ._.

[@7evenpm]

@@mothratemporalradio517 wow, yeah

[@MorningView4]

This album came out in 2007 when I was a senior in high school...it puts the biggest grin on my face remembering how care free life was with no responsibilities. We have such a small window of being young and to actively take advantage of it. Be spontaneous and live life!

[@octaviocampollo4248]

trully an epic song.

[@jnvrmind789]

This is one of my all time favorites. Thank You !

[@trojantrent]

Wow. I live two blocks away from The Crystal Ballroom...I wish I was walking by right around then... The windows open up right onto the street! I love Portland!

[@xegg0x]

They need to make more songs like this. Very up-lifting.

[@huntmich]

Man, when he sings "Spill it out on the ragged floor" I get goosebumps. He is singing quietly, with a blank face, and when I first saw this, I didn't think he would be able to hit the note. But he comes out so quickly, so unexpectedly, so powerfully with that line, it really hits me each time I watch it. Great find.

[@KillingKillFire]

i usually dont like music like this but goddamn it i cant get enough of this song or this band.

[@ThatFilthyChoch]

Bands like this, that actually have some fun with music and arent worried about record sales or popularity, are why I still have some faith in the world :]

[@DeRothschild]

The Shins got me through the toughest year of college back in 2007. This song reminds me of that personal victory.

[@genecatcher]

This song somehow made me wanna cry and smile ...

[@Saturnchick822]

What a beautiful and amazing song! The entire band and especially James are brilliant beyond brilliant performers! Kudos to The Shins! Gosh, I wish I could see this performance live...

[@meri_tatiana]

man they are one of the greatest bands out now. love them!

[@PoliteTeeth]

Any thing by The Shins = The soundtrack of my SOUL

[@Ix3Apples]

This song always gives me goosebumps; beautiful.

[@talkindurinthemovie]

I love re-discovering old music!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! its like even better than the first time i listened to it!

[@dustyandsneezing]

Such an amazing song, perfect transitions and amazing singing!!!

[@skel3t0nX]

well, this video/song/performance/band is incredible

[@MattTheGimp]

Outstanding. Better than the recording on the album. Talented band.

[@dmclough]

a special band.. lucky to have them

[@leaganzero]

Simply gorgeous.

[@MonkeyWrench1988]

@xRA1D32x I second that. The shins have probably the most deeply meaningful lyrics of any artist of our time.

[@ShadowDark3]

I just saw them at the Crystal Ballroom yesterday, they were great.

[@pvtdeon]

I love it when an awsome studio band can also rock it live. Just like radiohead and their amazing studio sounds the shins delivered this live. and its one of my favs.

[@stewardo]

so amazing. one of the best indie bands out today. fuck they're good!

[@JFKlone]

"Wincing the Night Away" is a masterpiece. And the new Mercer project "Broken Bells" is no less astounding.

[@polarisrex]

Damn right. The drums are fantastic...great fill.

[@stalkerowl]

I love this version so much more than the studio recorded version.

[@youtubebryguy]

Mercer is awesome. I can not get enough. I hope there is another album in the works.

[@espinozajos]

This is one of their best songs ever!

[@digitalsalsas]

This could be my favorite song. Ever.

[@usernamebada42]

Its gotta be one of my favorite moments on Wincing the Night Away.

[@loveisreal143]

i LOVE this song.

[@betoski]

i get chillzz every time i watch this video!

[@ryan3163]

one of the best live performance ive seen by them

[@betoski]

I have to see them live!! Best band ever. 8-)

[@Bigbaldybear]

Best band ever...truly inspirational

[@amodelqueso]

Wow you can tell Mercer gets really into this song. It's such a strange and amazing song, love it!!!

[@ThorneTheWolf]

Wow what a great song and performance!

[@roxvile]

omg this song is so great I also almost cry

[@mitho88]

this is the most amazing song AND live performace i've ever seen...they totaly rock my world.

[@amitgordon1]

My favorite venue ever. Never seen the Shins there, though.

[@betoski]

wow omg love this song so much! one of my fav. bands!

[@GuillermoPinon]

thing is you can interpret these lyrics in so many ways...and that's pretty awesome!

[@BlackhaloZ]

Jeepers! This sounds better than the album version.

[@c21david]

Absolutely amazing song!

[@Icestationzero]

awesome video. i love this song.

[@evaglasgow]

Amazing texture - the shins are so unique - love james mercer.

[@jazziefey1]

I love the beginning of this song. So quiet an calming. The whole song is good though

[@libracordial]

Amazing, seriously.

[@odogc]

i was wondering how they would do this song live as it gives me chills on the audio version this lives up to it happily minnd blowing

[@Moondancin]

*Performance Lyrics* Go without 'Til the need seeps in You're low anymore Collect your novel petals for the stem Glow Glow Melt and flow Eviscerate your fragile frame And spill it out on the ragged floor A thousand different versions of yourself And if the old guards still offend They got nothing left on which you depend So enlist every ounce Of your bright blood And off with their heads Jump from the hook You're not obliged to swallow anything that you despise See, those unrepenting buzzards want your life And they got no right As sure as you have eyes Yeah they got no right Just put yourself in my new shoes And see that I do what I do Because the old guard still offend (their pudgy hearts and shiny hands) They got nothing left on which we depend So enlist every ounce Of your bright blood And off with their heads Jump from the hook You're not obliged To swallow anything you despise Glow Glow Melt and flow Eviscerate your fragile frame And spill it out on the ragged floor A thousand different versions of yourself And if the old guards still offend They got nothing left on which you depend Enlist every ounce of your bright blood And off with their heads Jump from the hook You're not obliged to swallow anything that you despise That you despise That you despise That you despise That you despise Songwriters: James Russell Mercer

[@bustinloose]

You low animal.

[@Henneby]

incredible!

[@NelliumTheFisherman]

this is AMAZING

[@zkilwein10]

such a beautiful thing to listen to high

[@rocksinanestesia474]

sober in my case

[@jodilyn]

thanks subpop.amazing. I love it.LOVE it.

[@sufiapaule]

this is awesome

[@HanginInSF]

Wow. No words.

[@spontaneoussinger123]

I'm going to one of their concerts. I'm going to wave a lighter and bawl my eyes out, because their music provokes so many emotions. It's going to be lovely -3

[@walverine301]

very nice song

[@ash0ppingcart]

I like how they extended the song, they should've recorded it like that!

[@DiceMan4221]

I didn't think I'd ever bother to go see another band live again, but after watching this I think I just might.

[@JessicaBourse]

i love them

[@brrehbock1]

The guitarist is smiling because he knows how awesome this show is.

[@dantron7073]

Holy shit! What a performance!

[@EarthToThien]

Ah! That helps so much! Thanks!

[@treshermanoscnm]

Holy Shit! I forgot how much I enjoyed this video the first time I watch it.

[@coblet]

Awesome

[@Kaylinnf56]

Best part of the whole song!

[@betoski]

my favorite youtube vid..ever!! the shins :D

[@llamagesicht]

This is freakin' brilliant.

[@switchovercrook]

Pretty dang good

[@jodilyn]

James Mercer makes my heart go all a-flutter.Sheeesh.......

[@azimuth457]

If you listen closely you can hear them. They're also used at parts while James is singing.

[@tibiasuckness]

I'd love to see them live :-) Come to Sweden, gotdamnit!

[@holdmeclosertonydanza22]

I was listening to The Shins before anyone else heard of them.

[@lumberjack988]

This song is like the story of Socrates. And it's as if Plato had asked him to rebel... But not so much in the sense of living on, but taking the matter into his own hands to demonstrate the greatness of a single man.

[@upabittoolate]

this is fucking excellent. his voice is sublime

[@StaulkHolm]

that guy has some range. great voice.

[@SoundRadiation]

@MorningView4 -cheers to that!!

[@songforthedeaf86]

cool thanx

[@jojoo1396]

i need to see them in concert

[@uniJackson]

its so quiet for being live, thats respect.

[@ConradMcBad]

I'd like to hear an album recording of the version of the song with this ending. It's awesome!

[@edoublegplant]

surreal

[@HeinousAnusOG]

love the shit out of these guys

[@jobe1976]

nice video!

[@ehfteepee]

i didn't know that music like this was possible.

[@andykins118118]

turn out the lights, close your eyes, open your ears, open your mind, and listen.

[@betoski]

Epic

[@RaygunShaun]

I'm pretty sure this song is the best intro to anything ever.

[@howcouture]

this shins + not sober= heaven tbh

[@EarthToThien]

Can anyone tell me what they are swinging around to make that really cool sound?

[@bearpickle]

thanks subpop. Holy Christ!

[@pearlwsz7]

1:30

[@haddadtm]

does anyone know what happened to the old video for this song? I like it a lot more

[@PizzaMeeple]

I'm so glad The Shins exist. Its almost proof that god doesn't hate all of us.

[@MrNew2012]

What does the beginning of this song sound like? Another song has the same sound, I cant put my finger on it.

[@discomage]

Which part of the song where you at when you noticed her interest? This song has several outstanding movements I was just curious.

[@azimuth457]

the whirly tube things:) someone commented and said that they weren't included in the audio of the video..if you get me.