Shins, The - Spilt Needles Lyrics

as close to The Smiths as you could hope for, in the 90's

you can deffo hear The Smiths influence

Reminds me a bit of "Am I Wrong" for some reason.

One of those songs I can listen to on repeat over and over and over.

light flying blind

The line "but this is what you get for pulling pins out of the hole inside the hole you're in," just speaks to something in me. I live for this song!

17 People must not have ears. Or had an epileptic fit and mistakenly hit the wrong option.

As to the spilt / split controversy... I hope someone asks Mercer so it can be put to rest.
In the meantime, let's use a little logic:
1. If "spilt", i. e. 'spilled', the title makes the most sense, in that sewing needles (or hypodermic needles, or probably other kinds of needles) can be spilled on the ground, where they pose a potential hazard for anyone interacting with them.

2. If "split", I suppose a brittle needle, like a pine needle or something, could split, although personal experience tells me those are pretty robust. However, I would imagine other plant-based needles might be weaker and so could indeed literally split.
However, it's also possible he's referring to the idiom of 'threading ____ [something] through the eye of the needle' i. e. doing something which is really hard and requires great care, skill and/or concentration. The "split" would then suggest that whatever was being forced through the eye of the needle was too big and in fact, caused the needle to break at that point.

How all this refers to the tune and lyrics is a little beyond me at the moment.

it is spelled "spilt" on the record label. there is no controversy, only ignorance and misreading.

Song of the Day
05-26-18: Split Needles | The Shins
also on: www.onecuriousworld.com

Somebody please get the poster to correct the song title. This mistake always drives me crazy.

It calms all down... apparentely

call me maybe

Spilt/split who gives a f*ck the song rocks!!! One of the most underrated bands of all time!!!

Only James mercer could get this creepy of a sound just from raw music with a bunch of effects he must be pretty disturbed

I DID NOT KNOW THAT!

Both this and the Alternate Version are my favorite songs, from The Shins, next to The Rifle's Spiral, and Caring Is Creepy.

first today

this song is absolutely gorgeous >0<

I'm looking at the album, it's absolutely SPILT, not split...

This is an amazing song. Listen to how it gradually transforms from folk rock at the beginning to techno/electronica at the end.

So, if anyone's wondering/cares...this song is a knock off of Skid Row of all bands. Seriously, look up Skid Row - Into Another. There's no way it's coincidence.

The Shins did it better.

Try Message in a Bottle by The Police. It's even more similar.

I just listened to the other one. the guitar line with 123-12345 is kind of similar but i don't even hear an influence. EVERYTHING else is completely. I could say its similar to "fade to black" from Metallica by your standard. Music is inherently derivative anyway. Theres actual plagiarism going on out there, but this is not the case.

Matt, which Skid Row song does this resemble? According to Wikipedia, there are at least 60 of them on the five studio albums they released from 1989 thru 2006, before this Shins album came out in 2007. I guess I could try listening to them all...

Thank you, sir! (@J. Gidyean

Almost as great as the mighty "Black Wave."

its hard not to listen to black wave and this back to back. It like the perfect continuation

"You're old enough boy. Too many summers you've enjoyed. So spin the wheel we'll set you up with some odd convictions, Cause you're finally golden boy." Favorite line in the song.

Great, great songwriting.

Matthew S wonderful song!

"But this is what you get for pulling pins out of the hole inside the hole you're in" just does something to me and I can't rationalize it.

another hole inside the hole you're in 

This song is called "Spilt Needles" not "Split Needles". See the difference?

I think Split Needles is actually a better title than the actual one, so I'm not complaining. It's just kind of amusing.

My mind is blown so much that I had to reply to this comment, been a fan of The Shins for like 4 years and because of this video I've always just read it as ''Split''
WOW

While I like the alternative version a lot, this version on the album/cd/download/whatever is a better fit. Love it!

Nice bud

no it's spilt dumbass

Spilt is a past tense of spill. Also, you take the time to use apostrophes, but spell you like 'u'.

The song is SPLIT needles, not SPILT needles

I have the physical album in front of me and it is in fact SPILT needles right on the back of the album. I always thought it was split too but can't deny the absolute evidence sitting in front of me. Wouldn't hurt to check your facts before you get insistent.

Vice versa buddy

asdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasddfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfdsaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaadsaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaadsaadsadsdsadasdsadsadsadsasddsadsaadssadadsdsasdadsaadssadsda00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000ass00000000000000000000000000000

Amazing

Yeah I have this everyday atm :)
Just finished my death cab phase, now shins, next stop is the mountain goats ;)

Mountain Goats are fuckin shiiiite mate

Crackssss...épico 100%

I think he's too stupid for that.

invest in an ipod?

I'm stealing this quote. Thank you.

to all you idiots arguing over split it spilt, I am looking at the album and its li not il so he got it right.

then they just had a typo everytime the song is mentioned

one of my favorites by The Sihns ;)

its actually spilt not split

this is real music

Holding a cigarette and dancing with your eyes closed is not recommendable.. But nonetheless I get how you feel. :)

damn this is good

@bmq1286 so jealous you went to SXSW D':

@Sol88K me too man, bad choice of cover art, it's disgusting

Sweet voice, i no need some chill pills when im listing to him

whoever disliked this song, obviously missed the like button on accident.

coachella :)

like this comment if you like the BIG COCKS

Best description ever :]

@xflyingturtlez yeah but when you listen to him talk normally you want to punch him

@Sol88K look at them as dots not holes ^_^

I really like this album but Im Trypophobic so I cant stand to look at the cover art.

it has just come to my attention that the song title is spilt needles, not split needles

Man I wish there was just a random playlist for The Shins playing in the background everywhere I go, at least for 1 day

ohh? really?

@riayerknoo you hippie

@thelastcard Correction... Distill beauty int chords and sheets of music and you get the shins :)

Distill beauty into chords and sheets of music and you get Split Needles.

The Shins are so original. That's what makes em so good.

"Ohh, won't you do me the favor, man..."
I LOVE this song!!!

mysterious

shins songs somehow touches the strings of soul

@mooer007 Your jet awaits, Mr. Gates.

If i had a penny for everytime someone commented "BEST SONG EVER!" on a music video...

this song is just brilliant, never gets old

This song puts me in an alternate universe.

Definitely the best track off Wincing the Night Away.

@chocolatewarrx3 dude. I totally understand! A friend of mine just showed this to me and I really like it.

the shins are truly unique

wincing the night away is their best work (imo.) I LOVE every single track!!!

This song is badass. I love The Shins :)

great song.

@SuperNingerGinger BLIND* :)

@italialex23 black wave 2

dammit this song is so perfect

it almost hurts to listen to this song it's so good.

Time to ride :)

I swear, the Shins are a near-perfect band.

@WhoisJacqueFresco Same here bro. Same here. But we've got to make it work as long as we're alive. It's the only time we have after all. Bruise your shins and play on!

the shins are the adventure to my summer Running and skydiving in australia, without words inspirational i miss this shinss!!!

To me this is how I felt when I realized religion was bullshit and I couldn't find a meaning for life.Will full ignorance and accept the vague outlines or the insanity/depression of I don't know. I have moved passed this stage in life living for the moment creating my own meanings :).

This is one of those songs that are honest to the listeners feelings. Just makes me want to play it on full blast, holding a cigarette whilst dancing with my eyes closed. Feelings are beautiful.

@musicismylife442 Someone give this man a medal!

Being in my twenties myself, perhaps that is why I enjoy their sweet melodic tones so much. I certainly can relate to the pit of existentialistic hole that one can dig oneself into. It's vvery difficult to escape once inside. A lot of their songs seem to be geared in that mindset. Young Pilgrims and a lot on chutes too narrow.

@Polak2909 same. i could just listen to them forever and enjoy it

The cover art reminds me a bit of The Little Prince, and the baobab trees that take over a person's planet, if you don't keep them trimmed. I wonder if that's the metaphor they were going for...

This and girl sailor are my favorite shins songs. :D
This being my favorite.

Truly one of the best Shins songs :) I never tire of it.

two ppl said that hate great music

My favorite Shins song. :) So heartbreaking.

I enjoy this song.

Great track. Sounds heavily influenced by The Smiths.

@woofycalling It's cool-soundin. I thought that The shins were british becaus of the intro.

By far my favorite shins song. Of course, I have only ever listened to four of them. They are in my playlist of songs that I like.

Are these people british? Because I love british bands, for some reason. I just like the music more.

I never said it wasn't sad and was far from having said it was a happy song.

i said it wasn't depressing.
and it isn't.

being lost and confused doesn't need to be depressing. that's when most change occurs, with sometimes golden results.