The Shins - Turn On Me (Letterman - 2007.01.23)

[Daarko15]

Is it me or does the chick COMPLETELY kill it? James Mercer can sing without her just fine...

[djtrouserfunk]

The Shins are AWESOME!

[ohiocaps52]

so who is the chick???

[trishsdiego65]

Dedicated to you......

Thanks for loving me the way you do!

Lucky me!!

[simonneville7]

Is that Neko Case? Because she doesn't seem to know the words.

[illutionist02]

6 people dont like real music

[Zeppelinfan25]

terrible drums

[septip123]

I can't imagine how unnerving it would be to play in front of millions (via the TV)

[zkhandwala]

Does James Mercer really hit a high C in this song?? I knew he had some kind of range, but that's almost unheard of in indie music these days.

[doughboycod2]

@zkhandwala Are you talking about the C5 note, because that should be pretty reachable for someone like James Mercer, because his range sounds to me like a tenor (I may be wrong)?

[qoakzm2qoakzm]

@joejoetaytay yeah, that openign riff just like and then he kissed me i think by the crystals

[MegaCamper1]

what kind of guitar is james mercer playing?

[lightwolf345]

@MegaCamper1 It's a 1960 Les Paul Double Cutaway.

[scimanuk]

I love the singing in this version compared to the record one. Much more character.

[lebarosky]

People keep saying that they are influenced by power pop/Beach Boys. Yeah, that's like saying Mozart was influenced by Hayden. This group is brilliant. They sound "like" nobody I've ever heard before. Their lyrics are unique and mesh with their melodic themes in a quirky way that is entirely fresh. Ok I'm done.

[gus5985]

i saw them on t.v when they said beach boys are a big influence.

[TheCruelAngel]

...They're good but not particularly unique.

[ryanfoley123]

Don't get down on the Beach Boys. The Shins haven't ever done anything as good as Pet Sounds.

[ybrik222]

@ryanfoley123

But the Shins are still fucking awesome. :P

Besides, Pet Sounds is an unfair comparison for just about any band.

[deathkampdrone]

@lebarosky: i know what you mean. i think people hang their sound on certain songs, like for example the song "weird devide" off oh inverted world sounds a lot like beach boys. but things songs has more of an REM folksy feeling to it. the most important thing is that mercers voice and songwriting skills makes for a very particular sound that only reminds us of the shins. id like to hear a new album from that camp soon.

[BoosterFilms]

Anita Robinson shes from a band called Viva Voce

[danwaite]

who is the female on tambourine and backing vocals, she's hot?!

[msininism]

I believe they kicked out the drummer because he didn't look like anyone famous.

[septip123]

okay...the acoustic gutarist looks like matthew sweet (before he got fat.)

[joninewman]

sean astin plays bass

[septip123]

everyone in the band looks like someone else:

girl singer = neko case

singer = Kevin spacey

bass player = jeff tweedy

electric guitar = chris katan (sp)

[manisiu]

thats not everyone. what about the drummer?

[skankidd]

hahah your kinda right x]

[foulmouthjerk87]

chris katan / jimmy fallon

[lifterlegandpoker]

All star lineup =P

[kelbel1724]

Damn, these guys are awesome, long live The Shins!!!

[SpacZebrasBrokenEggs]

^-^ Amazing Band! Letterman can be a goofball.

[mattzuke]

I see Elvis Costello being a big influence on this guy. Just the shear amount of words per song makes reference to Elvis.

[Seb590]

The Shins may be the best band... In the world

[johhny3rubs]

you are correct sir

[skankidd]

when the guitarist is doing the solo at 2:42 he kinda looks like that guy from night at the roxbury

[Aijex]

Chris Kattan? lol, Yeah it does

[skankidd]

hahahah agreed ;]

[VomitAllIdeals]

Also good to see the women take a lesser role on the stage

[roso614]

awesome live

[llensart]

Power Pop for the 21st Century !

[clamum]

Awesome song. And the lady singing with James is gorgeous.

[theLonelyArtistClub]

Anita Robinson is an awesome addition!

[DallasCowboys94Ware]

Is the video of them performing this song on Conan O'Brien still up? I liked that one better for some reason... this one is still good though.

[greenburlapsack]

lol "rock and roll band"

[scs3000]

Majestic!

[Heyyodude893]

their rythym guitarist reminds of someone of either a tv show or movie

i can't think of who though

[caulfieldryecatcher]

I'm picking up some Jimmy Fallon vibes.

[Heyyodude893]

that might be who he reminds of

[boardroomjimmy]

Chris Kattan?

[Heyyodude893]

i dont think thats who.

maybe though.

i've only seen him in one movie though.

[Zeppelinfan25]

Javier Bardem

[theladywriter]

Love it!

[tylerdurden2006]

haha that was a bit awkward at the end when he didn't shake the guys hand

[stiffler1345]

damn hes got such a great voice...hits every high note in the song perfectly

[drunkendevil]

Amazing song from an amazing band.

[savedhaf4u]

great song

[KerreyTheBitterSugar]

fantastic performance!

[blackice2]

I play the same bass as the Shins bassist

[LAtonyg]

that was the bassist. Axl Rose was a chauvinistic idiot. Kurt Cobain shot up dope. John Lennon said The Beatles were bigger than Jesus. So all these people who were great singers and musicians did fucked up things. Get over it.

[CheckVerb]

You're Suggests We Kill Millions of People By Bombing an ally of our country, and You Criticize a Guy For Hitting His Wife. Don't Get Me Wrong He's An Idiot, But Come On, Shut Up.

[redsoccrbrit8642]

One member of the band beat his wife, and he should be locked up for it, damn straight. But don't accuse the whole band of this felony, and don't insult their music.

[blackice2]

Shut up. No one cares about you so go die.

Ka-peesh?

[MacMT07]

The Shins are awesome, I'm kind of a poser since I just discovered them a couple months ago. (I was like, 7 when they were Flake Music).

[bejAmir]

Great, Great Great Performance!!! Wincing The Night Away is excellent album! the shins roxxx

[BenOhYeahBenOhyeah]

Paul Shaffer...leave the song alone.

[AeonStrife1]

James Mercer is pitch perfect as always...pure brilliance

[steeltownwheeler]

The Paul Schaeffer band is rocking really sweetly!

[MeisTriumph2]

who is the girl?

[Ichabod1212]

Anita Robinson

[ryan4144]

she was a awesome voice, but why is she there? and by that i mean how does she know james mercer?

[blackice2]

She's got back-up and tamborine.

She's a good singer :D

[deathforbetrayal]

she's in the band viva voce, they toured together.

[jmythwow]

They sound amazing live! And look at Paul getting into it!

[jmythwow]

They sound amazing live! And look at Paul getting into it!

[cubs201]

Does he rimind anyone else of David Byrne (talking heads)

[nashrules13]

I think this is amazing. He's amazing all of the time...I don't know what you guys speak of. I like watching them live way better than just listening to a song on the CD. James Mercer is completely amazing.

[freecamilo]

is that anita robinson from viva voce?

[KAricann10]

i thought this was a real good performance ....idk wat you ppl are talking about

[themanwiththeplan6]

i think its amazing

[aesrp]

me too

[berlinballer1991]

they're too fast

[Shalomp]

great band great songwriters but lousy performing live.

[wootalexftw]

His delivery is just too unique to be done on command. It was still a very nice video, and I love the song, though.

[dongol86]

dont know if u'r implying they lip synch coz they dont i've seen differetn live videos of them and he always is pitch perfect:D he's just a great singer

[blackdog661]

fond of y-o-u

[ballzacx30]

I love their lyrics and the way he sings.

[lorenkii]

I love that Paul Schaeffer played the keyboard parts for this performance.

[brizzenden]

Yeah, I totally agree that's pretty sweet actually.

[laybackinthapark]

The Shins are probably one of the most authentic bands around today for sure.

[bitchesdontcry]

he totally looks like Tom Kenny...the guy that does spongebob's voice...its true!

[clamsforsale]

I can see why you may think that, but I wouldn't say it's a large resemblence.

[bazza0173]

does anyone else think that mercer looks like kevin spacey!?

[awesomeluciano78]

yah

[hestanzalas]

for sure

[cmang187]

Is the guy on the Left playing a Guild? or is that an SG looks like a guild.

[spookerz35]

almost certain that's a Guild S-100, you can tell by the headstock. The body is an SG copy.

[cmang187]

Thats what I thought. Thanks Broseph

[zimmy2525]

strange responce jakenjoi. I am

a professional musician and these

guys are tight. We need more great

live performing bands that don't

lip-sync. great video..Thanks

[stevedohar]

these guys rock

[Pinkpoodle230]

one more thing, if you think "every thing not on mtv or the radio" is good music, than think about the beatles, they were certainly on the radio, and they are one of the most influencal classic bands ever.

[Pinkpoodle230]

Damphear, if you dont like them no one making you watch it, your entitled to your oppions just dont force them down peoples throats.

[squiremarr]

David: I've been coughing and hacking and wheezing on my own appendages.

Paul: Yeshahsz, youarsqhakakzz aajjsppzkuuz jsjkhua geoashw. You're contagious.

[GenericGene]

Good Song -

[Ichabod1212]

Like the chick; who is she?

[squiremarr]

Her name is Anita Robinson. She's in a band called Viva Voce.

[stopid]

I didn't know she was part of The Shins

[doversucks84]

Shes not, squiremarr is right. Viva Voce is a two person band that toured with The Shins after "Wicing the Night Away" was released. Very talented group, worth checking out.

[rooseyrocks]

Damphear can go die the Shins are an amazing and original band.

[allinallisallweare]

These people actually have to earn money too. So they're on TV/radio, boohoo. How does this make them sellouts? Just listen to the music and lyrics, and it's obvious The Shins are very much a genuine band.

[jakenjoi]

Sorry, I love the shins, but look at Wilco. Shows give your band money. And Wilco sells out every show in about an hours time. They are probably more successful than ever since they stopped making music videos and crap like that.

Don't get me wrong I love the shins, just saying its possible to make money w/out tv. MTV kills music, havn't watched it in about 2 years and I couldn't be happier.

[allinallisallweare]

I'll agree with you that MTV is pretty much a load of commercial shit. Still though, there are some genuine bands that make their way onto it, and can you really blame them for doing so? As long as it doesn't ruin the music (and for me it hasn't) I have no problems with that.

[ilovedingoandclancy]

r u a nirvana fan?

[allinallisallweare]

Yeah, nice spot :)

[ilovedingoandclancy]

thanks, lol

[acrosstheuniverse20]

i love the shins

[moleiro]

I know it's kinda hard but, Damphear you won the "youtube's biggest moron" prize.

[ace5392]

i like it! i love it when a band is good live!

[StBunt]

The Shins are great. Lovely song.

[gptfreak]

I heard the lead singer has a crush on his daughter's best friend

[danny6164]

I love this song. It reminds me of that old show Herman's head- all these totally different characters that form a perfect whole, its great. and by the way i like the female harmonies i think this is their best version.

[Damphear]

pure crap

[fake123]

if by crap you mean AWESOME

[Damphear]

if by crap i mean they suck ass

[fake123]

so...

you think they're SUPER awesome?

sorry, not really following...

[Damphear]

no they just suck

[fake123]

I guess I just don't understand the level to which you think they're awesome. It's clearly somewhere between "gods on earth" and "made of elements not listed in the periodic table"

correct me if I'm wrong

[Damphear]

wow you must really not know about music if you really say that.

thats sad. stop talking

[nguyen1979]

anita robinson from viva voce

[wilsonatore]

Who is that WHORE?! (ala Danny Devito on It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia)

[nguyen1979]

it's anita robinson from viva voce. if you listen closely to the album, there is a female's voice to harmony. could be hers

[getwicked]

Isn't he married? Haha.

[StBunt]

That's a big yum song

[stormteacup]

that girl makes me angry... just let him sing

her harmony sounds like shit

or at least it does on the video...

[getwicked]

He's married.

[monkeywrench890]

whos the girl?

[dreamingviola]

I LOVE this song!

[DaylanandShitz]

i like sleeping lessons more but this is also a great song

[woodztream0808]

best song on that album, by far!

[smartymushroom]

dude the shins are the dankest band! all their songs are pretty well meant

[purvesss]

They've gone downhill imo. He won't shut up singing nowadays, bit like Michael Stipe.

[fwennie]

As far as I'm concerned The Shins can do no wrong..

[TralalaDooDaDoo]

I Love these people to death.

[flubbernutz69]

Kevin Spacey has a band? jk. Oregon's Finest.

[Heterodoxstudent]

they're from albuquerque

[flubbernutz69]

No. Portland Ore.

[gooeychooey22]

no, they live in Portland now but are from New Mexico..recently learned that from their website

[AFiendishThingie]

Aren't they from Oregon? I just know they're from the US...and I'm from Australia...and I saw them live last week and they were AMAZING!

[warrencampbell]

where are they from? i really like em.

[hsollero]

melhor performance no late show do ano.

[edduard]

Album of the year - superb

[jstover8]

Haha, is that Paul Schafer playing with them?

[aesrp]

aghh if someone can post up red rabbits it'd be great I love that song alot too.

[chimotta]

This song is great, Phantom Limb and Australia too. But i think the new album is not as great as the first two..

[lucythewhitelady]

gah this song is SUPERBLY awesome

[billieshears04]

JAMES MERCER IS REALLY COOL, ALSO HOT

[ChemicelP]

Flawless cd.

[CAREFREEI]

GOOD STUFF

[Milchverkaeufer]

Saw them live in Cologne this Week. They are great! The Girl from "Viva Voce" is very hot :D

[Dutchboywithchicken]

This is the best song off the new album. Thanks for posting the video!

[bgsk8r]

they are really goof...but what cracks me up is that they look like a whole bunch of parents who made a band in a basement.

[arthurrimbaud2]

James is definitely hot!! I'd like to bang him hard!!!

[RPIZZLE32293]

these guys are amazing live i swear if they didnt ocasionally change up the words a little i would think they lipsink haha. by far best band today. ive been liestening to these guys cant stop. and these guys deffinatly wont flame out fast. but thats your oppinion and everyone is entitles to an oppinion but these guys are deffinatly the best band ive ever heard.i am surprised they havnt been on mtv though whats that about? i guess their lyrics are a little too confusing for most people.

[Troylito]

The Shins are a wonderful breath of fresh air. Simple. Clean. Straight forward. I saw them in Austin a few days ago and they were awesome. James Mercer is the new Bob Dylan in his approach to lyrics and styles.

[fantasygurudotcom]

Saw them in Philly this week and they were fantastic. I agree they are the best band out there right. To say they are refreshing right now is an extreme understatement.

[JMo93]

is that the girl from viva voce? I saw them live. F-ing amazing

[ckfloyd3]

I'm falling in love with Anita!!

[yannique]

no offense, but in the beginning he sounds like that one guy from dashboard confessional^^

[milesgordon8]

Their new album is brilliant

[adriana956]

saw em live, bitches. ha fucking amazing.

[fvertk]

Also, LOL who messed up right in the beginning before "You can fake it for a while"...

[fvertk]

I probably would change a few things in their presentation, like have more synth when the chorus comes in like on the album, but whatever, still a good performance. Awesome that Paul was on the keys, does he usually do that?

[thefleckt0ne]

i HATE the way he says "wincing the night away"

[jacksongrass]

Anita is definitely hot!! I would like to bang her hard..

[nara08]

im seeing them in 2 weeks!!

[Adamb1984]

PKiddy69 has it correct, The Shins probably are the best band in the world at the present time. Suberb song, superb band and three suberb albums.

[Damphear]

i can name 50 other bands that put the shins to shame

[danny6164]

hey man, why would you spend so much time here if you don't like it, I'm sure that you could find something really cutting edge like nickelback (not) that should be a better fit for you,