Simple Song (The Shins song)

"Simple Song" is a song by American indie rock band The Shins from their fourth studio album Port of Morrow. Written by the group's frontman James Mercer, the song was released as the first single from the album.

"Simple Song"
Single by The Shins
from the album Port of Morrow
Released	January 10, 2012
Recorded	2011
Genre	Indie rock
Length	4:15
Label	Aural Apothecary, Columbia
Songwriter(s)	James Mercer
Producer(s)	Greg Kurstin, James Mercer
The Shins singles chronology
"Sea Legs" (2007) "Simple Song" (2012) "It's Only Life" (2012)

Background

In an interview with Q, the band's frontman, James Mercer, has stated that the song was "about my wife, our relationship and this whole new life we [had] ahead of us." Additionally, Mercer stated that the song was also, in part, about the departures of drummer Jesse Sandoval and keyboardist Martin Crandall from The Shins.[1]

Explaining the origins of the song, Mercer revealed that he wrote the song in the living room of his apartment, shortly following his marriage and in the period leading to the birth of his first daughter.[1]

Musicians

• Dave Hernandez – lead electric guitar
• Greg Kurstin – acoustic guitar, electric guitar, synthesizers, Mellotron, piano
• Ron Lewis – bass guitar
• James Mercer – vocals, electric guitar
• Janet Weiss – drums, tambourine

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2011)	Peak position
Belgium (Ultratip Flanders)[2]	4
Canada Alternative Rock (America's Music Charts)[3]	11
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[4]	192
Japan Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[5]	96
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[6]	6
US Alternative Songs (Billboard)[7]	10
US Rock Songs (Billboard)[8]	19

Year-end charts

Chart (2012)	Position
US Alternative Songs (Billboard)[9]	38
US Hot Rock Songs (Billboard)[10]	61

In popular culture

• In 2012, the song was used in an episode of Saturday Night Live (Season 37, Episode 17)[11]
• In 2012, The Shins performed Simple Song on Late Show with David Letterman[12]
• In 2013, Simple Song was featured in How I Met Your Mother (Season 8, Episode 24 "Something New")[13]

References

1. "Simple Song by The Shins Songfacts". Songfacts. Retrieved April 3, 2012.
2. "Discografie The Shins". ultratop.be. Hung Medien. Retrieved April 3, 2012.
3. "Canadian Active Rock & Alt Rock Chart Archive: Alternative Rock – April 3, 2012". America's Music Charts. April 3, 2012. Retrieved April 9, 2012.
4. Zywietz, Tobias. "CLUK Update (31.03.2012)". Zobbel.de. Tobias Zywietz. Retrieved April 2, 2012.
5. "Japan Hot 100 Singles" (requires registration). Billboard. Retrieved April 2, 2012.
6. "Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles – Issue Date: 2012-04-07" (requires registration). Billboard. Retrieved April 2, 2012.
7. "The Shins Album & Song Chart History: Alternative Songs". Billboard. Retrieved April 2, 2012.
8. "The Shins Album & Song Chart History: Alternative Songs" (To access peak, one must click the white area around the respective song). Billboard. Retrieved April 2, 2012.
9. "Alternative Songs – Year-End 2012". Billboard. Retrieved September 6, 2018.
10. "Hot Rock Songs – Year-End 2012". Billboard. Retrieved September 6, 2018.
11. Jonah Hill/The Shins, retrieved 2020-03-09
12. "The Shins Return to 'Letterman'". Rolling Stone. 2012-03-21. Retrieved 2020-03-09.
13. "'How I Met Your Mother' Music Supervisor Reveals Show's Top 10 Music Moments (Video)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2020-03-09.