The Shins » Tracks » New Slang

The Shins – New Slang (3:51)

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About This Track

“New Slang” (also called “New Slang (When You Notice the Stripes)”) is a song by The Shins. It was released as a 7” single in 2001, and subsequently appeared on their album Oh, Inverted World. It achieved mainstream popularity after its inclusion in the soundtrack of the film Garden State and its appearance in a McDonald’s television commercial. James Mercer has stated in an interview with InDublin Magazine that, at the time he wrote the song, he wanted to get out of his “home town, job, relationship and life”.

The song was discussed in the film Garden State: Sam (Natalie Portman) passes a pair of headphones to Andrew (Zach Braff) and says, “You gotta hear this one song—it’ll change your life.” It was also featured on the Scrubs episode “My Balancing Act”, and appeared on the series’ 2002 soundtrack.

The track was named in the 2008 book The Pitchfork 500: Our Guide to the Greatest Songs from Punk to the Present.

The Shins performed “New Slang” on Saturday Night Live on January 13, 2007.

There are two live versions of the song: one performed with Iron & Wine, which appears on the December 14, 2004 7” single release of “Fighting in a Sack”, and another that appears on the “Know Your Onion” single.

The music video was directed by Lance Bangs and features the band re-enacting the cover art of other bands’ albums, including Zen Arcade and New Day Rising by Hüsker Dü, Let It Be by The Replacements, Moon Pix by Cat Power, Double Nickels On The Dime by The Minutemen, Squirrel Bait’s first album, Sonic Youth’s Sister and Slint’s Spiderland.
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Albums featuring this track

  • Oh, Inverted World
    The Shins Play
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  • 2004-04-16: Austin, TX, USA
    The Shins Play
    Buy
  • 2002-07-23: TT The Bears
    The Shins Play
    Buy
  • Oh Inverted World
    The Shins Play
    Buy
See all 9 albums

Shouts

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  • onefourone141

    "You gotta hear this one song, it'll change your life, I swear."

    Sunday afternoon

  • spkevin

    This song changed my life.

    16 days ago

  • PMHENDERSON86

    Magnificent

    19 days ago

  • skeletonbone

    236 scrobbles and counting. Never loses it's charm.

    last month

  • pretty_cherry

    calm and adorable

    last month

  • m1a2t3t4h5e6w7

    first time hearing this song and loved in the first 10 seconds

    last month

  • thecolgateduck

    I miss the shins

    last month

  • XtraNL

    Legendary.

    last month

  • dontsagemebro

    this song is so beautiful in just that right way. it's just perfect. that base line completes it, really.

    March 2012

  • heatherosie

    They released a new video off the new album! The song is called Bait And Switch and it's definitely my new favorite! Check it out! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Po0NF2HssIk&ob=av2e

    March 2012

  • gilliananne

    this song has a piece of my heart :) [3]

    March 2012

  • Harry_01

    Truly a great song.

    March 2012

  • Xia-rain

    随性。

    March 2012

  • CatalystDM

    dat live version with Iron & Wine

    March 2012

  • voiceinthewild

    best song of the decade

    March 2012

  • aquifolia

    *___*

    March 2012

  • meandmymini

    ❤‿❤

    February 2012

  • heatherosie

    Such a perfect song. The Shins are really just incredible. Their lyrics are brilliant, their melodies are catchy, the music is beautiful....I'm just obsessed. I'm glad they delivered with their new single "Simple Song." Check out the video here (it's incredible too): http://youtu.be/RoLTPcD1S4Q

    February 2012

  • Tagadaaa

    Many years and I still love it. ♥

    February 2012

  • BlueCheeseBoy

    best song ever

    February 2012
See all 1,084 shouts

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