The fact that Stephin Merritt wrote this while blackout drunk is kinda magical. I obviously don't endorse getting blackout drunk but most people don't write such a heartbreaking work of staggering genius.
I think I like this because it speaks to the part of the human condition where fantasy is often so much more appealing than reality to the point where someone's life is severely dented by it.
The way the Shins sound as they play it, I try to picture this song being sung by Roy Orbison, and it makes me laugh to picture it. It's an excellent cover, though, and it's a very funny yet song, that much is true.
I can relate to it in a sense. I'm not a man, but I imagine a woman as a drag king, and I totally see myself falling in love, hell, even a man as a drag queen. Either way. I fucking love how the magnetic fields play around with sexuality
Stephin Merrit said on Song Exploder that the protagonist of the song was a heterosexual man. The guy in the song isn't him, just the guy whose in this situation.
The fact that Stephin Merritt wrote this while blackout drunk is kinda magical. I obviously don't endorse getting blackout drunk but most people don't write such a heartbreaking work of staggering genius.
Wonder if it was real story lol or fictional.
I think I like this because it speaks to the part of the human condition where fantasy is often so much more appealing than reality to the point where someone's life is severely dented by it.
Love a good cover of the Magnetic Fields. There the Shins deliver once again.
brilliant cover
Great cover, and the ending is gorgeous!
The way the Shins sound as they play it, I try to picture this song being sung by Roy Orbison, and it makes me laugh to picture it. It's an excellent cover, though, and it's a very funny yet song, that much is true.
roy orbison...didnt see that coming
Roy Orbison?? Nah. All I hear is David Byrne.
Before I even read this comment, I was sending the link to a friend saying how the way he does the chorus is very Roy Orbison.
this is awesome - all us animaLS LOVE IT
This is perfect.
So good.
anyone else finding the little green percussion thing drilling into their brain?
this is so cool.
Still prefer the original, but this is solid. I like their cover of Strange Powers as well.
I really want them to cover St. Vincent's "Psychopath."
super
Fucking beautiful
I cannot relate to this song at all & it's one of my favorites...
I can relate to it in a sense. I'm not a man, but I imagine a woman as a drag king, and I totally see myself falling in love, hell, even a man as a drag queen. Either way. I fucking love how the magnetic fields play around with sexuality
I doubt this is the first time James had heard that instrument.. certainly no surprise on his face from what i could see.
As someone named Andrew, i really really want to hate this, but it's so damn catchy!
thee cover of this is by jawbreaker reunion
I like the percussion if you let it stay in the background
Anyone else thinks James looks like Raffi?
Had no idea Richard Swift was a member of the shins
i'm here cause of Bruce Springsteen, oddly enough
kind of a shame that they had that excruciating percussion. You could tell that james was surprised and annoyed by it at 1:21.
I could be at splendour but noooooo
Don't agree this is a "sad" song. Sometimes humour is just humour, the way a cigar is just a cigar.
Pretty sure Stephin Merritt is gay, not a heterosexual man. Andrew's the one in the song who's heterosexual.
TheLaughingOut Stephin Merritt is gay.
Stephin Merrit said on Song Exploder that the protagonist of the song was a heterosexual man. The guy in the song isn't him, just the guy whose in this situation.
+TheLaughingOut yeah he's gay but the song's not autobiographical. the protagonist is heterosexual - he even speaks of being a ladies' man
+TheLaughingOut Stephen writes from gay, straight, male and female perspectives. It's complicated.
"He's the only guy I'd ever shag".
As has been pointed out, Merritt is gay, but the character in the song isn't
The song is 'sad but hilarious', not the rendition. Sorry to nitpick
I like the vocals better in this, but I dislike the percussion
The percussion is terrible.
better than the original in my opinion
No
This outclasses the original in vocal quality and beautiful simplicity
No. Never.
amartin4914 I actually don't like it nearly as much as Stephen's version lol
@@BridgetownCello i want to find the Ezra Furman covers thing
I absolutely adore the shins… so much… but no. Agreed. Never.