New Slang

The Shins' 'New Slang' is a song that encapsulates the feelings of nostalgia, disillusionment, and the desire for transformation. The opening lines introduce a sense of regret and a longing to return to a simpler, more innocent time, as suggested by the metaphor of turning back into a 'pet' from the past. The 'gold teeth and a curse' symbolize the burdens and negative changes that have accumulated over time, which the speaker wishes to rid themselves of.

The chorus, with its imagery of a gull taking to the wind, conveys a yearning for freedom and the possibility of a different life. The speaker expresses a willingness to abandon their current state, symbolized by the 'tree,' to embrace a more carefree and exuberant existence, 'dancing like the king of the eyesores.' This phrase suggests a desire to be unapologetically visible and joyful, even if it means standing out in an unflattering way. The repeated phrase 'the rest of our lives would've fared well' reflects a hope for a better future that could have been possible with a different set of choices.

The song also touches on themes of existential angst and the search for meaning, as seen in the lines about looking in on the good life and questioning whether the speaker is 'too dumb to refine.' The mention of bakers cutting their thumbs and bleeding into their buns until they 'melt away' serves as a metaphor for the toil and eventual disappearance of individual identity in the face of life's relentless grind. Overall, 'New Slang' is a poetic reflection on the passage of time, the loss of innocence, and the deep human desire to find a place where one truly belongs.