Caring Is Creepy Lyrics
I think I'll go home and mull this over
Before I cram it down my throat
At long last it's crashed, its colossal mass
Has broken up into bits in my moat
[Chorus 1]
Rip the mattress off the floor
Walk the cramps off
Go meander in the cold
Hail to your dark skin
Hiding the fact you're dead again
Underneath the power lines seeking shade
Far above our heads are the icy heights
That contain all reason
[Verse 1]
It's a luscious mix of words and tricks
That let us bet when you know we should've fold
On rocks I dreamt of where we'd stepped
And of the whole mess of roads we're now on
[Chorus 2]
Hold your glass up, hold it in
Never betray the way you've always known it is
One day I'll be wondering how
I got so old just wondering how
Never got cold wearing nothing in the snow
This is way beyond my remote concern
Of being condescending
All these squawking birds won't quit
Building nothing, laying bricks
[Chorus 2]
Hold your glass up, hold it in
Never betray the way you've always known it is
One day I'll be wondering how
I got so old just wondering how
Never got cold wearing nothing in the snow
This is way beyond my remote concern
Of being condescending
[Post-Chorus]
All these squawking birds won't quit
Building nothing, laying bricks
About
Despite being a fan favorite, “Caring is Creepy” was never released as a single. Regardless, this song about a man realizing his relationship is broken to the point of no return remains a fiery anthem, and one of the Shins' most iconic tracks.
The song got more attention when Zach Braff decided to include it, alongside the single “New Slang”, in his 2004 cult hit Garden State.
Q&A
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning
When I came up with that idea for the title, I was talking about how in my circle of friends—this was my circle of friends, especially in Albuquerque—you drink and you hang out and you talk and you make jokes and you do all that stuff, but as soon as you start talking about anything real, something that actually moves you or anything like that, it’s just fucking awkward. You know, there’s a lot of ways to kill a party—talking about politics and that shit—but I’m talking about anything that’s heartfelt. That used to grump me out, so “Caring Is Creepy” is where that came from. The song itself is about a love of mine at the time that went south—it’s fitting in that way.
– James Mercer, AV Club
Yes, “Caring Is Creepy” was certified gold by the RIAA on April 12, 2023.
- 1.Caring Is Creepy
- 3.Weird Divide
- 6.New Slang
- 9.Your Algebra
