In 2001, Preston School of Industry released All This Sounds Gas, which was recorded mainly in Stockton, California. The album is said to be comprised of the songs that were rejected by Pavement on their final album, Terror Twilight. The band released its second album, Monsoon, in 2004, with studio contributions from members of The Minus 5 and Wilco.
Preston School of Industry went inactive after their September 2004 Australian tour, though Kannberg revealed in late 2006 he had been slowly working on a record: "Don't know when it's going to be released. Just taking my time, nothing special. I've got the songs, I just haven't figured out how I want to do it yet. This winter, I'll probably get it done."
Whalebones
Preston School of Industry Lyrics
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Driving the whale bones home
Driving the whale bones home
18 hours ago
Lots of water in tow
Driving the whale bones home
20 hours to go
They played their final show... of a lifetime
Does it hurt you to feel this bad?
Does it hurt me to feel this bad,man?
It takes a lifetime to grow
The silver lights the snow
Driving the whale bones home again
Driving the whale bones home
Gina's heading home again
The silver lights are begining to end
Does it hurt you to feel bad?well
I don't want you to feel bad
It takes a lifetime to grow
The silver lights are coming slow
The silver lights, good morning
The lyrics of the song Whalebones by Preston School of Industry, a band led by Spiral Stairs, convey a strong sense of weariness and sadness. The repeated phrase "driving the whale bones home" suggests a long and difficult journey, one that is not only physical but also emotional. The mention of lots of water in tow could be a reference to tears shed during this journey, or perhaps to the challenge of navigating through difficult terrain. The line "they played their final show... of a lifetime" could be interpreted to mean that the band has come to the end of its journey, or that they have achieved something important but are now facing the unknown.
The chorus that asks "Does it hurt you to feel this bad?" shows a deep sense of empathy, as if Spiral Stairs is acknowledging the pain and suffering of the listener. The repeated line "It takes a lifetime to grow" adds to the sense of the journey being a difficult and transformative one that requires a great deal of patience and perseverance. The mention of "silver lights" could be a reference to the beauty and hope that is still present amidst all the difficulty and pain.
Overall, the lyrics of Whalebones suggest a deep sense of loss, weariness and struggle. It can be interpreted as a reflection on the human experience and the challenges that we face in life.
Line by Line Meaning
Driving the whale bones home
Transporting the remnants of a once-great giant mammal
Driving the whale bones home
Continuing the long journey back home
18 hours ago
An earlier time when there was still a lot of traveling left
Lots of water in tow
Carrying a great deal of the surrounding liquid with them
Driving the whale bones home
Repeating the process of taking the large bones to their final destination
Driving the whale bones home again
Continuing the arduous task of transporting the whale bones for the second time
20 hours to go
Only a short while left until arriving at their desired location
They played their final show... of a lifetime
Performed a concluding presentation, which will be the last forever
Does it hurt you to feel this bad?
Is it causing you pain to experience this level of misery?
Does it hurt me to feel this bad, man?
Am I also experiencing discomfort due to feeling this terrible, buddy?
It takes a lifetime to grow
It requires a substantial amount of time and effort to develop and mature
The silver lights the snow
The effect of the shining light against the snow-covered ground
Driving the whale bones home again
Going through the process of transporting the whale bones once more
Gina's heading home again
Gina is returning to her place of origin
The silver lights are beginning to end
The bright illumination is slowly fading away
Does it hurt you to feel bad? well
Are you experiencing any physical or emotional distress from feeling miserable?
I don't want you to feel bad
I don't wish for you to experience any discomfort
The silver lights are coming slow
The bright illumination is gradually returning
The silver lights, good morning
Bright and early, the shining lights are back
Contributed by Emma J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.