Their debut EP Taking Abalonia was released in 2007. It was re-released with seven new songs on June 3, 2008, in Canada as a full-length LP under the name Howe Sounds / Taking Abalonia.
On July 1, 2009, Said the Whale released the EP The Magician to drum up anticipation for the release of their second full-length album Islands Disappear on October 13, 2009.
In the spring of 2011, Said the Whale toured the U.S. for the first time. During this time they were the subject of the CBC documentary "Winning America" directed by Brent Hodge and Thomas Buchan. The movie documented the band's trip and performances along the West Coast of North America on their way to and from Austin, Texas' SXSW Music Festival and culminated when Said the Whale won the Juno Award for New Group of the Year at the 2011 Juno Awards. The documentary aired on July 23, 2011, in British Columbia, and on April 7, 2012, across Canada.
They released their EP New Brighton on November 8, 2011, in preparation for their third full-length album, Little Mountain, released internationally on March 6, 2012.
In early 2012, the band was awarded a spot on the Canadian music magazine Rockstar Weekly's list of the "Top 12 RockStars to Watch in 2012". The list also included Van Halen, The Rolling Stones, and Rush. The band performed at the Sasquatch! Music Festival in 2012 and 2013.
Said the Whale released their fourth studio album, titled hawaiii, on September 17, 2013.
On January 4, 2017, they announced their fifth album, As Long As Your Eyes Are Wide. At the same time, they announced the departure of Spencer Schoening, and that they would move forward as a trio. The album was released March 31, 2017. The first single was "Step Into The Darkness."
On March 5, 2017, they posted an Instagram video with an email address which fans could contact in order to listen to the whole album for free before its release. Fans could stream the whole album on a personalized, private SoundCloud account from the 10th until the 15th of March without leaking or sharing the link. From the 15th until the 26th of March, the fans could invite their friends to listen to the album in a "listening party" in order to promote it but still not sharing the link to the album, keeping it strictly limited to those who were sent the link.
In September 2018, Said the Whale signed to Canadian indie label Arts & Crafts, and announced a new record to be released in early 2019. The band released a new single "UnAmerican" on October 12, 2018. They released their sixth studio album, Cascadia, on February 8, 2019.
Throughout 2021, Said the Whale released a number of singles and music videos from their upcoming album, including "Honey Lungs," "Everything She Touches is Gold to Me," "Show Me Everything," and "99 to the Moon." In May, Bancroft announced he was launching a new record label called EVERYTHING FOREVER. Said the Whale's seventh studio album, Dandelion, was released on October 22, 2021, via that label.
2010
Said The Whale Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's impossible to take it all in
Those bright city lights, they're burning your eyes
It's unreasonable to see them from Mars
You're unrecognizable
You're state of the art
You're paper plans
You incorrigible stone
You're missing the point
You're un-drivable
You're falling apart
It's back and forth between all of the pride that I've got
And all that I've lost
And I'm defined by these city streets and sidewalks
And when the crowds came it put me off
It's apropos that
Just after the fact
A note arrived, a hand on our backs
"Those fiery skies
They showed us all why
You're so livable
You set the bar high"
We'll be back and we'll stay
All in from so far away
You can fit us in, just stack us upon
Up in our Lego block homes
Poised to flatten below
Tease our city bangs with these honeycombs
It's back and forth between all of the pride that I've got
And all that I've lost
And I'm defined by these city streets and sidewalks
And when the crowds came it put me off
It put me off
The song "2010" by Said The Whale explores the relationship between the singer and a person who is unrecognizable, complex and unattainable. The first verse acknowledges the overwhelming nature of the city life that both the singer and the person are a part of. While the singer has seen enough of the city to know where they stand, the other person is "unrecogonizable" and "unreasonable." Descriptions like "state of the art" and "counseled and tall" indicate that the person is sophisticated, modern and impressive but at the same time out of reach. The singer visualizes the other person as a "stone" which is also "falling apart" and "un-drivable," expanding on the complexity of this character.
The song's chorus expresses the singer's internal conflict between feeling pride over their life in the city, but also struggling with the loss that comes with it; all while taking in the distractions of the city streets and sidewalks. In the second verse, a note arrives, patting the singer on the back, congratulating them on being a part of this livable and high-standard city. The singer then makes a vow to return and to stay, comparing their Lego-block homes to the honeycombs buzzing with activity in the city.
Overall, the song conveys an autobiographical reflection on the competing tensions of urban experiences. It touches upon the idea of modern-day loneliness and the desire to connect with others despite the grandiosity of the city's superficiality.
Line by Line Meaning
I've seen enough parts to know where we stand
I've experienced enough of life to understand our current situation
It's impossible to take it all in
There's too much to comprehend and process
Those bright city lights, they're burning your eyes
The dazzling lights of the city are overwhelming and uncomfortable
It's unreasonable to see them from Mars
The lights are so bright and intense that they can be seen even from outer space
You're unrecognizable
You've changed so much that I don't even recognize you
You're state of the art
You're advanced and modern
You're paper plans
You're just a conceptual idea that hasn't been manifested yet
You're counseled and tall
You're advised and guided, and you stand with confidence
You incorrigible stone
You're stubborn and unyielding
You're missing the point
You're not understanding the main idea or purpose
You're un-drivable
You're impossible to steer or control
You're falling apart
You're disintegrating or breaking down
It's back and forth between all of the pride that I've got
I'm constantly fluctuating between my confidence and my failures
And all that I've lost
I'm also aware of my losses and shortcomings
And I'm defined by these city streets and sidewalks
My identity and sense of self is tied to this urban environment
And when the crowds came it put me off
I became uncomfortable and disoriented when large groups of people showed up
It's apropos that
It's fitting and appropriate that
Just after the fact
Right after the situation has occurred
A note arrived, a hand on our backs
We received a message of encouragement and support
"Those fiery skies
The intense and vibrant surroundings
They showed us all why
They revealed the beauty and liveliness of the place
You're so livable
The city is such a great place to live in
You set the bar high"
The city provides a high standard of living
We'll be back and we'll stay
We will return and remain in this place
All in from so far away
Despite coming from a distance, we are committing fully to this city
You can fit us in, just stack us upon
There is room and space for us in the city, even if it means putting us in crowded buildings
Up in our Lego block homes
Our living spaces are compact and modular, like Lego blocks
Poised to flatten below
Our buildings and homes could potentially be destroyed or crushed
Tease our city bangs with these honeycombs
Our unique architecture and design adds charm and appeal to the city
And when the crowds came it put me off
I was still bothered and uncomfortable by the presence of large groups of people
It put me off
It made me feel uneasy and uncertain
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@roosterinorbit
I was watched this and wondered why these places looked familiar. Then I realised I live there.
@vrax5230
roosterinorbit where
@vegetal478
Nice bro.
@towerguarder
one of my fav albums of 2012. one of their best albums imo
@ctvvideos
great video!
@MusicTheWorks225
the more i listen to this song the more i like it! i really love this video!!
@paraplegicgiraffe
OMG I'm gonna see you guys tomorrow and you put out THIS amazing video today!?? I'm too happy to freak out. I'm in a state of bliss.
@jessicapowell7000
still loveeeee this song
@ytismylife
Amazing song
@SkittlePickerUpper
Love it!! :)