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.
The Light Is You
Said the Whale Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't forget that you love me
More than the stars over your head
It's just that your love shines like the moon
Full and bright and blinding through
Into my heart, into my head
When it's so dark I can't see the light
My little love, my only girl
I wouldn't leave you for all the world
I'll just sit here and wait for your moon to rise
When it's so dark I can't see the light
Well I close my eyes and I think of you
When it's so dark I can't see the light
Well I think of you
When it's so dark I can see the light
Shining through you
The lyrics to "The Light Is You" by Said the Whale convey a message of love and devotion that shines through even in the darkest of times. The singer addresses their significant other with endearing terms like "teddybear" and "honey bee," reminding them not to forget that they are loved more than the stars in the sky. The metaphor of the moon is used to describe the radiance of their love, which penetrates into the singer's heart and head, bringing light to their life.
The chorus repeats the phrase, "When it's so dark I can't see the light," emphasizing the theme of struggling through tough times. The singer finds solace in the thought of their loved one, and the promise that they wouldn't leave them "for all the world." The final lines of the song are particularly uplifting, as it's revealed that even in the darkest moments, the light shines through the beloved, providing hope and comfort to those who need it most.
Overall, the lyrics of "The Light Is You" are a beautiful testament to the power of love and how it can serve as a source of light in the darkest of times.
Line by Line Meaning
Teddybear, honey bee
A term of endearment for the singer's loved one.
Don't forget that you love me
Reminding the loved one of the singer's significance in their life.
More than the stars over your head
The singer's love for the loved one is greater than anything in the world.
It's just that your love shines like the moon
Comparing the loved one's love to a bright and illuminating force that guides the singer.
Full and bright and blinding through
Describing the powerful nature of the loved one's love.
Into my heart, into my head
The loved one's love has a significant impact on the singer's emotions and thoughts.
When it's so dark I can't see the light
During difficult times, the singer thinks of their loved one to stay hopeful.
I close my eyes and I think of you
The singer uses their loved one as a source of comfort and strength to persevere.
My little love, my only girl
More expressions of love and admiration for the singer's significant other.
I wouldn't leave you for all the world
The singer values their relationship with their loved one above all else.
I'll just sit here and wait for your moon to rise
The singer will patiently wait for their loved one and their love to bring light into their life again.
When it's so dark I can see the light
During moments when the singer is with their loved one or thinking of them, they feel uplifted and hopeful.
Shining through you
The loved one is the source of the light that guides the singer through tough times.
Contributed by Mason B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Lauren
I always think of my daughter when I hear this song, and it never fails to give me chills!
Oliver Garcia
10 years after i first heard it and still sounds amazing!
Lisa Johnson
I think this has been my official 2 year anniversary of you guys being my favorite band.. just wanted to share that:) I've never loved a band so much that I continue to listen to them, but you guys are the exception! thankyou for the wonderful music!
thewishingwell
It's so adorable! I love how simple it is! Very amazing video. I'm so glad my friend introduced me to your songs. They are amazing.
thirty31one
Awesome! So great to see how far you guys have come. And now Jacelyn! Excellent addition. Wish I could've made it to the show last Friday :(
Calluna V
OH MY GOSH! This is such a catchy tune -- I just didn't know that fellow Canadians made such a brilliant song!
EXPLOSIONCHUNKERS
I love his voice, I want to see them live.
Dominic Youe
I love this song so much =) It is just so nice and lovely. It is like the band!
mudbrowneyedgirl
This song really needs to be about a bazillion times longer. IT'S SO GOOD!
yoyoyiggityyo
I love this song and video soo soo much! Its perfect in every way.