In 1995, the band added keyboardist Jeff Pedersen as an official member and signed with MCA/Way Cool Music. After two albums with MCA/Way Cool Music, the band and label parted ways, after which the band independently released a live album and one final studio album before breaking up in mid-2000.
Since the breakup, the band has gotten back together several times to perform occasional "reunion" shows, but have no plans to regroup permanently.
Lead singer Chris Shaffer put together a new band for a few years, Shaffer Street, releasing two albums; he also toured as a solo artist, releasing two solo albums. Michael David Smith, Greg Gardner, & Charlie Bushor formed Lost In Lodi, playing shows around the midwest as well.
Since 2007, Chris has been touring with a new version of The Why Store which includes no other original members and in March 2009 rereleased his most recent solo album, VIM, as a Why Store album.
Their catalog consists of six studio albums and a double live album:
Welcome to the Why Store (1993)
Inside the Why Store (1994)
The Why Store (1996)
Two Beasts (1998)
Live at Midnight (1999)
Life on Planet Six Ball (2000)
VIM (2009)
All my life
The Why Store Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can dream of you
All my life
I can dream of you
Dark clouds
The woods and the rain
The lonely boy
He never sleeps
Turning round
Will he land
On his feet, yeah
Well I can see
A fool in the rain
Never getting by
Well I can see
The fool never changes
Always stays a stranger
Always in danger (to survive)
Slow burn
She lies in bed
She turns to see
If he's still there
She sees the space
Where he once lay
Now she knows
It's just not fair yeah
The Why Store's "All My Life" is a soulful, introspective song that explores themes of longing, loneliness, and loss. The song's opening lines, "All my life, I can dream of you," describe the persistent presence of someone or something in the singer's life, even when they are not physically present. The imagery of "dark clouds," "the woods and the rain," and "the lonely boy who never sleeps" all evoke a sense of melancholy and isolation.
As the song progresses, the lyrics shift to focus on a couple's relationship. The lines "She lies in bed, she turns to see if he's still there, she sees the space where he once lay" convey a sense of loss and emptiness that comes with the ending of a relationship. The singer's repetition of "it's just not fair" underscores the feeling of injustice associated with heartbreak.
The song's use of vivid imagery and repetition creates a sense of deep introspection and yearning. The lyrics convey a sense of yearning for connection, even in the midst of loneliness and heartbreak. Ultimately, "All My Life" is a powerful exploration of the human experience of love, loss, and resilience in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
All my life
Throughout my entire existence
I can dream of you
I can imagine being with you
All my life
For as long as I can remember
I can dream of you
I can envision a future with you
Dark clouds
A sign of trouble or sadness
The woods and the rain
A gloomy and desolate setting
The lonely boy
A solitary figure navigating life on his own
He never sleeps
His thoughts and worries keep him awake
Free fall
Life can sometimes feel out of control
Turning round
Trying to regain balance and stability
Will he land
Hoping to find security and safety
On his feet, yeah
To be able to stand strong and persevere
Well I can see
It's clear to me
A fool in the rain
An individual acting recklessly or foolishly
Never getting by
Unable to overcome struggles or obstacles
Well I can see
It's obvious to me
The fool never changes
The individual keeps making the same mistakes
Always stays a stranger
Never fully connecting with others
Always in danger (to survive)
Constantly facing challenges to stay afloat
Slow burn
A slow and steady heartache
She lies in bed
She tries to rest but can't escape her thoughts
She turns to see
She looks for comfort and assurance
If he's still there
If he's committed to their relationship
She sees the space
Where he once slept next to her
Where he once lay
Where he used to find solace with her
Now she knows
She finally understands
It's just not fair yeah
Their love and connection has been lost, and it's unjust
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ZACHARY HOLT SMITH, PATTY SMYTH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind