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)
Fade Away
The Why Store Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I used to want your love
Used to want loving
Well, I wanted your love
With all of my dreams I can surely say
Gonna take my life and simply fade away
Used to want fame
I used to want it all
Well, I wanted it all
With all of my dreams I can surely say
Gonna take this simple life and simply fade away
With all your love and your life
You can surely make your dreams come alive
To all your wants, to all your needs
You can simply say goodbye, bye, bye
You still want loving
You still want my love
With all of my dreams I can surely say
Gonna take my life and simply fade away
I'm out the door
I'm already gone
The Why Store's "Fade Away" reflects a sense of disillusionment and apathy towards life, love, and fame. The lyrics speak of a person who used to crave for love and fame, but with a heavy heart, they have come to the realization that those desires are futile. As the song progresses, there is a growing sense of hopelessness and pessimism. The phrase "With all of my dreams, I can surely say, gonna take my life and simply fade away" suggests a desire to give up entirely, to disappear into the void of obscurity. The lyrics convey a feeling of hopelessness and helplessness, that no matter how hard one tries, they may never attain the love and fame they crave, and may ultimately end up fading away.
The chorus of the song is an ironic reflection of the verses, as it portrays a message of hope and empowerment. The lyrics suggest that with love and life, one can achieve their dreams and make them come to life. However, the lyrics also reveal a sense of detachment, as though the singer doesn't fully believe in the message they are conveying. The line "You still want loving, you still want my love" suggests that the singer is aware that others still hold on to aspirations that they themselves have abandoned. The final line "I'm out the door, I'm already gone" is a definitive statement, a final bye to the world before they fade away.
Line by Line Meaning
Used to want loving
I once desired to be loved
I used to want your love
I once desired your love in particular
Used to want loving
I once desired to be loved
Well, I wanted your love
I really wanted your love specifically
With all of my dreams I can surely say
I'm confident in my aspirations
Gonna take my life and simply fade away
I'm going to give up on life and disappear
Used to want fame
I once desired to be famous
I used to want it all
I once desired to have everything
Used to want fame
I once desired to be famous
Well, I wanted it all
I really wanted to have everything
With all of my dreams I can surely say
I'm confident in my aspirations
Gonna take this simple life and simply fade away
I'm going to give up on this mundane life and disappear
With all your love and your life
With all you have to offer
You can surely make your dreams come alive
You can achieve your dreams with your resources
To all your wants, to all your needs
Regarding everything you desire
You can simply say goodbye, bye, bye
You can let them go without hesitation
You still want loving
You still desire love
You still want my love
You still desire my love
With all of my dreams I can surely say
I'm confident in my aspirations
Gonna take my life and simply fade away
I'm going to give up on life and disappear
I'm out the door
I'm leaving now
I'm already gone
I've already left
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JULIANA HATFIELD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind