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)
Father
The Why Store Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Took the bait I took the ride
Turned the world a lonely side
Found the only silence that he knows
Father will you please let me go
And nothing but love I say will show
Father will you please let me go
There's something before myself I know
Tell me, tell me, tell me lies
Tell me all the things inside
Tell me all the worlds that you've won
You think of me, you think of me so often
You think of me, oh!
You want me to believe it's true, yeah.
Father will you please let me go
And nothing but love I say will show
Father will you please let me go
There's something before myself I know
You're so far, you're so far away
Father will you please let me go
And nothing but love I say will show
Father will you please let me go
There's something before myself I know
You're so far, you're so far away
You're so far away
You're so far away
You're such a lonely man
You're so far away?
The Why Store's song 'Father' is an introspective and emotional plea to a distant father figure. The lyrics paint a picture of a person who has fallen on tough times, perhaps due to their own mistakes, and is now seeking solace and guidance from their father. The opening lines "Life's bitter falling down some, took the bait I took the ride, turned the world a lonely side" hint at personal struggles and a feeling of isolation. The singer then expresses their desire to leave this behind and move forward, but they need their father's permission and support to do so. "Father will you please let me go, and nothing but love I say will show" highlights the need for forgiveness and acceptance from the father figure.
The chorus of the song repeats the plea for release, but also acknowledges that there is something greater than just the singer's own desires that they need to consider. "There's something before myself I know" suggests that the singer is aware of the impact their decision might have on those around them, but they still need to move forward for their own well-being. The song ends on a melancholic note, with the repetition of "You're so far away" emphasizing the emotional distance between the singer and their father. The lyrics to 'Father' are poignant and thought-provoking, painting a picture of the complexities of familial relationships and the power of forgiveness.
Line by Line Meaning
Life's bitter falling down some
Life can be bitter and difficult sometimes.
Took the bait I took the ride
I made mistakes and now I have to deal with the consequences.
Turned the world a lonely side
My mistakes have made me feel isolated and alone.
Found the only silence that he knows
The only peace I've found is in the quietness of my own thoughts.
Father will you please let me go
I want to move on from my mistakes, but I need your permission and support.
And nothing but love I say will show
My intentions are pure and I'm asking for your understanding and compassion.
There's something before myself I know
I recognize that there are things more important than just myself and my desires.
You're so far, you're so far away
I feel distant from you and our relationship needs mending.
Tell me, tell me, tell me lies
I suspect you're not being completely truthful with me and it's causing me further pain and confusion.
Tell me all the things inside
I want to understand your perspective and your thoughts so that we can work towards reconciliation.
Tell me all the worlds that you've won
I want to know about all of your accomplishments and successes, but not to boast or compare them to my own.
You think of me, you think of me so often
I feel like you care about me, but I need more than just idle thoughts to heal our relationship.
You want me to believe it's true, yeah.
I'm not sure if I can trust what you're saying and I need more concrete actions and efforts from you.
You're such a lonely man
I can sense your own feelings of isolation and sadness and want to work together to overcome them.
Lyrics © JELLYBEAN MUSIC GROUP, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GEORGE MICHAEL, JAMES TODD SMITH, JEAN CLAUDE OLIVIER, SAMUEL BARNES, SAMUEL J. BARNES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@clevy911
I seen them in Muncie and Indy, Indiana many times. So under appreciated. Guitar work and music was flawless live.
@yaryar1976
Damn,this post is 16 years old. I could cry now.
@Mermaidy014
Devon sawa 👏👏❤
@Snicki1946
Another great Indiana band!
@SkybabyandStar
ABSOLUTELY AMAZING...ACTUALLY, THERE ARE NO WORDS TO DESCRIBE HIS VOICE --- AND THIS SONG --- THE WORDS AND THE MEANING...THIS BRINGS BACK SO SO MANY MEMORIES, THERE WAS ONE TIME IN MY LIFE, I KNEW LOVE, BUT, I LET HIM GO...HE LET ME LET HIM GO...I WILL NEVER LOVE AGAIN........
@cadepop01
Never missed a Why Store gig here in the FORT..Meet the guys a few times playing with bands around town. Great songs everyone..Great guys!
@schuey44
Yes, it's Chris Cooper. He was also in the Bourne Identity and several other movies.
@stevealverson807
Wow, how did I ever miss this band back when. Great song.
@lindsayosterhoff2459
Saw this band more times than I can count back in the day (they were from my area). I miss those days. I really wish they'd had the chance to live up to their potential. They were all good guys but Chris let other things get in the way. Still makes me sad.
@cooper5882
I have one of there cd's . still play it often . You were very lucky to see them live ..