Westbound Train released their first album, Searching for A Melody, in 2003. The band self-released their second album, Five to Two, in 2005, which featured guest appearances from Alex Desert of Hepcat and King Django. The album was re-released by Stomp Records on March 14, 2006.
Westbound Train were featured on the Hellcat Records compilation Give 'Em the Boot IV in November 2004. In January 2006, Hellcat announced that they had signed the band. A third full-length, titled Transitions, was released in September of 2006.
Westbound Train played the Summer of Ska tour in the summer of 2006, along with Suburban Legends, Big D and the Kids Table, Voodoo Glow Skulls, and Catch 22. Westbound Train also played the Fall of Ska tour in the fall of 2006, along with Reel Big Fish, Streetlight Manifesto, and Suburban Legends.
Lynval Golding, the former guitarist of The Specials, is a big Westbound Train fan. Golding can often be seen at Westbound Train concerts in the Seattle, Washington area, even once playing on stage with them and calling them "the next ska sensation."
Their fourth album, "Come and Get It," was released on Hellcat Records on April 21, 2009
Official Website: www.westboundsound.com
Carlene
Westbound Train Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Should of known what doesn't kill me, only makes us stronger.
Some say we brought this upon ourselves.
Overlooked the cracks.
Never heard the cries for help.
I have no one to blame but myself.
Whispers in the wind, shared all our sins and secrets.
They came to conquer, (They Came to conquer) Not for glory or a hero's return all they want is to watch us crash and burn.
In hope that they'll catch you and ruin it all.
Circling us from head to toe.
We're swimming in the shallows arguing to and fro There's bad blood in the air.
This killer instincts the only thing we'll ever share.
We are the creators of our own demise.
They took to the sea's.
They took to the skies.
Only had eyes for my prize possessions Turned all my confessions into lies.
All they want is to watch us crash and burn.
This is what it feels like to be in the jaws of defeat.
One thousand teeth.
Slowly sinking in.
Vultures above and sharks below are waiting for us to fall.
In hope that they'll catch you and ruin it all.
Circling us from head to toe.
We're swimming in the shallows arguing to and fro.
There's bad blood in the air.
This killer instincts the only thing we'll ever share.
They came to conquer, all they wanted was to watch us suffer.
Should of known what doesn't kill me, only makes us stronger.
The lyrics of Westbound Train's "Carlene" address themes of power, betrayal, and the consequences of one's actions. The first verse sets the tone for the rest of the song, describing an oppressive force that takes pleasure in watching their victims suffer. The following lines suggest that the victims may have played a role in their own fate by ignoring warning signs and failing to recognize the danger they were in. The singer acknowledges their own complicity, stating that they have no one else to blame but themselves.
The chorus serves as a warning, painting a vivid picture of the danger that surrounds the singer. The imagery of vultures and sharks waiting for their prey to fall captures the predatory nature of the situation. The singer laments their predicament, recognizing that they are in the midst of their own downfall. The second verse continues the theme of betrayal, with the singer acknowledging that they were blinded by their own greed and ambition. The final lines of the song suggest that the victims and their oppressors share a common fate, as they are both driven by their own "killer instincts."
Line by Line Meaning
They came to conquer, all they wanted was to watch us suffer.
Their intention was to defeat us and observe our agony.
Should of known what doesn't kill me, only makes us stronger.
I realize now that surviving difficult circumstances makes us more resilient.
Some say we brought this upon ourselves.
According to some, we are responsible for our current situation.
Overlooked the cracks.
We failed to notice the problems that eventually led to our downfall.
Never heard the cries for help.
We were not aware of the pleas for assistance from those in need.
I have no one to blame but myself.
I must take full responsibility for my actions and their consequences.
Whispers in the wind, shared all our sins and secrets.
The breeze carried the sounds of our misdeeds and concealed secrets.
They came to conquer, (They Came to conquer) Not for glory or a hero's return all they want is to watch us crash and burn.
They did not seek victory or accolades, they only desired to witness our failure.
Vultures above and sharks below are waiting for us to fall.
Predators from above and below are eager for our downfall.
In hope that they'll catch you and ruin it all.
They want to capture us and ruin our lives completely.
Circling us from head to toe.
They are observing us carefully and closing in from all directions.
We're swimming in the shallows arguing to and fro There's bad blood in the air.
We are having shallow disputes in the midst of an overall tense atmosphere.
This killer instincts the only thing we'll ever share.
Our shared trait is the desire to harm and destroy.
We are the creators of our own demise.
We brought about our own downfall through our actions and decisions.
They took to the sea's.
They embarked upon the ocean.
They took to the skies.
They flew through the air.
Only had eyes for my prize possessions Turned all my confessions into lies.
I was obsessed with my material possessions, and would not admit to my mistakes.
All they want is to watch us crash and burn.
Their sole motivation is to observe our failure and suffering.
This is what it feels like to be in the jaws of defeat.
We are experiencing the sensation of being defeated and helpless.
One thousand teeth.
There are countless dangers and threats facing us.
Slowly sinking in.
We are gradually succumbing to our troubles and challenges.
There's bad blood in the air.
The atmosphere is tense and charged with animosity.
This killer instincts the only thing we'll ever share.
The only thing we have in common is our desire to cause harm and destruction.
They came to conquer, all they wanted was to watch us suffer.
Their aim was to defeat us and derive pleasure from our misery.
Should of known what doesn't kill me, only makes us stronger.
We should have realized that overcoming adversity can make us more resilient.
Contributed by Owen R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Vini Andrade
this is reggae, no ska.