My impression is that "Whale Song" is about the sense of responsibility individuals often feel for the state of all humanity. Given the fact that this album was produced during this economic downturn really puts meaning to words like
"I guess/know I'm just a scout
I should have found a way out
so everyone can find a way out"
And especially coming from an individual like Brock who's a minor celebrity and thus an influential person, it would seem he is expressing some feeling of burden given his now noteworthy status (even though he didn't necessarily intend to become so influential). However, the context of this song can be taken further than just the modern state of the world; it could very well be taken more metaphorically like in the case of the character Ishmael from Moby Dick-- one individual searching for truths about self and reality in a Godless world who ultimately finds peace and beauty in the surprises. Furthermore, the title "Whale Song", like the vast majority of Modest Mouse songs, probably hints at the concepts expressed through the lyrics. With lines like
"Instead of seeing a neighbor out
God, I wish I would've found a way out
It's the last time
We were happy
Ever happy"
it is clear that there is a sense of regret. However, Brock is not just precise with his lyrics but also with how he presents them both in tone and enunciation in conjunction with the music. In "Whale Song", while the lyrics express sorrow and regret, the sound of the vocals and instrumentals are more upbeat, almost epic. Therefore, the message seems to be: this is reality, there is no escape, but existence is what one makes of it.
My impression is that "Whale Song" is about the sense of responsibility individuals often feel for the state of all humanity. Given the fact that this album was produced during this economic downturn really puts meaning to words like
"I guess/know I'm just a scout I should have found a way out so everyone can find a way out"
And especially coming from an individual like Brock who's a minor celebrity and thus an influential person, it would seem he is expressing some feeling of burden given his now noteworthy status (even though he didn't necessarily intend to become so influential). However, the context of this song can be taken further than just the modern state of the world; it could very well be taken more metaphorically like in the case of the character Ishmael from Moby Dick-- one individual searching for truths about self and reality in a Godless world who ultimately finds peace and beauty in the surprises. Furthermore, the title "Whale Song", like the vast majority of Modest Mouse songs, probably hints at the concepts expressed through the lyrics. With lines like
"Instead of seeing a neighbor out God, I wish I would've found a way out It's the last time We were happy Ever happy"
it is clear that there is a sense of regret. However, Brock is not just precise with his lyrics but also with how he presents them both in tone and enunciation in conjunction with the music. In "Whale Song", while the lyrics express sorrow and regret, the sound of the vocals and instrumentals are more upbeat, almost epic. Therefore, the message seems to be: this is reality, there is no escape, but existence is what one makes of it.