Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: indie-pop
Song Meaning of “Preface” by Whirr
Preface by Whirr is a song about facing the fears and anxieties that come with growing up. The narrator of the song is trying to come to terms with the idea that life is full of unknowns – navigating through relationships, jobs, and other obstacles without a plan. Everything the narrator experiences and learns is a preface to what’s yet to come.
The song starts off with the narrator’s apprehension, and uncertainty in their present state. The sentiment of being lost and overwhelmed is reflected in the line “Come now, find me alone in the grand unknown.” But there is also an acceptance of the situation, and the narrator sends out a plea for help – “Take me away, carry me somewhere I can call home.”
The chorus is a metaphor for the idea of waiting for something to finally happen. The narrator sings, “Let the tides rest – keep it all in translucent waves/Until I’m ready to tread the deep/Shed my mortal coexist, wait for the end of my days/Watch it flow until I’m ready to jump in my sleep”. The references to the tides and the sea represent an inevitable force that will eventually come to pass – life’s uncertain journey.
The narrator reflects on the wisdom they’ve gained from the experiences they’ve had, and is comforted by the fact that while they can’t control the future, there are lessons to be learned from the past. They are reminded that “The love that I know in the present will grant me the strength I need to move on.”
The song’s conclusion ends on a hopeful note, as the narrator realizes that they will never be truly alone. The friends and family they have in their life will always be there, and they can draw strength and courage from one another. It’s a reminder to keep looking ahead and face the future with an open heart, as it’s a preface to what’s yet to come.