It was during this period that he became acquainted with his future partner Mark Avsec, a musician then playing keyboards for Wild Cherry. Unfortunately, Wild Cherry ended up being regarded as another one-hit-wonder, and Iris was out of a job by 1980. But Iris and Avsec, and their new band, titled "The Cruisers", returned to the charts several times in the 80s. Iris particularly scored hits with the songs "Ah, Leah!" (a track from 'Back to the Streets' that reached #29 on the Billboard Hot 100), "Love is Like a Rock" (reaching #37 on that Billboard chart), and "My Girl" (reaching #25 on that Billboard chart). "Ah, Leah!" has became known as Iris' 'signature song' and has been included in many multi-artist compilation albums.
According to reporting by D. X. Ferris in the Cleveland Scene, "Ah, Leah!" was the topic of an (apparently frivolous) lawsuit claiming that certain lyrics were stolen from a demo provided by an amateur songwriter. Iris and producer Mark Avsec prevailed, but incurred significant legal fees.
Born in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, Iris first began singing at weddings at age five, and, by age eight, he was performing on local television and entering talent contests. When his voice changed, he took up the drums but later got back into singing while in high school. A self-taught guitarist, he formed "Donnie & the Donnells" while in college.
Aside from his initial hits, with "Ah, Leah!" particularly getting big attention nationwide as an 80s classic, Iris and the Cruisers were unable to achieve major success outside of the Pennsylvania area. Yet they still have recorded and performed in the Ohio Valley for a great many years, being known for their classic rock n roll inspired live performances. Donnie Iris and the Cruisers released their most recent album, titled 'Ah! Leluiah!', on November 18, 2010. That release is the artist's first Christmas album.
His official website is at http://www.donnieiris.com/ but the most recent news there dates from 2010.
Sweet Merilee
Donnie Iris Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sneaking through the glass
When I taste her lips
I know the night time ain't for sleeping
Cause morning comes too fast with Merilee
Sweet Merilee
[Chorus]
Merilee please don't go
I need you so
You've got to know
I'll never let you go
Merilee
Laying on her side
The clouds desert the sky
Washing her with moonlight
In a Cinderella sleep
The twilight kissed her eyes
Dream a little dream of me tonight Merilee
Sweet Merilee
[Chorus]
In "Sweet Merilee," Donnie Iris describes his infatuation with a woman named Merilee. He describes her as coming on like "daylight softly creeping," which could suggest that she brings light and warmth to his life. He also suggests that he can't sleep at night when he's with her because he doesn't want the night to end. The line "when I taste her lips, I know the night time ain't for sleeping" suggests that his passion for her keeps him up all night.
The chorus of the song emphasizes how much the singer needs and wants Merilee to stay with him, never to leave him. He tells her that he'll never let her go. In the second verse, Iris depicts Merilee sleeping, with the twilight kissing her eyes. He compares her to Cinderella, which could suggest that he sees her as a magical, romantic figure worthy of being swept off her feet. Overall, the song paints a vivid picture of a man who is head over heels in love with a woman he sees as his partner for life.
Line by Line Meaning
She comes on like daylight softly creeping
She enters my life quietly and gradually, like the sun rising on a calm morning
Sneaking through the glass
Moving smoothly and silently, like a beam of light reflecting through a window
When I taste her lips
Her kiss is so sweet and intense that it wakes me up from my slumber
I know the night time ain't for sleeping
Her presence is so lively and engaging that I can't relax till dawn
Cause morning comes too fast with Merilee
I never want the time spent with her to end, but the morning invariably comes sooner than expected
Sweet Merilee
She's a kind and lovely person that I find irresistible
Merilee please don't go
I'm afraid to lose her, and I want her to stay with me forever
I need you so
I depend on her affection, companionship, and support to be happy
You've got to know
I want her to realize how much I care about her and how much she means to me
I'll never let you go
I'll do everything in my power to keep her close to me and never lose her
Laying on her side
She's resting comfortably and peacefully, lying on one side of her body
The clouds desert the sky
The night sky is clear and starry, and the clouds have disappeared
Washing her with moonlight
The moon's soft and gentle light is covering her body, making her look beautiful and ethereal
In a Cinderella sleep
She's sleeping soundly, like the princess in the fairy tale before the clock strikes midnight
The twilight kissed her eyes
The evening light is caressing her eyes, giving her a serene and delicate expression
Dream a little dream of me tonight Merilee
I hope she has beautiful dreams of me and our relationship, and wakes up feeling happy and fulfilled
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DONNIE IERACE, MARK AVSEC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Robert Jones
This album was so good, I will never know why it didn't get bigger and Donnie should have been a Rock and Roll Super Star.
Lynne
He still rocks the house down. He just turned 80 years old, and can still hit some of those high notes very well. And he is a genuinely super nice man. Pittsburgh gal here, Gen X baby and Dawnie Ahhhris fan till I drop.
Rich Mappe
@Christopher Wood Gotta disagree on the too old. I watched him rock the house of all age groups when he was in his 30's though his 60's. I do agree, he needed an image maker on MTV. It would have been easy with Donnie,.
Christopher Wood
My theory is that Donnie was too old for his audience at the time. Image meant a lot during the MTV days.
Headbanging MAMA
Donnie is a rock and roll superstar!🎵🎶🎸
Kirk Cekada
Either didn't get enough promotion -- or maybe the wrong sound at the wrong time. Pop songs tended to better than rock songs in the early 80s. But I guess that is often the case.
gypsyThree97
He should be in the rock and roll hall of fame.
Scouts Out
.. are you kidding ! That place is reserved for Bieber, man .
.. i jest of course ....
Shawn Hellion
@Allen you are correct
Allen
RRHOF is a joke.