Spring-boarding his musical career during his 10 years living in New York City with early musical roots in the East Village, Lieb took the NYC songwriting scene by storm. After his first performance at Sidewalk Café he was immediately swooped into meetings with producers, label execs and collaborators of the highest caliber. After a year or so exploring the big-labels, Eli put on the brakes and retreated to his hometown of Fairfield, Iowa. It was in this rural refuge where Eli was able to write one of this year’s most exciting club-beat driven albums from his own musical instincts.
Perhaps one of the keys to understanding Lieb’s intuitive sense of melody and insightful candid lyrics has to do with his lifelong practice of Transcendental Meditation. Raised in an environment in which he practiced daily, he was taught as a child and has been meditating daily since. Eli describes it as a very different upbringing, which he is entirely grateful for: “meditation allows me to go through life with positivity and joy and makes me feel a deep connection to the underlying currents that we are all a part of.” TM is the same meditation that the Maharishi introduced to the Beatles and which the David Lynch Foundation supports with numerous educational outreaches.
While the production value on Eli Lieb is of the utmost quality, the honest lyrical content was written the same way any bedroom record is written: straight from the hip, from the depths of the heart; Eli’s tremendous talent, craft, and heart-felt production shines through on every track.
Tightrope
Eli Lieb Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Your lights dimmed my breath away
I took my bow and left the stage
But you kept on wanting more
But I just couldn't stay
Tight rope walking fire breathing
I'm sleep walking trapeze falling
I'm losing sight of you again tonight
Your tongue ripped my voice away
And I bled out all on the stage
And you kept on taking more
And I just couldn't stay
Tight rope walking fire breathing
I'm losing sight of you again tonight
I'm sleep walking trapeze falling
I'm losing sight of you again tonight
Now that you're gone I can breath again
I won't back down this time
Tight rope walking fire breathing
I'm losing sight of you again tonight
I'm sleep walking trapeze falling
I'm losing sight of you again tonight
In the song "Tightrope" by Eli Lieb, the lyrics initially show the intense attraction the singer feels for someone, who they seemingly performed for but couldn't continue to do so. This person may have been demanding and unsatisfied with what the singer could give, eventually leading to the singer feeling like they were "losing sight" of them. The comparisons to "tightrope walking" and "fire breathing" suggest that the relationship was precarious and dangerous to maintain.
Later, the lyrics reveal that the other person may have been verbally abusive, as the singer describes their "tongue" ripping away their voice and causing them to "bleed out" on stage. Despite this mistreatment, the other person continued to demand more, and the singer could not bring themselves to stay. However, once the other person has left, the singer feels empowered and able to breathe again.
Overall, the lyrics of "Tightrope" depict a tumultuous relationship that ultimately becomes emotionally and physically damaging for the singer. The imagery of circus performances adds to the feeling of instability and uncertainty in the relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Your lights dimmed my breath away
Your presence or performance was so captivating that I was left breathless and in awe.
I took my bow and left the stage
I gracefully left the situation or relationship, implying it was a performance or act.
But you kept on wanting more
Despite my departure, you still demanded more of me.
But I just couldn't stay
I lacked the ability to remain in the situation or relationship any longer.
Your tongue ripped my voice away
Your words were hurtful and damaging to the point where I could no longer speak up.
And I bled out all on the stage
I suffered emotional pain and it was on full display for others to see.
And you kept on taking more
Despite my pain, you continued to take from me.
And I just couldn't stay
I lacked the ability to remain in the situation or relationship any longer.
Now that you're gone I can breath again
Now that I am no longer in this situation or relationship, I can finally relax and find peace.
I won't back down this time
I am determined to stand my ground and not give in to pressure or manipulation.
Tight rope walking fire breathing
Metaphorically balancing on a thin line and taking risks.
I'm losing sight of you again tonight
I am once again losing focus or perspective on the situation or relationship with you.
I'm sleep walking trapeze falling
Navigating through the situation or relationship while feeling disconnected and vulnerable.
Contributed by Bailey D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@valdeirxaviertoreta1336
We need more originals. I Love you, Eli.
@dingyi2132129
11 years still love it. Pure gold.
@kyler2339
Honestly even to this day this is one of my favorite songs. I fall more and more in love with this song EVERYTIME that I listen to it. This is the song that made me a fan :)
@Kimes15
I remember listening to this song when you first published it on here. That was almost 2 years ago. Today I was in the car thinking of your song (Tightrope) and I thought when I get home I gotta listen to that song! I love it. Big fan of you, and your music. By the way your voice is freaking amazing!
@karlopasaricek6334
This song is amazing.Even now,I still get chills
@CHUNT274
ELI, U HAVE A VERY POWERFUL, PASSIONATE VOICE! I LOVE UR COVERS AND LOVE UR ORIGINALS! WISH SOMEONE WOULD SIGN U CAUSE THEY WOULD BE HITTING A JACKPOT!
@elshaddai3134
eli i love you soo much and can listen to your songs a thousand times
@sandrasnyder771
Your voice takes my breath away!!
@perksofbeingaklainer
Absolutely beautiful. Please go on tour <3 (:
@coletuber1361
Wow, God Bless you I love all your originals. How come we haven't seen you on MTV yet?? Who ever brings people to MTV and make them stars could you please take a look at this guy? He's got MAGIC!!!!