They are contemporaries of fellow Celtic artists Enya and Clannad; however, Iona's works are also influenced heavily by jazz-fusion, prog-rock and ancient Christian themes.
For Iona's 1990 debut album, the band added: drummer Terl Bryant, bassist Nick Beggs (former bassist of Kajagoogoo) and several studio musicians -- Fiona Davidson (Celtic harp), Peter Whitfield (strings), Troy Donockley (Uillean pipes) and Frank Van Essen (tuned percussion). The self-titled album received very little press, even in their home country, though a Dutch network compiled a documentary based on Iona, the band and the island.
Two years later, Iona returned with "Book of Kells", and the album was praised by North American critics
as well as those of the British Isles. David Fitzgerald left in 1992 to pursue a degree in music and, as a result, Iona lost much of its jazz influences by the following year's Beyond These Shores. The group made up for Fitzgerald's absence, however, by inviting Robert Fripp to guest on the album. Both albums also featured former Kajagoogoo bassist/stickist Nick Beggs. A contract with England's Alliance Music led to "Journey into the Morn"; the album was released in 1996 in the U.S. and Canada, and was listed among the top five folk albums in Q Magazine's Year End Review. "Heaven's Bright Sun", a live album, came the following year, then "Woven Cord" in 2000, and "Open Sky" in 2001.
Their latest release, new to 2007, is called "The Circling Hour".
iona has been a Leipzig, Germany based postrock-band from 2005-2010 that now reemerges as The Yuki Rush. https://ionanoise.bandcamp.com/album/a-noise
There is also a Romanian experimental / hip hop band who also go by the name "Iona",
Today
Iona Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Today, the sky is bluer than it has ever been.
And today, my heart is beating like I've never felt it beat.
And today, the flowers are growing from the ground beneath my feet.
Today, my hope is stronger and the vision's clearer.
To walk in love eternal, the path that takes me nearer.
And to You, the music's playing like it has never done.
In You, I live.
In You, I live.
In You, I live and breathe.
And to You, the music's playing like it has never done.
And to You, my feet are dancing underneath the sun.
In You, I live.
In You, I live.
In You, I live and breathe.
In You, I live.
In You, I live.
In You, I live and breathe.
The song Today by Iona depicts a sense of joy and fulfillment that the singer is experiencing. The grass, sky, and flowers all seem to have taken on a new, brighter appearance. This is a metaphor for the singer's inner state, which is filled with hope, optimism, and a greater sense of purpose. The lyrics suggest that this newfound sense of exuberance is the result of a deeper connection with a higher power, possibly God. The line "In You, I live and breathe" reinforces this idea, suggesting a powerful bond between the singer and their faith.
The second verse of the song builds on the first, describing a more profound sense of clarity and direction. The singer feels that they are on a path towards "love eternal," and that the music within them is playing louder than ever before. This line could be interpreted literally or metaphorically, depending on the listener's perspective. Either way, it adds to the overall impression of the song as a celebration of spiritual awakening.
Overall, Today is an optimistic, uplifting song that encourages listeners to embrace hope and joy, even in difficult times. By connecting with something greater than themselves, the singer has found a renewed sense of purpose and vitality. This message is likely to resonate with many people who are seeking a deeper connection with their faith or spirituality.
Line by Line Meaning
Today, the grass is greener than I have ever seen.
Today, everything seems brighter and more full of life than I have ever experienced before. The grass is especially vivid and lush.
Today, the sky is bluer than it has ever been.
The sky is a deeper blue than I have ever noticed, and it feels like a perfect backdrop to the expansive beauty of the world around me.
And today, my heart is beating like I've never felt it beat.
I am full of excitement and passion for life today. My heart is racing with joy and anticipation.
And today, the flowers are growing from the ground beneath my feet.
I am surrounded by the miracle of life and growth today. Everywhere I look, I see signs of new beginnings and fresh starts.
Today, my hope is stronger and the vision's clearer.
I am feeling optimistic and confident about my future today. My goals and aspirations are crystal clear, and I believe I can achieve them.
To walk in love eternal, the path that takes me nearer.
My ultimate goal is to live a life of love, and I am focused on staying on a path that will bring me closer to that goal every day.
And to You, the music's playing like it has never done.
I feel a heightened sense of connection to a higher power or spiritual force today, and it feels like the world is pulsing with energy and music that I have never experienced before.
And to You, my feet are dancing underneath the sun.
I am filled with a sense of joy and movement today, and I feel like I am dancing through life under the warmth and light of the sun.
In You, I live.
I feel like my entire being is wrapped up in a sense of purpose or meaning that comes from a deeper spiritual source.
In You, I live and breathe.
My connection to a higher power or sense of spirituality is so strong that it permeates every aspect of my being, including my breath and my physical existence.
In You, I live.
My connection to something beyond myself is so deep and profound that it feels like my true home and identity.
In You, I live and breathe.
Every inhale and exhale feels like a prayer or an act of faith, as I am constantly reminded of the force of love and connection that sustains me.
Contributed by Charlie O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Jeremy Carpenter
I love this group
light
They stole this from marshmallo
Lilla Almadi
@BanBan Chi I've got no idea, but they claim Iona stole the song from him. 😀
BanBan Chi
@Lilla Almadi I'll do you one better, who is Marshmello?
Retro Fan
Shut up zoomer
Lanie Light
They don't steal anything, would Not steal anything, but all they compose and execute is original. That is against their faith and morality.
joealexg89 89
Seriously? Go back and think hard about your comment.
You just slammed some ultra talented progressive musicians (who released this song 27 years ago) because of a flash-in-the-pan DJ born in 1992. He was literally one year old in 1993.