In 1998, Iha released a moderately successful solo album, 'Let it Come Down'. One music video was produced from this album, for the song Be Strong Now, which was also released as a four-track single.
Since the Pumpkins' breakup in 2000, Iha has pursued many projects. He continues to contribute to other artists' recordings, such as Don't Be Sad on Whiskeytown's Pneumonia released in 2001 and further guest appearances for Ivy, but made bigger news when he joined rock band A Perfect Circle in July 2003 in time for their Thirteenth Step club tour. He has since appeared on their 2004 album eMOTIVe as well as contributed remixes of Blue and Outsider. In 2003, he formed Vanessa and the O's. The group released an EP Plus Rien in Sweden the same year.
Iha also collaborated on two tracks with Japanese musician Chara for her 2001 album MADRIGAL. The tracks are called "Boku ni Utsushite" (ボクにうつして）and "Skirt" (スカート).
More recently, Iha has collaborated on musical and fashion design projects in Japan. With the help of longtime friend and manager Isao Izutsu, Iha started the clothing label Vapor in 2001. Iha also scored the Japanese film Linda, Linda, Linda, released in late summer 2005.
On March 31st, 2006, Pitchfork Media reported that Iha will be featured on Norwegian pop singer Annie's follow-up to her highly successful debut, Anniemal, which will reportedly be out near the year's end. Iha also remixed "Me Plus One", a track off of Anniemal.
James also is the bassist of power pop band Tinted Windows. Other members are Taylor Hanson, Adam Schlesinger and Bun E. Carlos. Their self-titled debut album was released in 2009.
His second solo album titled 'Look to the Sky' was released in March 2012.
Beauty
James Iha Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Do you see beauty, do you see love
Right away dear, in the desperate way, no one hears you call
Do you see beauty, do you see love
In the morning light you lay by my side
In the evening it gets so your love begins to shine
The world is changing but my love will remain
There's a love that never comes back down
It feels like something is gonna happen now
The world is changing but my love will remain
Do you see beauty, do you see love, do you see anything at all
In a minute dear, in a whole second, it'll come clear
Do you see beauty, do you see love
Right away dear, in the desperate way, no one hears you call
Do you see beauty, do you see love
Love it calls your name no matter how you try
And I can't recall a time when I didn't love you
Do you see beauty, do you see love, do you see anything at all
In all this time we waste precious time you waste
I can't hide it anymore
Do you see beauty, do you see love, do you see anything at all
In all this time we waste precious time you waste
I can't hide it anymore
Love, love, love
Love is what you keep
Love is what you need
The lyrics to James Iha's song Beauty seem to be an introspective meditation on love and beauty. The verses are talking about the beauty that can be seen in the world if one looks closely enough, but also the desperation that arises when one feels unseen and unheard. The chorus seems to be a call to action, asking the listener if they see these same things too. The song then moves into talking about how love is something that can be felt but not always seen, and how it can't be forced or controlled. Ultimately, it seems that the song is about the inevitability of love, and how it is something that you can't escape no matter how hard you try.
The first verse of the song seems to be talking about the fleeting nature of beauty and love, and how it can be hard to see it in the world around you. The second verse talks more explicitly about the singer's relationship with their lover, and how time changes but their love remains constant. The repetition of the chorus seems to be a question posed to the listener, asking if they are seeing the same things in the world around them that the singer is.
The bridge of the song is particularly poignant, with the singer admitting that they can't hide their love anymore. The final repetition of "love, love, love," seems to be emphasizing the importance of love in life, and how it is something that you need to keep close to you.
Overall, the lyrics to Beauty are introspective and meditative, questioning the nature of beauty, love, and the world around us.
Line by Line Meaning
In a minute dear, in a whole second, it'll come clear
Things that are unclear or uncertain become clear very quickly
Do you see beauty, do you see love
Are you able to appreciate the beauty and love around you?
Right away dear, in the desperate way, no one hears you call
When you are desperate, feeling helpless, and needing help, no one seems to listen
In the morning light you lay by my side
In the morning, you lie next to me, in the light of day
In the evening it gets so your love begins to shine
As the day goes on, your love becomes more apparent and visible
The world is changing but my love will remain
Despite everything that changes in the world, my love will remain constant
There's a love that never comes back down
Love can soar and never diminish
It feels like something is gonna happen now
There's a sense of anticipation and expectation
Love it calls your name no matter how you try
Love will always find you no matter how hard you try to avoid it
And I can't recall a time when I didn't love you
I have always loved you and cannot remember a time when I didn't
In all this time we waste precious time you waste
We waste a lot of time that we could be spending on more productive activities
I can't hide it anymore
I can't keep my feelings hidden any longer
Love is what you keep
Love is something that you hold onto and cherish
Love is what you need
Love is a necessity that all humans require
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Andreas Landgren
most underrated album of all time. can move bridges with its sincerity
Reading Belle
💕
Dar Mag
Loud and clear
M.A Anderson
The lesson is don't work with billy corrigan.
Andreas Landgren
ya!
esther day-morey
This album can put me in such a better mood. Love it
Howa Bouthat
i really loved this album - such a sweet, sing-along, summer vibe
TheFoxfeather
so beautiful! I would play this in a bright sunny day with flowers springing everywhere and cafe shops- or bakery shops- with its aroma circling around the common pigeons that peck at the small specs of crumbs on the paving stones.
Ryan Banik
I bought the album the day it was released in Australia. I played it non-stop for months. Probably six months. Back in the days of CD players and discmans. When discmans were over $300 and you had to hold it flat or it jumped.
Andrew Nicholls
Im from Oz too. My brother bought it after hearing it on Triple J. Few weeks later he owed me $20. I said give me the cd instead. I still have it 20 years later. One of my guilty pleasures this album.