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.
Dark Star
James Iha Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
surround me I feel new
Hours are slowing, the air is warming diffused,
beneath a paper moon
You spin around and sway, you trip the falling light
Dark star gone astray, won't you shine with me tonight
is it me you're dreaming of?
Is this morning? tell me everything true, intoxicating you
You spin around and sway, you trip the falling light
Dark star gone astray, won't you shine with me tonight
Oh darkness fall away, I know by second sight
Our paper moon will wane, I tried to say good night
Good night sorrow, say good byes for tomorrow
I'll be sailing around your sun,
may tomorrow never come
You turn around and sway, you trip the falling light
Dark star gone astray, won't you shine with me tonight
You turn around and sway, you trip the falling light
Dark star gone astray, won't you shine with me tonight
You turn around and sway, you trip the falling light
The lyrics of James Iha's "Dark Star" reflects a sense of desperation and yearning towards someone or something. It starts with the persona expressing their inability to control their feelings - "can't stop falling, my seams are showing through," as they reach out for help and comfort to someone or something to make them feel new again - "surround me I feel new." The persona continues to express their disorientation as they lose track of time and their surroundings - "hours are slowing, the air is warming diffused, beneath a paper moon."
The second verse reflects a sense of hope as the persona feels the warmth of love and wonders if it is meant for them - "day ascending, lightning sending me love, is it me you're dreaming of?" The persona feels intoxicated by the optimistic feeling that comes from the possibility of love. The chorus repeats the persona's plea for someone or something - "Dark star gone astray, won't you shine with me tonight" - as they try to find a source of light in their dark situation. The bridge expresses the persona's uncertainty about the future and their desire to live in the present moment - "Good night sorrow, say good byes for tomorrow, I'll be sailing around your sun, may tomorrow never come."
Overall, the lyrics of "Dark Star" highlight the persona's sense of desperation and hopelessness towards their situation. They seek comfort and light from someone or something to pull them out of their darkness and bask in the warmth of love and optimism.
Line by Line Meaning
Can't stop falling, my seams are showing through,
I am deeply in love and it's starting to show as I can't help but fall harder and harder.
surround me I feel new
The love I'm experiencing is refreshing and rejuvenating, making me feel like a new person.
Hours are slowing, the air is warming diffused,
Time seems to move more slowly, and everything around me feels warm and hazy, like a dream.
beneath a paper moon
This experience feels somewhat surreal, like it's all happening under a delicate and fleeting illusion.
You spin around and sway, you trip the falling light
Your movements are graceful and hypnotic, making everything around us seem to swirl and dance.
Dark star gone astray, won't you shine with me tonight
The lost and lonely parts of ourselves can come together in this moment, creating something that shines brilliantly.
Day ascending, lightning sending me love,
As the day begins, I feel electrified by the love that surrounds me.
is it me you're dreaming of?
I wonder if you are also feeling the same intensity of emotion that I am.
Is this morning? tell me everything true, intoxicating you
I am so swept up in this experience that I am unsure of what is actually happening, and I hope that you feel the same intoxication as I do.
Oh darkness fall away, I know by second sight
I am certain that this darkness will pass and that we will come out stronger on the other side.
Our paper moon will wane, I tried to say good night
As much as we want this moment to last, we know that it cannot, and must say goodbye to the temporary illusion that has been created.
Good night sorrow, say good byes for tomorrow
We must acknowledge the sadness that comes with the end of something beautiful, and prepare ourselves to face a new day.
I'll be sailing around your sun,
I will continue to revolve my life around you and the love that we share.
may tomorrow never come
I hope that we can live in this moment forever, and that the future will never have to come between us.
Contributed by Penelope D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.