"Pianki means bubble… Read Full Bio ↴A boy, sometimes even a man... but never a guy.
"Pianki means bubbles or marshmallows in Polish. I'm one of those at least. I'm bubbly, right?" A capacity crowd at the Factory, an intimate Rochester, Michigan concert venue, chuckles in unison, and Jeff Pianki sheepishly grins. Ice broken. Time to sing.
Jeff Pianki is a natural. Like Mickey Mantle was born to hit home runs and Carol Burnett was born to make us laugh, this Milford, Michigan based folk musician was born to entertain. His soulful, effortless vocals and folky, simple guitar and banjo riffs hush audiences of all ages. Currently self-recording his debut full-length album, Jeff combines his quiet wit, unassuming nature, and positive outlook with his god-given musical talent to create a formula that has made him one of Michigan's best kept secrets.
While Jeff has kept a low profile for the most part in the new era of building careers via social networking websites, the one site that he has embraced has been YouTube, building a rabid following by posting hours and hours of unedited, raw live footage of himself performing a laundry list of originals, along with some great cover tracks.
Iris
Jeff Pianki Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'll keep my eyelids open wide if
You let me live inside your lightness
And let me see all that I might miss
I wish
That you were here in my apartment
That you would need me still regardless
I've been
Wondering why I cannot fight this
Staying down and feeling lifeless
Hanging on to problems only I can fix
Iris
I'll quit
Shifting blame for my unhappiness
I was ashamed and you caught onto it
We're not the same and we will never fit
Divided
Wondering why I cannot right this
Taking sides and keeping quiet
Try to remember me the way I've always been
Iris
The lyrics of Jeff Pianki's song "Iris" convey a sense of longing, vulnerability, and self-reflection. The opening lines express a desire to fully immerse oneself in the presence and brightness of someone else. The persona wishes for this person to be with them in their apartment, to be needed by them, and ultimately to commit to a relationship. There is a sense of yearning for connection and a fear of missing out on something meaningful.
The next verses delve into the persona's introspection and struggle. They question why they cannot fight against their feelings of being down and lifeless. The persona admits to hanging onto problems that only they can fix, possibly indicating a tendency to shoulder burdens and take responsibility for their own unhappiness. The mention of "Iris" acts as a plea or a reflection on the idealized version of themselves or the relationship they desire. It could also symbolize a longing for clarity and insight.
The second half of the song continues the self-reflection and delves deeper into feelings of division and discontent. The persona acknowledges their own role in their unhappiness, expressing shame that the other person has picked up on it. There is an acceptance that they are not the same and will never fit together. The lines about taking sides and keeping quiet suggest a desire to avoid conflict or confrontation in order to maintain some semblance of belonging.
Line by Line Meaning
I'll keep my eyelids open wide if
I am willing to stay awake and be fully aware if
You let me live inside your lightness
You allow me to exist within your brightness and positivity
And let me see all that I might miss
And grant me the ability to perceive everything I might overlook
I wish
I yearn and long for
That you were here in my apartment
For you to be present and near me within my living space
That you would need me still regardless
That you would still require me, even in spite of any circumstances
Then you and I could finally commit
Then we could at last fully dedicate ourselves to each other
I've been
I have existed and experienced
Wondering why I cannot fight this
Contemplating the reason behind my inability to resist this situation
Staying down and feeling lifeless
Remaining in a low state and lacking vitality
Hanging on to problems only I can fix
Clutching onto issues that can only be resolved by myself
I'll quit
I will cease and desist
Shifting blame for my unhappiness
Transferring responsibility for my own discontentment
I was ashamed and you caught onto it
I felt ashamed and you became aware of it
We're not the same and we will never fit
We are not alike and we will never truly belong together
Divided
Separated or split
Wondering why I cannot right this
Questioning why I cannot correct or resolve this
Taking sides and keeping quiet
Choosing sides and remaining silent
Try to remember me the way I've always been
Attempt to recall me as the person I have consistently been
Iris
Symbolic representation of an ideal or unattainable love
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Jeff Pianki
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind