Gaines studied art before becoming a singer as a teenager. He joined a local cover band then left later and released his first, self-titled album in 1992 after signing to Chrysalis Records. He released albums in 1994 and 1998, then had a breakthrough in 2001 when his cover of " In Your Eyes " became an Adult Contemporary hit. Speaking with Songfacts about his record company experience, Gaines said: "I think it was great recording for a label - that label, any label - it has been great. Since leaving Chrysalis / EMI, I went on to do the same thing for other labels, and those experiences have gone and are going great as well. In the US, I recorded for Rykodisc and Artemis Recors. Overseas, my records came out on Epic, Virgin."
Gaines continues to perform live.
http://www.jeffreygaines.com
Why?
Jeffrey Gaines Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hurt or kill or maim
To take a dream or life away
And why would you hear the calling
In your Napoleonic mind
To hurt so many people that way
Why would you want to pull the trigger
Of a black shaft of steel
And why would you want to put a stop
To something moving so strong
Didn't your mother teach you right from wrong
Why
How could you think it over
And still you follow through
Is there no one in this world who loves you
And what would inspire such violence
I haven't got a clue
What a truly wasteful thing to do
What makes a person like you tick
Are there voices in your head
Why would you want to see another dead
And I'm not one for choosing sides
Because I've always been alone
But I heard the news today across the telephone
They a said a boy from a band
With a good looking future had it taken away
And all that you've left me to say is
Why
The lyrics of Jeffrey Gaines's song "Why?" probe into the mind of a person who indulges in violent behavior. The singer is trying to understand why someone would choose to harm others or take their lives away. He questions their ability to feel empathy and compassion, and wonders how they could be driven to commit such atrocities. He also questions whether there was anyone who loved or cared for them, indicating that perhaps the person's emotional state was a result of neglect or emotional trauma.
The singer is trying to find a way to understand the root cause of the person's violent tendencies. He questions what motivates them, whether it is some inner voice or a deep-seated psychological issue. He also points out the futility and wastefulness of violence, highlighting the loss of precious lives and dreams.
Overall, the song is a powerful commentary on the destructive nature of violence and the need for empathy, love, and understanding in our society.
Line by Line Meaning
Why would you want to
What is the motivation behind your desire to
Hurt or kill or maim
Inflict physical or emotional harm, end a life, or injure severely
To take a dream or life away
Steal someone's aspirations or deprive them of their existence
And why would you hear the calling
What compels you to hear a voice or impulse to
In your Napoleonic mind
Within your delusional and self-centered thoughts
To hurt so many people that way
Cause pain and suffering to numerous individuals
Why would you want to pull the trigger
What motivates you to fire a gun
Of a black shaft of steel
From the end of a dark metal weapon
Where have you lost the ability to feel
Have you become numb to compassion or empathy
And why would you want to put a stop
What drives you to halt the progress of
To something moving so strong
Something that is powerful and has momentum
Didn't your mother teach you right from wrong
Were you not taught basic moral values by your parental figure
Why
What is the underlying reason for your actions
How could you think it over
How did you logically consider your actions and still proceed
And still you follow through
Despite any hesitation or doubt, you carried out your plan
Is there no one in this world who loves you
Do you lack anyone in your life who has affection for you
And what would inspire such violence
What outside force or internal motivation would ignite this level of aggression
I haven't got a clue
I have no idea or explanation for this behavior
What a truly wasteful thing to do
What a pointless and meaningless act
What makes a person like you tick
What is the psychological makeup or driving force for someone similar to you
Are there voices in your head
Do you hear auditory hallucinations or have inner thoughts guiding you
Why would you want to see another dead
What motivates you to desire the death of someone else
And I'm not one for choosing sides
I'm typically not one for taking a stance
Because I've always been alone
Because I have been isolated or without companionship
But I heard the news today across the telephone
I received information through a call today
They a said a boy from a band
The news reported a male musician from a group
With a good looking future had it taken away
He had a promising future, but it was cut short
And all that you've left me to say is
All that remains for me to express is
Why
The ultimate question for the reasoning behind this senseless tragedy
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: JEFFREY GAINES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Alexandria Sun ☀️
Love I get so lost, sometimes
Days pass and this emptiness fills my heart
When I want to run away
I drive off in my car
But whichever way I go
I come back to the place you are
All my instincts, they return
And the grand facade, so soon will burn
Without a noise, without my pride
I reach out from the inside
In your eyes
The light, the heat
In your eyes
I am complete
In your eyes
I see the doorway to a thousand churches
In your eyes
The resolution of all the fruitless searches
In your eyes
I see the light and the heat
In your eyes
Oh, I want to be that complete
I want to touch the light
The heat I see in your eyes
Love, I don't like to see so much pain
So much wasted and this moment keeps slipping away
I get so tired of working so hard for our survival
I look to the time with you to keep me awake and alive
And all my instincts, they return
And the grand facade, so soon will burn
Without a noise, without my pride
I reach out from the inside
In your eyes
The light, the heat
In your eyes
I am complete
In your eyes
I see the doorway to a thousand churches
In your eyes
The resolution of all the fruitless searches
In your eyes
I see the light and the heat
In your eyes
Oh, I want to be that complete
I want to touch the light
The heat I see in your eyes
In your eyes, in your eyes
In your eyes, in your eyes
In your eyes, in your eyes
Red Rocks
I’ve been listening to this cover for over 10 years & it never gets old!!! 💜💜💜
Guy Noir
20 years here. Still damn good
AB CD
Been about 5 yrs and I'm back
Lisa Richie Boehm
My favorite cover by anyone EVER!!! LOVE THIS AND JEFFREY
Pete Pull
This song always gets me depressed however this version doesn't. This is probably the only version I'll now listen to
psychorabbitt
I couldn't even guess how long it's been. I just know the first time I heard it was in an anime music video with scenes from Martian Successor Nadesico. So probably close to 20 years at this point.
Tammi Taylor
I've known Jeffrey for years and have sang with him. He's from the Harrisburg, PA area and is one of the nicest guys around!! Listen to more of his work... Hero in Me and Dark Love song in particular - both originals he wrote himself, then you may appreciate him even more!!
Vincent Hopwood
Back in college, I sang "I Don't Think So" as part of a class project. Next time you see Mr. Gaines, thank him for the "A" I got in my Music and Culture class for me. ;)
Bella Noche
I remember Hero in me!!
Diego Herra
incredibe piece of work