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
what it is
Jeffrey Gaines Lyrics
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Stare out into nowhere
But I still can see your face
The more time that I stare right into you
It leaves a bitter taste
I remember how I took you in
And kept you warm
Gave you shelter from the storm
And the sun appeared
You'd be off an running
What it is that keeps me loving you
Both day and night
Can't seem to get you off my mind
And what it is that keeps me wondering
If you're alright
Through my empty days and never ending nights
The first time ever that I saw
Your lovely eyes so new
The more times I demand love from them
I see the less of you
Now you've got me climbing up and down
These lonely stairs
Looking for you everywhere
And as soon as the day would break
And you'd appear
I'd be off and running
What it is that keeps me loving you
Both day and night
Can't seem to get you off my mind
And what it is that keeps me wondering
If you're alright
Through my empty days and never ending nights
The lyrics to Jeffrey Gaines's song "What it is" speak about a relationship that has turned bitter. The singer stares out into nowhere but still sees the face of his/her significant other whom they have given shelter and warmth from the storm. However, the more time the singer spends staring into their partner's face, the more bitter the taste becomes. The singer wonders why they cannot seem to get their partner off his/her mind and love for them continues both day and night, despite the empty days and never-ending nights. The relationship has seemingly turned into a cycle of running away and coming back, and the singer can't seem to get out of it. They remember the first time they saw their partner's lovely eyes, so new, and how demanding love from them only brought them further apart. The song speaks to the confusing and emotional toll a toxic relationship can take on an individual, and the difficulty in letting go.
The lyrics themselves create a powerful image of someone staring off into the distance and being unable to focus on anything else. The more they stare, the more they see the person they can't seem to get out of their mind. The singer is reaching out to the other person in the relationship, wondering if they're okay, yet seemingly trapped in the never-ending cycle of loving them, wanting them, and then being left again. It's easy to connect to these lyrics if you've ever been trapped in a toxic relationship, not knowing how to let go.
Line by Line Meaning
Sometimes I
At times I
Stare out into nowhere
Gaze into the distance
But I still can see your face
Yet, I can still picture your visage
The more time that I stare right into you
The longer I scrutinize you
It leaves a bitter taste
I feel a sourness within
I remember how I took you in
I recall sheltering you
And kept you warm
And making sure you were comfortable
Gave you shelter from the storm
Protected you from the elements
And as soon as the clouds would break
Once the sky cleared
And the sun appeared
With sunlight upon us
You'd be off an running
You would be quickly away
What it is that keeps me loving you
What it is that makes me cherish you
Both day and night
Every moment of the day
Can't seem to get you off my mind
Cannot stop thinking of you
And what it is that keeps me wondering
And what makes me question
If you're alright
If everything is good with you
Through my empty days and never ending nights
During the tedious days and whole-night sitting
The first time ever that I saw
Initially I saw
Your lovely eyes so new
Your charming and emerging eyes
The more times I demand love from them
The more I crave for affection from you
I see the less of you
I get to see you lesser
Now you've got me climbing up and down
Now you got me moving up and down
These lonely stairs
This solitary flight of stairs
Looking for you everywhere
Scanning for you at every corner
And as soon as the day would break
Once the day begins
And you'd appear
And when you finally show up
I'd be off and running
I would suddenly run again
What it is that keeps me loving you
What it is that makes me love you
Both day and night
Every single moment
Can't seem to get you off my mind
Cannot stop thinking of you
And what it is that keeps me wondering
And what it is that makes me question
If you're alright
If all is well with you
Through my empty days and never ending nights
During my idle and everlasting nights
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: JEFFREY GAINES, SHEA QUINN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Holly Rippy
Love this song!!! Takes me back.
Bill Smith
In 92 delivering to cbs records in wcp Woburn Ma. they would give me anything new that came out on one of their labels. I thought Jeffrey Gaines would be a household name a long time ago. This whole album was incredible. Still love listening to it!
Chris Ralko
Wonderful song, and tape.