She started working as a junior doctor in the Belfast Hospital, but in 1988 she was invited to form a band with Dave Fitzgerald and Dave Bainbridge. In 1989, Joanne stopped practicing medicine and Iona was born. Since then, Joanna has sung all over Europe and America. Iona's recordings have become successful worldwide, making them Europe's best selling contemporary Christian band.
Hogg recorded her first solo album, Looking Into Light, in 1999. Her vocals were featured in the role-playing games Xenogears (for the Sony PlayStation) and Xenosaga (for the Sony PlayStation 2). She sang the English versions of Star of Tears and Small Two of Pieces from Xenogears, and Pain and Kokoro from Xenosaga. Star of Tears was featured on the 2-disc Xenogears: Original Soundtrack; however, the song is not normally accessible in the game. Hogg collaborated with several artists for the album New Irish Hymns and provided the female vocals on both solo releases from Troy Donockley.
Pain
Joanne Hogg Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Then we tear our hearts apart
We are too close and I can feel the pain
Fill my empty heart
Is this pain too much for me?
Can I stay the same?
When this pain consumes my heart
Kindness is something I don't want or need
The sunshine would just dissolve me into light
Give me a pain as pleasing as your sigh
So I can feel you all the day and night
And keep me from fading away
Even when we behold each other
Somehow our eyes do not meet
And when you hold me in your strong embrace
Still I feel no heat
But it gives me such delight
To feel you closer now
I know I am true to myself
Though it cuts deep into my heart somehow
Kindness is something I don't want or need
The sunshine would just dissolve me into light
Give me a pain as pleasing as your sigh
So I can feel you all the day and night
And keep me from fading away
Kindness is something I don't want or need
The sunshine would just dissolve me into night
Give me a pain as pleasing as your sigh
So I can feel you all the day and night
And keep me from fading away
Joanne Hogg's song "Pain" delves into the complexities of love and relationships, exploring the pain that comes with being too close to someone. The first stanza describes the initial touch between two people, which ultimately leads to their hearts being torn apart. The intimacy between them is too intense, and the pain fills the emptiness in their hearts. The question arises whether the pain is too much to bear, and whether the person can remain the same amidst such intense emotions. The pain ultimately consumes the heart entirely, and the person must fight to hold onto their soul.
The second stanza talks about how the person does not want or need kindness or warmth, as it would just dissolve them like sunshine. They are looking for a pain that is pleasing, as it is a reminder of the person they love. The pain keeps them from fading away, and they are willing to endure it just to feel close to their loved one. Even when they are close and holding each other, they feel no heat, but the person finds delight in just being closer to their loved one.
The idea of wanting pain as a means to feel closer to someone may seem counterintuitive, but it speaks to the intensity of emotions that come with love and relationships. It is a beautifully written song that brings out the different emotions that come with intimacy and love.
Line by Line Meaning
First we touch, and we hurt each other
Our first contact causes us to hurt each other
Then we tear our hearts apart
Subsequently, we painfully and destructively separate
We are too close and I can feel the pain
Our proximity causes me immense emotional anguish
Fill my empty heart
I need emotional validation
Is this pain too much for me?
I question my ability to handle this emotional torture
Can I stay the same?
I wonder if I can maintain my emotional stability
When this pain consumes my heart
When my emotional agony becomes all-consuming
Will I be able to hold on to my soul?
I fear losing a crucial piece of myself through this experience
Kindness is something I don't want or need
I do not desire or require sympathy or empathy
The sunshine would just dissolve me into light
Joy would strip me of my identity and existence
Give me a pain as pleasing as your sigh
I want the misery of missing you to feel pleasurable
So I can feel you all the day and night
I crave to be immersed in thoughts of you constantly
And keep me from fading away
I hope this pain saves me from losing myself entirely
Even when we behold each other
Even when we look at each other
Somehow our eyes do not meet
Our gazes do not connect
And when you hold me in your strong embrace
When you hug me tightly
Still I feel no heat
It brings me no emotional warmth
But it gives me such delight
Nonetheless, it brings me happiness
To feel you closer now
To experience your nearness currently
I know I am true to myself
I possess authenticity in my feelings and actions
Though it cuts deep into my heart somehow
Even though it causes me immense pain
Contributed by Sydney M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Sam M.
It seems Monolithsoft likes to have songs with lyrics at the end. It just pushes everything to the next level.
Brady otter
Sam M. Every Xeno game I believe.
Roy Marks
This song is sung by Joanne Hogg, a vocal of the Scottish Celtic rock band (Iona). She sings some other great songs and I want you to listen.
Jonathan Kozenko
She sang both songs from the Xenogears soundtrack as well, right? I really loved both of those (and always quite liked this as well)
LPJetski
@Jonathan Kozenkothe ending song from Xenoblade 3 future redeemed now too
Jonathan Kozenko
@LPJetski Damn - and here I thought Xenoblade 3 was still in the works; sadly I haven't played any of them.. I own the first for the Wii but don't have a Switch for the sequels
LPJetski
@Jonathan Kozenko I HIGHLY recommend you play them as soon as you get the opportunity. The DLC for xenoblade 3 is especially incredible and really brings together all of Xeno. They’re so good
Mojojojo X
This song gives me lots of 90's animated movie credit vibes.
Pineyy
Beat the game tonight. I wasn't ready to experience the same pain I did finishing Xenoblade 2. Xenoblade 2 almost completely copied this ending. Both are absolutely incredible though. Looking forward to playing Saga 2 soon.
Lvl 251
I just rebeat it last night such a great series