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.
STARS OF TEARS
Joanne Hogg Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The force of life goes on and on
The song remains like a haunting melody
Of angel music held in chains
And I ask you
Can we ease the pain of those who lost (The force of life goes on)
Can we know the cause of all this sorrow (Tears of loneliness)
Falling down upon the earth, falling down...
The waves of time take me deeper into you
A haze as blue as summer skies
And turn to find the key will not unlock the door
This broken bird away it flies
And I ask you
Can we ease the pain of those who lost (The force of life goes on)
Can we know the cause of all this sorrow (Tears of loneliness)
Can we catch the tears of a broken world
Falling down upon the earth, falling down...
"Stars of Tears" by Joanne Hogg speaks of the deep anguish and sorrow of a broken world. The opening lines describe the gentle touch of someone's fingertips on the singer's heart, which is juxtaposed with the force of life that moves on continuously. The haunting melody is reminiscent of angelic music held captive in chains, which is an allusion to the fact that although beauty and sweetness still exist in the world, it is often overshadowed by pain and suffering. The singer then goes on to question whether it is possible to ease the pain of those who have lost and to understand the cause of such sorrow. She longs to catch the tears of a broken world which are falling down upon the earth.
In the next verse, the singer suggests that time is taking her deeper into this broken world. She describes being lost in a haze as blue as summer skies, and attempting to find the key that would unlock the door. Unfortunately, her efforts are in vain, and like a bird, the thing she seeks flies away from her. The singer then once again poses the question of whether it is possible to ease the pain of those who have lost and to understand the cause of such sorrow. She desires to catch these tears of a broken world, recognizing that they are falling down upon the earth.
Line by Line Meaning
Your fingertips moving gently to my heart
The presence of another person has a profound impact on one's heart and soul
The force of life goes on and on
Life persists, despite the struggles and hardships we face
The song remains like a haunting melody
Memories and experiences stay with us, lingering like a melancholic tune
Of angel music held in chains
There is a beauty and purity that is trapped, unable to be fully free
And I ask you
The artist is seeking answers and understanding
Can we ease the pain of those who lost (The force of life goes on)
Even though life continues, we should strive to alleviate the suffering of those affected by loss
Can we know the cause of all this sorrow (Tears of loneliness)
It's important to seek the root of the pain and sadness we experience
Can we catch the tears of a broken world
We should try to offer comfort and support to heal the brokenness of the world
Falling down upon the earth, falling down...
The sadness and grief are pervasive, affecting the entire world and all its inhabitants
The waves of time take me deeper into you
As time passes, our relationships and connections become more meaningful and profound
A haze as blue as summer skies
The singer is lost in a beautiful and peaceful moment
And turn to find the key will not unlock the door
Even with effort and intention, some things cannot be easily resolved or understood
This broken bird away it flies
Something fragile and beautiful is lost or broken, unable to be restored
Contributed by Alexis F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
EstebanGamer636 YT
Lyrics:
Your fingertips
Moving gently to my heart
The force of life goes on and on
The song remains
Like a haunting melody
Of angel music held in chains
And I ask you
Can we ease the pain of those who lost
(The force of life goes on)
Can we know the cause of all this sorrow
(Tears of lonliness)
Can we catch the tears of a broken world
Falling down upon the earth...
(Falling down)
The waves of time take me deeper into you
A haze as blue as summer skies
And turn to find
The key will not unlock the door
This broken bird away it flies
And I ask you
Can we ease the pain of those who lost
(The force of life goes on)
Can we know the cause of all this sorrow
(Tears of lonliness)
Can we catch the tears of a broken world
Falling down upon the earth...
(Falling down)
hamburger helper
its crazy that despite the game being literally unfinished, people still love it to death
نو نيم
It may be unfinished but it reaches ridiculous heights that makes most of its problem nothing in the big picture.
Vampire Prince
I think they put all budget in the first half of the game
Bwaka 67
The first half alone is better than most games to me, Of course if they had time and budget for the 2nd half, it was going to be a complete masterpiece, Hopefully one day, A remake will be made, it doesnt even have to be super HQ graphics or anything
Joshua Kennedy
They could have ended it with the first part with a sequel planned and I would still rate the first a 10/10
Ivan Casati
I dream of a remake trailer kicking off with the forest encounter between Fei and Elly and this song coming in... and my eyes get watery at the thought. Just goes to show the power and beauty of music and storytelling.
budakbaong siah
Even after more than 20 years this is still one of the best song I've ever heard in my life, from video game or otherwise.
Keith Delgado
bruh.. I thought I thought alone on this.. Thank you. Best over world theme ever.. i always wished this would play while link was riding epeona all over hyrule looking for navi
The Ikon Channel
Agreed. The lyrics and music try to capture the sheer joy and tragedy of existence.
Disgaealikerasap
Joanne still sounds as good as this 25 years later!