In 1994, Plankeye released Spill, their first album, which was able to garner enough sales to catch the interest of Tooth and Nail Records. Spill was re-released on Tooth and Nail, as Plankeye went into the studio again to record a slightly less aggressive album, The Spark. In 1996, Plankeye released Commonwealth, which introduced a more polished and mature sound. Over the course of the next year, the group toured constantly, opening for the Newsboys. In November 1997, the group released their best selling album, The One & Only. To promote this album, Plankeye headlined "The One & Only Tour", featuring opening act, the Insyderz. One year later, lead singer Scott Siletta and drummer Adam Ferry left Plankeye to form the short-lived pop-punk band Fanmail. Siletta later formed a record label called "Vanishing Point Records" with a lineup including his new band "The Franchise".
In 1999, Balmer and Garcia released Relocation on a new record label, BEC Recordings. This album featured Plankeye's heartfelt single, "Goodbye". Some wondered if this song was subtly referencing Scott and Adam's departure from the band, something which Eric and Luis refuted.
In 2001, Plankeye's song, "When It Comes", was chosen by MP3.com to be included on their radio show 'The Download'. Plankeye beat out 12,000 or so other Alternative bands on MP3.com to get on the show.
In spring of 2001, Kevin Poush and Louie Ruiz joined Plankeye to record Plankeye's most experimental album to date, Strange Exchange. In 2002, Poush and Ruiz left the band, and Balmer and Garcia recorded Wings to Fly, a greatest-of compilation which also had 6 new songs including a re-recording of "Bicycle", from Commonwealth.
After Plankeye broke up, Eric Balmer formed a band called Fielding with his wife, Beth.
This Is
Plankeye Lyrics
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I'm free to go
Always could walk, no room for growth
And this is the last piece of
Me you'll own
I never thought I'd dig this hole
That I've found myself in,
How I ever got here, please
Let me know
How I ever got here, please
Let me know
It's uncertain beneath these
Feet but I'm not stopping
It's uncertain beneath these
Feet but I'm still walking
It's uncertain beneath these
Feet but we're still walking...
It's been a long time,
I'm free to go
Always could walk, no room for growth
And this is the last piece of
Me you'll own
CH
Fighting things you cannot
Change and
All the ways it turned out
Strange
Exchange the strange for
Better things
If you could I know
You would
If you could I know you
Would yeah yeah
The lyrics of Plankeye's song "This Is" reflect the struggles of feeling trapped and uncertain, but still being determined to keep moving forward. The opening lines set the scene for a new beginning - the singer has been stuck for a long time but is now free to go. However, they acknowledge that their previous path allowed for no growth. The next line hints at a past relationship or situation that caused the singer to lose a part of themselves, but they declare that this is the last piece of themselves that the other person will own.
As the song progresses, the lyrics become even more introspective. The singer is unsure of how they ended up in their current situation and seeks answers. They recognize that the future is uncertain, but are determined to keep moving - even if the ground beneath their feet is shaky. In the chorus, the song takes a more optimistic turn. The singer encourages the listener to let go of the things they cannot change and strive for something better. They acknowledge that it won't be easy, but if it were possible to trade the strange for better things, they know that the listener would do it.
Line by Line Meaning
It's been a long time,
It has been a considerable amount of time since the singer has experienced freedom.
I'm free to go
The singer is now able to leave due to the release from a past captive situation.
Always could walk, no room for growth
The singer has had mobility, but was unable to develop as a person during their time in captivity.
And this is the last piece of
Me you'll own
This is the end of the former captive's possession by their captor.
I never thought I'd dig this hole
The artist did not anticipate the difficult position they have ended up in.
That I've found myself in,
The singer is responsible for where they currently find themselves.
When, I don't know
The singer does not know exactly when their life began to take a turn for the worse.
How I ever got here, please
Let me know
The artist is requesting an explanation for how they ended up in their tough situation.
It's uncertain beneath these
Feet but I'm not stopping
Although the ground is unsteady beneath their feet, the artist is not deterred from moving forward.
It's uncertain beneath these
Feet but I'm still walking
The artist continues to proceed, despite the unstable ground beneath their feet.
It's uncertain beneath these
Feet but we're still walking...
Despite the unstable nature of the ground, everyone continues to move forward together.
Fighting things you cannot
Change and
The artist is struggling with things outside of their control.
All the ways it turned out
Strange
Everything seemed to have gone awry and not played out as expected.
Exchange the strange for
Better things
Replace the bad circumstances with more healthy and positive situations.
If you could I know
You would
If change was possible, the singer has faith that the individual would make it happen.
If you could I know you
Would yeah yeah
The artist is reiterating that they believe that an individual would make a positive change if it was possible.
Writer(s): Eric Balmer, Luis Garcia, Kevin Pousch, Louise Ruiz
Contributed by Daniel Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.