Iris
U.Penn Off the Beat Lyrics
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Has been gone a while
But it's not an illusion
The ache in my heart
Is so much a part of who I am
Something in your eyes
Took a thousand years to get here
Took a thousand years, a thousand years
Hold me close
Hold me close and don't let me go
Hold me close
Like I'm someone that you might know
Hold me close
The darkness just lets us see
Who we are
I've got your life inside of me
Iris, Iris
Once we are born
We begin to forget
The very reason we came
But you I'm sure I've met
Long before the night
The stars went out
We're meeting up again
Hold me close
Hold me close and don't let me go
Hold me close
Like I'm someone that you might know
Hold me close
The darkness just lets us see
Who we are
I've got your life inside of me
Iris, Iris
The stars are bright
But do they know
The universe is beautiful but cold
You took me by the hand
I thought that I was leading you
But it was you made me your man
Machine, I dream where you are
Iris standing in the hall
She tells me I can do it all
Iris wakes to my nightmares
Don't fear the world
It isn't there
Iris playing on the Strand
She buries the boy beneath the sand
Iris says that I will be the death of her
It was not me
Iris, Iris
She said free yourself to be yourself
If only you could see yourself
Free yourself to be yourself
If only you could see
U.Penn Off the Beat's song "Iris" is a powerful, haunting ballad that delves deep into themes of identity, love, and the passage of time. The song's opening lines, "The star that gives us light/Has been gone a while/But it's not an illusion," instantly sets a melancholy and reflective tone for the song, as if the singer is grappling with the reality of his own mortality. The refrain of the song centers around the image of holding someone close and recognizing the connection they share, even if they can't remember it. There's a sense of longing and desperation to the repeated phrase "Hold me close/Like I'm someone that you might know," as if the singer is searching for a lost piece of himself.
One of the most striking lines of the song is "I've got your life inside of me," which hints at a deeper relationship between the singer and the person he's addressing. Is it a metaphorical reference to love and intimacy, or is there a more literal interpretation at play? The line "The darkness just lets us see who we are" further highlights the introspective nature of the lyrics, as if the characters are able to better understand themselves and their place in the world during moments of darkness and loss.
Overall, "Iris" is a beautifully written and emotive song that explores deep themes of love, loss, and self-discovery through powerful imagery and lyrical depth.
Line by Line Meaning
The star that gives us light
The source of our happiness is gone
Has been gone a while
It has been a long time since we felt its warmth
But it's not an illusion
We can't pretend it doesn't matter
The ache in my heart
My emotional pain
Is so much a part of who I am
I can't escape it
Something in your eyes
I can see something special in you
Took a thousand years to get here
I've been waiting my whole life for you
Hold me close
I need your comfort
Hold me close and don't let me go
Stay with me
Like I'm someone that you might know
I want to feel familiar to you
The darkness just lets us see
In our lowest moments we find clarity
Who we are
We learn more about ourselves
I've got your life inside of me
Our lives are intertwined
Iris, Iris
You are the one I need
Once we are born
We forget our purpose
We begin to forget
Over time we lose sight of our goals
The very reason we came
The purpose of our existence
But you I'm sure I've met
I believe we have a connection
Long before the night
Before we met
The stars went out
Before my happiness vanished
We're meeting up again
We have another chance
The stars are bright
The universe is beautiful
But do they know
Do they feel the same?
The universe is beautiful but cold
The beauty is bittersweet
You took me by the hand
You lead me towards happiness
I thought that I was leading you
But you were always in control
But it was you made me your man
You made me feel strong
Machine, I dream where you are
I imagine a more perfect world
Iris standing in the hall
You are always present
She tells me I can do it all
You give me confidence
Iris wakes to my nightmares
My fear wakes me up
Don't fear the world
Don't be afraid
It isn't there
The danger is not real
Iris playing on the Strand
You are carefree and happy
She buries the boy beneath the sand
But you still have regrets
Iris says that I will be the death of her
You think I am dangerous
It was not me
But you are wrong
She said free yourself to be yourself
You told me to be true to myself
If only you could see yourself
If only you knew how special you are
Free yourself to be yourself
Be true to who you are
If only you could see
If only I could make you see
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ADAM CLAYTON, DAVE EVANS, LARRY MULLEN, PAUL DAVID HEWSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@JonahThaon
I fell in love with this cover about 10 years ago and I am thankful to find it again on here. Thank you for the post.
@tstymctst
I've been trying to find out for years who did this cover. It's such a gorgeous arrangement. Thank you for posting it.
@86thdj
I downloaded this like 25 years ago or something. I’m so glad it’s here now!!
@regellery6695
Amazing arrangement, clever intelligent use of resources. Not just a sloppy rehash of the way the goo goo dolls did it. And impeccably performed by soloist, percussion and group in general. I totally love this performances. Thank you
@lowiefallado3609
Oh my! Looking for this cover all my life!
@cabugs
SAME HERE
@sciemonster07
im in love with this cover ♥
@comabearmusic
i love this.
@jenilovespurple
brilliant!
@habagat13
Thanks to Napster and Limewire. 😀