Iris
breeders Lyrics
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It grows and I sleep standing up
When Iris sleeps over
What a book she'll write
Oh last night
Oh come on, nobody wants that
Sister, sister, oh
We tried hour by hour
Hour by hour
Four hours to daylight, four hours and then
Pour water on me til I live again
When Iris sleeps over
It'll be alright
All last night
But come on, nobody wants that
Sister, sister, oh
We tried hour by hour
Hour by hour
Hour by hour
The song "Iris" by the Breeders is a poetic and abstract description of the singer's experience with a potent drug, likely hallucinogenic in nature. The "four hours in the pot" refers to the brewing process of the drug, which the singer takes for a long and transformative trip. The line "one hour out / It grows and I sleep standing up" may refer to the sensation of the drug's effects continuing to intensify even after the initial ingestion, leading to a sort of waking dream state where the singer feels both awake and asleep at once.
The song's titular figure, Iris, appears to be some sort of guide or companion on the trip. The lyric "What a book she'll write" suggests that Iris is a creative force in the singer's experience, inspiring ideas and visions that are beyond words. However, despite the allure of this mystical journey, the singer acknowledges that "nobody wants that." The repetition of "sister, sister" may indicate a comforting or protective role played by a sibling figure in the singer's life as they navigate this intense experience.
Ultimately, "Iris" is a meditation on the power of altered states of consciousness, the allure of escape, and the ultimately ephemeral nature of these experiences. The song's abstract and dreamlike lyrics allow the listener to indulge in their own interpretation and imagination, creating a richly layered and evocative sonic landscape.
Line by Line Meaning
Four hours in the pot, one hour out
The breeders spend four hours dealing with something and then they can only take a one-hour break.
It grows and I sleep standing up
Their work is so exhaustive that they feel like they are living in their dreams.
When Iris sleeps over
When the breeders get some rest.
What a book she'll write
Iris will have stories and experiences to share when she gets some rest.
Oh last night
The breeders recall a situation from their past experience.
Oh come on, nobody wants that
The breeders try to move away from negative thoughts.
Sister, sister, oh
A call out to someone dear to them.
We tried hour by hour
The breeders have spent a lot of time and effort trying to solve an issue.
Four hours to daylight, four hours and then
The breeders work tirelessly with little rest in between.
Pour water on me til I live again
They're so exhausted, they need water to at least feel alive again.
It'll be alright
Despite their exhaustion, they believe everything will be okay in the end.
All last night
They're dwelling on a situation from the past.
But come on, nobody wants that
The breeders try to move away from negative thoughts.
We tried hour by hour
Spending an excessive amount of time and effort trying to overcome a challenge.
Hour by hour
Continuing in their attempt to solve the problem despite it taking a long time.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: KIM DEAL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind