iiO (sometimes written as IIO, pronounced "eye-oh") wa… Read Full Bio ↴(2001 – 2011)
iiO (sometimes written as IIO, pronounced "eye-oh") was a New York City based house music act consisting of producer/songwriter Markus Moser and singer/songwriter Nadia Ali. iiO are best known for their 2001 hit "Rapture". The name iiO was derived from the Sony PC laptop model VAIO, on which the duo was creating much of their early work, and the duo was in fact first known as Vaiio.
After "Rapture" was released, the duo followed suit with "At The End" in 2002, "Smooth" in 2003, and "Runaway" in 2004.
iiO's first album, "Poetica", was delayed several times and released independently in March 2005 on Made Records, and worldwide in June 2006.
By the time the album was released Nadia Ali had left iiO to pursue a solo career, while Moser continues to release material featuring her on the vocals. These included the single "Kiss You", which was released to promote the album, followed by "Is It Love?". Moser followed these with "Rapture 2007" and "Reconstruction Time: The Best Of iiO Remixed" in 2007, and finally "Rapture Reconstruction: Platinum Edition in 2008.
iiO re-emerged from hiatus in December 2010 with Moser releasing new remixes of the band's second single "At The End (Metropolitan Mix)". Moser released a second album, "Exit 110" on April 19, 2011 featuring Ali on vocals. It was announced that Exit 110 will be iiO's final project and while Moser had doubts about using material Ali recorded before she left iiO, it was decided to release a new album due to a demand by fans.
I Don't Know
iio Lyrics
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You blinded all in view
You owned the smile that made heaven bow down
The sun looked on next to you
Everything was added to the diamond streaks
And all that had a meaning was for you to keep
The silver cuts were soaring, hoping that they could
So then how could someone so high fall so low
I don't know, I don't know, I don't know
And then why would someone never wanna grow
I don't know, I don't know, I don't know
I don't know - I don't know - I don't know - I don't know
You could have thought that it would turn out this way
Nobody had a clue
Now all the vices that you once used to hail
Have become part of you
I remember when you had a different glow
Happiness and laughter in the words you spoke
The aura of your presence hasn't been the same
It's not the same - you're not the same
The lyrics of iio's "I Don't Know" describe the fall from grace of a once-beautiful and admired person. The first verse nostalgically recalls a time when this person was radiant and captivating, with a smile that could affect even the heavens themselves. Everything seemed to revolve around this individual, who had a mesmerizing power over their surroundings. The second verse then examines the present state of this person, now fallen from grace and consumed by vices that they used to praise. The singer laments the loss of the person's former self, noting how their aura and personality have changed for the worse. The chorus expresses the singer's confusion over how someone can fall from such a high position and why they would not want to improve themselves.
The song overall is a poignant commentary on the dangers of celebrity and the consequences of excess. The once-beautiful person described in the song is likely a famous figure, who has grown disillusioned with their stardom and replaced their former virtues with vices. Through the singer's perspective, the song reflects upon the fleeting nature of fame and the pitfalls of living in the limelight.
Overall, "I Don't Know" is a haunting and evocative song that delves into the themes of fame and personal growth. It's a reminder that even the brightest stars can fall, and that the pursuit of excess can come at a great cost.
Line by Line Meaning
There was a time when you were so beautiful
In the past, you were extremely attractive and captivating to everyone around you
You blinded all in view
Your beauty was so overwhelming that it made it difficult for others to see anything else around them
You owned the smile that made heaven bow down
Your captivating smile had the power to impress even the heavens and make them submit to you
The sun looked on next to you
Even the sun, a powerful and radiant entity, paled in comparison to your beauty and radiance
Everything was added to the diamond streaks
Your every accomplishment was like a valuable addition to your already impressive beauty, like a diamond adding to a flawless streak
And all that had a meaning was for you to keep
Every meaningful thing that happened was for you to enjoy and benefit from, like it was tailored to suit your needs
The silver cuts were soaring, hoping that they could
Even those who were envious of you were hoping to elevate themselves alongside you, like soaring silver blades
Pull you up with them, you up with them
They wanted to lift you up as they rose, but in reality, they were just trying to bring you down to their level
So then how could someone so high fall so low
You were once at the height of your beauty and power, so how did you end up in such a low place?
I don't know, I don't know, I don't know
The artist is unsure of how you ended up where you are now
And then why would someone never wanna grow
The singer wonders why someone wouldn't want to become better and improve themselves
I don't know, I don't know, I don't know
Again, the artist is unsure of why someone wouldn't want to grow and improve
I don't know - I don't know - I don't know - I don't know
This line is repeated twice to emphasize the uncertainty and confusion of the singer
You could have thought that it would turn out this way
Perhaps you didn't expect to end up in this situation
Nobody had a clue
Others around you were also unaware of how things would turn out for you
Now all the vices that you once used to hail
The things that you once celebrated and indulged in are now seen as negative aspects of your life
Have become part of you
These vices have now consumed you and become a part of your identity
I remember when you had a different glow
The singer remembers a time when you had a different, more positive energy about you
Happiness and laughter in the words you spoke
Your words used to be filled with happiness and laughter
The aura of your presence hasn't been the same
Your presence used to command attention and admiration, but now it is different and not as impressive
It's not the same - you're not the same
The artist acknowledges that things have changed, and you are no longer the same person you once were
Contributed by Hannah K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.