Iris

Mike Posner's 'Iris' is a poignant exploration of unrequited love and the fleeting nature of beauty and affection. The song opens with Posner expressing a desire to be the ideal man for someone he loves, embodying physical attributes and charm that he believes would make him irresistible. However, he quickly grounds himself in reality, acknowledging his own limitations and the painful truth that the object of his affection will never crave him in return. This sets the stage for a narrative steeped in longing and self-awareness.

The metaphor of the iris flower is central to the song's emotional depth. Posner describes watching a woman plant her love in 'top soil,' only for an iris to bloom beautifully in May and die by June. This imagery captures the transient nature of their connection—briefly beautiful but ultimately doomed to wither away. The iris, often a symbol of hope and cherished moments, here represents a love that was never meant to last, highlighting the ephemeral quality of their relationship.

Posner's lyrics also delve into the duality of emotions experienced in unrequited love. He mentions that if he could sing the way he feels inside, it would sound both happy and sad simultaneously. This reflects the bittersweet nature of his memories, where moments of joy are inextricably linked with underlying sorrow. The 'prettiest mask' worn by the woman on the dance floor further emphasizes the theme of appearances versus reality, suggesting that even moments of apparent happiness were tinged with deception or unfulfilled desires. Through 'Iris,' Posner masterfully conveys the complexity of love that is felt deeply but never fully reciprocated.