All the songs in BS with sickness/death ref, do you think

JF116983

That someone close/in the band is sick/dying from an illness?

I felt sad after hearing this album as there are too many references (see my friend, got some, just breath, the end, etc)

I have never heard a PJ album centered around the same thing for almost every song.

They should have called the album death or something with all the lyrics being thus way.

Thoughts?

slightofjeff

The only song I really see dealing with death is The End. The rest, I think you're reading too much into it. Just Breathe is a love song, for crying out loud.

I have never heard a PJ album centered around the same thing for almost every song.

Apparently, you never heard Self-Titled.

Flagg

Here and on the other boards everyone thinks Just Breathe is a deathbed song. It is not. It is about taking time out from your busy lives to spend time with your loved ones and remind them that you still love them.

And for anyone who doubts that find the Australian article where Ed goes over the songs one by one. Straight from his mouth. Sitting on the couch after putting the kids to bed.

Backspacer_Backer

Just Breathe is both a love song, and about death.

Yes, I understand that every life must end, uh-huh
As we sit alone, I know someday we must go, uh-huh

Nothing you would take
Everything you gave
Hold me til I die
Meet you on the other side...

slightofjeff

Flagg wrote:

Here and on the other boards everyone thinks Just Breathe is a deathbed song. It is not. It is about taking time out from your busy lives to spend time with your loved ones and remind them that you still love them.

And for anyone who doubts that find the Australian article where Ed goes over the songs one by one. Straight from his mouth. Sitting on the couch after putting the kids to bed.

Exactly.

I wonder if these people go to a wedding, and when the preacher gets to the "death do us part" bit, they go, "Oh my God, is the groom dying?"

The last line of Just Breathe is saying, "til death do us part."

Also, I believe that the same article you reference mentions that Ed says The End isn't about him.

LiteTheMatch

It is dedicated to Dr. Michael Richter (i think his name) who was Jeff's friend.. I think he died earlier this year.

Backspacer_Backer

Got some also refers to dying:

Get it now, get it on before it's gone
Let's everybody carry on, carry on
Turn it up, set it off before we're gone
Let's everybody get it on, get it on

Backspacer_Backer

as does the Fixer:

I'll dig your grave
We'll dance and sing
What's saved could be one last lifetime

slightofjeff

csickels wrote:

Just Breathe is both a love song, and about death.

Yes, I understand that every life must end, uh-huh
As we sit alone, I know someday we must go, uh-huh

Nothing you would take
Everything you gave
Hold me til I die
Meet you on the other side...

"Someday" could be 50 years from now. And, as I mentioned earlier, the final lines are saying "til death to us part."

The song is saying "life is short, make sure you spend it right." And life IS short, even if you live to be 100.

When Garth Brooks wrote "If Tomorrow Never Comes," did a bunch of people ask if HE were dying?

norm

just breathe:

“There's never a dull moment on the road – every day it's something. Maybe that's why my goal is the dull moment. That's what this song is: It's saying, ‘Just stop, and be together. Don't talk now, just breathe and feel each other's presence – now that the kids are in bed.' -- ev

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/art ... le1290301/

hollyster70

I think that your own mortality is not something you focus on very much until you realize that you have more time behind you than ahead...or that could just be me.

Flagg

csickels wrote:

Just Breathe is both a love song, and about death.

Yes, I understand that every life must end, uh-huh
As we sit alone, I know someday we must go, uh-huh

Nothing you would take
Everything you gave
Hold me til I die
Meet you on the other side...

Contemplating your mortality as you hit your 40s doesn't make it a death song.

Nothing you would take, etc. refers to his lover's selflessness.

slightofjeff

csickels wrote:

as does the Fixer:

I'll dig your grave
We'll dance and sing
What's saved could be one last lifetime

Again ... it's another way of saying "till death to us part. "

I would hate to be Ed, writing all these songs that have nothing to do with actually death ... and everyone thinks you have cancer or something ...

slightofjeff

norm wrote:

just breathe:

“There's never a dull moment on the road – every day it's something. Maybe that's why my goal is the dull moment. That's what this song is: It's saying, ‘Just stop, and be together. Don't talk now, just breathe and feel each other's presence – now that the kids are in bed.' -- ev

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/art ... le1290301/

"Because I'm about to die," Vedder added. "Oh wait, don't print that."

mookeywrench

norm wrote:

just breathe:

“There's never a dull moment on the road – every day it's something. Maybe that's why my goal is the dull moment. That's what this song is: It's saying, ‘Just stop, and be together. Don't talk now, just breathe and feel each other's presence – now that the kids are in bed.' -- ev

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/art ... le1290301/

Interesting....sounds along the lines of what another guy said; "life is what happens when you're busy making plans."

JF116983

I read Ed's take on the songs, however, as a songwriter, I can sense something is not right with all these lyrics pointing towards death. Ed has kids and should be more optimistic than this.

Also, Ed has written personal songs before (blood, alive, corduroy, betterman, etc) so it is just odd that almost all his lyrics point to death.

I hope he and anyone close to the band is ok and not sick/dying.

It is just as a songwritter, my gut tells me otherwise.

Flagg

norm wrote:

just breathe:

“There's never a dull moment on the road – every day it's something. Maybe that's why my goal is the dull moment. That's what this song is: It's saying, ‘Just stop, and be together. Don't talk now, just breathe and feel each other's presence – now that the kids are in bed.' -- ev

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/art ... le1290301/

That's it. Thanks!

Anyone who has been married, with growing kids and spends every single day running to and from work, cooking dinner, cleaning up, running to and from shopping, school activities, baseball practice, soccer practice, the mall, birthday parties, etc. knows exactly what he means.

The 30 minutes I get alone with my wife on the couch in front of the TV is the best part of the day.

Ed knows that too.

Backspacer_Backer

woa, i never said Ed was writing an announcement of his own pending death. jsut that there are death references in a large portion of this album's songs.

mookeywrench

as you get older, i'm sure when you reflect on things you're always going to end up wishing you had more time in the world because you start to become aware of your own mortality.

Flagg

mookeywrench wrote:

as you get older, i'm sure when you reflect on things you're always going to end up wishing you had more time in the world because you start to become aware of your own mortality.

Yeah, I think there is a certain happiness too, or a sense of satisfaction with life when you get older, if you are lucky enough to be with someone you love, etc.

I think that accounts for the positivity this record shows along with the thoughts on death/mortality.

I love the line, "I've put away my early grave"

This album has made me all sappy. I would have never talked about this stuff with S/T or Riot Act.

the wolf

mookeywrench wrote:

as you get older, i'm sure when you reflect on things you're always going to end up wishing you had more time in the world because you start to become aware of your own mortality.

thats what i think it is. its a reflection on the life that has been led, and a look to the future, just knowing you dont have as much time left now that you are older.

I just turned 37 back in august, and i'm very much aware of my mortality. i have been taking a long hard look at my life and the way i have lived, and trying to make sure i live the second half better than i did the first.

decides2dream

slightofjeff wrote:

The only song I really see dealing with death is The End. The rest, I think you're reading too much into it. Just Breathe is a love song, for crying out loud.

agreed.


and even the end...i think facing your own mortality is merely, facing the obvious. with great love, a family, and age...one realizes more and more, they will not live forever....and who they may leave behind, and not want to....it's absolutely nautral.....and i don't think morbid, nor any indicator of illness, merely thought....

slightofjeff

JF116983 wrote:

I read Ed's take on the songs, however, as a songwriter, I can sense something is not right with all these lyrics pointing towards death. Ed has kids and should be more optimistic than this.

Also, Ed has written personal songs before (blood, alive, corduroy, betterman, etc) so it is just odd that almost all his lyrics point to death.

I hope he and anyone close to the band is ok and not sick/dying.

It is just as a songwritter, my gut tells me otherwise.

Good lord. This is the most optimistic album Pearl Jam has ever produced. They could have put a cover of "Shiny, Happy, People" on it, and it would make is LESS optimistic.

This album reeks of contentment, of being comfortable in one's own skin.

slightofjeff

Flagg wrote:

I love the line, "I've put away my early grave"

.

Oh, we're going to completely ignore that one, because it doesn't fit our hysterical "Ed is going to die" conclusion.

decides2dream

slightofjeff wrote:

JF116983 wrote:

I read Ed's take on the songs, however, as a songwriter, I can sense something is not right with all these lyrics pointing towards death. Ed has kids and should be more optimistic than this.

Also, Ed has written personal songs before (blood, alive, corduroy, betterman, etc) so it is just odd that almost all his lyrics point to death.

I hope he and anyone close to the band is ok and not sick/dying.

It is just as a songwritter, my gut tells me otherwise.

Good lord. This is the most optimistic album Pearl Jam has ever produced. They could have put a cover of "Shiny, Happy, People" on it, and it would make is LESS optimistic.

This album reeks of contentment, of being comfortable in one's own skin.

agree again.




also this:

Flagg wrote:

norm wrote:

just breathe:

“There's never a dull moment on the road – every day it's something. Maybe that's why my goal is the dull moment. That's what this song is: It's saying, ‘Just stop, and be together. Don't talk now, just breathe and feel each other's presence – now that the kids are in bed.' -- ev

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/art ... le1290301/

That's it. Thanks!

Anyone who has been married, with growing kids and spends every single day running to and from work, cooking dinner, cleaning up, running to and from shopping, school activities, baseball practice, soccer practice, the mall, birthday parties, etc. knows exactly what he means.

The 30 minutes I get alone with my wife on the couch in front of the TV is the best part of the day.

Ed knows that too.

married or not....kids or not.......just living, having relationships.....i LOVe the line....just breathe....hence my sig ....b/c it speaks to us ALL. just live...just breathe.....live in the moment and ENJOY. that is pure brilliance.


oh and,

slightofjeff wrote:

Flagg wrote:

I love the line, "I've put away my early grave"

.

Oh, we're going to completely ignore that one, because it doesn't fit our hysterical "Ed is going to die" conclusion.

ed is going to die!!!
someday.....;)....as will we all. personally, i think that is the whole POINT of the song, and it IS optimistic, in that....he's focusing on LIFE, and he may not have as much left, but he's already lived a lot, and plans to do so more....thus giving up the idea of dying young, or of risking that, b/c he has so much left to live for. it's beautiful, sentimental, content....

Gmoney

How is the end about death? maybe the death of a relationship, but not a person...

norm

slightofjeff wrote:

JF116983 wrote:

I read Ed's take on the songs, however, as a songwriter, I can sense something is not right with all these lyrics pointing towards death. Ed has kids and should be more optimistic than this.

Also, Ed has written personal songs before (blood, alive, corduroy, betterman, etc) so it is just odd that almost all his lyrics point to death.

I hope he and anyone close to the band is ok and not sick/dying.

It is just as a songwritter, my gut tells me otherwise.

Good lord. This is the most optimistic album Pearl Jam has ever produced. They could have put a cover of "Shiny, Happy, People" on it, and it would make is LESS optimistic.

This album reeks of contentment, of being comfortable in one's own skin.

yeah but you're not a "songwriter"



i honestly don't get where people are getting this...yes the end is a bit moribund in it's lyrics but it really isn't about dying or death...obviously if one wants to interpret them that way then fine...but it's quite the "jump the grand canyon in a motorcycle" leap to think that someone close to the band is dying

Flagg

slightofjeff wrote:

Flagg wrote:

I love the line, "I've put away my early grave"

.

Oh, we're going to completely ignore that one, because it doesn't fit our hysterical "Ed is going to die" conclusion.

That, and if I sing along to it, I have to smile and hope no one notices.

slightofjeff

Gmoney wrote:

How is the end about death? maybe the death of a relationship, but not a person...

Oh I think it's definitely the reflections of a man on his deathbed, seeking forgiveness or redemption for his wrongs. I think Ed is inventing a scenario.

mookeywrench

norm wrote:

yeah but you're not a "songwriter"



i honestly don't get where people are getting this...yes the end is a bit moribund in it's lyrics but it really isn't about dying or death...obviously if one wants to interpret them that way then fine...but it's quite the "jump the grand canyon in a motorcycle" leap to think that someone close to the band is dying

If Ed starts walking across Abbey Road without any shoes on, then I'd start getting worried

Flagg

decides2dream - agree on your statement about Amongst the Waves. And I see that line as an answer to a song ironically called Alive, where he sort of laments being Alive. I like to think of ATW as being a bookend to Alive.