Song of the day (Oceans)
JDE-PJ
Posts: 721
The 7th song off of Ten, this tune became a lovely video that not everyone has seen, but it's cool, so check it out if you all can.
The name of this one is Oceans', add some present and future thoughts if you wish.
RrVwMirror
1/12/01 7:53 PM
SOTD: ...OCEANS
El Conquistador
8/11/99 09:39 AM
OCEANS.....the song of the day
OCEANS
Hold on to the thread
The currents will shift
Glide me towards...
You know something's left
And we're all allowed
To dream of the next
Oh, ohh the next, time we touch...
Oooh... (4x)
You don't have to stray
Tho OCEANS away
Waves roll in my thoughts
Hold tight the ring...
The sea will rise...
Please stand by the shore...
Oh, oh, oh, I will be...
I will be there once more...
Oooh... (4x)
Uh huh, oh yeah... (2x)
You know who
8/11/99 10:46 AM
Re: OCEANS.....the song of the day
This songs has probally been one of the harder ones for me to interperet for some reason. But I think it could be about old friends or an old lover. It's kind of like two people go these seperate ways, not by choice really, but because of what they decide to do or because of things that pop up in their life. And they know that the friendship or love they had is still there and they keep thinking about what it will be like the next time they meet. But they are scared. And in the second verse I think it's saying that even though these people may be apart physically or in different areas of their lives mentally, don't forget. Don't forget about the other person. Keep them in your thoughts and try to stay in touch. And even though there will be obstacles as you get older, don't let them get in the way. Because if this is a true friendship or true love you will always be able to come back to it. It will always be there physically and spiritually.
I don't know if that is like anyone else's thoughts.....I'm not too good at this interpreting stuff. But OCEANS is a very beautiful songs, one of the best on the CD in my opinion.
You Know Who
Beth
BADRADIO
8/11/99 10:52 AM
Re: OCEANS.....the song of the day
Getting a glipse of something
you once saw - or felt -
I think OCEANS is a haunting song -
Beautiful ambigious thoughts.
-BADRADIO
moyboy
8/11/99 12:38 PM
Re: OCEANS.....the song of the day
this may be obvious, but I'm sure that the words might've been influenced by
Ed's love for the ocean and surfing.....
throughout literature and many a poem, OCEANS or water or being submerged is symbolic for ones subconscious....
Sounds to me as if "Hold on to the thread, The currents will shift"
means that whatever relationship he is waiting for is barely there still since it is only a thread he has to hold on to as the waves of life pull him different directions.....I think the fact that he doesn't finish the line "Glide me towards..." means that he doesn't really know where life will take him and he leaves it wide open.
The stanza "Hold tight the ring...The sea will rise...Please stand by the shore...Oh, oh, oh, I will be...I will be there once more..." gives me the image of him struggling in his thoughts and in the waves/lifes pull- conjures up an image of him holding onto a "ring" - life prefeserver, you know those rings they throw to help you if you've fallen overboard- and the person on the shore, the person he is seeking to reunite with, is helping him stay afloat and is perhaps helping him towards him/her, maybe as if pulling him back to shore. I think that this ocean and struggling image is used by Ed quite frequently- for example, the cup trying to stay afloat in Tremor Christ, as if sometimes he feels as if he is symbolically drowning and struggling to keep his head up....
Perhaps he is not only seeking to reunite with the person in the song, but perhaps he/she may be the reason he is overwhelmed and he is saying to that person, please reel me in and wait on the shore- I want to return to you, I am just feeling overwhelmed and overcome, but I will remain....
FrankDahmer
8/11/99 1:11 PM
Re: OCEANS.....the song of the day
I'm not really sure what this song means. I think that both people who have posted so far have said things that make a lot of sense. But, to me, it's more the feeling of the song. It's got such an enthralling sound, you just get immersed in it and let it take you over. It's very calming and soothing...
"I don't wanna think, I wanna feel..."
moyboy
8/11/99 1:14 PM
Re: OCEANS.....the song of the day
good point, Frank. Perhaps like a wave rolling over you...or how Ed feels when he surfs?
Stargazer
8/11/99 1:19 PM
Re: OCEANS.....the song of the day
During MTV Unplugged Ed gives us a hint of what it is about when he jokes, "a little love song about my surfboard," after the song, then he says "no,it's really about somebody named Beth." So there ya go, it's probably a love song about Beth.
Bastet
8/11/99 1:19 PM
Re: OCEANS.....the song of the day
I've always liked this song because after the intensity of the first songs, this is like a little breather. To me the music makes you feel like you are peacefully floating on the waves. It's one of the "lullabye" tunes I play when I'm stressed.
=^--^=
RrVwMirror
8/11/99 1:44 PM
Re: OCEANS.....the song of the day
This is the most intense love song...so soothing, so meaningful...
I think he is telling his lover to hold on to what they have, even though they are seperated for what ever reasons, they can still dream of the next time they will be together...for he will return.
He is telling her not to stray, even though they are OCEANS away from each other, she is in all his thoughts...Hold tight the ring, is symbolic to the ring on her finger, almost as if it were a life saving ring....he will return to her, he pleads for her to stand by his side!
This probably is about his wife, it has to be difficult to be on the road so much!
soclose
8/11/99 1:47 PM
Re: OCEANS.....the song of the day
I never really had any idea of what OCEANS was about until I heard what Ed said about it during the Unplugged performance. When he said it was about Beth it just made sense that OCEANS was a love song. It's just so beautiful and metaphorical. One of my favorite songs.
Cody
8/11/99 1:48 PM
Re: OCEANS.....the song of the day
Sounds to me it's a song about his love of surfing AND a love song for Beth. What's incredible about this song is that it CAN have two (or more) meanings. It's the first PJ song I ever heard live and it was in San Diego, where I'm sure Ed did a lot of surfing, so it's special to me.
Elegant-Waste
8/11/99 2:42 PM
Re: OCEANS.....the song of the day
Moyboy said "hold tight the ring" symbolizes a PFD. Since this song is also about Beth, it could a ring Ed gave her sometime, and engagement ring or something ring he gave to her. Like Rearview said, this ring is what keeps them together, like a life saving ring. This song was written after Ed moved to Seattle, I guess. And Beth still remained in California. "I will be there once more" could be Ed going back to see Beth and back to his surfing...
-My My Hey Hey Pearl Jam Is Here To Stay-
The name of this one is Oceans', add some present and future thoughts if you wish.
RrVwMirror
1/12/01 7:53 PM
SOTD: ...OCEANS
El Conquistador
8/11/99 09:39 AM
OCEANS.....the song of the day
OCEANS
Hold on to the thread
The currents will shift
Glide me towards...
You know something's left
And we're all allowed
To dream of the next
Oh, ohh the next, time we touch...
Oooh... (4x)
You don't have to stray
Tho OCEANS away
Waves roll in my thoughts
Hold tight the ring...
The sea will rise...
Please stand by the shore...
Oh, oh, oh, I will be...
I will be there once more...
Oooh... (4x)
Uh huh, oh yeah... (2x)
You know who
8/11/99 10:46 AM
Re: OCEANS.....the song of the day
This songs has probally been one of the harder ones for me to interperet for some reason. But I think it could be about old friends or an old lover. It's kind of like two people go these seperate ways, not by choice really, but because of what they decide to do or because of things that pop up in their life. And they know that the friendship or love they had is still there and they keep thinking about what it will be like the next time they meet. But they are scared. And in the second verse I think it's saying that even though these people may be apart physically or in different areas of their lives mentally, don't forget. Don't forget about the other person. Keep them in your thoughts and try to stay in touch. And even though there will be obstacles as you get older, don't let them get in the way. Because if this is a true friendship or true love you will always be able to come back to it. It will always be there physically and spiritually.
I don't know if that is like anyone else's thoughts.....I'm not too good at this interpreting stuff. But OCEANS is a very beautiful songs, one of the best on the CD in my opinion.
You Know Who
Beth
BADRADIO
8/11/99 10:52 AM
Re: OCEANS.....the song of the day
Getting a glipse of something
you once saw - or felt -
I think OCEANS is a haunting song -
Beautiful ambigious thoughts.
-BADRADIO
moyboy
8/11/99 12:38 PM
Re: OCEANS.....the song of the day
this may be obvious, but I'm sure that the words might've been influenced by
Ed's love for the ocean and surfing.....
throughout literature and many a poem, OCEANS or water or being submerged is symbolic for ones subconscious....
Sounds to me as if "Hold on to the thread, The currents will shift"
means that whatever relationship he is waiting for is barely there still since it is only a thread he has to hold on to as the waves of life pull him different directions.....I think the fact that he doesn't finish the line "Glide me towards..." means that he doesn't really know where life will take him and he leaves it wide open.
The stanza "Hold tight the ring...The sea will rise...Please stand by the shore...Oh, oh, oh, I will be...I will be there once more..." gives me the image of him struggling in his thoughts and in the waves/lifes pull- conjures up an image of him holding onto a "ring" - life prefeserver, you know those rings they throw to help you if you've fallen overboard- and the person on the shore, the person he is seeking to reunite with, is helping him stay afloat and is perhaps helping him towards him/her, maybe as if pulling him back to shore. I think that this ocean and struggling image is used by Ed quite frequently- for example, the cup trying to stay afloat in Tremor Christ, as if sometimes he feels as if he is symbolically drowning and struggling to keep his head up....
Perhaps he is not only seeking to reunite with the person in the song, but perhaps he/she may be the reason he is overwhelmed and he is saying to that person, please reel me in and wait on the shore- I want to return to you, I am just feeling overwhelmed and overcome, but I will remain....
FrankDahmer
8/11/99 1:11 PM
Re: OCEANS.....the song of the day
I'm not really sure what this song means. I think that both people who have posted so far have said things that make a lot of sense. But, to me, it's more the feeling of the song. It's got such an enthralling sound, you just get immersed in it and let it take you over. It's very calming and soothing...
"I don't wanna think, I wanna feel..."
moyboy
8/11/99 1:14 PM
Re: OCEANS.....the song of the day
good point, Frank. Perhaps like a wave rolling over you...or how Ed feels when he surfs?
Stargazer
8/11/99 1:19 PM
Re: OCEANS.....the song of the day
During MTV Unplugged Ed gives us a hint of what it is about when he jokes, "a little love song about my surfboard," after the song, then he says "no,it's really about somebody named Beth." So there ya go, it's probably a love song about Beth.
Bastet
8/11/99 1:19 PM
Re: OCEANS.....the song of the day
I've always liked this song because after the intensity of the first songs, this is like a little breather. To me the music makes you feel like you are peacefully floating on the waves. It's one of the "lullabye" tunes I play when I'm stressed.
=^--^=
RrVwMirror
8/11/99 1:44 PM
Re: OCEANS.....the song of the day
This is the most intense love song...so soothing, so meaningful...
I think he is telling his lover to hold on to what they have, even though they are seperated for what ever reasons, they can still dream of the next time they will be together...for he will return.
He is telling her not to stray, even though they are OCEANS away from each other, she is in all his thoughts...Hold tight the ring, is symbolic to the ring on her finger, almost as if it were a life saving ring....he will return to her, he pleads for her to stand by his side!
This probably is about his wife, it has to be difficult to be on the road so much!
soclose
8/11/99 1:47 PM
Re: OCEANS.....the song of the day
I never really had any idea of what OCEANS was about until I heard what Ed said about it during the Unplugged performance. When he said it was about Beth it just made sense that OCEANS was a love song. It's just so beautiful and metaphorical. One of my favorite songs.
Cody
8/11/99 1:48 PM
Re: OCEANS.....the song of the day
Sounds to me it's a song about his love of surfing AND a love song for Beth. What's incredible about this song is that it CAN have two (or more) meanings. It's the first PJ song I ever heard live and it was in San Diego, where I'm sure Ed did a lot of surfing, so it's special to me.
Elegant-Waste
8/11/99 2:42 PM
Re: OCEANS.....the song of the day
Moyboy said "hold tight the ring" symbolizes a PFD. Since this song is also about Beth, it could a ring Ed gave her sometime, and engagement ring or something ring he gave to her. Like Rearview said, this ring is what keeps them together, like a life saving ring. This song was written after Ed moved to Seattle, I guess. And Beth still remained in California. "I will be there once more" could be Ed going back to see Beth and back to his surfing...
-My My Hey Hey Pearl Jam Is Here To Stay-
I know someday you will have a beautiful Life
Jason
Jason
Post edited by Unknown User on
0
Comments
8/11/99 4:02 PM
Re: OCEANS.....the song of the day
This song is not one of the most memorable pearl jam songs to me, however it is a beautiful song with an incredible drum beat...I really like the sound of the drums in this song...it reminds me of kind of a beating heart...which goes with the message of the song...
This song is a love song, most of us agree, so I will give the meaning I think that it has in the contexxt of my own life.
There was a very special girl that I met about 3 years ago....we were best friends and we were also boyfriend/girlfriend....she was the world to me...everything to me. I lived and breathed for her...always daydreaming about her beauty and the things that made her so special to me...we were so in love...
then I had to leave to go to school....
This song reminds me of the days that it was so painful to be seperated from her....we felt like we were OCEANS away, but we held "tight the ring..." I felt like I could sing her this everyday, and she the same...
This to me is the story of true love being seperated and the strength it takes to hold onto that love...the everlasting need to be back with that person...the hope that the one you love will be standing by the shore when you return...
for me this story took a different twist...when I returned to the shore she was not there....then my world turned to black....that was 1 year ago.....I don't know if I will ever be over it, but I build up more strength day by day and week by week...
JamFan
8/11/99 4:27 PM
Re: OCEANS.....the song of the day
I think that the song is an ode to a love. Whether that love is the ocean and surfing to Ed or his love for Beth. I believe it was made to appeal to all sorts of love. Each listener has his own thoughts and feelings towards the song and that is what Eddie was going for. People can mostly get into music that they relate to and we all relate to love. The band has really crafted a magical song.
I don't want to take what you can give. I would rather starve that eat your bread.-EV
Dayjobber
8/11/99 5:37 PM
Re: OCEANS.....the song of the day
This is one of my favorite songs from Ten...I think it was written when one of either Beth or Ed were overseas...the line "hold tight to the ring" is pretty obvious..probably the engagement ring(i dont think they were married yet)...I think its just a song about two lovers being apart from each other for a while,and waiting to meet again...
moyboy
8/11/99 6:01 PM
Re: OCEANS.....the song of the day
EL Conquisitor:
Been there, man. Exactly. But it was alot more complex with other factors that you are lucky enough to not have endured....
You'll get over it. Time is the only way. Even to this day, I still think about her, but I realize that it was for a reason.
But, we digress.....
El Conquistador
8/11/99 6:15 PM
Re: OCEANS.....the song of the day
thanks man....yeah I hear you...mine was really messy and complicated too...
I think we have all been through it once or twice....and that is more than enough...oh well, at least we are...well...alive ;-)
brokenarrow
8/11/99 7:49 PM
Re: OCEANS.....the song of the day
.......You're all correct I believe!
.........I just tried reading the song, with no music in my head.....
..........This would be considered a wonderful 'Sonnet' in the old days..
............Just Beautiful,
I've always pictured Ed and Beth seperated at some point for him to write this
beautiful poem to her!
.........brokenarrow>
eggy
8/11/99 8:49 PM
Re: OCEANS.....the song of the day
In the new issue of Spin, Ed says that he wrote the song after being accidentally locked out of Pearl Jam's rehearsal facilities. He could hear Jeff's bassline thru the wall while he "sat in a godforsaken alley in Seattle, missing Beth." So it definitely seems to be a love song he wrote while he was living in Seattle and Beth was still in California. This is such a beautiful song, but it is so much better live IMHO.
Laura
evenkat
8/11/99 10:44 PM
Re: OCEANS.....the song of the day
Please, wait for me, I'll be right back. Just a little summary. I had a hard time liking this song at first, then I just liked the sound of Ed's voice and then bam it hit me. Very nice sentiment.
"You know what it's like" EV
Layla
8/12/99 01:01 AM
Re: OCEANS.....the song of the day
El Conquistador i have a very similar story to yours! (except
your sad ending :( )
This song is what reminds me of the time i was away from someone
i love very much. Still...if i am away from him for even
short amounts of time, i have him kiss the ring he gave me our
first christmas, and then i hold onto it when i am apart from him.
oh memories...
kmj
8/12/99 2:25 PM
Re: OCEANS.....the song of the day
at St. Louis last summer, OCEANS opened the night, and towards the end, Ed sang "Ohhh Beth...." several times.
It was pretty cool - the tone and feel was like he was missing her big-time and just calling out to her. Gives me
chills every time I listen to that show.
kj
JDE-PJ
8/30/99 02:47 AM
Waves roll in my thoughts
the sea will rise!
I know someday you will have a beautiful life
Jason
I let my music take me where my heart wants to go....
~C.S.
JDE-PJ
4/15/01 1:22 PM
Re: SOTD: ...OCEANS
Hum really wanted to hear that MTV2 played the full version of unplugged last night, and also showed this great song, but was not to be, so please stand by the shore, as my team wins again and again and again!
1 down 15 to go
Have a great Easter for all those of that faith in North America/Europe, and a good Monday to the Aussies and Kiwis!
I know someday you will have a beautiful life
Jason
hedonist
4/15/01 1:28 PM
Jason
Nice to see you! Along with all the friends on this old thread........
NeverNamed
4/15/01 1:30 PM
Re: SOTD: ...OCEANS
It was such a surprise to hear them open with OCEANS at West Palm Beach this past tour. Caught me completely off-guard. What an awesome, beautiful song, always gets me. However, I wonder how many more times we will ever hear this song, since it is for/about Beth.
"Pray for Mojo"
AustralianSmile
4/15/01 2:12 PM
Re: SOTD: ...OCEANS
A beautiful, intense and powerful song - highlight of Ten for me. Someone said it was a breather, but I see it as something which touches me more traditionally beautiful Pearl Jam songs such as Black. The last verse is the telling one, it may have been written for Beth but we can all take something from that second verse. I may stray and drift with moving tides, I may be bucketed by vicious waves or be besotted with the beauty of the Ocean - but stand by the shore..waiting and I'll always come back for you.
hedonist
4/15/01 2:15 PM
*sigh*
I love how you put that, AS........
spanna161
8/3/01 05:57 AM
Re: *sigh*
it was almost to sad to read the few posts saying how it was written for Beth, and when ed would talk about her and/or the song...
if one cannot control his life, will he be driven to control his death?
Jason
"the currents will shift, glide me towards you"
I love that line! And I totally see it as regardless of what happens, these 2 people are meant to be together and just as inevitable as the seasons and acts of nature are...so is their love . It definitely feels to me like it was written while 2 lovers were unwillingly apart. But one is telling the other to be strong because it is only a matter of time before they meet again. The song is about fate and passion. To me anyways.
I LOVE IT!!!
"Lo√e, you know the word
...YOU invented it!" ~ E√
¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤
...::STONE--YOU--OWN!::...
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
"Lo√e, you know the word
...YOU invented it!" ~ E√
¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤
...::STONE--YOU--OWN!::...
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
when it hits you, you feel to pain.
So brutalize me with music.”
~ Bob Marley
for quite a while it was my favorite song of Ten - I remember playing this song over and over till I finally felt relieved.. that great feeling of me drifting away on big waves is what I get from this song
Don't throw away your playful beginnings...
We're thinkin alike tonight I swear. LOL! I was just coming on here to mention how amazing the Unplugged version is. You beat me to it. haha.
LOVE the Unplugged version. Gives me the chills as well.
"Lo√e, you know the word
...YOU invented it!" ~ E√
¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤
...::STONE--YOU--OWN!::...
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
I never finished doing all of the songs, just lost interest, since there was no real particapation going on, have all the old ones saved from previous boards here, maybe one of these days, I will start where I left off.
we will see I guess.
this is a great song though, one of the ones I wish the band would pull out more and do live.
Jason