A theory about "Thumbing My Way"

suninsomebodyelsesky

Please post your thoughts about the following interpretation...
I'm not sure when Thumbing My Way was written or if it was definitely written by Eddie, but consider the lyric set...

"Oh the rusted signs we ignore throughout our life, choosing the shiny ones instead. I turned my back now there's no turning back..."

I wonder if Ed thinks about Beth when he sings these words. He chose a younger woman (regardless of whatever reason) after being with Beth for so long.

Sometimes it almost sounds like "thumbing my way back to Bea...eath" instead of "heaven". Probably a projection, but how could he not sometimes miss her? I find it really sad that they divorced, but that's the way it goes.

armanHammer

Good theory, but the song was originally written for Ed's gay barber (forgot his name) and played at his funeral. It originally had somewhat different words, but as always there can be more than one interpretation of a song.

Flannel Shirt

Rusted signs....those that have stood the test of time....the "wisdom that the old cant give away" Notice he uses the analogy in Man of the Hour also...

Claudia

http://forums.pearljam.com/showthread.php?t=121706&highlight=thumbing