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Present Tense

VMGACgVMGACg Posts: 135
edited January 2005 in Words and Music...Communication
I bought No Code in 1996 when it came out, but didn't discover the greatness of this song until llong after. I was young in 96 so maybe i needed to mature first? but now this is one of my fav PJ songs and most intriguing.

anyone have a similar experience?
I am questioning my education
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Comments

  • St. NickSt. Nick Posts: 72
    VMGACg wrote:
    I bought No Code in 1996 when it came out, but didn't discover the greatness of this song until llong after. I was young in 96 so maybe i needed to mature first? but now this is one of my fav PJ songs and most intriguing.

    anyone have a similar experience?

    It's a great song. Pearl jam has many 'lessons' in their lyrics that could be real eye openers. Like:

    "It's funny how things change so much, it's all state of mind."

    "or you can come to terms and realize you're the only one who can't forgive yourself"

    Than you think, omg that is so true! Living up to these things is a lot harder to do than just coming to these conclusions however. For example, sometimes I realize I'm the only one who can't forgive myself, but that doesn't help me forgive myself. Or I know it's all state of mind, but I'm just unable to change it. :(
  • LittleSecretsLittleSecrets Posts: 10
    When this song came out, I was 18 and feeling guilty over some of the choices I had made in my life. This song really spoke to me. It was like a "Get over it" kick in the but I needed to give some real perspective on my life. I was young, and entitled to make some mistakes. ANd no one would look down on me for it. I truely love this song and the message behind it.

    You can spend your time alone, redigesting past regrets
    Or you can come to terms and realize
    you're the only one, who cannot forgive yourself.
    Makes much more sense to live in the present tense.

    It came out in a a real turning point in my life. You know, when it feels like the song was made just for you. Of course it wasn't, but it feels like that sometimes huh.
    Nature has its own religion...
  • Hail Hail lucky oneHail Hail lucky one Posts: 3
    its one of my faves in my long PJ live.never felt so free when listening to this song.never
  • MccreadySeasonMccreadySeason Posts: 23
    beginning of song can be slow at times, but when they get to the breakdown it is awesome
  • posternutbag77posternutbag77 Posts: 20
    Ive always wondered why its "cannot forgive yoursself" instead of can
    I am a rhinoceros and my skin is two feet thick
  • St. NickSt. Nick Posts: 72
    posternutbag77 wrote:
    Ive always wondered why its "cannot forgive yoursself" instead of can

    lol I never understood why it was can, but know you mention it I suddenly understand. I'll try to explain.

    Can: You're the only one that can really forgive yourself. Others can forgive you, but not yourself. (does that make sense) Anyway it's a grammar thingy I guess.

    Cannot: I think it is meant in a way that everyone already forgave you and you're the only one who can not forgive yourself. You are the only one still blaming yourself for something you did.

    I hope this sheds some light on this song.
  • five_against_onefive_against_one Posts: 70
    It's one of those song's you really have to sit down and *listen* to. It's a mood song, and it builds and builds and builds and if your in the right mood it can totally blow you away into a whole other world. It's amazing.
    "But you see, you get more for your money with the big ones. It's like a two for one special."



    That was the line I used when dating to convince girls they should like fat guys.

    -Boosk.
  • Pearl Jam and toastPearl Jam and toast Posts: 4,475
    five_against_one wrote:
    It's one of those song's you really have to sit down and *listen* to. It's a mood song, and it builds and builds and builds and if your in the right mood it can totally blow you away into a whole other world. It's amazing.
    perfect.

    its a climax of emotion and feeling that the entire no code album builds up.
    Come on pilgrim you know he loves you..

    http://www.wishlistfoundation.org

    Oh my, they dropped the leash.



    Morgan Freeman/Clint Eastwood 08' for President!

    "Make our day"
  • five_against_onefive_against_one Posts: 70
    Pearl Jam and toast wrote:
    perfect.

    its a climax of emotion and feeling that the entire no code album builds up.


    Yeah No Code is defiantly a mood album.
    "But you see, you get more for your money with the big ones. It's like a two for one special."



    That was the line I used when dating to convince girls they should like fat guys.

    -Boosk.
  • RrVwMirrorRrVwMirror Posts: 50
    "It's one of those song's you really have to sit down and *listen* to. It's a mood song, and it builds and builds and builds and if your in the right mood it can totally blow you away into a whole other world. It's amazing."


    five against one, you said it perfectly! There is no better way to explain this song.... I was in that mood one night, and this song saved my life!
  • schuhljamschuhljam Posts: 28
    I love no code, especially present tense. the first time i 'heard' or shall
    i say 'listened',was during the yeild tour show in new jersey. It blew me
    away. When i need help dealing, i reach right for it. Because it does
    make much more sense living in the present tense. It is hard not to waste
    time on past regrets. it is for me anyway.
  • Shakespeare's_sisterShakespeare's_sister Posts: 21
    The lyrics to this song are amazing. It's so hard to write a lyric that has a 'lesson' without sounding horribly condescending... but this song does it perfectly.
    "And, when the doctor said I didn't have worms any more, that was the happiest day of my life."
  • mr bojanglesmr bojangles Posts: 10
    i heard them play this song at my first pj concert in indy 2003 (what a great show to remember!). it had been one of my favorite songs, but i never expected them to play it. once i heard the intro i was sucked in. what a great experience to hear it played live. definitely gave me chills. i hope all this talk of a break-up is bunk so i can hear them play songs like present tense live a few more times...
    The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable on certain occasions, that I wish it always to be kept alive.
    Thomas Jefferson
  • thingmaker88thingmaker88 Posts: 33
    I bought a pahser pedal because of this song!!!!
    It's really great when your in a limo you can put your head to the window and look out at all the homeless people-E.V.
  • memememe Posts: 4,695
    do you see the way that tree bends?
    does it inspire?
    leaning out to catch the sun's rays
    a lesson to be applied
    are you getting something out of this all encompassing trip?
    you can spend your time alone, redigesting past regrets, oh
    or you can come to terms and realize
    you're the only one who can't forgive yourself, oh
    makes much more sense to live in the present tense
    have you ideas on how this life ends?
    checked your hands and studied the lines
    have you the belief that the road ahead ascends off into the light?
    seems that needlessly it's getting harder
    to find an approach and a way to live
    are we getting something out of this all-encompassing trip?
    you can spend your time alone redigesting past regrets, oh
    or you can come to terms and realize
    you're the only one who cannot forgive yourself, oh
    makes much more sense to live in the present tense

    This is one of those songs that I always love, but at specific times of my life just overwhelm me with meaning.
    It starts contemplatively, with you as an observer. Look at the tree, slowly trying to convince yourself to do as it does.
    Then you get angry at your unforgiving self, at the regrets smothering your will to live.
    And then it finally hits you, the present tense. This is when the words yield to the intensity of the music, the drums. And you just let yourself go to the intensity, forgiven and finally ready to feel.
    And then you go back to contemplating, butwith a new readiness to embrace the present, soon, again.
    ... and the will to show I will always be better than before.
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