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What the Hell is Dissedent about????

JoeyJoey Posts: 60
edited October 2005 in Words and Music...Communication
Will some body please give me the meaning of this song or at least shed some light thanks
"The fat man walks alone"
Post edited by Unknown User on

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  • PissBottleManPissBottleMan Posts: 4,154
    dis·si·dent ** (*P*)**Pronunciation Key**(ds-dnt)
    adj.
    Disagreeing, as in opinion or belief.

    n.
    One who disagrees; a dissenter.

    Dissident


    adj 1: characterized by departure from accepted beliefs or standards [syn: heretical, heterodox] 2: disagreeing, especially with a majority [syn: dissentient, dissenting(a)] n : a person who dissents from some established policy [syn: dissenter, protester, objector, contestant]

    PBM
    "We paced ourselves and we didn't rush through it and we tried to be as creative as our collective minds would let us be over some course of time instead of just trying to rush through a record"

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  • Ms. HaikuMs. Haiku Posts: 7,265
    Here are the lyrics:

    She nursed him there, ooh, over a night
    I wasn't so sure she wanted him to stay
    What to say...what to say
    But soon she was down, soon he was low
    At a quarter past...a holy no...
    She had to turn around

    When she couldn't hold, oh...she folded...
    A dissident is here
    Escape is never, the safest path
    Oh, a dissident, a dissident is here

    And to this day, she's glided on
    Always home but so far away
    Like a word misplaced
    Nothing said, what a waste
    When she had contact...with the conflict...
    There was meaning, but she sold him to the state
    She had to turn around

    When she couldn't hold...she folded...
    A dissident is here
    Escape is never, the safest path
    Oh, a dissident, a dissident is here, oh...oh...oh...

    She gave him away when she couldn't hold...no...she folded...
    A dissident is here
    Escape is never, the safest path
    Oh, a dissident, a dissident is here, oh...
    Couldn't hold on...she couldn't hold...no...she folded...
    A dissident is here
    Escape is never the safest place, oh...
    A dissident is here

    I'll look at this lyrics a little more. I don't think the main character is a dissident, actually, I think she's a wimp. I don't see that she's escaped. I don't think the author really likes the main character "Nothing said, what a waste." I'll need to look at these more, but what's interesting, is that this song seems to start off sexually, but towards the end it's like the main character sold herself for nothing. The song becomes more interesting as I read it, I usually just remember the first couple lines - a little deeper than impromptu oral sex, eh?
    There is no such thing as leftover pizza. There is now pizza and later pizza. - anonymous
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  • SpotntheskySpotnthesky Posts: 57
    i always thought it was about a woman struggling with the decision to give up her child... "she nursed him there over a night, wasn't so sure if she wanted him to stay" / "she sold him to the state"
  • darthvedder88darthvedder88 Posts: 1,023
    Spotnthesky wrote:
    i always thought it was about a woman struggling with the decision to give up her child... "she nursed him there over a night, wasn't so sure if she wanted him to stay" / "she sold him to the state"

    I always thought it was about a woman who gave up a child for adoption and then years later finally saw the child again.
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  • Ms. HaikuMs. Haiku Posts: 7,265
    I could see that in the first lines, but the down low part would throw me.
    There is no such thing as leftover pizza. There is now pizza and later pizza. - anonymous
    The risk I took was calculated, but man, am I bad at math - The Mincing Mockingbird
  • mamasan10mamasan10 Posts: 22
    I tend to think it's about abortion vs. adoption.

    The girl in the song never really wanted the kid, but the father did (causing dissident), so they decided to have him. She realized it was too tough for her to keep him, so she put it up for adoption ("She sold him to the state"). Then years later she ran into him again and it caused a conflict, and she thinks that it would have been alot easier if she never had the kid at all.
    "He's a very strange young man."
    "He's an idiot. It comes from upbringing. His parents are probably idiots, too. Lorraine, you every have a kid that acts that way, I'll disown you."
  • Basia311Basia311 Posts: 1
    I think that it could relate to similiar situations like the one's posted above. My take is that she gave up the child because she wasn't a fighter and didn't stand up to her weakness. She didn't have faith in herself to take care of the child and later in life when opportunity arrives to tackle the issue of the child forgotten, she turns around.
  • Pearl Jam and toastPearl Jam and toast Posts: 4,475
    thats what its about (woman giving her child up for adoption)

    the chorus would agree with that especially.
    Come on pilgrim you know he loves you..

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  • ScubascottScubascott Posts: 815
    I'm not so sure you guys are on the right track. The first half sounds too sexual to me. Maybe it describes how the child was concieved. . .

    I think the song is mostly about the idea of leaving a relationship for the wrong reasons, then spending the rest of your life wondering if it could have been better. Maybe the 'sold him to the state' line refers to losing a lover that was arrested, and could have been saved from prison by her testimony. But she didn't have the courage to save him, she escaped instead. Just an idea . . .
    It doesn't matter if you're male, female, or confused; black, white, brown, red, green, yellow; gay, lesbian; redneck cop, stoned; ugly; military style, doggy style; fat, rich or poor; vegetarian or cannibal; bum, hippie, virgin; famous or drunk-you're either an asshole or you're not!

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  • Lost In OhioLost In Ohio Posts: 6,911
    Here's another thought about that song:

    "And to this day she's glided on.
    Always home but so far away.
    Like a word misplaced. Nothing said, what a waste.
    But when she had contact with the conflict.
    There was meaning but she sold him to the state.
    She had to turn around."



    Does anyone find themselves turning that part of the song way down, like it's a secret? On the "she had to turn around" bit, turn it way up again.
    Presidential Advice from President-Elect Mike McCready: "Are you getting something out of this all encompassing trip?"
  • SquidgeSquidge Posts: 145
    Lost In Ohio wrote:
    Here's another thought about that song:

    "And to this day she's glided on.
    Always home but so far away.
    Like a word misplaced. Nothing said, what a waste.
    But when she had contact with the conflict.
    There was meaning but she sold him to the state.
    She had to turn around."



    Does anyone find themselves turning that part of the song way down, like it's a secret? On the "she had to turn around" bit, turn it way up again.

    I don't get you.....i just sing quiet cuz i don't know the words :)
  • JoeyJoey Posts: 60
    Spotnthesky wrote:
    i always thought it was about a woman struggling with the decision to give up her child... "she nursed him there over a night, wasn't so sure if she wanted him to stay" / "she sold him to the state"

    I'm so glad that someone has the the same opinion as me GOOD CALL
    "The fat man walks alone"
  • Ms. HaikuMs. Haiku Posts: 7,265
    On the other hand, though:

    She nursed him there, ooh, over a night
    I wasn't so sure she wanted him to stay
    What to say...what to say

    This set of words doesn't bring out an idea of a big choice as in adoption/abortion. It doesn't go with the rest of the song, which is why I'm struggling to find the true meaning. That's why I was thinking it was more of a one-night stand type of thing. The "She" sounds very fickle if these types of words are used to describe someone who has to make an adoption/abortion decision. Who is she talking to?

    If I said that the person who is "nursed" is an adult would the song look different or am I completely off my rocker on that. For all these years, I thought it was a man who was "nursed." Kindof a play on position I think, eh? The music doesn't seem to fit an adoption/abortion decision. I've been wrong before . . oh well. Is there an article or something where the author gave a hint as to what he was singing about?
    There is no such thing as leftover pizza. There is now pizza and later pizza. - anonymous
    The risk I took was calculated, but man, am I bad at math - The Mincing Mockingbird
  • Flannel ShirtFlannel Shirt Posts: 1,021
    She nursed him there, ooh, over a night
    I wasn't so sure she wanted him to stay
    What to say...what to say
    But soon she was down, soon he was low
    At a quarter past...a holy no...
    She had to turn around

    Father/hysband Dying? Deathbed?

    And to this day, she's glided on
    Always home but so far away
    Like a word misplaced
    Nothing said, what a waste
    When she had contact...with the conflict...
    There was meaning, but she sold him to the state
    She had to turn around

    Something Father, husband, etc. did causing turning in to authorities/state?

    I think a lot if not all the songs on this album are related (same main character). Go, Animal, RVM, this one, daughter, etc....

    Possibly this song is about the confusion created by the awful things that happened in the others, therefore, its a confusing song?

    I really dont know. When I hear it it simply brings to mind the feeling of being in a situation where you dont know what to do or how to feel. do I give up, go on, get help, how do I deal, who do I tell...etc..
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  • wolfamongwolveswolfamongwolves Posts: 2,414
    literally, it's about a woman who takes in a political dissident, and then is overwhelmed by the dilemma of hiding a person who needs her help and support, or doing her patriotic duty and reporting him to the authorities. She folded... sold him to the state.

    interesting interpretations, though...
    93: Slane
    96: Cork, Dublin
    00: Dublin
    06: London, Dublin
    07: London, Copenhagen, Nijmegen
    09: Manchester, London
    10: Dublin, Belfast, London & Berlin
    11: San José
    12: Isle of Wight, Copenhagen, Ed in Manchester & London x2
  • Flannel ShirtFlannel Shirt Posts: 1,021
    wolfamongwolves wrote:
    literally, it's about a woman who takes in a political dissident, and then is overwhelmed by the dilemma of hiding a person who needs her help and support, or doing her patriotic duty and reporting him to the authorities. She folded... sold him to the state.

    interesting interpretations, though...
    and you know this because.........?
    All that's sacred, comes from youth....dedications, naive and true.
  • wolfamongwolveswolfamongwolves Posts: 2,414
    Flannel Shirt wrote:
    and you know this because.........?

    Because it fits the lyrics...
    and because I remember reading an interview with ed when vs. came out when he said as much himself

    Beyond the literal specifics, what you said yrself is pretty much on the money, I think.
    Flannel Shirt wrote:
    When I hear it it simply brings to mind the feeling of being in a situation where you dont know what to do or how to feel. do I give up, go on, get help, how do I deal, who do I tell...etc..
    93: Slane
    96: Cork, Dublin
    00: Dublin
    06: London, Dublin
    07: London, Copenhagen, Nijmegen
    09: Manchester, London
    10: Dublin, Belfast, London & Berlin
    11: San José
    12: Isle of Wight, Copenhagen, Ed in Manchester & London x2
  • daisychild29daisychild29 Posts: 22
    the way i feel about it all is pretty simple...if you're not feeling right about something...anything...& you come to a conclusion that what you are feeling seems completely wrong inside your mind & body...time to get up...get out...& move on..."A Dissendent is here"...just like how ed said it in camden,nj..."Escape is never the safest path...Do it anyway...Dissendent is here..."
    for the lights of the city.
    only look good when i'm speeding.
    i wanna leave it all behind me.
    cause this time.
    i'm gone...
    in the far of distance.
    as my tail lights fade.
    no-one thinks to witness.
    but they will someday.
  • Ms. HaikuMs. Haiku Posts: 7,265
    wolfamongwolves wrote:
    literally, it's about a woman who takes in a political dissident, and then is overwhelmed by the dilemma of hiding a person who needs her help and support, or doing her patriotic duty and reporting him to the authorities. She folded... sold him to the state.

    interesting interpretations, though...
    AHA! This makes sense. Thanks for posting this. Man, this interpretation makes the song even better. What a story. What a songster, that Eddie Vedder. . .
    There is no such thing as leftover pizza. There is now pizza and later pizza. - anonymous
    The risk I took was calculated, but man, am I bad at math - The Mincing Mockingbird
  • saveuplifesaveuplife Posts: 1,173
    wolfamongwolves wrote:
    literally, it's about a woman who takes in a political dissident, and then is overwhelmed by the dilemma of hiding a person who needs her help and support, or doing her patriotic duty and reporting him to the authorities. She folded... sold him to the state.

    interesting interpretations, though...


    That's what I always thought it meant.
  • JoeyJoey Posts: 60
    wolfamongwolves wrote:
    literally, it's about a woman who takes in a political dissident, and then is overwhelmed by the dilemma of hiding a person who needs her help and support, or doing her patriotic duty and reporting him to the authorities. She folded... sold him to the state.

    interesting interpretations, though...
    This does make soooooooooooooooo much sense...thank you light-shedder
    "The fat man walks alone"
  • twin2twin2 Posts: 894
    wolfamongwolves wrote:
    literally, it's about a woman who takes in a political dissident, and then is overwhelmed by the dilemma of hiding a person who needs her help and support, or doing her patriotic duty and reporting him to the authorities. She folded... sold him to the state.

    interesting interpretations, though...

    I was a little right, I thought it was about a woman who takes in a criminal and then sells him out to the authorities. Thanks for clearing up the real meaning though.
  • Ms. HaikuMs. Haiku Posts: 7,265
    wolfamongwolves wrote:
    literally, it's about a woman who takes in a political dissident, and then is overwhelmed by the dilemma of hiding a person who needs her help and support, or doing her patriotic duty and reporting him to the authorities. She folded... sold him to the state.

    interesting interpretations, though...
    Like what was done to Anne Frank?
    There is no such thing as leftover pizza. There is now pizza and later pizza. - anonymous
    The risk I took was calculated, but man, am I bad at math - The Mincing Mockingbird
  • monkaymonkay Posts: 40
    I always thought it might be to do with a relationship where the woman is staying in a relationship with a man who is possibly ill or depressed and she feels she should stay to help him through although she has had enough and can't go on. She feels as though she is responsible for him but foe her own sanity need's to break free. Maybe its about her trying to decide which way to go. I dunno?? Just an idea. Not sure i really explained my self to well!! Oh well babbling over!!
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  • daisychild29daisychild29 Posts: 22
    of course there is a "politically correct" meaning for every song pj writes/plays...but i think the whole point of it all is to get what "you" get out of it...find your own meaning...feel your own feelings & be your own individual...but i like the above post though...:)
    for the lights of the city.
    only look good when i'm speeding.
    i wanna leave it all behind me.
    cause this time.
    i'm gone...
    in the far of distance.
    as my tail lights fade.
    no-one thinks to witness.
    but they will someday.
  • monkaymonkay Posts: 40
    I think maybe thats what my thoughts on the song are. I went through a shitty period a few years back where I was really low. To the point where I was getting physical side effects of depression. This aint no sob story so I don't want people takin the piss!! LOL!!! It was fucking horrible!! LOL!! Anyway, I was with this girl for 9 years and I think the whole situation took its toll on her and we broke up last year!! Sob Sob!! :) Looking at it from her side of things it must have been tough!! Shit i'm babbling again. LOL!!

    Anyway, just to end with, if anyone out there is feeling low right now. Battle through it. Its worth it. Life is amazing!!! You can't really appreciate the good times without the bad!!!
    http://www.myspace.com/funkymonkay

    Please check out my bands website and give some of our song's a listen!!

    http://www.myspace.com/dekolta

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    Reading Festival 2006
    London Wembeley Arena 2007
  • stuckinlinestuckinline Posts: 3,368
    monkay wrote:
    I
    Anyway, just to end with, if anyone out there is feeling low right now. Battle through it. Its worth it. Life is amazing!!! You can't really appreciate the good times without the bad!!!
    you have a good outlook!

    welcome to the pit!
  • JoeyJoey Posts: 60
    I agree that all songs should be left to ones own interpretation yet I can't help but wonder what the song writer was actually thinking and trying to convey...that is all.
    "The fat man walks alone"
  • romybianromybian Posts: 1,644
    Joey wrote:
    I agree that all songs should be left to ones own interpretation yet I can't help but wonder what the song writer was actually thinking and trying to convey...that is all.
    Same here... so, here u go.

    "The toughest thing is to devote yourself to a cause. And the people who do that should be praised. Because there are people who literally give up their lives for a cause. Like that abortion doctor [David J. Gunn] who was shot in Florida. He gave his life to keep alive the freedom of women who choose to have an abortion. And that's something that should be their right by law. It's not as if he was doing anything illegal, although there are a lot of fucking people out there right now who want to criminalize abortion. In "Dissident," I'm actually talking about a woman who takes in someone who's being sought after by the authorities for political reasons. He's on the run, and she offers him a refuge. But she just can't handle the responsibility. She turns him in, then she has to live with the guilt and the realization that she's betrayed the one thing that gave her life meaning. It made her life difficult. It made her life hell. But it gave her a reason to be. But she couldn't hold on. She folded. That's the tragedy of the song." -Eddie Vedder (Melody Maker, October 10, 1993)
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  • JoeyJoey Posts: 60
    romybian wrote:
    Same here... so, here u go.

    "The toughest thing is to devote yourself to a cause. And the people who do that should be praised. Because there are people who literally give up their lives for a cause. Like that abortion doctor [David J. Gunn] who was shot in Florida. He gave his life to keep alive the freedom of women who choose to have an abortion. And that's something that should be their right by law. It's not as if he was doing anything illegal, although there are a lot of fucking people out there right now who want to criminalize abortion. In "Dissident," I'm actually talking about a woman who takes in someone who's being sought after by the authorities for political reasons. He's on the run, and she offers him a refuge. But she just can't handle the responsibility. She turns him in, then she has to live with the guilt and the realization that she's betrayed the one thing that gave her life meaning. It made her life difficult. It made her life hell. But it gave her a reason to be. But she couldn't hold on. She folded. That's the tragedy of the song." -Eddie Vedder (Melody Maker, October 10, 1993)
    Source: http://twofeetthick.com/articleread.do?id=62

    I like you....this is good stuff I might as well end the thread now =)
    "The fat man walks alone"
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