Thumbing My Way

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obiwon76
obiwon76 Posts: 568
I have not been home since you left long ago
I'm thumbing my way back to heaven

Counting steps,.. walking backwards on the road
I'm counting my way back to heaven

I can't be free with what's locked inside of me...
If there was a key, you took it in your hands.
There's no wrong or right,... but I'm sure there's good and bad
The questions linger overhead

No matter how cold the winter, there's a springtime ahead
I'm thumbing my way back to heaven
I wish that I could hold you... wish that I had
Thinking 'bout heaven

I let go of a rope,... thinking that's what held me back
And in time I've realized,... it's now wrapped around my neck
I can't see what's next,... from this lonely overpass
Hang my head and count my steps, as another car goes past

All the rusted sign we ignore throughout our lives
Choosing the shiny ones instead
I turned my back,... now there's no turning back

No matter how cold the winter,.. there's a springtime ahead
I smile, but who am I kidding?
I'm just walking the miles,.. every once in a while I'll get a ride
I'm thumbing my way back to heaven

Thumbing my way back to heaven
I'm thumbing my way back to heaven...


Listen to the version from Paris 06, gave me chills. Such a beautiful song, I prefer it over Off He Goes. What does it mean? If you consider the fact that the song was written around 2000 or 2001 shortly after Ed's divorce, the lyrics shine some light to that subject.

I have not been home since you left long ago
I'm thumbing my way back to heaven

* One of my hardest relationship breakups occured when I was living with someone and the hardest thing was going home, going back to the place that I shared with that person during our time together. Many times, I just wanted to avoid it, move. I have not been home since you left.....

I can't be free with what's locked inside of me...
If there was a key, you took it in your hands.

* We shared so much together, you were my glue. Now that you are gone, I'm broken again. You were the key that held me together, and when you left, you took it with you.

All the rusted sign we ignore throughout our lives
Choosing the shiny ones instead

* Did I take you for granted during our time together? Before you left, there were signs that you were trying to give to me about your unhappiness, but I ignored them.

My 2 cents.
San Fran 92, San Fran 93, Berkeley 93, Indio 93, Fairfax 94, DC 95, San Fran 95, DC 95, Va Beach 98, Columbia 98, Dc 98, Va Beach 00, Columbia 00, Philly 03, Bristow 03, Chicago 06, Chicago 06, Dc 06, DC 08
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Comments

  • Ms. Haiku
    Ms. Haiku Washington DC Posts: 7,368
    My first impression for any songs off of Riot Act is that many are for the dead including Thumbing My Way. I think of my grandpa when I hear it, and he died before I was born. I mean look at the cover, if that doesn't scream Day of the Dead, I don't know what does. Actually, I thought the lyric had the word, "Dad" in it. Where did it go? I think in the lyrics with the CD the word "Dad" is included.

    Now, there was a theory around somewhere that the song was a eulogy for a friend.
    There is no such thing as leftover pizza. There is now pizza and later pizza. - anonymous
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  • Hearing this song in Paris 06 was an amazing thing to do. I've never been so touched in my whole life. it was incredible!
    This song has, since I first heard it, been one of the best songs I have ever, ever, ever heard! so beautiful!



    I don't understands how it's possible to write such a beautiful song and perform it so well!
    I'm speechless!
    Good-bye for now.
  • LauraPJ
    LauraPJ Mendoza, Argentina Posts: 1,777
    One of my fav song... I LOVE IT! Paris '06 is great, the Benaroya one is beatiful as well, so smoothig. Much love for this awesome song :)
    I'll ride the wave where it takes me
    Buenos Aires, 11/25/2005
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  • obiwon76
    obiwon76 Posts: 568
    I heard the version from Paris, it has to be the best version I've ever heard. The true beauty of a great song is when you listen to it, and after it's over, you have no idea how long it was, you just get lost in the song itself, the lyrics. Is there a better line in songwriting history than:

    "I can't be free from what's locked inside of me".....
    San Fran 92, San Fran 93, Berkeley 93, Indio 93, Fairfax 94, DC 95, San Fran 95, DC 95, Va Beach 98, Columbia 98, Dc 98, Va Beach 00, Columbia 00, Philly 03, Bristow 03, Chicago 06, Chicago 06, Dc 06, DC 08
  • Blue11
    Blue11 Posts: 200
    I love this song...makes me think of times in the past when peoplewho meant a lot tome left....makes me feel powerless, then and now, yet hopeful that there could be better times ahead,after the pain ceases....

    I've heard it live a few times...awesome song
    " All the stars in the sky, thought you were up in mine
    Still I wonder, I wonder......" "Black" tag 09-16-2005 Ottawa

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  • upina2001
    upina2001 Indiana Posts: 764
    Best version of THUMBING...anyone know???

    Cleveland 06. No shit. (and no, I wasnt there) :D

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  • upina2001 wrote:
    Best version of THUMBING...anyone know???

    Cleveland 06. No shit. (and no, I wasnt there) :D

    Beautifull song, I really started to aprecieated when I heard the version from Benaroya, but both (Cleveland and Paris) are just great.

    Too bad they don´t play it too often.

    no matter how cold the winter, there is a springtime ahead.

    Cheers
  • lucylespian
    lucylespian Posts: 2,403
    I love the line about rusted signs, being a bit of a rusted sign myself.
    I was lucky enough to hear this in Brisbane in 2003, so it's on the bootleg of "my" concert, so I listen to it all the time.
    Amazing song !!
    To me, it is a song about a man who has lost a lot, lonely and bereft, heading back to memory of a better time in the past, maybe even heading to that place.
    But it is so beautiful, it is enriching , even though it is quite a sad song.
    Music is not a competetion.
  • obiwon76
    obiwon76 Posts: 568
    I spent about 3 months last year trying to learn this song. Finally after getting the music down, I got the courage to try to sing the lyrics. It was one of the most emotional moments in my life, so just imagine how Ed must feel playing it in front of 20,000 people. I was in a quiet room with the lights turned off, but it was very powerful. The words, the music, combined. One of my fav PJ songs of all-time.
    San Fran 92, San Fran 93, Berkeley 93, Indio 93, Fairfax 94, DC 95, San Fran 95, DC 95, Va Beach 98, Columbia 98, Dc 98, Va Beach 00, Columbia 00, Philly 03, Bristow 03, Chicago 06, Chicago 06, Dc 06, DC 08
  • obiwon76
    obiwon76 Posts: 568
    Everytime I listen to this song, I think of someone who I knew when I was younger and how our lives became distant after graduation. Those moments we tend to neglect, seeing someone everyday, sharing laughs and all of a sudden one day, you never see them again. "Thumbing My Way" back to those days I remember.
    San Fran 92, San Fran 93, Berkeley 93, Indio 93, Fairfax 94, DC 95, San Fran 95, DC 95, Va Beach 98, Columbia 98, Dc 98, Va Beach 00, Columbia 00, Philly 03, Bristow 03, Chicago 06, Chicago 06, Dc 06, DC 08
  • vesna
    vesna Posts: 27
    I heard it live in Zagreb, right after thin air. It got rather emotional for me in that moment the way I did not expect. It was coming back home, picking pieces of me lost along the road. Thinking of people that were not here anymore and accepting the fact that I miss them still.
  • sebaarg88
    sebaarg88 Posts: 1,277
    No matter how cold the winter, there's a springtime ahead


    My fav line ever
    only love can break your heart
    but only love can brake your fall
  • obiwon76
    obiwon76 Posts: 568
    This is the type of a song where I will purchase an entire show just for this song.
    San Fran 92, San Fran 93, Berkeley 93, Indio 93, Fairfax 94, DC 95, San Fran 95, DC 95, Va Beach 98, Columbia 98, Dc 98, Va Beach 00, Columbia 00, Philly 03, Bristow 03, Chicago 06, Chicago 06, Dc 06, DC 08
  • This is the only song that can bring me to tears every single time I hear it!
    A pessimist is a man who thinks all women are bad. An optimist is one who hopes they are.
  • smarchee
    smarchee Windsor, Ontario Posts: 14,539
    Yeah, this is definitly one of my favourite Pearl Jam songs. Instantly, I recognized those 2 lyrics that I love in this song, those being

    1) No matter how cold the winter, there's a springtime ahead

    and

    2) All the rusted sign we ignore throughout our lives, choosing the shiny ones instead

    Just love those lines. Great song. Haven't seen it done live yet, maybe one day though :)
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  • Horos
    Horos Posts: 4,518
    Awesome song great lyrics!!!

    This is the type of song that anyone can relate to some life experience one way or another.

    LOVE IT !!!!!!!!!
    #FHP
  • obiwon76
    obiwon76 Posts: 568
    Imagine if they played this at Storytellers? I was watching the repeat this weekend and it has the same tone as "Gone", but I would of loved to hear what Ed's comments are about this. Is it about his own life, Beth? Would of been nice.
    San Fran 92, San Fran 93, Berkeley 93, Indio 93, Fairfax 94, DC 95, San Fran 95, DC 95, Va Beach 98, Columbia 98, Dc 98, Va Beach 00, Columbia 00, Philly 03, Bristow 03, Chicago 06, Chicago 06, Dc 06, DC 08
  • deadnote
    deadnote Posts: 1,678
    i love this song , kind of wrote a piece on guitar that sounds similiar
    i still haven't bought the album riot act but i have heard this great tune
    set your laughter free

    dreamer in my dream

    we got the guns

    i love you,but im..............callin out.........callin out
  • This song it´s so beautiful... powerfull lyrics that almoust everyone can relate to.

    No matter how cold the winter ther's a springtime ahead - i hope so.
    I don't want to take what you can give
    I would rather starve than eat your bread
    I would rather run but I can't walk
    Guess I'll lie alone just like before

    23-05-00/04-09-06/05-09-06
  • obiwon76
    obiwon76 Posts: 568
    deadnote wrote:
    i love this song , kind of wrote a piece on guitar that sounds similiar
    i still haven't bought the album riot act but i have heard this great tune


    You don't own Riot Act????? This is most shocking thing I've heard. Please drop everything you are doing, and run out and get it.
    San Fran 92, San Fran 93, Berkeley 93, Indio 93, Fairfax 94, DC 95, San Fran 95, DC 95, Va Beach 98, Columbia 98, Dc 98, Va Beach 00, Columbia 00, Philly 03, Bristow 03, Chicago 06, Chicago 06, Dc 06, DC 08