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Sleight of Hand

time and tidetime and tide Posts: 13
edited October 2006 in Words and Music...Communication
i'll see you on the other siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiide. this song is just SO amazing!!!! I would love to hear all your interpretations/thoughts about this incredible piece of work. thank you.
once dissolved we are free to grow.
www.freebord.com
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Comments

  • Carlos DCarlos D Posts: 638
    The whole Binaural album is a masterpiece.But in particular this song,when you put your head phones on and listen to it,it's like being in a different world.

    My interpretation of the lyrics reminds me of working this horrible job where I was getting up at 5 in the morning and I had just finished school and all my friends had moved on to college etc. as well as numerous relationship problems and just growing up in general.But mostly the job,it was very tough in the freezing weather and early in the morning and I totally related to the lyric:'''Something he hadn't imagined being...He found himself staring down at his own hands,not remembering change.''
    I just think about being somewhere bad in life and being in your own world,wondering why and feeling like your life has gone all wrong,''He was ok but wondering about wandering.''
    But I found comfort in the song,that there's light at the end of every tunnel,''I'll see you on the other side.''
    It may be the devil or it may be the Lord
    But you're gonna have to serve somebody.

    www.bebo.com/pearljam06
  • threecrookedhearts6threecrookedhearts6 Posts: 82
    Carlos D wrote:
    The whole Binaural album is a masterpiece.But in particular this song,when you put your head phones on and listen to it,it's like being in a different world.


    Couldn't have said it better myself!
    “I don't know what this means. I don't think it means anything.”
    -Eddie Vedder
  • DOSWDOSW Posts: 2,014
    Great song, I agree. I understand the gist of the whole thing, but I've always wondered what the actual "sleight of hand" is in the song. Strange that the part I never understood is the title of the song.
    It's a town full of losers and I'm pulling out of here to win
  • time and tidetime and tide Posts: 13
    DOSW wrote:
    Great song, I agree. I understand the gist of the whole thing, but I've always wondered what the actual "sleight of hand" is in the song. Strange that the part I never understood is the title of the song.

    i have also had trouble understanding what 'sleight of hand' actually IS. to me, it seems it could be that the man in this song was pushed into or rather decieved into the way he is living his life, simply by the way society works, or maybe i am analyizing it way too much...
    once dissolved we are free to grow.
    www.freebord.com
  • Pearl Jam and toastPearl Jam and toast Posts: 4,475
    time and tide wrote:
    i have also had trouble understanding what 'sleight of hand' actually IS. to me, it seems it could be that the man in this song was pushed into or rather decieved into the way he is living his life, simply by the way society works, or maybe i am analyizing it way too much...
    no you're not, it's a rather complex song.

    i think it's about a man.. "the man in the grey flannel suit" so to speak.. if you understand the reference that should explain the whole song in a nutshell.

    Except for maybe Light Years, my favorite song on Binaural :)

    Both of which need to be played live more...
    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"
  • Nothingman54Nothingman54 Posts: 2,251
    One of my fav. songs. My 2nd fav. album. I have only heard it live once at HOB in Orlando, FL 03
    I'll be back
  • deadmosquitodeadmosquito Posts: 729
    my favorite PJ tune. hopefully i'll be able to catch it live sometime.
  • RockinInCanadaRockinInCanada Posts: 2,016
    Lost my head when I heard the opening strokes of this tune in Calgary...I thought that it would not have the same effect live as compared to the album because musically/lyrically very complex...but I was wrong...they hit it 100%....incredible...
  • time and tidetime and tide Posts: 13
    just finished up smoking and put this song on. WOW!!!!!!! THIS SONG IS SO UNREAL!!! *spinal chills* LETS SPREAD SOME LOVE FOR SLEIGHT OF HAND!!!!! thank you Pearl Jam SO much for this song!
    once dissolved we are free to grow.
    www.freebord.com
  • burlapsackburlapsack Posts: 15
    yeah i think the "sleight of hand" is that this guy was living routine life and didnt even realize what was happening, just by sleight of hand he was moved into this terrible routine, he only 'woke up and smelled the coffee' when it was too late
  • JPS79JPS79 Posts: 148
    "Mondays were made to fall. lost on a road he knew by heart." I think of this line a lot when driving to work esp on Mondays.
    Seems the more you make
    equals the loneliness you get
  • threecrookedhearts6threecrookedhearts6 Posts: 82
    Pearl Jam and toast wrote:

    i think it's about a man.. "the man in the grey flannel suit" so to speak.. if you understand the reference that should explain the whole song in a nutshell.

    ...

    this is what i always connected it with as well...good analogy!

    this song makes me feel like im on some other plane or in another universe...wish i could hear it in concert someday!
    “I don't know what this means. I don't think it means anything.”
    -Eddie Vedder
  • brainofPJbrainofPJ Posts: 2,361
    this is one of those rare slow tunes that kicks my ass.

    NEED to hear it live.


    Esther's here and she's sick?

    hi Esther, now we are all going to be sick, thanks
  • Pearl Jam and toastPearl Jam and toast Posts: 4,475
    threecrookedhearts6 wrote:
    this is what i always connected it with as well...good analogy!

    this song makes me feel like im on some other plane or in another universe...wish i could hear it in concert someday!
    I'm glad someone FINALLY knew what I was talking about! :D
    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"
  • pjrvmpjrvm Posts: 99
    I was never really that into this song... saw it in concert and it was decent... sounds absolutely amazing on the boot... Now I like it more each time I listen to it. New appreciation for songs is the best.
  • Sleight-Of-HandSleight-Of-Hand Posts: 57
    i agree with y'all, this song i realised afew days ago is probably the most amazing and emotional pj songs to me, i love the binaural version and also the acoustic version on Beneroya,,, headphones makes it even better.

    i try not to listen to it too much, i dont want it to "get old" i.e get sick of it, although that would be hard to do.
    I see the birds in the rain...


    i know and i would not ever touch you, hold you, feel you ever... oh, never again
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    First ever show-Leeds Festival 25th Aug 2006.
  • UpSideDownUpSideDown Posts: 1,966
    Absolute appreciation for sleight of hand


    amazing lyrics of how someone can find themselves living a life not their own
  • Nothingman54Nothingman54 Posts: 2,251
    One of my fav.
    I'll be back
  • pjrvmpjrvm Posts: 99
    When he reached the shore of his... clip-on world...
    He resurfaced to the norm
    Organized his few things,... his coat and keys...
    Any new realizations... would have to wait...
    Til he had more time,... more time...
    Time to dream,... to himself... he waves goodbye,
    To himself... I'll see you on the other side...

    Another man...moved by sleight of hand...

    The last verse in Sleight of Hand, anyone have any ideas what this part means? I was listening to it on the way to school this morning and I wondered if the character committed suicide, but now reading the lyrics I'm not so sure. Maybe he just quits his job and dramatically changes his life. Anyone?
  • The Waiting Trophy ManThe Waiting Trophy Man Posts: 12,158
    one of jeff's masterpieces(music). great lyrics by ed, too. the opening is rather haunting, and it's a sad story. i love how the guitars sound like they're being swallowed down a drain pipe(y'know what i mean??)
    Another habit says it's in love with you
    Another habit says its long overdue
    Another habit like an unwanted friend
    I'm so happy with my righteous self
  • i am mine, you arei am mine, you are Posts: 49
    This song is really amazing.
    Good-bye for now.
  • i am mine, you arei am mine, you are Posts: 49
    This song is really amazing.
    Good-bye for now.
  • Jeremy1012Jeremy1012 Posts: 7,170
    easily the best song on binaural. and some of eds best vocals ever. I love this song so much.

    "as dirt turns to sand..."
    "I remember one night at Muzdalifa with nothing but the sky overhead, I lay awake amid sleeping Muslim brothers and I learned that pilgrims from every land — every colour, and class, and rank; high officials and the beggar alike — all snored in the same language"
  • this is not for youthis is not for you Posts: 240
    I don't know why there's been people and press saying binaural and riot act arent as good as the other albums i dont know how people cant see that binaural is genius i mean even the name suggests this album is something else as pearl jam used the binaural recording method and sleight of hand has to be one of the best tracks on the album let alone of all time.

    In those two albums pearl jam jumped onto a whole new level that i personally feel people cant handle or take in and realise that those albums are works of art.


    Pearl jam rule!!!!

    peace and love
  • Sleight-Of-HandSleight-Of-Hand Posts: 57
    pjrvm wrote:
    When he reached the shore of his... clip-on world...
    He resurfaced to the norm
    Organized his few things,... his coat and keys...
    Any new realizations... would have to wait...
    Til he had more time,... more time...
    Time to dream,... to himself... he waves goodbye,
    To himself... I'll see you on the other side...

    Another man...moved by sleight of hand...

    The last verse in Sleight of Hand, anyone have any ideas what this part means? I was listening to it on the way to school this morning and I wondered if the character committed suicide, but now reading the lyrics I'm not so sure. Maybe he just quits his job and dramatically changes his life. Anyone?

    I think the last verse means that instead of thinking all the time that he wished he was somewhere else and had a diefferent life or job etc, he "waves goodbye to himself" i.e he continues with his life and tries not to think about what opportunities he may have missed, because he has a family to support and responsibilites.

    He will see his dreams "on the other side" meaning he will take time to think about how different his life could have been when he dies, because then ther will not be the responsibilties of everyday life. he is essentially giving up and accepting this is the way his life is now even though he hates it and letting go of his dreams, for the sake of other people (his family).. and i think this makes the song sadder.

    i hope i explained this ok.. :)
    I see the birds in the rain...


    i know and i would not ever touch you, hold you, feel you ever... oh, never again
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    First ever show-Leeds Festival 25th Aug 2006.
  • goldrushgoldrush Posts: 7,538
    I love the imagery in this song, one of their best "story" songs. There's a post on The Porch about Best Lines In A Pearl Jam Song and part of my entry was


    Sleight Of Hand:
    Routine was the theme,...
    he'd wake up,..wash and pour himself into uniform,...
    something he hadn't imagined being...

    Mondays were made to fall...
    Lost on a road he knew by heart...
    It was like a book he read in his sleep... endlessly...


    just the futility of the same old daily shit getting a guy down put into words that are so poetic that you don't notice how deep they are at first. Beautiful.
    “Do not postpone happiness”
    (Jeff Tweedy, Sydney 2007)

    “Put yer good money on the sunrise”
    (Tim Rogers)
  • Pearl Jam and toastPearl Jam and toast Posts: 4,475
    this is not for you wrote:
    I don't know why there's been people and press saying binaural and riot act arent as good as the other albums i dont know how people cant see that binaural is genius i mean even the name suggests this album is something else as pearl jam used the binaural recording method and sleight of hand has to be one of the best tracks on the album let alone of all time.

    In those two albums pearl jam jumped onto a whole new level that i personally feel people cant handle or take in and realise that those albums are works of art.


    Pearl jam rule!!!!

    peace and love
    Ever since No Code they've been making stranger records (at least according to the way the used to sound) and a bunch of people are pissed.

    I can understand it though..

    Think about it... If the first 3 Pearl Jam albums were a beaming symbol of your youth and one of the most emotional connections you'll ever make in a lifetime wouldn't you be turned off by a change?

    So i understand it... but I still think that opinion is one of the most backwards stupid ways to think about the band. Personally I believe that every one of their albums (including Riot Act) are far better than the first 2.



    And I dunno if it's been mentioned yet, but how about a little applaus for Mr. Ament's incredible lyrical work? :D
    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"
  • Ms. HaikuMs. Haiku Posts: 7,265
    Routine was the theme,... he'd wake up,..wash and pour himself
    Into uniform,... something he hadn't imagined being...

    As the merging traffic passed,... he found himself staring,..
    Down,... at his own... hands..
    Not remembering the change,... not recalling the plan,
    Was it...?

    He was okay,... but wondering... about wandering
    Was it age?... By consequence?... or was he moved by
    Sleight of hand?

    Mondays were made to fall,... lost on a road he knew by heart
    It was like a book he read in his sleep,... endlessly...
    Sometimes he hid in his radio,... watching others pull into their homes
    While he was drifting...

    On a line,... of his own,... off the line,... on the side
    Bye the by,.... as dirt turned to sand,
    As if moved by sleight of hand...

    When he reached the shore of his... clip-on world...
    He resurfaced to the norm
    Organized his few things,... his coat and keys...
    Any new realizations... would have to wait...
    Til he had more time,... more time...
    Time to dream,... to himself... he waves goodbye,
    To himself... I'll see you on the other side...

    Another man...moved by sleight of hand...



    So, what would make someone write this song? At first it could be an examination of a group of people, those that wear "uniforms" of certain professions. Yet, ultimately, it is about an individual's choice. So, do you think the lyricist identified with the person in uniform on some level . . . at such a level that on an individual level the lyricist included more of himself?
    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
  • gleemonexgleemonex Posts: 848
    Saw this song live on June 26th in St. Paul, and it was as amazing as I could've hoped it to be. One of my favourites on Binaural, unfortunately it was overshadowed the next night when they played Light Years.
    “Hello, babies. Welcome to Earth. It’s hot in the summer and cold in the winter. It’s round and wet and crowded. At the outside, babies, you’ve got about a hundred years here. There’s only one rule that I know of, babies — ‘God damn it, you’ve got to be kind.’” - Kurt Vonnegut
  • shareshare Posts: 551
    this song absolutely moves me - and I've been really lucky to see it live a few times

    I agree with all the interpretations - I also feel a huge sense of detachment

    he finds himself in his own life without knowing how he got there - as if moved by sleight of hand

    I live it - I'm somebody else during the day - I wave goodbye to who I am when I walk through the office doors - and do I know how I got here? complacency, necessity, lack of conviction

    there's such a feeling of duality - maybe not so much a feeling of suicide as opposed to maybe just wanting to kill who you've become

    the other side is where it's at baby, but can you make the leap
    we're all sentient snowflakes
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    I'm a number that doesn't count
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    the nothing ventured - the nothing feigned
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