Home› Words and Music...Communication

I Got ID

InHiding19InHiding19 Posts: 2,385
edited December 2011 in Words and Music...Communication
Whats this song about..........absolutely love it!!
Out of the Blue and Into the Black................Uncle Neil Philly 08 here I come!!!!
Post edited by Unknown User on
«1

Comments

  • Murderers.Murderers. Posts: 1,382
    I havn't looked into the lyrics, but it's a great song.

    Note that the song's name is "I Got Id" (as in the Freudian concept) and not "I Got ID" (as in a form of identification), a frequent mistake in labeling the album's songs.
    What the fuck is this world?
  • InHiding19InHiding19 Posts: 2,385
    Murderers wrote:
    I havn't looked into the lyrics, but it's a great song.

    Note that the song's name is "I Got Id" (as in the Freudian concept) and not "I Got ID" (as in a form of identification), a frequent mistake in labeling the album's songs.


    sorry boss :)
    Out of the Blue and Into the Black................Uncle Neil Philly 08 here I come!!!!
  • Murderers.Murderers. Posts: 1,382
    Oxxys wrote:
    sorry boss :)
    S'ok! :)
    What the fuck is this world?
  • he still standshe still stands Posts: 2,835
    My lips are shakin
    My nails are bit off
    Its been a month since Ive heard myself talk
    Only advantage this lifes got on me
    Picture a cup in the middle of the sea

    And I fought back in my mind
    Never lets me be right...
    I got memories, I got shit
    So much it dont show...

    Oh, I walked the line...
    When you held me in at night
    Oh, I walked the line...
    When you held my hand and i...

    On empty shells seem so easy to crack
    Got all these questions
    Dont know who I could even ask
    So Ill just lie down and wait for the dream
    Where Im not ugly and youre lookin at me

    And Ill stay in bed...
    Oh, little Ive seen there
    If just once I could be loved...
    Oh, Id stare back at me

    Oh, I walked the line...
    When you held me in at night
    Oh, I walked the line...
    When you held my hand and i
    Oh, I walked the line...
    When you held me close at night
    Oh, I paid the price...
    Never held you in your eyes

    (References made below to Id, Ego, and Super Ego. If you don't know what these mean Wikipedia "Freud Id Ego Super Ego.")

    When I read the lyrics to this song, I think that it should be titled "I Got Ego." The lyrics; My lips are shakin, My nails are bit off, I got memories, I got shit, I walked the line, You held me in at night, On empty shells so easy to crack.... as well as others, are all touching on the subject of Ego. That is, Eddie may be talking about finding the balance between pleasures (Id) and the symbolic internalization of his father figure and cultural regulations (Super Ego). Obviously with Eddie's father figure situation this is even further complicated since Freud's definition of Super Ego was carried upon the shoulders of the father figure's role in a boy's life. Freud would probably say that Eddie's Super Ego is in shambles when he finds out that he never knew his real father. So, "walking the line" between his Id and Super Ego is much more difficult when the Super Ego is hard to define for a young man. According to Freud, this would end up with the young man being immoral and even having sexual idenitity problems. (Which we sometimes see in Eddie's lyrics -- but we all know that Freud was a pervert so that thought could easily be dismissed)

    So who is the person who, "held me in at night," "held me hand," and "held me close." Again, I believe Eddie is talking about his Ego protecting him from his primitive desires, his Id. So it seems that Eddie has an Ego that drives him to his sense of Super Ego more often than to his Id, and this song may be reminding him that it is okay to identify with his Id as well. This translation holds up when you look at his personal life. He has all the temptations one could ever have; rock star status, drugs always available, girls always at his calling, parties and alcohol (which are mostly death instincts of the Id), etc. He could be living the Scott Weiland life but his Ego drives him to be cautious and forever mindful of conflicting with his ideals, norms and taboo.

    Typically, the Ego will allow one to identify more with the Id than the Super Ego but in Eddie's case this seems to be the opposite, and "I Got Id" is a reminder that instinctive impluses and pleasures are a necessity in his life just as much as maintaining his sense of morality.
    Everything not forbidden is compulsory and eveything not compulsory is forbidden. You are free... free to do what the government says you can do.
  • InHiding19InHiding19 Posts: 2,385
    yeah I droped psychology 101 in college absolutely hated it, but it was probably more being that it was a big lecture class with a shitty teacher than the subject
    Out of the Blue and Into the Black................Uncle Neil Philly 08 here I come!!!!
  • GreyRedGirlGreyRedGirl Posts: 35
    It's my fav PJ song by far. There was another thread discussing the song, and the nugget of information I took outta that thread was; the first and last line are the same ("My lips are shakin'). It's like he's trapped in a loop or a cycle he can't break out of.

    That lil piece of knowledge actually blew me away when I read it. I hope it helps. ^_^

    -An
  • he still standshe still stands Posts: 2,835
    Oxxys wrote:
    yeah I droped psychology 101 in college absolutely hated it, but it was probably more being that it was a big lecture class with a shitty teacher than the subject
    Psychology is interesting as hell to me. We're currently in the "dark ages" of psychology if you compare it to medicine or other physical sciences. 100 years from now people will look back at what we know now and be astonished. It will be tantamount to the difference between the Industrial Revolution and the Information Revolution. That is why I love reading about it and forming my own conclusions... its a much more romantic science that hard sciences!!!
    Everything not forbidden is compulsory and eveything not compulsory is forbidden. You are free... free to do what the government says you can do.
  • InHiding19InHiding19 Posts: 2,385
    GreyRedGirl wrote:
    It's my fav PJ song by far. There was another thread discussing the song, and the nugget of information I took outta that thread was; the first and last line are the same ("My lips are shakin'). It's like he's trapped in a loop or a cycle he can't break out of.

    That lil piece of knowledge actually blew me away when I read it. I hope it helps. ^_^

    -An

    interesting indeed a loop I like that
    Out of the Blue and Into the Black................Uncle Neil Philly 08 here I come!!!!
  • he still standshe still stands Posts: 2,835
    he still stands wrote:
    When I read the lyrics to this song, I think that it should be titled "I Got Ego." The lyrics; My lips are shakin, My nails are bit off, I got memories, I got shit, I walked the line, You held me in at night, On empty shells so easy to crack.... as well as others, are all touching on the subject of Ego. That is, Eddie may be talking about finding the balance between pleasures (Id) and the symbolic internalization of his father figure and cultural regulations (Super Ego). Obviously with Eddie's father figure situation this is even further complicated since Freud's definition of Super Ego was carried upon the shoulders of the father figure's role in a boy's life. Freud would probably say that Eddie's Super Ego is in shambles when he finds out that he never knew his real father. So, "walking the line" between his Id and Super Ego is much more difficult when the Super Ego is hard to define for a young man. According to Freud, this would end up with the young man being immoral and even having sexual idenitity problems. (Which we sometimes see in Eddie's lyrics -- but we all know that Freud was a pervert so that thought could easily be dismissed)

    So who is the person who, "held me in at night," "held me hand," and "held me close." Again, I believe Eddie is talking about his Ego protecting him from his primitive desires, his Id. So it seems that Eddie has an Ego that drives him to his sense of Super Ego more often than to his Id, and this song may be reminding him that it is okay to identify with his Id as well. This translation holds up when you look at his personal life. He has all the temptations one could ever have; rock star status, drugs always available, girls always at his calling, parties and alcohol, etc. He could be living the Scott Weiland life but his Ego drives him to be cautious and forever mindful of conflicting with his ideals, norms and taboo.

    Typically, the Ego will allow one to identify more with the Id than the Super Ego but in Eddie's case this seems to be the opposite, and "I Got Id" is a reminder that instinctive impluses and pleasures are a necessity in his life just as much as maintaining his sense of morality.

    Any thoughts?
    Everything not forbidden is compulsory and eveything not compulsory is forbidden. You are free... free to do what the government says you can do.
  • InHiding19InHiding19 Posts: 2,385
    he still stands wrote:
    Any thoughts?


    interesting interpretation
    Out of the Blue and Into the Black................Uncle Neil Philly 08 here I come!!!!
  • Murderers.Murderers. Posts: 1,382
    Yeah, I like your interpretation 'he still stands' but I feel it should be called 'I Got Id' because it's Eddie's ego that allows him to have Id. 'I Got Ego' doesn't really fit imo.
    What the fuck is this world?
  • InHiding19InHiding19 Posts: 2,385
    Murderers wrote:
    Yeah, I like your interpretation 'he still stands' but I feel it should be called 'I Got Id' because it's Eddie's ego that allows him to have Id. 'I Got Ego' doesn't really fit imo.

    now your making my heard hurt you god damn psychologists..................history is way cooler lol
    Out of the Blue and Into the Black................Uncle Neil Philly 08 here I come!!!!
  • Murderers.Murderers. Posts: 1,382
    Oxxys wrote:
    now your making my heard hurt you god damn psychologists..................history is way cooler lol
    Nahhhhhhhh.
    What the fuck is this world?
  • DOSWDOSW Posts: 2,014
    I think the psychology aspect is looking too much into it.

    I always figured it was about a man who's desperately clinging to his only love which has been lost.

    Remember the song was originally titled "I Got Shit" and only renamed "I Got Id" because it needed to be censored.
    It's a town full of losers and I'm pulling out of here to win
  • halszka123halszka123 Posts: 1,109
    Murderers wrote:
    I havn't looked into the lyrics, but it's a great song.

    Note that the song's name is "I Got Id" (as in the Freudian concept) and not "I Got ID" (as in a form of identification), a frequent mistake in labeling the album's songs.
    I didn't realize it till now.
    Thanks:)
    Not 10c member? Have sth to say? write to me - I'll put it on the forum
    halszka123@op.pl
  • he still standshe still stands Posts: 2,835
    Murderers wrote:
    Yeah, I like your interpretation 'he still stands' but I feel it should be called 'I Got Id' because it's Eddie's ego that allows him to have Id. 'I Got Ego' doesn't really fit imo.
    Oh I know... I was just saying that after initally looking into the lyrics it seemed to be entirely about his Ego and the "balancing act" of his id and super ego. But like I pointed out the title suggests a reminder of the consideration of his id.

    Either way... I'd never suggest that a masterpiece such as this should be retitled to fit my interpretation!!! (or any song, by any band, for that matter)
    Everything not forbidden is compulsory and eveything not compulsory is forbidden. You are free... free to do what the government says you can do.
  • halszka123halszka123 Posts: 1,109
    Oxxys wrote:
    now your making my heard hurt you god damn psychologists..................history is way cooler lol
    hmm. i prefer psychology from these both (absolutely!).
    So... i will have to return to my youth... and go deeper into that:)
    Not 10c member? Have sth to say? write to me - I'll put it on the forum
    halszka123@op.pl
  • slightofjeffslightofjeff Posts: 7,762
    Murderers wrote:
    I havn't looked into the lyrics, but it's a great song.

    Note that the song's name is "I Got Id" (as in the Freudian concept) and not "I Got ID" (as in a form of identification), a frequent mistake in labeling the album's songs.

    Fuck radio edits. The song is called "I Got Shit" :)

    It's an obvious unrequited love song to me, but then what do I know. To me, the protagonist in this song is so alone he doesn't even have a specific person he pines for. He just wants to be loved. Is that so wrong?
    everybody wants the most they can possibly get
    for the least they could possibly do
  • DOSWDOSW Posts: 2,014
    slightofjeff wrote:
    Fuck radio edits. The song is called "I Got Shit" :)

    It's an obvious unrequited love song to me, but then what do I know. To me, the protagonist in this song is so alone he doesn't even have a specific person he pines for. He just wants to be loved. Is that so wrong?

    Man, your song interpretations are spot on. Or at least they're similar to mine, which means they're spot on for me at least. :D
    It's a town full of losers and I'm pulling out of here to win
  • slightofjeffslightofjeff Posts: 7,762
    DOSW wrote:
    Man, your song interpretations are spot on. Or at least they're similar to mine, which means they're spot on for me at least. :D

    I think we're both geniuses :)
    everybody wants the most they can possibly get
    for the least they could possibly do
  • MeI'mNotMeI'mNot Posts: 9
    I don't know which one is right, I got Id or I got Shit, but the last version makes the whole psychological interpretation redundant. Nevertheless you did a great job on that one, even though I can't agree to that Freud was a pervert.
    Anyways, personally I like slightofjeff's interpretation better, it's pretty exactly what I thought of when i thought about it.
    Emotionally Colorblind
  • NthinManNthinMan Posts: 7
    he still stands wrote:
    Any thoughts?
    Hi there...

    my personal opinion is...

    The song had the title I got shit (see merkin ball single).
    This is also evident in the lyrics of the song when Ed sings:
    "I got memories, I got shit... so much I don't show"

    Maybe they had to change the title, because of restriction or censorship..

    Does anyone agree??
  • Murderers.Murderers. Posts: 1,382
    NthinMan wrote:
    Hi there...

    my personal opinion is...

    The song had the title I got shit (see merkin ball single).
    This is also evident in the lyrics of the song when Ed sings:
    "I got memories, I got shit... so much I don't show"

    Maybe they had to change the title, because of restriction or censorship..

    Does anyone agree??
    This has already been mentioned. ;)
    What the fuck is this world?
  • he still standshe still stands Posts: 2,835
    NthinMan wrote:
    Hi there...

    my personal opinion is...

    The song had the title I got shit (see merkin ball single).
    This is also evident in the lyrics of the song when Ed sings:
    "I got memories, I got shit... so much I don't show"

    Maybe they had to change the title, because of restriction or censorship..

    Does anyone agree??

    Yeah I thought of that before I sat down to interpret the song... but then again why "Id?" Why make a reference to the most famous psychological phrase (id, ego, superego) without any meaning to that title? And even the title "I Got Shit" strikes me as being more about "baggage" and mental anxiety/stress/paranoia than being about love. And again, "baggage," mental anxiety/stress/paranoia are all symptoms of the mind balancing act between the Id and SuperEgo.

    I know my interepretation may be out there... but Eddie is a VERY smart dude and I'm sure he knew what "Id" was when he titled the song, and I'm confident it has relevance to the meaning of his words. In addition, how many other songs in the PJ catalog are getting inside Ed's head? -- In Hiding, Not for You, et al.

    But as always, the listener can interpret any way she likes. Nobody here is right or wrong.

    Peace & Happy Friday.
    Everything not forbidden is compulsory and eveything not compulsory is forbidden. You are free... free to do what the government says you can do.
  • InHiding19InHiding19 Posts: 2,385
    but what does Id have in common with shit;
    Out of the Blue and Into the Black................Uncle Neil Philly 08 here I come!!!!
  • Innocent_BystanderInnocent_Bystander Posts: 615
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G55ZcQszGXo

    the song is beautiful, who cares what its called or why? just enjoy the best song pearl jam ever wrote
    Life reveals what is dealt through seasons
    Circle comes around each time
  • InHiding19InHiding19 Posts: 2,385
    Innocent_Bystander wrote:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G55ZcQszGXo

    the song is beautiful, who cares what its called or why? just enjoy the best song pearl jam ever wrote


    yeah this song is near perfect I would love him to tag it with Cinnamon Girl at the garden like he did in Toronto of 06
    Out of the Blue and Into the Black................Uncle Neil Philly 08 here I come!!!!
  • DerrickDerrick Posts: 475
    DOSW wrote:
    I think the psychology aspect is looking too much into it.

    I always figured it was about a man who's desperately clinging to his only love which has been lost.

    Remember the song was originally titled "I Got Shit" and only renamed "I Got Id" because it needed to be censored.

    I analyzed this song hardcore in 1997ish. This quote above basically correct. Don't read too much further into it imo.
  • cgroxcgrox Posts: 58
    My lips are shakin
    My nails are bit off
    Its been a month since Ive heard myself talk
    Only advantage this lifes got on me
    Picture a cup in the middle of the sea

    *** this first pass is the character in a lonely, frantic, reclusive period. He realizes that his life is empty like “the cup” surrounded by endless directions (where to go, what to do), but unlike the cup, he is not free to move on.

    And I fought back in my mind
    Never lets me be right...
    I got memories, I got shit
    So much it dont show...

    Oh, I walked the line...
    When you held me in at night
    Oh, I walked the line...
    When you held my hand and i...

    *** pass 2,3 have the character trying to come to terms with his past. Everything he thought was fulfilling, now is not. He finds that the night time (dream state) is his only means of escape.

    On empty shells seem so easy to crack
    Got all these questions
    Dont know who I could even ask
    So Ill just lie alone and wait for the dream
    Where Im not ugly and youre lookin at me

    And Ill stay in bed...
    Oh, little Ive seen there
    If just once I could feel love...
    Oh, stare back at me!

    *** pass 4,5 recaps the fragility of the characters reflection (hes not on solid ground and vulnerable) with noone to help him he continues to dream... waiting. however his dreams are mearely that, and they are not interactive with him.

    Oh, I walked the line...
    When you held me in at night
    Oh, I walked the line...
    When you held my hand and i
    Oh, I walked the line...
    When you held me close at night
    Oh, I paid the price...
    Never held you in real life.

    *** pass 6 is the regret. His dreams actually never provided an escape. He realizes he should have went the way of the cup… letting nature take its course.
    Member # 173***

    21 Shows and counting... Finally met Ed @ Zellerbach night 1!!!

  • halszka123halszka123 Posts: 1,109
    You know, what i feel? sometimes i am tired - why just Ed doesn't say what are some songs about? I know - now it's more interesting - but anyway - sometimes i wanted it to be clear
    Not 10c member? Have sth to say? write to me - I'll put it on the forum
    halszka123@op.pl
Sign In or Register to comment.