I Got ID

MeI'mNot

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.

NthinMan

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.

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.

he still stands

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.

InHiding19

but what does Id have in common with shit;

Innocent_Bystander

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

InHiding19

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

Derrick

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.

cgrox

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.

halszka123

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

slightofjeff

halszka123 wrote:

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

this one is pretty straightforward.

If just once I could feel love stare back at me ...

Only held you in my mind ...

Pretty simple.

NeverbeenLedbetter

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 agree and isn't the lyric:
And I stay in bed. Oh, in a little while I'll see you. (live it's been "Oh, could I see you")
If just once I could feel love, oh, stare back at me.

Mickey1794

NeverbeenLedbetter wrote:

I agree and isn't the lyric:
And I stay in bed. Oh, in a little while I'll see you. (live it's been "Oh, could I see you")
If just once I could feel love, oh, stare back at me.

Well this may be totally wrong but I read the lyric somewhere online (and this is how I hear it now) And I stare you back, oh blue eyes I've seen it, if just once I could feel love stare back at me. Its totally different from what you hear-so I am not sure.

whispering hands

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've also heard the song called "I Got Shit" but don't know if that was just a slip of the uneducated tongue? anyhow this is a great song.my favorite line in there is where he sings "so I lie alone and wait for the dream where I'm not ugly and you're looking a me..."

halszka123

slightofjeff wrote:

this one is pretty straightforward.

If just once I could feel love stare back at me ...

Only held you in my mind ...

Pretty simple.

Sure, this one maybe. but what would You say about "Given to fly"????

halszka123

whispering hands wrote:

I've also heard the song called "I Got Shit" but don't know if that was just a slip of the uneducated tongue? anyhow this is a great song.my favorite line in there is where he sings "so I lie alone and wait for the dream where I'm not ugly and you're looking a me..."

So many guesses... I think we just work for their legend...

davidtrios

top 3 song, for sure...

RhinoJam

From my interpretation, this song is definitely about Love, and/or a lost love, regrets from a potential love that never came to be... someone who wants to show someone how much the love them, and if once... they could have someone who loves them as much to stare back at them... - - as far as the song title, the song was certainly called I Got Shit, and sometimes still is live... but was labeled as I Got Id... and I think that previous posters were right in their description of Ed being very smart, and choosing the word Id... however, for those debating whether or not the word Id is used or shit... and how that plays into the Freudian Ego concept, I think they both can still work perfectly well together... if we are talking about Ego... a lot of our self worth, Ego, confidence, bravado, whatever you want to call it comes from the significant other(s) in our lives... so, to use the word Id or Shit, you could say that the Ego/confidence or lack thereof might be as a result of this lost love and self torture that the character described in the song is experiencing... and for I Got Shit... well, the love has been lost (but still hopeful), so for the time being... the character has Got Shit... nothing to show for his love/yearning...

When it comes to the meaning of songs or even official lyrics, I think it would be great to have something that would provide a clear explanation of what Eddie or the other band members meaning behind their songs are... but at the same time, that would take away from what we, and the band all love so much about music... that it is open to interpretation, that we can all attach our own meaning(s) to songs, that they themselves can and will change over time... (consider how audiences interpret Alive, vs what Eddie originally meant it as)... its one of the many things that make Pearl Jam such a great band... that their music, is true, original, sometimes hard to understand... but always a product of love and appreciation for their musical tastes, and fans of music everywhere... - - to me there is nothing more powerful or unifying than music... and Pearl Jam is at the top of the pile when it comes to musical integrity... they want to give to the fans, what they love so much about music... that is why there is nothing greater than a live Pearl Jam performance... the energy, the love, a time where nothing else in the world matters... I hope they keep playing for another 40 years!

PJForceofNature

I've been listening to this song a lot lately, and it's in my Top 10 favorite PJ songs! Anyone who has heard them do this live is very fortunate indeed! I hope and pray that someday I am that fortunate.

davidtrios

PJForceofNature wrote:

I've been listening to this song a lot lately, and it's in my Top 10 favorite PJ songs! Anyone who has heard them do this live is very fortunate indeed! I hope and pray that someday I am that fortunate.

i am one of the fortunate ones...i agree with top 10 but for me, top 5...

i never, held you, in real life :(