Severed Hand

Peterlugenbeel@Mac.com

what does everybody think about the meaning behind Severed Hand. I've always thought of it as a drug reference "it's ok do you want some more?" "you'll see dragons after three or four."

wondering what everybody else has to say

vedderfan10

"This one is about psychotropics..."

check out

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHzdsFiBbFc

bookmuse

mammel_wearing_pants wrote:

what does everybody think about the meaning behind Severed Hand. I've always thought of it as a drug reference "it's ok do you want some more?" "you'll see dragons after three or four."

wondering what everybody else has to say

I can not come up with the exact term but I think it relates to a spiritual ritual involving hallucingenics (sorry if spelled wrong) administered by Shamans. I think it maybe a specific South America shaman ritual.

Pearl Jam and toast

Part of my dream last night had the band playing this song live. I think I was there with a friend of mine. Don't remember much more... still awesome

Oh and it's definetly a drug reference. Spiritual/personal discovery through, using the term Ed used, "Psychotropics"

Androgynous Mind

mammel_wearing_pants wrote:

what does everybody think about the meaning behind Severed Hand. I've always thought of it as a drug reference "it's ok do you want some more?" "you'll see dragons after three or four."

wondering what everybody else has to say

I read in an interview with McCready that it was just one of those random songs that has no true meaning at all. Just a song that is so random that it keeps you thinking about it.

macgyver06

the whole album is about recovering from a life wasted.

rebirth

kenny olav

bookmuse wrote:

I can not come up with the exact term but I think it relates to a spiritual ritual involving hallucingenics (sorry if spelled wrong) administered by Shamans. I think it maybe a specific South America shaman ritual.

I don't know if it is specifically about a South American shaman ritual, but it's definately about taking a trip through the use of a powerful psychotropic drug. The trip seems to evolve from something that was just meant to escape reality to a spiritual journey, a chance at enlightenment, or maybe a nightmare. The narrator (perhaps a young Ed?) finds he can choose to not "lose control" and "explore and not explode". He realizes at this point is not just getting high, he has been shown "a preternaturual other plane". The severed hand with the wedding ring he sees earlier surely symbolizes something he has to tackle emotionally, so instead of trying to escape, the narrator is forced inward to deal with the root of his problems.

That's how I see it anyway.

kenny olav

Vedderfan10 wrote:

"This one is about psychotropics..."

check out

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHzdsFiBbFc

THAT IS AWESOME.

macgyver06

im pretty sure he uses that line as an example of how he was guys...saying i would do anything to get away from myself...

The Waiting Trophy Man

i'm pretty sure the "big man" is johnny ramone and the song is about a drug binge he and eddie went on together.

thelowlightargentina

Kenny Olav wrote:

I don't know if it is specifically about a South American shaman ritual, but it's definately about taking a trip through the use of a powerful psychotropic drug. The trip seems to evolve from something that was just meant to escape reality to a spiritual journey, a chance at enlightenment, or maybe a nightmare. The narrator (perhaps a young Ed?) finds he can choose to not "lose control" and "explore and not explode". He realizes at this point is not just getting high, he has been shown "a preternaturual other plane". The severed hand with the wedding ring he sees earlier surely symbolizes something he has to tackle emotionally, so instead of trying to escape, the narrator is forced inward to deal with the root of his problems.

That's how I see it anyway.

It´s a great view man...It´s definetly about a drugs trip (maybe LSD?).
If somebody is interested in Latin American shaman ritual, try to read "The Teachings of Don Juan: A Yaki way of knowledge" by Carlos Castaneda. This author is from USA and he wrote many books about this subject, the one I mention is his most famous book

Pearl Jam and toast

aBoxOfFear wrote:

i'm pretty sure the "big man" is johnny ramone and the song is about a drug binge he and eddie went on together.

This (and Kenny's thing) makes a LOT of sense.

Whole album is about rebirth, I agree, and that can easily be applied to this song.

LukinFan

I love this line...

"you'll see dragons after three or four."

durkin09

I definately agree that this song is about doing hallucinogenic drugs, perhaps mushrooms? But I think what Eddie is describing is how when you do drugs like that, you have to have a positive attitude about it and you have to remember it's all part of the trip. If you get freaked out by what you are seeing, you'll have a bad trip. "If I don't lose control, explore and not explode" This can also be applied to anything, Eddie being optimistic ("Fuck the pessimists" - MSG 2003) tries to show how if you have a positive outlook on something it will all work out and you'll have a good time. Also for the part "what is human, what is more, I'll answer this when I get home" I think he is referring to when you are coming down and the visual aspect of the experience subsides and your mind starts to wander and question aspects of everyday life.

Thats my take on the song anyway, everyone is entitled to their own opinion. One of the best off Avacado IMO.

Does anyone else get the impression that Avacado is a concept album? Wasted reprise...similar to the second to last song on Sgt Peppers...?

LotteryWinner

Vedderfan10 wrote:

"This one is about psychotropics..."

check out

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHzdsFiBbFc

Thanks for the laugh, that is an awesome video.

cookies

I think it is about realtionships. Seeing dragons after 3 or 4 to me is saying after a few years you will see the real person. Falling in love is a trip and the trick to stay in love is to response and not react. Think about it

MegaphoneWhisper

psy·cho·tro·pic (sī'kə-trō'pĭk, -trŏp'ĭk)
adj. Having an altering effect on perception, emotion, or behavior. Used especially of a drug.

I actually got in a disagreement with another jammer about this song. He thought Ed was making a joke about pill partying when he said "this song is about psychotropics". I don't think Ed was writing about gettin a bunch of oxys and vikes and xans and kickin it in Hawaii.

No... Dude. Psychotropic medication is for the "special cases". This song is a look at how they see things. I did my 15 year sentence in health care. I've seen it. It's creepy. They really do think the room is closing in on them and they BELIEVE their therapist looks like a dragon.

Great song. Great Writing... By far, my favorite on Avocado.

ballgame

Ed is great and writing songs that can mean a lot of things.

His writing ability is amazing, and he does it at such a high level

NewJPage

bookmuse wrote:

I can not come up with the exact term but I think it relates to a spiritual ritual involving hallucingenics (sorry if spelled wrong) administered by Shamans. I think it maybe a specific South America shaman ritual.

i think that is exactly what it is. didn't i read an article where ed said he went to south america to do a hallucenogenic ritual with a shaman, and that's what severed hand is about?? not sure where i read that...somewhere.

karmakvisser

ballgame wrote:

Ed is great and writing songs that can mean a lot of things.

His writing ability is amazing, and he does it at such a high level

I think Eddie is a more modern and mature version of Jim Morrison without the huge dose of drugs and alcohol.

He is a poet and shaman in his own right.

regards

ken