I've always interpreted it as the woman within the relationship is asking the man "Are you woman enough to be my man?" or in other words do you have enough guts/emotional availability to maintain the relationship. She is calling out his feminine side and asking him to see things from a woman's perspective instead of the usual macho bullshit attitude that a lot of men stereotypically have towards relationships and women.
I've always interpreted it as the woman within the relationship is asking the man "Are you woman enough to be my man?" or in other words do you have enough guts/emotional availability to maintain the relationship. She is calling out his feminine side and asking him to see things from a woman's perspective instead of the usual macho bullshit attitude that a lot of men stereotypically have towards relationships and women.
Thanks - your interpretation is also how I thought of the song!
I guess it's because it's so obvious with my husband being like that... he IS woman enough to be my man.
That song is obvious to me based on my personal life with him as a best friend/lover/husband/father(for the kids, not me!)....and as you've pointed out insecurities (uncertainty times when it comes out strong, where we point out flaws but really it points back at ourselves), acceptance, etc... we've been together for 18 years so that's why it's so obvious to me personally.
Thanks for taking your time to explain in details clearly... I couldn't have explained that well.
:thumbup:
JA: Why do I get the Ticketmaster question?
EV: It's your band.
~Q Magazine
"Kisses for the glow...kisses for the lease." - BDRII
Ok. My interpretation of all this is completely different, far simpler and probably wrong, but hear me out. He says, "Are you woman enough to be my man? Bandaged hand in hand." What if he is playing all the things over in his mind that he's going to say to her, but it comes out completely wrong. I think we've all done this. Afterward, he's angry at himself that the words didn't come out right and he punches a wall/car/desk whatever. Now his hands bleeding and he bandages it up and is grimacing in pain and sorrow. Is this at all possible? BTW this is honestly what I've thought since 1996.
"FF, I've heard the droning about the Sawx being the baby dolls. Yeah, I get it, you guys invented baseball and suffered forever. I get it." -JearlPam0925
this is like the third thread about this in a month. wonder why people are so interested all the sudden.
Really? I didn't notice the other 2...and I just happened to check the front page when it was up there.
The only reason I even bothered to post was because I saw the song question... and I really enjoy reading different interpretations... but when I saw Paul's... that is like mine, I had to post.
...but yeah, why did i even bother and just keep to myself like I do with tons of others.... *scratches head*
dunno. *shrugs*
JA: Why do I get the Ticketmaster question?
EV: It's your band.
~Q Magazine
"Kisses for the glow...kisses for the lease." - BDRII
this is like the third thread about this in a month. wonder why people are so interested all the sudden.
Well, I just listened to the album yesterday and when I heard it I said to myself, "that really is a strange line ... I wonder what the hell it means."
bump this thread needs more insight by the community. There are several ways to dissect this song IMO.
"FF, I've heard the droning about the Sawx being the baby dolls. Yeah, I get it, you guys invented baseball and suffered forever. I get it." -JearlPam0925
this is like the third thread about this in a month. wonder why people are so interested all the sudden.
Gee... you're right. If only Pearl Jam would make a message board where people could post questions and thoughts about their songs. Then we wouldn't have to clutter up this site with useless nonsense.
1996: Randall's Island 2 1998: East Rutherford | MSG 1 & 2 2000: Cincinnati | Columbus | Jones Beach 1, 2, & 3 | Boston 1 | Camden 1 & 2 2003: Philadelphia | Uniondale | MSG 1 & 2 | Holmdel 2005: Atlantic City 1 2006: Camden 1 | East Rutherford 1 & 2 2008: Camden 1 & 2 | MSG 1 & 2 | Newark (EV) 2009: Philadelphia 1, 2 & 4 2010: Newark | MSG 1 & 2 2011: Toronto 1 2013: Wrigley Field | Brooklyn 2 | Philadelphia 1 & 2 | Baltimore 2015: Central Park 2016: Philadelphia 1 & 2 | MSG 1 & 2 | Fenway Park 2 | MSG (TOTD) 2017: Brooklyn (RnR HOF) 2020: MSG | Asbury Park2021: Asbury Park 2022: MSG | Camden | Nashville 2024: MSG 1 & 2 (#50) | Philadelphia 1 & 2 | Baltimore 2025: Raleigh
The best way i can explain the line is through a lyric from Faithful "you, me its all related". Meaning men, women, we are all human and basically have the same wants, needs in relationships. So "are you woman enough to be my man": Can you be my partner (wife) and friend. And "bandaged hand in hand": Bandaged hands -Metphor for the all fighting that comes with relationships. But they are bandaged "hand in hand" so the fighting or tough times brings the two together closer over time. Classic song/lyrics. How come no one wants to dissect "Egg rollin' thick and heavy/All the past we carry"?!
How come no one wants to dissect "Egg rollin' thick and heavy/All the past we carry"?!
My thoughts on this line are that their relationship is likened to a rolling egg, due to it's shape it rolls in a rather unpredictable way, much like their relationship. They are trying to solve the problems within their relationship but can't seem to let go of things that happened in the past, thus "All the past we carry."
I interpret it as are you strong enough in yourself, womanhood, to be strong enough for us. Since men are always seen as the strength yet we need support. Are you woman enough to be my man. One of my fav. PJ lines.
Chicago 6/29/98, Alpine Valley(EV) 6/13/99, Alpine Valley 10/08/00, Chicago 10/09/00, Phoenix 10/20/00, Orlando 4/12/03, Tampa 4/13/03, San Diego 6/05/03, Vegas 6/06/03, Phoenix 6/07/03, Chicago 6/18/03, Alpine Valley 6/21/03, Orlando 10/08/04, D.C. 10/11/04, Chicago 5/16/06, Chicago 5/17/06, LA 7/12/08, Chicago 8/23/09, Chicago 8/24/09, LA 10/07/09, San Diego 10/09/09 (Front Row Center, Finally), Phoenix(EV) 11/4/11, Wrigley 7/19/13, Phoenix 11/19/13, Denver 10/22/14, Wrigley 8/20/16, Wrigley 8/22/16
Easy, what he's saying is...............Are you the woman for me?
When he says to be my man, he means.............man as in the one. Like when your friend says you're the man, or someone at a party says about someone across the room, "That guy over there is the one you want to talk to, he's the "man".
Just my interpretation, not saying anybody is wrong. I think Ed always said he didn't like explaining what his lyrics meant, so we could take them as we wanted............I like that, it keeps an element of mystery.
I am lost, I'm no guide, but I'm by your side
06.27.98 Alpine Valley 10.08.00 Alpine Valley 09.23.02 Chicago 06.18.03 Chicago | 06.21.03 Alpine Valley 10.03.04 Grand Rapids 10.05.05 Chicago 05.16.06 Chicago | 05.17.06 Chicago | 06.29.06 Milwaukee 08.02.07 Chicago | 08.05.07 Chicago 08.23.09 Chicago | 08.24.09 Chicago 05.07.10 Noblesville | 05.09.10 Cleveland 09.03.11 Alpine Valley | 09.04.11 Alpine Valley 07.19.13 Chicago 10.17.14 Moline 08.20.16 Chicago 08.18.18 Chicago 09.18.22 St. Louis 09.05.23 Chicago
Comments
But basically asking the chick he is in love with - can you be everything and still be my best friend
Best on the web - check them out
http://www.youtube.com/user/cantkeepmehere
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2008 Bonnaroo - 2009 Philly 2&3 - 2010 MSG 1&2
Wonderful song!
10-31-2009 Spectrum
5-18-2010 Newark
Thanks - your interpretation is also how I thought of the song!
I guess it's because it's so obvious with my husband being like that... he IS woman enough to be my man.
That song is obvious to me based on my personal life with him as a best friend/lover/husband/father(for the kids, not me!)....and as you've pointed out insecurities (uncertainty times when it comes out strong, where we point out flaws but really it points back at ourselves), acceptance, etc... we've been together for 18 years so that's why it's so obvious to me personally.
Thanks for taking your time to explain in details clearly... I couldn't have explained that well.
EV: It's your band.
~Q Magazine
"Kisses for the glow...kisses for the lease." - BDRII
Maybe...it's a PERSON with *BOTH* 'Bits' lol
*NYC 9/28/96 *NYC 9/29/96 *NJ 9/8/98 (front row "may i play drums with you")
*MSG 9/10/98 (backstage) *MSG 9/11/98 (backstage)
*Jones Beach 8/23/00 *Jones Beach 8/24/00 *Jones Beach 8/25/00
*Mansfield 8/29/00 *Mansfield 8/30/00 *Nassau 4/30/03 *Nissan VA 7/1/03
*Borgata 10/1/05 *Camden 5/27/06 *Camden 5/28/06 *DC 5/30/06
*VA Beach 6/17/08 *DC 6/22/08 *MSG 6/24/08 (backstage) *MSG 6/25/08
*EV DC 8/17/08 *EV Baltimore 6/15/09 *Philly 10/31/09
*Bristow VA 5/13/10 *MSG 5/20/10 *MSG 5/21/10
Really? I didn't notice the other 2...and I just happened to check the front page when it was up there.
The only reason I even bothered to post was because I saw the song question... and I really enjoy reading different interpretations... but when I saw Paul's... that is like mine, I had to post.
...but yeah, why did i even bother and just keep to myself like I do with tons of others.... *scratches head*
dunno. *shrugs*
EV: It's your band.
~Q Magazine
"Kisses for the glow...kisses for the lease." - BDRII
Well, I just listened to the album yesterday and when I heard it I said to myself, "that really is a strange line ... I wonder what the hell it means."
10-31-2009 Spectrum
5-18-2010 Newark
Gee... you're right. If only Pearl Jam would make a message board where people could post questions and thoughts about their songs. Then we wouldn't have to clutter up this site with useless nonsense.
Good question!
Man, that thread could get messy!
My thoughts on this line are that their relationship is likened to a rolling egg, due to it's shape it rolls in a rather unpredictable way, much like their relationship. They are trying to solve the problems within their relationship but can't seem to let go of things that happened in the past, thus "All the past we carry."
I think he is wanting his lover to also be his best friend....
the egg rolling line has always perplexed me....what the fuck is he talking about?
The Golden Age is 2 months away. And guess what….. you’re gonna love it! (teskeinc 11.19.24)
1998: Noblesville; 2003: Noblesville; 2009: EV Nashville, Chicago, Chicago
2010: St Louis, Columbus, Noblesville; 2011: EV Chicago, East Troy, East Troy
2013: London ON, Wrigley; 2014: Cincy, St Louis, Moline (NO CODE)
2016: Lexington, Wrigley #1; 2018: Wrigley, Wrigley, Boston, Boston
2020: Oakland, Oakland: 2021: EV Ohana, Ohana, Ohana, Ohana
2022: Oakland, Oakland, Nashville, Louisville; 2023: Chicago, Chicago, Noblesville
2024: Noblesville, Wrigley, Wrigley, Ohana, Ohana; 2025: Pitt1, Pitt2
Easy, what he's saying is...............Are you the woman for me?
When he says to be my man, he means.............man as in the one. Like when your friend says you're the man, or someone at a party says about someone across the room, "That guy over there is the one you want to talk to, he's the "man".
Just my interpretation, not saying anybody is wrong. I think Ed always said he didn't like explaining what his lyrics meant, so we could take them as we wanted............I like that, it keeps an element of mystery.
10.08.00 Alpine Valley
09.23.02 Chicago
06.18.03 Chicago | 06.21.03 Alpine Valley
10.03.04 Grand Rapids
10.05.05 Chicago
05.16.06 Chicago | 05.17.06 Chicago | 06.29.06 Milwaukee
08.02.07 Chicago | 08.05.07 Chicago
08.23.09 Chicago | 08.24.09 Chicago
05.07.10 Noblesville | 05.09.10 Cleveland
09.03.11 Alpine Valley | 09.04.11 Alpine Valley
07.19.13 Chicago
10.17.14 Moline
08.20.16 Chicago
08.18.18 Chicago
09.18.22 St. Louis
09.05.23 Chicago
imho
The Golden Age is 2 months away. And guess what….. you’re gonna love it! (teskeinc 11.19.24)
1998: Noblesville; 2003: Noblesville; 2009: EV Nashville, Chicago, Chicago
2010: St Louis, Columbus, Noblesville; 2011: EV Chicago, East Troy, East Troy
2013: London ON, Wrigley; 2014: Cincy, St Louis, Moline (NO CODE)
2016: Lexington, Wrigley #1; 2018: Wrigley, Wrigley, Boston, Boston
2020: Oakland, Oakland: 2021: EV Ohana, Ohana, Ohana, Ohana
2022: Oakland, Oakland, Nashville, Louisville; 2023: Chicago, Chicago, Noblesville
2024: Noblesville, Wrigley, Wrigley, Ohana, Ohana; 2025: Pitt1, Pitt2