MYM Lyrics, and Thoughts?

bootlegger10 · July 2013

Backspacer_Backer wrote:

bootlegger10 wrote:

These lyrics have a "barack let me down but I am going to blame Christians" feel to them.

Dumbest post in the history of the Internet. Good God, really?

See my post above. Am I wrong that the lyrics and art aren't pointed at Christians? I had a little fun with my comment but seriously, I'm interested in others' thoughts.

btw...I thought it was a great, witty post. It was pointed for sure, but it made my point very, very quickly. They've teamed up with the government and it has let them down. Not everyone has to agree with the politics of the band or how to resolve problems.

Based on the last three posters though I'm supposed to attack people on the board. That is acceptable.

WW187806 · July 2013

Nice job Chris and everyone for pitching together... Obviously music is good to different people in different ways. I personally think the song kicks ass, and now that we've deciphered the lyrics, once again Ed doin his thing. Never changes, the dude can write. Great leadoff single... cant wait to hear the album! 4 years was a long time!!

Amphibyus · July 2013

There is nothing political in the song. Give me one lyric that is political? Your ego is what is turning it into something political.

Its simply about the abuses of religion and how turned off by it Eddie is. The cover art just speaks to the dangers of religion.

It_Wasnt_My_Surface · July 2013

Amphibyus wrote:

There is nothing political in the song. Give me one lyric that is political? Your ego is what is turning it into something political.

Its simply about the abuses of religion and how turned off by it Eddie is. The cover art just speaks to the dangers of religion.

I would argue that it is really about Eddie being really pissed off that the Mayans were not correct.

bootlegger10 · July 2013

Amphibyus wrote:

There is nothing political in the song. Give me one lyric that is political? Your ego is what is turning it into something political.

Its simply about the abuses of religion and how turned off by it Eddie is. The cover art just speaks to the dangers of religion.

I agree with you. My point was that his anger/blame is misplaced. I do have a little disagreement though with "religion" versus "Christianity". I don't find Ed to attack any other religion except for Christianity. During Here's to the State he sings about Jerry Falwell (even after the guy was dead), not a Jewish person or Islamic person.

Just to clarify, where does my ego fit into this? I make a legitimate comment and am called an idiot and have the dumbest post on the internet. Eddie campaigned for Obama because he thought he could fix the problems and had his hopes built up. It isn't working out so far and Ed's hopes seemed dashed and doesn't want to blame him but blame religion (mainly Christianity). So if everything is going great does Ed thank religion or Obama, because everything bad right now is the fault of religion apparently and not greed from Dems/Reps.

Bulldog88 · July 2013

I believe it's -
I've got an unfortunate feeling
I've been beating down

Backspacer_Backer · July 2013

bootlegger10 wrote:

Amphibyus wrote:

There is nothing political in the song. Give me one lyric that is political? Your ego is what is turning it into something political.

Its simply about the abuses of religion and how turned off by it Eddie is. The cover art just speaks to the dangers of religion.

I agree with you. My point was that his anger/blame is misplaced. I do have a little disagreement though with "religion" versus "Christianity". I don't find Ed to attack any other religion except for Christianity. During Here's to the State he sings about Jerry Falwell (even after the guy was dead), not a Jewish person or Islamic person.

Just to clarify, where does my ego fit into this? I make a legitimate comment and am called an idiot and have the dumbest post on the internet. Eddie campaigned for Obama because he thought he could fix the problems and had his hopes built up. It isn't working out so far and Ed's hopes seemed dashed and doesn't want to blame him but blame religion (mainly Christianity). So if everything is going great does Ed thank religion or Obama, because everything bad right now is the fault of religion apparently and not greed from Dems/Reps.

It's working out just fine. I think you're watching too much Faux News.

Backspacer_Backer · July 2013

bootlegger10 wrote:

Amphibyus wrote:

There is nothing political in the song. Give me one lyric that is political? Your ego is what is turning it into something political.

Its simply about the abuses of religion and how turned off by it Eddie is. The cover art just speaks to the dangers of religion.

I agree with you. My point was that his anger/blame is misplaced. I do have a little disagreement though with "religion" versus "Christianity". I don't find Ed to attack any other religion except for Christianity. During Here's to the State he sings about Jerry Falwell (even after the guy was dead), not a Jewish person or Islamic person.

Just to clarify, where does my ego fit into this? I make a legitimate comment and am called an idiot and have the dumbest post on the internet. Eddie campaigned for Obama because he thought he could fix the problems and had his hopes built up. It isn't working out so far and Ed's hopes seemed dashed and doesn't want to blame him but blame religion (mainly Christianity). So if everything is going great does Ed thank religion or Obama, because everything bad right now is the fault of religion apparently and not greed from Dems/Reps.

It's working out just fine. I think you're watching too much Faux News.

justam · July 2013

It's really helpful that so many people have started to try to figure out the lyrics. Thanks for starting this thread OP.

I'm not sure what the song's all about yet but I think there's definitely some kind of disillusionment with religion being used to control people in it.

bootlegger10 · July 2013

Backspacer_Backer wrote:

bootlegger10 wrote:

Amphibyus wrote:

There is nothing political in the song. Give me one lyric that is political? Your ego is what is turning it into something political.

Its simply about the abuses of religion and how turned off by it Eddie is. The cover art just speaks to the dangers of religion.

I agree with you. My point was that his anger/blame is misplaced. I do have a little disagreement though with "religion" versus "Christianity". I don't find Ed to attack any other religion except for Christianity. During Here's to the State he sings about Jerry Falwell (even after the guy was dead), not a Jewish person or Islamic person.

Just to clarify, where does my ego fit into this? I make a legitimate comment and am called an idiot and have the dumbest post on the internet. Eddie campaigned for Obama because he thought he could fix the problems and had his hopes built up. It isn't working out so far and Ed's hopes seemed dashed and doesn't want to blame him but blame religion (mainly Christianity). So if everything is going great does Ed thank religion or Obama, because everything bad right now is the fault of religion apparently and not greed from Dems/Reps.

It's working out just fine. I think you're watching too much Faux News.

Not what the lyrics are telling me.

Mitch8415 · July 2013

First off... big fan of MYM, love the ebbs and flows of they lyrics and the different places the music goes.

I always like the way Ed plays the lyrics off the music.

In the "self realized..." part the emphasis with the music on these words is great.

SELF

PHYSICALLY

LIVE

SOLVE

RIGHT

BIGGER

WILL

COULD

For all the ominous lyrics in the verses, there's a very real redeeming quality to that part... IMO

omp33 · July 2013

My best guess.

I’ve got an unfotatenfortunate feeling
I’ve been beating down
I feel I don’t believe
And now truth is coming out
What they take is more than a vow
They’ve taken your innocence
And then they throw it on a burning pile

ALL ALONG THE'RE SAYING.
Mind your manners

I caught myself believing
That I needed God
And if it’s hard for some
We sure could use it not
Try my patience
My patience tried
This world’s a lonely living
That makes me wanna cry

ALL ALONE THEY'RE SAYING
Mind your manners

Silence save him

Self-realized and that i'll physically redeem.
May not live another life
May not solve our mystery
Right round the corner could be bigger than ourselves
We could will it to the sky
Or we could something else

NO LONGER SAYING
Mind your manners

Always burning

Self-realized and that i'll physically redeem.
May not live another life
May not solve our mystery
Right round the corner could be bigger than ourselves
We could will it to the sky
Or we could something else

Go to Heaven
That’s swell
How do you like it?
Living Hell.

unforgiven · July 2013

bootlegger10 wrote:

Amphibyus wrote:

Your self-righteousness is comical.

So you don't think the cover with a plate, a gun, a rosary, and blood wasn't meant to attack Christianity? Sorry, I had a little fun with my opening comment because my first few reads felt like the writer found hope and then lost it again (ironically lining up to the timing of Obama's 2008 hope tour and 2012 letdown tour). I felt the blame was misplaced at Christians. Removing Christian views from the people of this country does not fix the gun problem. I would be interested in your viewpoint where it isn't an attack on Christianity. Maybe I'm wrong and misinterpreting it the meaning, but this a thread about the lyrics and thoughts.

Christianity has a lot to answer for and needs to be taken to task. I'm not talking about peoples beliefs I'm talking about the role religious groups play in peoples beliefs. Many of the religions have many serious issues that they have been brushing under the carpet for centuries. I can relate sex abuse cases and many other cover ups by the church to this song. This is brilliantly written and I'm sorry Christianity does have many things that it should be ashamed of and taken to task over.

Bonesmagoo · July 2013

Here’s my best attempt at interpreting the lyrics: I believe the song is about how it is somehow considered rude to condemn religion or even openly confess disbelief despite the deplorable actions of the church such as child rape. We can find fulfillment without relying on faith. We might not have another chance at life, or ever understand it, which is why we shouldn't squander our potential by complacently awaiting for a god to intervene. Religions seem well-intentioned but have made our lives a living hell here on earth.

Mind Your Manners
I've got an unfortunate feeling
I've been beaten down
I feel I don’t believe and now the truth is coming out
What they’ll take is more than a vow
They've taken your innocence
and then they throw them on a burning pyre ha ha hey hey

All along they’re saying
Mind your manners

I caught myself believing that I needed god
And if it’s out there somewhere
We sure could use it now
Tried my patience
My patience tried
This world's so lonely that it all
Makes me want to cry ha ha hey hey

All along they’re saying
Mind your manners
So they’re saying

Self-realized and metaphysically redeemed
May not live another life
May not solve our mystery
Right around the corner could be bigger than ourselves
We could will it to the sky
Or we could something else

All along they’re saying
Mind your manners
Always praying

Self-realized and metaphysically redeemed
May not live another life
May not solve our mystery
Right around the corner could be bigger than ourselves
We could will it to the sky
Or we could something else

Go to heaven
That’s swell
How do you like it?
Livin’ in hell

Go to heaven
That’s swell
How do you like it?
Livin’ in hell

Go to heaven
That’s swell
How do you like it?
Livin’ in hell

Living in hell

slightofjeff · July 2013

bootlegger10 wrote:

I agree with you. My point was that his anger/blame is misplaced. I do have a little disagreement though with "religion" versus "Christianity". I don't find Ed to attack any other religion except for Christianity.

I would say Marker In the Sand casts the blame at both sides claiming killing in God's name. You could argue the visions of "falling up somehow" in that song refer to suicide bombers believing they're headed to Paradise.

My reading of Faithfull seems to be an utter loss of confidence in any sort of religion (or, "faith") whatsoever.

If there seems to be an inordinate amount of attack on Christianity specifically, it's probably due to the fact it is the predominant religion of the land. If Ed were writing about the experience of living in Iran, I assume he would be hyper-critical of fundamentalist Islam.

willswisher · July 2013

I think this is the best version out there IMHO. Other versions say "if it's out there we sure can use it now." I don't think Ed would call God "it."

chris32482 wrote:

So after several careful listens, as well as using parts of lyrics others have posted to figure out the parts I couldn't... I believe this is a pretty accurate synthesis of the lyrics:

I’ve got an unfortunate feeling…
I’ve been beaten down…
I feel left unbelieving and the truth needs coming out

What they’ll take is…
More than a vow…
They’ve taken young innocents and then they throw ‘em on a burning pile

All along they’re saying…
Mind your Manners!

I caught myself believing..
That I needed God …
And if He’s out there somewhere we sure could use him now..

Trying my patience..
My patience tried…
This world’s got nothing left in it and it and make me want to cry

All along they’re saying..
Mind your Manners!
So they say!

Self-realized and metaphysically redeemed…
May not live another life..
May not solve our mysteries…
Right around the corner..
Could be bigger than ourselves..
We could will into the sky..
Or we could something else..

Go to Heaven!
That’s swell!
How do you like it-- living in Hell?

Definitely a political song, obviously. Seems to be an attack on the ultra right wing/fundamentalist gang. I don't believe it's an attack on religion, just the way religion is being used by our politicians to marginalize our real problems and enrich the few at the expense of the many.

CitizenRick · July 2013

chris32482 wrote:

So after several careful listens, as well as using parts of lyrics others have posted to figure out the parts I couldn't... I believe this is a pretty accurate synthesis of the lyrics:

I’ve got an unfortunate feeling…
I’ve been beaten down…
I feel left unbelieving and the truth needs coming out

What they’ll take is…
More than a vow…
They’ve taken young innocents and then they throw ‘em on a burning pile

All along they’re saying…
Mind your Manners!

I caught myself believing..
That I needed God …
And if He’s out there somewhere we sure could use him now..

Trying my patience..
My patience tried…
This world’s got nothing left in it and it and make me want to cry

All along they’re saying..
Mind your Manners!
So they say!

Self-realized and metaphysically redeemed…
May not live another life..
May not solve our mysteries…
Right around the corner..
Could be bigger than ourselves..
We could will into the sky..
Or we could something else..

Go to Heaven!
That’s swell!
How do you like it-- living in Hell?

Definitely a political song, obviously. Seems to be an attack on the ultra right wing/fundamentalist gang. I don't believe it's an attack on religion, just the way religion is being used by our politicians to marginalize our real problems and enrich the few at the expense of the many.

Good job!

My money say's that this is almost 100% accurate. Love MYM. Love it more reading these lyrics while listening to it. This song is a MONSTER!!!!! Even at 2:30.

jerseygenx · July 2013

My initial thoughts were uh oh, some one wasn't happy with POTUS. But I think it is just religion in general. Being raised a Catholic, and I struggle with where it fits in my life, and I imagine most genxers are having the same issue.
Religion is a man made institution, and God is a spiritual being. So trying to tie the two together isn't always easy. And when the institution continues to take advantage of the most vulnerable, and turns it's ear or attention when these crimes it becomes impossible to want to be a part of it. Yet, I feel my kids need something????

Anyway, I think Eddie is touching on the fact that there is something out there, but we shouldn't get bogged down on the institution of religion, instead make sure your ok with your life at what your relationship is with God, who ever that may be.

Think how many wars, battles, and lives fought and lost b/c of religion. All in the name of God????? Really!?!?!?!?!??!

I don't know, that is just my 2 cents. In 10 years the song will have a totally different meaning to me anyway.

tremors · July 2013

I think Mind Your Manners is a very powerful song, with very strong words

Vocally it is a departure for Pearl Jam, and starts entering that stable of songs where there is deliberate ambiguity in the vocal delivery - playing with meaning, playing with words, playing with voices - is slightly garbled

I feel there is a strong political message in Mind Your Manners - and it all depends on what you hear and not just what you read

It unfolds

ZachRedYellow · August 2013

I tell ya I've been back and forth on lyrics so many times and i'm easily a hundred spins in. it's always been one of the coolest parts about pj for me; falling for the melody, learning the lyrics and then seeing the song from an entirely different perspective. So Great. Anyhoo this is my take

I've got an unfortunate feeling... i been beaten down
I feel that I don't believe and now the truth is coming out
what they take is more than a vow...
they're taking your innocence and then they throw it on a burning pile yea-eah

and all along they're saying
mind your manners!

i caught myself believing that i needed God...
and if it's out there somewhere we sure could use him now...
tried my patience... my patience tried...
this world's no longer good and it makes me want to cry yea-eah

and all along they're saying
mind your manners!
it's all they're sayin'!

self-realized in that i'm physically redeemed
may not live another life
may not solve our mystery
right round the corner could be bigger than ourselves (our sins?)
we could will them to the sky... or we could something else

and all along they're saying
mind your manners!
always praying!

self-realized in that i'm physically redeemed
may not live another life
may not solve our mystery
right round the corner could be bigger than ourselves (our sins?)
we could will them to the sky... or we could something else

go to heaven and swear, how do you like your living hell

(the hypocrisy that is big religion?)

MYM Lyrics, and Thoughts?

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