The band released its only album, the self-titled Temple of the Dog, in April 1991 through A&M Records. The recording sessions took place in November and December 1990 at London Bridge Studios, in Seattle, Washington with producer Rakesh "Rick" Parashar. Although earning praise from music critics at the time of its release, the album was not widely recognized until 1992, when Vedder, Ament, Gossard, and McCready had their breakthrough with Pearl Jam. Cameron would later join Pearl Jam, serving as drummer since 1998.
The band toured in 2016 in celebration of the 25th anniversary of their self-titled album.
Temple of the Dog was started by Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell, who had been a roommate of Andrew Wood, the lead singer of Malfunkshun and Mother Love Bone. Wood died on March 19, 1990, of a heroin overdose, the day Cornell got back from a tour. As he went on to tour Europe a few days later, he started writing songs in tribute to his late friend. The result was two songs, "Reach Down" and "Say Hello 2 Heaven", which he recorded as soon as he returned home from touring.
The recorded material was slow and melodic, musically different from the aggressive rock music of Soundgarden. Cornell approached Wood's former bandmates, Stone Gossard and Jeff Ament—who were still figuring out how to continue without Mother Love Bone—with the intention of releasing the songs as a single. Ament described the collaboration as "a really good thing at the time" for Gossard and him that put them into a "band situation where we could play and make music." The band's lineup was completed by the addition of Soundgarden (and later Pearl Jam) drummer Matt Cameron and future Pearl Jam lead guitarist Mike McCready. They named themselves Temple of the Dog, a reference to a line in the lyrics of the Mother Love Bone song "Man of Golden Words".
Hunger Strike
Temple of the Dog Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I can't feed on the powerless when my cup's already overfilled, yeah
But it's on the table, the fire's cookin'
And they're farmin' babies, while slaves are workin'
The blood is on the table and the mouths are chokin'
But I'm goin' hungry, yeah
I don't mind stealin' bread from the mouths of decadents
But I can't feed on the powerless when my cup's already overfilled, uh huh
But it's on the table, the fire's cookin'
And they're farmin' babies, while the slaves are all workin'
And it's on the table, their mouths are chokin'
But I'm goin' hungry (goin' hungry)
I'm goin' hungry (goin' hungry)
I'm goin' hungry (goin' hungry)
I'm goin' hungry (goin' hungry)
I'm goin' hungry (goin' hungry)
I'm goin' hungry (goin' hungry)
(Yeah, I don't mind stealin' bread) uh, I don't mind
(No, I don't mind stealin' bread)
I'm goin' hungry (goin' hungry)
I'm goin' hungry (goin' hungry)
The lyrics to Temple of the Dog's song Hunger Strike are both introspective and socially aware. The singer is torn between his own needs and the suffering of others. He starts by saying that he doesn't mind "stealing bread from the mouths of decadents," meaning that he is willing to take from those who have plenty, who are not suffering, in order to meet his own needs. However, he cannot bring himself to "feed on the powerless," those who are already struggling, when he himself already has enough. This shows a sense of empathy and a recognition that one's own needs and desires should not come at the expense of others.
The second half of the song expands on this theme of inequality and injustice. The image of "farming babies" is a disturbing juxtaposition between the abundant life-giving resources of the fertile earth and the exploitation of vulnerable human beings. Meanwhile, the "slaves" are forced to work in harsh conditions, while the "blood" of those who suffer is metaphorically "on the table" and "the mouths are chokin'" in desperation. Despite this, the singer is still "goin' hungry." This could indicate a sense of helplessness or guilt about his own relative privilege, or a recognition that simply taking from others is not a sustainable solution to his own needs.
Overall, the lyrics to Hunger Strike are thoughtful and thought-provoking, challenging the listener to think about their own priorities and the ways in which they engage with social issues.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't mind stealin' bread from the mouths of decadents
I am willing to take resources from those who have more than they need
But I can't feed on the powerless when my cup's already overfilled, yeah
However, I cannot take from those who are already struggling when I have more than enough
But it's on the table, the fire's cookin'
There is food available and being prepared
And they're farmin' babies, while slaves are workin'
People are having children while others are forced to work in servitude
The blood is on the table and the mouths are chokin'
There is violence and suffering present, causing great distress
But I'm goin' hungry, yeah
Despite the presence of food, I am still experiencing hunger and need
I'm goin' hungry (goin' hungry)
Repeated refrain indicating the continued presence of hunger
(Yeah, I don't mind stealin' bread) uh, I don't mind
Reiteration of willingness to take from those with excess
(No, I don't mind stealin' bread)
Further confirmation of non-objection to resource acquisition
I'm goin' hungry (goin' hungry)
Final repetition of refrain to emphasize ongoing hunger
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Christopher J Cornell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind