Pendulum
82. Pearl Jam Lyrics

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Can't know what's high
'Til you been down so low
The future's bright
Lit up with no where to go

To and fro the pendulum throws

We are here and then we go

My shadow left me long ago

Understand what we don't know
This might pass
This might last
This may grow
Easy come and easy go
Easy left me a long time ago

I'm in the fire but I'm still cold
Nothing works, works for me anymore

To and fro the pendulum throws
To and fro the pendulum throws

(To and fro the pendulum throws)
(To and fro the pendulum throws)

(To and fro the pendulum throws)
(To and fro the pendulum throws)

Overall Meaning

The first two lines of the song, "Can't know what's high, 'Til you been down so low" suggest that in order to truly appreciate the good things in life or the high points, one has to experience the lows. The idea of being at the bottom is also conveyed in the line "The future's bright, lit up with nowhere to go," implying that even when the potential for better times is present, there may not be an easy path to get there.

The repeated line "To and fro the pendulum throws" implies a sense of motion and change, much like the swinging of a pendulum. This idea of fluctuation is further explored in the lines "This might pass, This might last, This may grow, Easy come and easy go." The singer seems to be acknowledging the uncertainty and unpredictability of life, and the fact that things can change quickly and unexpectedly.

The final lines of the song further emphasize the idea of being stuck in a state of limbo, with the singer saying "I'm in the fire but I'm still cold, Nothing works, works for me anymore." The contrast between being in the midst of something intense and still feeling empty or disconnected is a powerful one. Overall, the song seems to be a meditation on the ups and downs of life, and the fact that sometimes it can feel like we are stuck in a cycle that we have no control over.

Line by Line Meaning

Can't know what's high
You won't truly understand the feeling of being successful until you've experienced extreme lows in life.

'Til you been down so low
Only after hitting rock bottom will you appreciate the feeling of being successful.

The future's bright
There is potential for great things in the future.

Lit up with no where to go
Despite the endless possibilities, there is a feeling of being trapped or directionless.

To and fro the pendulum throws
Life is unpredictable, and we are constantly moving back and forth between good times and bad times.

We are here and then we go
Life is fleeting and can end at any moment.

My shadow left me long ago
The singer feels like they are alone and without guidance or support.

Understand what we don't know
It's important to acknowledge that there are limitations to our knowledge and understanding.

This might pass
Current struggles or hardships will eventually come to an end.

This might last
Current struggles or hardships may not have a clear end in sight and could persist for some time.

This may grow
Difficulties could potentially become worse over time, given the unpredictable nature of life.

Easy come and easy go
Success and good times can be fleeting, and can disappear just as quickly as they came.

Easy left me a long time ago
The singer has experienced a prolonged period of hardship and has lost sight of what it feels like to have things come easily.

I'm in the fire but I'm still cold
Despite facing difficult circumstances, the singer is emotionally numb and feels disconnected from their reality.

Nothing works, works for me anymore
The singer feels stuck and unable to overcome their current situation, with nothing seeming to help.

(To and fro the pendulum throws)
Reiteration of the unpredictable nature of life and how it can oscillate between good and bad.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Eddie Jerome Vedder, Jeffrey Allen Ament, Stone C. Gossard

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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