Indifference
Eddie Vedder And Ben Harper Lyrics
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Watch as she lies silent
For soon light will be gone
Oh I will stand arms outstretched pretend I'm free to roam
Oh I will make my way through one more day in hell
How much difference does it make?
How much difference does it make yeah
Oh I'll keep takin' punches until their will grows tired
Oh I will stare the sun down until my eyes go blind
Hey, I won't change direction
And I won't change my mind
How much difference does it make?
How much difference does it make?
I'll swallow poison, until I grow immune
I will scream my lungs out till it fills this room
How much difference?
How much difference?
How much difference does it make?
How much difference does it make?
The lyrics of Eddie Vedder and Ben Harper's song, "Indifference," displays a sense of pessimism and resignation towards life's hardships. The opening lines suggest an act of self-harm, lighting a match, which is quickly followed by a reference to a still body that foreshadows impending death. The singer then proclaims their liberty to move out which is juxtaposed with their inevitable return to a hellish reality. They are willing to go through pain and fight till exhaustion and their blindness rather than looking for any alternative direction.
The chorus repeats the questions “how much difference does it make?” which shows the sense of hopelessness and despair of the singer, who cannot see a way out from the darkness of their existence. The final lyrics express the idea of self-inflicted suffering and self-destruction as a means to achieve relief from their life's pain. "Swallow poison until I grow immune," and "scream my lungs out till it fills this room" depict the character's desperate need to escape their current situation.
Line by Line Meaning
I will light the match this morning so I won't be alone
I will seek comfort in lighting a match, just to not be alone
Watch as she lies silent
Observe as she remains quiet and still
For soon light will be gone
The light will eventually fade away from our sight
Oh I will stand arms outstretched pretend I'm free to roam
I will extend my arms as if I am free to go wherever I choose
Oh I will make my way through one more day in hell
I will endure another day in a painful and difficult situation
How much difference does it make?
To what extent does it matter?
How much difference does it make yeah
Is there really any significant impact?
I will hold the candle till it burns up my arm
I will keep holding the candle until it causes damage to my arm
Oh I'll keep takin' punches until their will grows tired
I will continue to endure the punches until they get tired of hitting me
Oh I will stare the sun down until my eyes go blind
I will maintain my resolve until I can no longer see
Hey, I won't change direction
I will not alter my course
And I won't change my mind
I will not change my opinion
I'll swallow poison, until I grow immune
I will subject myself to harm until I become resistant to it
I will scream my lungs out till it fills this room
I will express my emotions loudly and intensely until they fill the entire space
How much difference?
Does it really matter?
How much difference?
Is it really significant?
How much difference does it make?
Is there any true effect?
How much difference does it make?
Does it really change anything?
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAVID ABBRUZZESE, EDDIE VEDDER, JEFF AMENT, MIKE MCCREADY, STONE GOSSARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jakeberliner9246
Great performance!! Must've watched this hundreds of times over the years.
@namelessgrace6319
Me too! Always come back to it. :)
@laurawatters914
BEAUTIFUL SOOO BEAUTIFUL!! Ben Harper has always loved this song, he has sang it with Eddie many times. 😊💓🤘✌️
@sarahfinch6192
I will never stop viewing this performance. Spectacular!!
@mumblez7712
Got to see these guys do this one live in Adelaide '09.
Pure magic
@aleksandrabozovic3174
"I will change direction and I won't change my mind" heavy lirycs. Love this
@andrewsantos106
Me too. But its i wont change direction..
@Anne-zv3kp
The exchange beftween these two artists, at the end, is so beautiful and touching.
@rbenesh
I've listened to this every couple months for about 15 years and to this day its my favorite live performance.
@yasisoufi
R. Benesh Now I join u!