Oceans
Pearl Jamꠀ Lyrics

The lyrics to Pearl Jam's "Oceans" explore themes of distance and longing, as well as the sense of hope that comes with the possibility of reunion. The opening lines, "Hold onto the thread / The currents will shift / Glide me towards you" suggest a desire to stay connected to something or someone even as circumstances change. This thread could represent a number of things, such as a personal goal, a loved one or even the music itself. As the singer looks towards the future, they recognize that "something's left", meaning that there is still an opportunity for things to work out.

The lyrics also touch on the idea of dreams and anticipating the future, as indicated by the line "And we're all allowed / To dream of the next / Oh, oh the next, time we touch". Here, the singer acknowledges that there is always the possibility of something new to come, and that this sense of possibility can be both exciting and comforting. At the same time, there is a sense of resignation to the fact that the future is uncertain, as demonstrated by the repetition of "uh huh" in the chorus.

The second verse of the song continues to explore the themes of distance and connection, with lines such as "You don't have to stray / The oceans away / Waves roll in my thoughts". Here, the singer is suggesting that even if the other person is physically far away, they are still present in their thoughts and emotions. The idea of standing by the shore and waiting for someone to return is a powerful image, as it represents the idea of holding space for something or someone even when it feels difficult or uncertain. Ultimately, the song leaves us with the sense that there is always hope for a reunion or a re-connection, as long as we are willing to hold on to that thread and wait for the currents to shift.