Once
Pearl Jam(???) Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I admit it, what's to say
I'll relive it, without pain
Backstreet lover on the side
Of the road
I got a bomb in my temple that is gonna explode
I got a .16 gauge buried
Under my clothes, I play
Once upon a time I could control myself
Once upon a time I could lose myself
Oh try and mimic, what's insane
I am in it, where do I stand?

Indian summer I hate the heat
I got a backstreet lover on the passenger seat
I got my hand in my pocket
So determined
Discreet, I pray.

Once upon a time I could control myself
Once upon a time I could lose myself
Once upon a time I could control myself
Once upon a time I could lose myself
Once upon a time I could love myself
Once upon a time I could love you
Once
Once
Once
Once
Once




Once
Yeah yeah

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Pearl Jam's "Once" delve into the internal struggle of a narrator who is haunted by his past experiences. The first verse begins with the confession of the singer, who admits that he has relived his painful past over and over again. He portrays himself as a backstreet lover, someone who is not able to openly express his love, and contemplates his situation where he has a bomb in his temple that could explode at any moment. The second verse follows the same pattern, referring to oneself in the third person, and the singer describes the heat of an Indian summer and having a backstreet lover on the passenger seat, while being determined and discreetly praying.


The chorus repeats itself three times, starting with the line "Once upon a time I could control myself," where the singer alludes to a time in the past when he had more control over himself and his life. He then repeats "Once upon a time I could lose myself," which hints at how the singer has since lost his way and can no longer find himself. He ends the chorus by echoing the word "Once" several times, emphasizing the nostalgia he feels towards who he once was.


The song's lyrics have been debated amongst Pearl Jam fans for years, with most agreeing that they portray a feeling of helplessness and desperation. Some have speculated that the "backstreet lover" mentioned in the lyrics is a reference to a hidden, closeted affair. Others believe that the song deals with the battle against drug addiction.


Line by Line Meaning

I admit it, what's to say
I acknowledge my actions, and there is not much more to say about it.


I'll relive it, without pain
Even though I'll go through it again, it won't hurt as much.


Backstreet lover, on the side of the road
I have a secret lover, and we meet away from prying eyes.


I got a bomb in my temple that is gonna explode
I have an emotional grenade that's about to go off.


I got a .16 gauge buried under my clothes, I play
I have a weapon hidden on my body, and I'm ready to use it.


Once upon a time I could control myself
There was a time when I had self-discipline.


Once upon a time I could lose myself
I used to be able to let go of my worries and immerse myself in life.


Oh, try and mimic, what's insane
Attempt to replicate something that is clearly crazy.


I am in it, where do I stand?
I am involved, but I am unsure where I fit in.


Indian summer I hate the heat
I dislike the hot weather during the late summer.


I got a backstreet lover on the passenger seat
My secret lover is riding by my side in the car.


I got my hand in my pocket so determined, discreet, I pray
My hand is in my pocket because I'm ready to act, but I'm also being cautious and keeping a low profile.


Once upon a time I could love myself
There was a time when I had the capacity for self-love.


Once upon a time I could love you
I used to have the ability to love you unconditionally.


Once, once, once, once, once, once, yeah yeah
Repeatedly reflecting on past times when things were different.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: EDDIE JEROME VEDDER, STONE C. GOSSARD

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@mehdivavana3359

I admit it, what's to say
I'll relive it, without pain
Backstreet lover on the side
Of the road
I got a bomb in my temple that is gonna explode
I got a .16 gauge buried under my clothes, I play
Once upon a time I could control myself
Once upon a time I could lose myself
Oh try and mimic, what's insane
I am in it, where do I stand?
Indian summer I hate the heat
I got a backstreet lover on the passenger seat
I got my hand in my pocket so determined discreet, I pray
Once upon a time I could control myself
Once upon a time I could lose myself
Once upon a time I could control myself
Once upon a time I could lose myself
Once upon a time I could love myself
Once upon a time I could love you
Once
Once
Once
Once
Once
Once
Yeah yeah yeah yeah



All comments from YouTube:

@cameronbaker7691

Unpopular opinion - best song on the album

@Saezel03

Why gooo

@raditzhoneyham

Best of the heavier stuff, this album (and most of pearl jams stuff) can be divided into heavier and softer imo, this is the best loud track but oceans/black are amazing as softer tracks

@kichigan1

All the songs were the best song of the album.

@mnsotapop

I wouldn't say that's an unpopular opinion

@folksurvival

@@kichigan1 Ten and Appetite For Destruction are two of the best debut albums of all time. Definitely Maybe is up there too.

29 More Replies...

@kevinnava1975

This song starts all Pearl Jam history. ❤️ 30th aniversary

@VanielDeeform

I’d say Temple Of The Dog ~ Hunger Strike predates this, but I get what you mean :)

@fsmusicali

Magic

@Oona707

Wow...30 years 😮‍💨

More Comments

More Versions