Alive / Rockin' in the Free World
Pearl Jam Lyrics

There are colors on the street...red, white, and blue
The American flag and patriotic colors are visible everywhere.

People shufflin' their feet, people sleepin' in their shoes
Many Americans have lost their homes and are living on the street.

There's a warnin' sign in the road ahead
The future looks bleak, and there are many warnings of impending trouble.

There's a lot of people sayin' we'd be better off dead
Many Americans feel like their lives are hopeless and would be better off dead.

Don't feel like Satan, but I am to them
The artist is not evil but is viewed as such by some people.

So I try to forgive 'em, any way I can, yeah...
The singer attempts to show compassion to those who hate or misunderstand him.

I see a girl in the night with a baby in her hands
The singer observes a young mother who is caring for her child on the streets.

Under an old street light, oh, near a garbage can
The mother and child are living in a dirty, unsanitary environment with little resources.

Now she put her kid away, she's gone to get a hit
The mother has left her child to use drugs, possibly to escape the difficult circumstances of her life.

She hates her life, and what she's done with it
The mother is unhappy with the choices she has made and the life she is living.

That's one more kid, that'll never go to school
The child of the young mother may never receive an education because of the difficult circumstances surrounding them.

Never get to fall in love, never get to be cool
The child may never be able to experience the joys of young love or feel socially accepted.

Keep on rockin' in the free world (3x)
Despite all of these difficulties and injustices, the singer encourages listeners to continue thriving and surviving in the United States.

( The US of A, the United States )
The singer is referencing the United States and its people.

( Ain't a free place, it's not a free place )
The United States is not free or equal for all its inhabitants.

( Ain't got the right to choose, barely got the right to vote )
Many Americans do not have the right to choose their life circumstances and feel their voting rights are limited.

( There they got the right to make an honest buck )
The United States allows people to earn a living through honest work.

( The USA ain't a free, free place )
The United States is not completely free and equal for all its inhabitants.

There's a thousand points of light for the colored man
Although there are injustices in America, there are also many opportunities for people of color to succeed.

There's a kinder, gentler police man's hand
The artist sees a shift towards a more compassionate and fair approach to policing.

There's department stores, and toilet paper
The United States has a consumer culture with plenty of access to products and commodities.

Styrofoam garbage for the Ozone layer
Americans' consumer habits are contributing to environmental problems, including harming the Ozone layer.

There's a man of the people, said 'keep hope alive'
Some American leaders or influencers encourage people to remain optimistic and keep working towards a brighter future.

Got fuel to burn, got roads to drive
There are still opportunities to explore and enjoy the benefits of the United States.

Keep on rockin' in the free world (4x)
Despite the good and the bad in America, the singer encourages people to keep striving and enjoying life.