Formed after the demise of Gossard and Ament's previous band, Mother Love Bone, Pearl Jam broke into the mainstream with their debut album, Ten, in 1991. Ten stayed on the Billboard 200 chart for nearly five years, and has gone on to become one of the highest-selling rock records ever, going 13× platinum in the United States. Released in 1993, Pearl Jam's second album, Vs., sold over 950,000 copies in its first week of release, setting the record for most copies of an album sold in its first week of release at the time. Their third album, Vitalogy (1994), became the second-fastest-selling CD in history at the time, with more than 877,000 units sold in its first week.
One of the key bands in the grunge movement of the early 1990s, Pearl Jam's members often shunned popular music industry practices such as making music videos or participating in interviews. The band also sued Ticketmaster, claiming it had monopolized the concert-ticket market. In 2006, Rolling Stone described the band as having "spent much of the past decade deliberately tearing apart their own fame."
Pearl Jam had sold more than 85 million albums worldwide by 2018, including nearly 32 million albums in the United States by 2012, making them one of the best-selling bands of all time. Pearl Jam was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017 in its first year of eligibility. They were ranked eighth in a readers' poll by Rolling Stone magazine in its "Top Ten Live Acts of All Time" issue. Throughout its career, the band has also promoted wider social and political issues, from pro-abortion rights sentiments to opposition to George W. Bush's presidency. Vedder acts as the band's spokesman on these issues.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pearl_Jam
Studio albums
Ten (1991)
Vs. (1993)
Vitalogy (1994)
No Code (1996)
Yield (1998)
Binaural (2000)
Riot Act (2002)
Pearl Jam (2006)
Backspacer (2009)
Lightning Bolt (2013)
Gigaton (2020)
Beast of Burden
Pearl Jam Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My back is broad, but it's a hurting
All I want, for you to make love to me
I'll never be your beast of burden
I've walked for miles, my feet are hurting
All I want, for you to make love to me
Am I rough enough?
Am I rich enough?
I'm not too blind to see
I'll never be your beast of burden
So let's go home and draw the curtains
Music on the radio, come on baby, make sweet love to me
Am I hard enough?
Am I rough enough?
Am I rich enough?
I'm not too blind to see
Oh, little sister
Pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty, girls
Pretty, pretty, such a pretty, pretty, pretty girl
Come on baby please, please, please
I'll tell ya, you can put me out
On the street
Put me out
With no shoes on my feet
But, put me out, put me out
Put me out of misery
Yeah, all your sickness
I can suck it up
Throw it all at me
I'll just shrug it off
There's one thing baby
I don't understand
You keep on telling me
I ain't your kind of man
Ain't I rough enough, ooh baby?
Ain't I tough enough?
Ain't I rich enough, in love enough?
Ooh ooh
I'll never be your beast of burden
I'll never be your beast of burden
Never, never, never, never, never, never, never be
Never be your beast of burden
I've walked for miles, my feet are hurting
In the song "Beast of Burden" by Pearl Jam, the singer is pleading with his lover to make more of an effort in their relationship. He declares that he is not willing to be her servant, or her "beast of burden," and compares himself to a workhorse used to carry heavy loads. He is frustrated with the lack of affection and attention she shows him even though he has provided for her both emotionally and financially. Throughout the song, he asks if he is "hard enough," "rough enough," and "rich enough" to deserve her love.
The song represents the angst and dissatisfaction of a man who is tired of being taken for granted and wants his lover to take notice of his needs. The repeated refrain of "All I want, for you to make love to me" highlights his desire for emotional connection and intimacy in the relationship.
Overall, "Beast of Burden" is a raw and emotional portrayal of a man who is fighting back against being the one who always gives in and wants to be loved in return. The song's strong and powerful lyrics convey a clear message of frustration and a longing for a deeper connection.
Line by Line Meaning
I'll never be your beast of burden
I will never be the person you rely on solely.
My back is broad, but it's a hurting
I may seem supportive, but I am struggling internally.
All I want, for you to make love to me
All I desire is to be loved by you in a physical sense.
I've walked for miles, my feet are hurting
I have gone through great lengths to prove myself.
Am I hard enough?
Do I possess enough emotional strength?
Am I rough enough?
Will I be able to endure the difficulties in life?
Am I rich enough?
Do I hold a significant or valuable position in your life?
I'm not too blind to see
I am aware of the reality of our situation.
So let's go home and draw the curtains
Let's get away from everything else and be together.
Oh, little sister
A term of endearment for someone he is attracted to.
Pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty, girls
The women that he finds attractive have certain qualities.
Come on baby please, please, please
He is pleading for attention and affection.
I'll tell ya, you can put me out
You may take away everything from me, even my dignity.
On the street
To live as a homeless person.
With no shoes on my feet
To be stripped down to nothing.
Put me out of misery
Do me a favor by ending my suffering.
Yeah, all your sickness
I am willing to take on your emotional baggage.
I can suck it up
I am strong enough to handle it.
Throw it all at me
Give me all your problems.
There's one thing baby
There is something I do not understand.
I don't understand
I am confused by your feelings towards me.
You keep on telling me
You have expressed this sentiment before.
I ain't your kind of man
I do not fit your idea of an ideal partner.
Never, never, never, never, never, never, never be
I will never become the person you want me to be.
Contributed by Katherine N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@weenlips9000
Man I use to have this song on CD years ago! Brings back really good memories. I miss the 90's
@2BAZ
Whaaaa Back in time ;)
@TheDiegote90
Thank you for posting this. It´s been over 12 years since I heard it for the last time.
@pearfox
me too! i've been searching for it for years.. i'm so thankful!
@SlipKid12
It was on no fucking Messiah. Had it back in the day.
@pjaretherulers4071
all I want is to drink... please fuckin leave me alone
@andyw440
Eddie Vedder or Frank Zappa?? He does a good impression
@letsgocows
I had this on a "bootleg" tape. I really want to hear the whole concert! I hope someone has it!
@Prutsprogrammeur
Always thought this song named "Beast Of Bourbon" ;-)
@BeautyxxGuRu214
What year was that