Corduroy
Pearl Jam Lyrics

The waiting drove me mad
The anticipation was unbearable and it caused me mental anguish.

You're finally here and I'm a mess
Now that you're here, I'm overwhelmed with emotions and can't keep myself composed.

I take your entrance back
I regret letting you into my life and wish I could undo it.

Can't let you roam inside my head
I can't allow you to have control over my thoughts and emotions.

I don't want to take what you can give
I don't want to accept your offerings because it will create a debt I don't want to owe.

I would rather starve than eat your bread
I would rather go without than accept help from you.

I would rather run but I can't walk
I would prefer to escape this situation, but I feel trapped and unable to leave.

Guess I'll lay alone just like before
I'll end up isolated and lonely just as I was before you arrived.

I'll take the varmint's path
I'll take the route that's less traveled and not typical, even if it's more challenging.

Oh, and I must refuse your test
I won't accept your challenge or your expectations of me.

A-push me and I will resist
If you push me, I will push back and resist your demands.

This behavior's not unique
Defiant behavior is not unusual or surprising since others have acted similarly before.

I don't want to hear from those who know
I don't want advice or criticism from those who think they know what's best for me.

They can buy but can't put on my clothes
They may have money, but they can't understand or experience things from my perspective or situation

I don't want to limp for them to walk
I don't want to take a backseat or struggle so that others can benefit or easily get ahead.

Never would have known of me before
Others didn't care or recognize my worth before, but now that I'm in the public eye, they want to be involved.

I don't want to be held in your debt
I don't want to owe anyone or feel indebted to them.

I'll pay it off in blood let I be wed
I'll work to repay any debts or obligations, even if it's difficult or harmful to myself.

I'm already cut up and half dead
I'm already hurt and worn down from life's difficulties, and may not be able to withstand any more pain or suffering.

I'll end up alone like I began
Despite everything I've been through, I'll most likely end up alone and starting from scratch again.

Everything has chains, absolutely nothing's changed
All things are connected and everything has a price, so nothing meaningful or significant has actually changed.

Take my hand, not my picture, spilled my tincture
Take my help or guidance, not just something superficial like a photo, because I've already been hurt and scarred.

All the things that others want for me
Others have expectations or desires for me that may not align with my own wants or needs.

Can't buy what I want because it's free
The things I truly want in life can't be bought with money because they're intangible or priceless.

Can't be what you want because I
I can't please everyone and be the person they want me to be because I have my own identity and desires to fulfill.

Why ain't it supposed to be just fun?
Why can't the journey of life just be enjoyable and positive instead of constantly filled with conflict and hardship?

Oh, to live and die, let it be done
I just want to live out my life without excessive struggle and then pass away without any further problems.

I figure I'll be damned
I expect that no matter what I do or how I live my life, I'll still end up experiencing negative consequences or being judged harshly.

All alone like I began
Ultimately, I'll be left to face life's difficulties and trials on my own, just as I did when I was first born.