Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town
Pearl Jam Lyrics

I seem to recognize your face
The singer recognizes the subject's face but can't remember who they are.

Haunting, familiar yet
The familiar face is haunting the singer's thoughts but they can't figure out why.

I can't seem to place it
The singer can't put a name to the familiar face.

Cannot find the candle of thought to light your name
The artist can't remember the name associated with the familiar face despite trying to remember and trying to bring it to their mind.

Lifetimes are catching up with me
The artist feels like life is slipping away and they're running out of time.

All these changes taking place
The singer is noticing changes around them, but they aren't sure what to make of them.

I wish I'd seen the place
The singer regrets not seeing a certain location or place.

But no one's ever taken me
Despite wanting to see the location, the artist has never been there.

Hearts and thoughts they fade, fade away
The artist is acknowledging that memories and emotions fade over time.

I swear, I recognize your breath
The artist is confident they recognize the person based on their breath.

Memories like fingerprints are slowly raising
Memories are resurfacing slowly, like fingerprints being revealed by dust.

Me, you wouldn't recall for I'm not my former
The artist doesn't expect the subject to remember them because they have changed since they last met.

It's hard when you're stuck upon the shelf
The singer is feeling stuck in their life, helpless to change their situation.

I changed by not changing at all
The singer feels like they've changed in small ways, but overall are still the same person.

Small town predicts my fate
The singer feels trapped and like they have no control over their destiny in the small town.

Perhaps that's what no one wants to see
The artist thinks that others don't want to acknowledge the limitations and constraints of small town life.

I just want to scream hello
The artist is eager to connect with the person they recognize and say hello.

My God it's been so long
The singer is amazed and shocked at how long it's been since they've seen the person they recognize.

Never dreamed you'd return
The singer is surprised by the unexpected return of the person they recognize.

But now here you are and here I am
The artist and the subject are both present and able to meet again.