Faithfull
Pearl Jam Lyrics


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Plaque on the wall says that no one's slept here
It's rare to come upon a bridge that has not been around
Or been stepped on
Whatever the notions we laced in our prayers
The man upstairs is used to all of this noise
I'm through with screaming

And echoes nobody hears it goes it goes it goes
Like echoes nobody hears it goes it goes it goes
We're faithful we all believe we all believe it {4X}

And echoes nobody hears, it goes, it goes, it goes {2X}
We're faithful, we all believe, we all believe it {3X}
So faithful, we all believe, we all believe it

M.Y.T.H. is?
Belief in the game controls that keeps us in a box of fear
We never listen
Voice inside so drowned out
Drowned you are, you are, you are a furry thing
And everything is you
Me you, you me, it's all related
What's a boy to do?




Just be darling and I will be too
Faithful to you

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Faithfull by Pearl Jam seem to be about the struggle to maintain faith in something, even when it seems like everything around us is falling apart. Eddie Vedder, the lead singer of Pearl Jam, sings about looking at a plaque on the wall that says that no one has slept there before, implying that he is feeling an acute sense of loneliness and isolation. While it could be interpreted that this is a physical space, it is possible that this could be a metaphor for feeling disconnected from an idea or faith that he previously held.


Vedder goes on to describe how it is rare to find something like a bridge that has not been utilised before. Metaphorically, this could represent looking for something new or a way out, but coming up empty-handed. He emphasises that no matter what the people in the world around us may believe, the 'man upstairs' is used to all of this - this being the confusion and chaos that comes with being human. The repetition of the line "Echoes nobody hears it goes, it goes, it goes" adds to the sense of frustration and an idea that no one cares or is really listening. However, the band still believes, and this repetition of "We're faithful, we all believe" almost sounds like a mantra or an affirmation to hold on to this faith.


The second verse is a little more cryptic, but seems to be exploring the idea of not being in control of our lives. Vedder sings about "M.Y.T.H," which could stand for "myth" or may be an acronym for something else. He then goes on to mention the "game controls that keeps us in a box of fear," which suggests that we are being controlled by something larger than ourselves, leaving us powerless to affect change. Eddie Vedder then brings the focus back to himself, emphasising that the voice inside of him has been drowned out for too long. It's then unclear what the line "drowned you are, you are, you are a furry thing" means - it could just be a nonsensical throwaway line, or it could be a reference to a part of himself that he has lost or alienated. He closes the verse by acknowledging the connection between all things, and expressing his commitment to being faithful to another person, which could be a sign of hope and connection.


Line by Line Meaning

Plaque on the wall says that no one's slept here
The absence of sleep in a place is marked by a plaque on the wall


It's rare to come upon a bridge that has not been around
A bridge's existence is usually indefinite and pervasive


Or been stepped on
Bridges are always subjected to the pressure of being walked upon


Whatever the notions we laced in our prayers
The intentions of our prayers are ambiguous and subjective


The man upstairs is used to all of this noise
The higher power is immune to the noise and commotion of human activity


I'm through with screaming
The singer is tired of screaming and wants to stop


And echoes nobody hears it goes it goes it goes
The echoes of the singer's voice fade away unheard


We're faithful we all believe we all believe it {4X}
We possess faith and believe in something with unwavering conviction


M.Y.T.H. is?
The singer questions the meaning of MYTH and its impact on human behavior


Belief in the game controls that keeps us in a box of fear
Belief in the controlling nature of games limits us and creates a sense of fear


We never listen
We refuse to listen to our internal voice, drowned out by external influences


Voice inside so drowned out
The natural voice within us is muted and indistinct


Drowned you are, you are, you are a furry thing
The singer describes the listener as a furry thing, submerged and inhibited from self-expression


And everything is you
The singer implies that the listener is interconnected with everything


Me you, you me, it's all related
The singer emphasizes the interconnectedness of all things


What's a boy to do?
The singer asks a rhetorical question and emphasizes a sense of helplessness


Just be darling and I will be too
The singer is asking the listener to be kind and loving


Faithful to you
The singer is expressing faithfulness and loyalty to the listener




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: EDDIE VEDDER, MIKE MCCREADY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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