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 13Ć 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)
Fuckin' up
Pearl Jam Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
One must have a heart of steel. Why do I?
It's not how you look, but how you feel. Why do I?
You must have a heart of steel. Why do I?
Why do I keep fucking up?
I can see you on the hill. Why do I?
All comatose but walking still. Why do I?
Oh, only I can bring myself down. Why do I?
Why do I keep fuckin up?
Bowman's pick and dogs that bite. Why do I?
Oh, dogs that howl through the night. Why do I?
Oh, broken leashes all over the floor. Why do I?
Keys left hanging in a swinging door. Why do I?
Why do I keep fucking up?
The lyrics to Pearl Jam's "Fuckin' Up" reflect on the cycle of making mistakes despite knowing better. The lonely drifter on the hill represents a sense of isolation and detachment, as though the singer is an outsider in their own life. The line "One must have a heart of steel" suggests that it takes a certain level of emotional strength to break free from unhealthy patterns, but the singer feels stuck, questioning why they can't seem to change. The focus shifts to the image of someone else on the hill, comatose and yet moving, perhaps representing the idea of going through the motions without feeling truly alive. The flowing curves and gown suggest a certain sensuality or allure that draws the singer in, but they recognize that they are the only ones capable of bringing themselves down. The final stanza brings in a more concrete image of dogs and broken leashes, adding to the sense of chaos and lack of control that the singer feels.
Overall, the lyrics of "Fuckin' Up" convey a sense of frustration and self-destructiveness. The repeated question "Why do I keep fucking up?" speaks to the singer's desire to break free from this cycle of behavior but feeling powerless to do so. The themes of detachment, temptation, and chaos all contribute to a sense of unease and restlessness.
Line by Line Meaning
Lonely drifter on the hill. Why do I?
Why do I feel so isolated and lost, like a wanderer searching for a place to belong?
One must have a heart of steel. Why do I?
Why do I struggle to maintain the strength and resilience that others seem to possess effortlessly?
It's not how you look, but how you feel. Why do I?
Why do I find it challenging to focus on inner strength and emotional well-being, rather than external appearances?
You must have a heart of steel. Why do I?
Why do I believe that others have more inner strength and resilience than I do?
Why do I keep fucking up?
Why do I repeatedly make mistakes and fail, despite my efforts to do otherwise?
I can see you on the hill. Why do I?
Why do I feel drawn to someone who appears calm and self-assured, like they have found inner strength and purpose?
All comatose but walking still. Why do I?
Why do I envy those who seem to navigate life with ease and confidence, even when they are seemingly disengaged?
Flowing curves beneath your flowing gown. Why do I?
Why am I attracted to someone's physical appearance, even though I know that it is their inner qualities that truly matter?
Oh, only I can bring myself down. Why do I?
Why do I blame myself for my failures and setbacks, even when external factors may be at play?
Bowman's pick and dogs that bite. Why do I?
Why do I encounter obstacles and challenges, like a miner digging for treasure who must contend with dangerous animals?
Oh, dogs that howl through the night. Why do I?
Why do I feel like I am constantly navigating through noise and chaos, like a traveller trying to sleep despite persistent barking?
Oh, broken leashes all over the floor. Why do I?
Why do I struggle to maintain control and order, like a dog owner whose pets run wild and free?
Keys left hanging in a swinging door. Why do I?
Why do I feel like I have left myself open to danger and uncertainty, like leaving a door unlocked and vulnerable?
Why do I keep fucking up?
Why do I continue to struggle and stumble, despite my best intentions and efforts to succeed?
Contributed by Ethan D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@DanielWade91
Neil Young must be proud of these men.
@jaerockchalk3216
fuck Neil Young he SOLD OUT
@josephmiller1941
Such a great grunge riffā¤ā¤ā¤
@LlyleHunter
Itās great version of the song but it was originally by Neil Young and Crazy Horse
@bandit816
Eddie and his wine...
@lisaveg1
Really really good cover...
@Shishimu
when it comes to pearl jam videos there should be like 6 or 7 stars to rate them!
@andrewevans6510
There should 8 stars to rate your comment
@shannondavis3338
If you had all the bootlegs from the 90's you would know about this one!
@thecommuters
Awesome piece , thx for sharing