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)
It Ain't Like That
Pearl Jam Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Screamin' sweat and bare feet to the floor
In my life, I'd not soften
Things that cut, and burn so often
But I sit, think of somethin'
Scared to face, the dyin' nothin'
See the cycle I've waited for
Where I go is when I feel I'm able
How I fight is why I'm feelin' sore
In my sight, not forgotten
Feel as though, a tooth were rotten
Behind the smile, a tongue that's slippin'
Buzzards cry, when flesh is rippin'
See the cycle I've waited for
It ain't like that anymore
Here I sit writing on the paper
Trying to think of words you can't ignore
In my eyes, what I'm lacking
Score at face, a ten for slacking
Sign the deal, set in motion
Smaller fish, so huge the ocean
See the cycle I've waited for
It ain't like that anymore
The lyrics of Pearl Jam's "It Ain't Like That" speak to the feeling of being trapped in a cycle of pain and suffering, and the struggle to break free from it. The singer is depicted in the opening lines as a figure who is stretched out on a table, screaming and sweating, with their bare feet firmly planted on the ground. The sense of physical agony and helplessness is palpable, as if the singer is caught in a moment of intense pain and uncertainty.
But as the song progresses, the singer begins to take ownership of their situation. They acknowledge that they have experienced many things that have "cut and burned" them, but they also know that they are capable of thinking and imagining something new. The line "scared to face the dyin' nothin'" suggests a fear of the unknown or of the possibility of failure, but the singer also seems to know that they cannot remain stagnant.
The second verse of the song takes a more abstract turn, with references to buzzards and teeth that suggest a sense of decay and corruption. But again, there is a sense that the singer is trying to break free from this negativity. They assert their own agency in the lines "where I go is when I feel I'm able" and "how I fight is why I'm feelin' sore", almost as if enduring pain is a way of pushing back against the forces that would try to control them.
The final verse of "It Ain't Like That" speaks to the creative process, as the singer writes and tries to find the right words to express themselves. The references to lacking and slacking suggest a sense of self-doubt or anxiety about living up to expectations, but the singer still manages to sign a deal and set something new in motion. In the end, the message of the song seems to be that while it may not be easy to break free from negative cycles, it is still possible to do so with hard work and determination.
Line by Line Meaning
There I was, laid out on a table
I was in a vulnerable and exposed position, like a patient on an operating table.
Screamin' sweat and bare feet to the floor
I was intensely uncomfortable and in pain, sweating and gripping the floor with my bare feet.
In my life, I'd not soften
Throughout my life, I had never become more sensitive or open to emotion.
Things that cut, and burn so often
I had experienced many things that were painful and damaging, both physically and emotionally.
But I sit, think of somethin'
Despite my tough exterior, I have moments of introspection and vulnerability.
Scared to face, the dyin' nothin'
I am afraid of facing the prospect of death, which can feel like an empty and meaningless void.
See the cycle I've waited for
I am familiar with the pattern of events that usually unfolds.
It ain't like that anymore
However, things have changed and the pattern is no longer applicable.
Where I go is when I feel I'm able
I make decisions based on my current physical and emotional state, and what I believe I can handle.
How I fight is why I'm feelin' sore
The way I deal with challenges is what has caused me to feel physically and emotionally drained.
In my sight, not forgotten
I can still vividly remember things that have happened in the past.
Feel as though, a tooth were rotten
I am experiencing a persistent, nagging discomfort or pain that I cannot shake.
Behind the smile, a tongue that's slippin'
Despite appearing outwardly content, I am struggling to articulate my true feelings.
Buzzards cry, when flesh is rippin'
The unpleasant or painful experiences I have gone through have attracted others who are looking to pick at my wounds or take advantage of my vulnerability.
Here I sit writing on the paper
I am expressing my thoughts and feelings through writing, which provides me with a sense of release and clarity.
Trying to think of words you can't ignore
I am attempting to convey my message in a way that will resonate with others and capture their attention.
In my eyes, what I'm lacking
I am aware of my own shortcomings or weaknesses.
Score at face, a ten for slacking
Despite my awareness, I continue to struggle with certain things and feel like I am falling short.
Sign the deal, set in motion
I have made a commitment and am moving forward with a plan or decision.
Smaller fish, so huge the ocean
Although I am taking action, the setting or circumstances I am in can feel overwhelming or larger than life.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LAYNE STALEY, SEAN KINNEY, JERRY CANTRELL, MICHAEL STARR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
codeman454
Alice In Chains rocked my world too Eddie!
Eduardo Coto
that riff so simple but it just kick ass
Harzlibube
Jerry made it by accident
Inga
cotox s Jerry's genius
William Oliveira
That slower paced It Ain't Like That felt funky as hell lol, i dig that PJ touch
Eliseo Muñoz
Was hoping to hear Eddie singing :/
BritainS_60
He cant cover layne
Gisselle ST
K Dubya Eddie is one hell of singer and song writer and so was Layne so tired of ppl comparing them.
Fukko
You can sing some Layne songs if you are used to sing metal, some are really hard though.
Jules Bocca
that's really interesting.. I have a very very very similar voice to layne staley. wonder If i should start singing.