Jeremy
Pearl Jam Lyrics

At home drawing pictures
The kid finds solace in drawing doodles of his dreams and ambitions from his humble abode in his free time when he's not burdened with the expectations and demands of society.

Of mountain tops
The kid's aspirations soar high like the summit of mountains, something that he wishes to conquer one day.

With him on top
In his drawings, he imagines himself on top of the world, no longer feeling small and insignificant.

Lemon yellow sun
The kid looks towards the bright and warm future, full of hope and positivity.

Arms raised in a V
He visualizes himself as triumphant and victorious, with arms in V-shape, giving it his all and enjoying the fruits of his labor.

And the dead lay in pools of maroon below
In his dreams, he imagines himself rising above the world, while the lifeless and hopeless lay beneath him.

Daddy didn't give attention
The kid craves for his father's love and attention but is instead neglected by him due to his other priorities and responsibilities.

Oh, to the fact that mommy didn't care
The kid's mother is equally uninterested in his life and doesn't provide him with the emotional support he needs.

King Jeremy the wicked
The kid feels like he is a ruler of his own life and destiny amidst the chaos of his surroundings, but in reality, is considered a misfit and a rebel.

Jeremy spoke in class today
Jeremy spoke his truth, defying the status quo, and becoming a voice, which resonated with many.

Clearly I remember
The singer vividly remembers the incident that took place in the past, which shocked and shook the class to its core.

Pickin' on the boy
The bullies in class chose to target Jeremy, who was already considered an outcast in a class full of conformists.

Seemed a harmless little fuck
The bullies couldn't have fathomed how much their actions would impact Jeremy, leading to the tragedy that occurred.

Oh, but we unleashed the lion
The bullies ignited a spark in Jeremy, and he reacted with fierce aggression, shocking his peers and even the recess lady.

Gnashed his teeth and bit the recess lady's breast
Jeremy lost control of his anger and attacked the recess lady, a symbol of authority and the very system, which he despised.

How could I forget?
The artist is haunted by the incident, and it's something he can never erase from his memory.

And he hit me with a surprise left
Jeremy also lashed out against the artist, who was one of his tormentors, but the attack came as a surprise, highlighting the depth of his rage.

My jaw left hurting
The physical pain of the altercation left a lasting impact on the singer, symbolizing the emotional trauma of Jeremy's life.

Dropped wide open
The singer was left in awe and astonishment by Jeremy's actions, which were contrary to his persona as a quiet and introverted child.

Just like the day
The memory of that moment is as fresh and vivid as the day it happened.

Daddy didn't give affection, no
The artist realizes that Jeremy's violent behavior may have been a manifestation of his desire for love and attention from his own father, whose neglect hurt him deeply.

And the boy was something that mommy wouldn't wear
The boy's mother viewed him as a burden and a disgrace, not something to be embraced and celebrated.

Try to forget this (try to forget this)
The singer wishes he could erase that day from his memory and move on from the guilt and remorse he feels.

Try to erase this (try to erase this)
The artist wants to rid himself of the burden of his actions and forget the tragedy that unfolded.

From the blackboard
The singer wants to erase the incident from his past, much like how something can be erased from a blackboard.

Oh oh oh oh (spoke in, spoke in, spoke in)
The phrase acts as a refrain, as the repetition of 'spoke in' signifies the impact Jeremy's words had on his peers and the singer.

Whoa oh (spoke in)
The phrase is a symbolic representation of the ripple effect Jeremy's actions had on the class and beyond.

Whoa oh (spoke in, spoke in)
The phrase highlights the impact of Jeremy's words, which were so powerful and poignant that they echo in people's minds.

Ah ah ah yeah
The phrase signifies the pain, anguish, and sorrow accompanying Jeremy's life and death.

Ah ah ah ah (spoke in, spoke in, spoke in)
The phrase highlights the impact of Jeremy's words, which were so powerful and poignant that they echo in people's minds.

Yeah yeah ah ah ah (spoke in, spoke in, spoke in)
The phrase reminds us that Jeremy's message is still relevant and needs to be heeded even today.

Ah ah ah ah
The phrase acts as a haunting and melancholic reminder of the life and legacy of Jeremy, the kid who spoke out against the harsh realities of life.