Parting Ways
Pearl Jam Lyrics


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Behind her eyes there's curtains
But they've been closed to hide the flames
Remains

She know's there future's burning
But she can smile just the same

And though her mood is fine today
There's a fear they'll soon be parting ways

Standing like a statue
A chin of stone a heart of clay
Hey

And though he's to big a man to say
There's a fear they'll soon be parting ways





Drifting away...Drifting away...Drifting away...Drifting away...Drifting away...
Drifting away...Drifting away...Drifting away...Drifting away...Drifting away...

Overall Meaning

In Pearl Jam's song "Parting Ways," Eddie Vedder tells the story of two people, a woman and a man, who are in a relationship that is about to end. The woman appears calm and collected on the outside, but she is really struggling with the fact that their future is burning and they will soon be parting ways. Her eyes are like curtains that have been closed to hide the emotional turmoil she is feeling inside. She knows that their relationship is coming to an end, but she tries to remain positive and hide her fear by smiling.


The man in the relationship is portrayed as strong and stoic, with a chin of stone and a heart of clay. He may be too proud to admit it, but he also fears the impending end of their relationship. Both characters are depicted as drifting away from each other, and the song ends with the repetition of the phrase "drifting away."


Overall, "Parting Ways" is a poignant ballad about the end of a relationship and the fear that comes with it. The lyrics paint a picture of two people who are trying to hold on, but ultimately must let go.


Line by Line Meaning

Behind her eyes there's curtains
She conceals something behind her eyes, secrets or emotions, that she does not want the world to see


But they've been closed to hide the flames
The curtains behind her eyes have been shut to conceal her passion


Remains
There are remnants of something left, yet we don't know what it is


She knows there future's burning
She understands that their future burns - foreshadowing an eventual separation


But she can smile just the same
Despite knowing their fate, she smiles anyway, as if to maintain a facade of happiness


And though her mood is fine today
She may seem content in this very moment


There's a fear they'll soon be parting ways
Yet the fear of separation lingers in her mind


Standing like a statue
He is immobile like a statue, remaining unchanged as time passes


A chin of stone a heart of clay
He comes off as unreadable and unyielding to the world, but deep down he may be soft on the inside


Hey
This is just an interjection of sorts, not really contextually related


And though he's to big a man to say
Despite his size or status, he is too proud or unwilling to admit his fear of parting ways


There's a fear they'll soon be parting ways
Just like the woman, he too is afraid of the potential breakup


Drifting away...Drifting away...Drifting away...Drifting away...Drifting away...
This refrain reinforces the idea of the two drifting apart, perhaps physically or emotionally




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: EDDIE VEDDER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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