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)
Patriot
Pearl Jam Lyrics
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And the rivers shall open for the righteous...
And the rivers shall open for the righteous someday...
I was walking with my brother,
And he wondered, oh how I am.
Said what I believe in my soul
Ain't what I see with my eyes,
I am a patriot, and I love my country,
Because my country is all I know.
Wanna be with my family,
People who understand me.
I got no place else to go.
I was walking with my girlfriend.
She looked so fine, I said
"Baby, what's on your mind?"
Said I want to run like the lions
Released from their cages...
Released from the rages
Burning in my soul tonight.
I am a patriot, and I love my country,
Because my country is all I know.
And I ain't no communist,
And I ain't no socialist,
And I ain't no capitalist,
And I ain't no imperialist,
And I ain't no democrat,
Sure ain't no republican either,
I only know one party,
And that is freedom.
I am...I am...I am...
I am a patriot, and I love my country,
Because my country is all I know.
And the rivers shall open for the righteous,
And the rivers shall open for the righteous,
And the rivers shall open for the righteous someday...
Someday...someday...
The song “Patriot” by Pearl Jam is a powerful proclamation of love for one's country, despite being critical of its flaws. The opening lines of the song, “And the rivers shall open for the righteous...” are a direct reference to the biblical story of Moses leading the Israelites to safety by parting the Red Sea. This biblical allusion sets the tone for the rest of the song, where the singer discusses personal conflicts within himself and his relationships, and how his love for his country is unwavering.
The first verse highlights the singer’s inner turmoil, as he admits that what he believes in his soul differs from what he sees with his eyes. This could be interpreted as a criticism of the political or social climate of his country, but the singer is adamant about his love for his country, stating “I am a patriot, and I love my country, because my country is all I know.” The second verse depicts a conversation he has with his girlfriend, who expresses her desire to break free from societal constraints and limitations. However, the singer understands that as a patriot, his place is with his country and those who understand him.
The concluding lines of the song echo the opening lines, suggesting that one day, justice will be served and the righteous will be rewarded. The repetition of these lines emphasizes their importance and emphasizes the singer's hope for a better future.
Overall, “Patriot” is a complex exploration of one's relationship with their country and a commentary on societal issues that readers can relate to on a very individual level. It is a reminder to love one's country while simultaneously fighting for the changes that can make it better.
Line by Line Meaning
And the rivers shall open for the righteous...
There will come a time when justice will prevail and everyone who has been wronged will have their time of redemption
I was walking with my brother,
I was spending time with my sibling and we were having a conversation
And he wondered, oh how I am.
He asked how I was doing, showing care and concern for my wellbeing
Said what I believe in my soul
Expressed my deeply held beliefs and values
Ain't what I see with my eyes,
What I see in the world around me does not always align with my core beliefs
And there's no turning back this time.
I am fully committed to pursuing what I believe in, no matter what obstacles I may face
I am a patriot, and I love my country,
I am a proud citizen of my country, and have a strong emotional attachment to it
Because my country is all I know.
My sense of identity, culture, and community is closely tied to my country
Wanna be with my family,
I want to spend time with my loved ones, who accept and understand me
People who understand me.
I crave a sense of connection and belonging with others who share my values and experiences
I got no place else to go.
My sense of home and belonging is completely tied to my country and community
I was walking with my girlfriend.
I was spending time with my romantic partner, enjoying their company
She looked so fine, I said.
I admired her appearance and was attracted to her
"Baby, what's on your mind?"
I asked her what she was thinking about, showing an interest in her thoughts and feelings
Said I want to run like the lions
She expressed a desire for freedom and liberation, like wild animals breaking free from captivity
Released from their cages...
Free from oppression and constraints that limit their growth and expression
Released from the rages
Extracting herself from the negative emotions that have weighed her down and kept her captive
Burning in my soul tonight.
Her desire for freedom is strong and deeply felt, almost like a physical sensation
And I ain't no communist,
I do not adhere to communist political ideology
And I ain't no socialist,
I do not believe in socialist politics
And I ain't no capitalist,
I do not fully align with capitalist economic systems either
And I ain't no imperialist,
I firmly reject the notion of exploiting and dominating other countries
And I ain't no democrat,
I do not identify as a member of the democratic party
Sure ain't no republican either,
I am not associated with the republican party either
I only know one party,
The only political affiliation I recognize is the value of freedom and individual liberties
And that is freedom.
I believe that every individual should be able to exercise their rights and autonomy without undue interference or oppression
And the rivers shall open for the righteous someday...
There will come a time when justice and righteousness prevails, and everyone will have a chance to be free and fulfilled
Someday...someday...
This hope for change and progress may not come immediately, but it is still something to strive for
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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