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)
Redemption Song
Pearl Jam Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Board the merchant ships
I'm not sayin' we're not a part of it
From the bottomless pit
But my hands were made strong
By the force of the Almighty
They don't say that your generation,triumphantly
These songs of freedom
'Cause all I ever had
Redemption song
Emancipate yourself from mental slavery
None but ourselves can free our mind
Have no fear for atomic energy
'Cause none of them can stop the time
How long can they steal our prophets
While we stand beside and look?
They don't say I'm your generation
Oh,and I say...
Won't you help to sing
These songs of freedom
'Cause all I ever had
Redemption song (x2)
Emancipate yourself from mental slavery
None but ourselves can free our mind
Have no fear for atomic energy
'Cause none of them can stop the time
How long can they steal our prophets
While we stand beside and look?
Say some say it's just a part of it
You got to fulfill the book...
Won't you help to sing
These songs of freedom
'Cause all I ever had
Redemption song
'Cause all I ever had
Redemption song (X2)
This song of freedom
Oh...
The lyrics of Redemption Song by Pearl Jam are a call for people to understand that they have the power to liberate themselves from mental slavery. The opening lines of the song talk about pirates robbing others, but the singer admits that they are also a part of this cycle of violence. However, the singer says that their hands were made strong by the force of the Almighty, implying that through faith, one can overcome the cycle of violence and oppression that exists in the world. The lyrics suggest that the younger generation has the potential to triumph over these injustices.
The chorus of the song asks listeners to join in singing songs of freedom, as this is what the singer has always had - a redemption song. The song suggests that the only way to liberate oneself from mental slavery is to do it oneself, and that we should not be afraid of atomic energy because time cannot be stopped. The lyrics also question how long can they steal our prophets while we stand beside and watch - suggesting that the younger generation should take action in liberating themselves.
The song offers hope, that if we stand up for ourselves and our beliefs, we can be free from mental slavery. It brings in religious elements and shows a dilemma faced by many. The song implies that it is up to us to break free from mental slavery because ‘None but ourselves can free our minds’.
Line by Line Meaning
Pirates, I'm sayin' they rob I
Referring to those who have taken advantage and robbed others; suggesting that powerful establishments are among them.
Board the merchant ships
Addressing the act of boarding and stealing from merchant vessels for personal gain; serves as an example of such piracy.
I'm not sayin' we're not a part of it
Acknowledging that society is not exempt from these acts of piracy and dishonesty.
From the bottomless pit
Referencing the endless cycle of greed and corruption originating from those who profit from these acts.
But my hands were made strong
Asserting personal strength and resilience gained from a higher power.
By the force of the Almighty
Attributing the strength to the supreme being.
They don't say that your generation, triumphantly
Highlighting the lack of recognition and validation for the achievements of the current generation.
Won't you help to sing
Requesting support and collaboration to spread the message of freedom and peace.
These songs of freedom
Referring to the message and content of the song, which aims to inspire people to fight for their right to freedom and self-determination.
'Cause all I ever had
Acknowledging that the fight for these freedoms are all that truly matters in life.
Redemption song
The song itself represents a call to action for redemption and freedom.
Emancipate yourself from mental slavery
Challenging people to free themselves from limiting beliefs and societal structures that may enslave their minds.
None but ourselves can free our mind
Asserting that the path to freedom begins within an individual's own mind and requires self-motivation and determination.
Have no fear for atomic energy
Encouraging to not fear the potential dangers associated with atomic energy, as time remains their ally.
'Cause none of them can stop the time
Implying that the corrupt establishments that profit from unethical actions cannot stand the test of time.
How long can they steal our prophets
Addressing the practice of oppression against leaders and visionaries who fight for freedom.
While we stand beside and look?
Raising awareness of the tendency to allow these injustices to occur without taking action.
Say some say it's just a part of it
Recognizing that some may argue that the oppression and corruption is simply a part of life.
You got to fulfill the book...
Implying that despite such common beliefs, certain individuals must still fight for freedom and justice.
This song of freedom
Reiterating that the song is specifically about spreading the message and call to action for freedom and equality.
Contributed by Gabriel K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Bud Malinowski AKA GBBjr
COMING IN AT *** #4 ON MY CHARTS FOR LAST MONTH***
Matthew G
thank you for the effort put into this presentation...👍🇺🇸
FL_Death
A weird piece of music history
Bud Malinowski AKA GBBjr
pearl jam/redemption song: http://youtu.be/bJ97rRsrRl8
Arthur Lima
Porra