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)
State Of Love and Trust
Pearl Jam Lyrics
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Sin still plays and preaches, but to have an empty court, uh huh
And the signs are passin', grip the wheel, can't read it
Sacrifice receiving the smell that's on my hands, hands, yeah
And I listen for the voice inside my head
Nothin', I'll do this one myself
Will be in my honor, make it pain, painfully quick, uh huh
Promises are whispered in the age of darkness
Want to be enlightened like I want to be told the end, end, yeah
And the barrel shakes aimed a directly at my head
Oh, help me, help me from myself
And I listen from both sides of a friend
Nothin', I'll do this one myself
Myself, myself
Hey, hey
Uh
Hey, na-na-na-na, hey, that's something
Hey, na-na-na-na, hey, that's something
Hey, na-na-na-na, hey, that's something
Wanna back, back it away, yeah
And I listen, yeah, for the voice inside my head
Nothin', I'll do this one myself
Oh, ah, and the barrel waits, trigger shakes
Aimed right at my head, don't won't you help me
Help me from myself
Woo, hey, ooh
Hey, ooh, hey, ooh, hey, ooh
Woo, woo
State of love and trust, and a
State of love and trust, and a
State of love and trust, and a
State of love and yeah, yeah
The lyrics to Pearl Jam's song "State of Love and Trust" seem to touch on themes of desperation, sacrifice, and self-reliance. The opening lines suggest a breaking down of pretenses and a sobering recognition of sin and its presence despite attempts to ignore it. The singer of the song seems to be in a situation where they must rely on themselves to make a sacrifice, although it is not clear what that sacrifice is for or if it is even justified. There is a sense of wanting to be enlightened or informed of what is to come, but also a resignation to the fact that ultimately, they must face it alone. The lines "And the barrel shakes aimed a directly at my head/Oh, help me, help me from myself" suggest a moment of intense fear and vulnerability, but also an acknowledgment that the singer must face their fate without external help.
The repetition of the phrase "State of love and trust" in the chorus is interesting, as it seems to take on different shades of meaning throughout the song. At times it feels like an ironic commentary on the situation the singer finds themselves in, as if to say that there is no love or trust to be found in their current state. At other times, it seems more like a call to action, a reminder that even in desperate circumstances one can find strength in the bonds of love and trust.
Overall, "State of Love and Trust" is a complex and introspective song that seems to grapple with some of the darker aspects of the human experience. The lyrics are open to interpretation, but there is a sense of vulnerability and honesty that makes the song resonate with listeners.
Line by Line Meaning
State of love and trust as I busted down the pretext
I am entering a situation with love and trust, but I am aware of the false pretenses or excuses that may be present.
Sin still plays and preaches, but to have an empty court, uh huh
Evil still exists and influences people, but ultimately, it will not have any impact if it is not given an audience.
And the signs are passin', grip the wheel, can't read it
I am trying to navigate the situation, but the warning signs are unclear and confusing.
Sacrifice receiving the smell that's on my hands, hands, yeah
I am willing to make sacrifices, but I am left with the consequences and guilt of my actions.
And I listen for the voice inside my head
I am trying to listen to my intuition or conscience to make the right decision.
Nothin', I'll do this one myself
I am taking responsibility for my actions and decisions, without relying on others for help.
Lay her down as priest does, should the Lord be accountin'
I am willing to take on a spiritual or moral responsibility, even if it is not required of me.
Will be in my honor, make it pain, painfully quick, uh huh
I am committed to doing what is necessary, even if it is difficult or painful, for the sake of my integrity or honor.
Promises are whispered in the age of darkness
In times of uncertainty or chaos, promises may be made but may not hold true.
Want to be enlightened like I want to be told the end, end, yeah
I desire knowledge and awareness, just as much as I want to know how things will ultimately turn out.
And the barrel shakes aimed a directly at my head
I am in a dangerous situation, with a threat to my safety or well-being.
Oh, help me, help me from myself
I am struggling to overcome my own internal obstacles or tendencies.
And I listen from both sides of a friend
I am considering multiple perspectives and advice from friends to make an informed decision.
Myself, myself
Ultimately, I am responsible for myself and my actions.
State of love and trust, and a
I want to be in a state of love and trust, and to continue feeling that way.
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
Expressing enthusiasm or agreement with the overall sentiment of the song.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Eddie Jerome Vedder, Jeffrey Allen Ament, Mike Mccready
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Keely Smith
Been my favorite band for a long time.
State of love and trust as I busted down the pretext
Sin still plays and preaches, but to have an empty court, uh huh
And the signs are passin', grip the wheel, can't read it
Sacrifice receiving the smell that's on my hands, hands, yeah
And I listen for the voice inside my head
Nothin', I'll do this one myself
Lay her down as priest does, should the Lord be accountin'
Will be in my honor, make it pain, painfully quick, uh huh
Promises are whispered in the age of darkness
Want to be enlightened like I want to be told the end, end, yeah
And the barrel shakes aimed a directly at my head
Oh, help me, help me from myself
And I listen from both sides of a friend
Nothin', I'll do this one myself
Myself, myself
Hey, hey
Uh
Hey, na na na na, hey that's something
Hey, na na na na, hey that's something
Hey, na na na na, hey that's something
Wanna back, back it away, yeah
And I listen, yeah, for the voice inside my head
Nothin', I'll do this one myself
Oh, ah, and the barrel waits, trigger shakes
Aimed right at my head, don't won't you help me
Help me from myself
Woo hey ooh
Hey ooh hey ooh, hey ooh
Woo, woo
State of love and trust, and a
State of love and trust, and a
State of love and trust, and a
State of love and yeah yeah
Fean i Hælvette
it's amazing how this song kept it's intensity as an acoustic version. Not many bands manage to transform a song like that.
Kathleen Smyth
Fean i Hælvette nailed it ✌🏼
Ia L
So true! Well said!
Billy Bats ⚾
I've always thought that version of the song is when more intense than the studio version. Love it!!
Seigfred Ancay
It's a Shame I was into a lot of boybands, gurlbands, showbands
Copycat bands back in the day.
Paul Scheidel
billy athgate agreed. This is the superior version.
GeddyRC
Dude hits every single note like it was pulled straight outta the studio recording.
Michael Rodriguez
Let me introduce you Eddie
stephen shuttleworth
You mean straight out of his soul👍
Bonay Goldhagen
More like straight outta his gut....and GREAT