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)
Swallowed Whole
Pearl Jam Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can feel the livings
All around, round, round, round
All around, round, round, round
I can choose a path, I can choose a word
I can start the healing, bring it
Now now now now
Whispered songs inside the wind
Breathing in forgiveness
Like vibrations with no end
Feel the planet humming
What is clear far from the noise
Gets swallowed whole
I can feel the sun, I can see the sound
I can set myself right hear and
Drown, drown, drown, drown
Drown, drown, drown
I can feel the rush, I could clear the clouds
I could set the needles spinning
Loud, loud, loud, loud
Loud, loud, loud, loud
I can hear the crash, I can feel the pound
I can feel the current pulling
Down, down, down, down
Down, down, down, down
Whispered songs inside the wind
Breathing in forgiveness
Like vibrations with no end
Feel the planet humming
What is clear far from the noise
Gets swallowed whole
With no quiet to be found, spirit lifted off the ground
And what lies beyond the grave
Might be welcomed change and will come, come what may
With no rest in peace, until that day, yeah
I can choose a path, I can choose a word
I can start the healing, bring it
Now, now, now, now
Now, now, now, now
I can feel the sun, I can be the sound
I can set myself right hear and
Drown drown drown drown
Drown drown drown drown
Whispered songs inside the wind,
Breathing in forgiveness
And the chapter I've not read
Turn the page
The song "Swallowed Whole" by Pearl Jam seems to be about an introspective journey of self-discovery and healing. The lyrics describe the ability to feel and connect with the living and the planet, and the power to choose one's path and words. There is a sense of being overwhelmed by noise and distractions, but finding clarity in moments of peace and quiet. The whispered songs inside the wind represent the hope for forgiveness, while the vibrations with no end symbolize the everlasting energy of the universe. The idea of being swallowed whole suggests the need to surrender to the process of growth and transformation, even if it means losing oneself in the process.
The second verse further explores the idea of using the power within to influence one's surroundings, whether it's making the needles (presumably of a record player) spin or feeling the current pulling down. However, even when surrounded by chaos, the hope for forgiveness remains. The third verse introduces the concept of what lies beyond death, suggesting that the journey towards self-discovery is ongoing even after this life. The final lines of the song invite the listener to turn the page and continue the journey of discovery.
Overall, "Swallowed Whole" is a song about finding oneself amidst the chaos of life and surrendering to the process of growth and change, with the hope of forgiveness and self-discovery.
Line by Line Meaning
I can feel the dawn, I can feel the earth
I am deeply connected to the natural world and can feel its energy.
I can feel the livings
I am aware of all living beings around me.
All around, round, round, round
Everywhere I look, there is life and energy.
I can choose a path, I can choose a word
I have the power to direct my own life and destiny through my choices.
I can start the healing, bring it
I have the ability to heal myself and those around me.
Whispered songs inside the wind
There is a spiritual essence to nature that speaks to me.
Breathing in forgiveness
I am actively practicing forgiveness and letting go of negative emotions.
Like vibrations with no end
There is a perpetual energy in the world that I can tap into.
Feel the planet humming
I am aware of a deep and powerful energy that connects all things.
What is clear far from the noise
Sometimes the most profound truths can only be found in solitude and quiet.
Gets swallowed whole
Those truths and moments of clarity can be easily lost amidst the chaos of life.
I can feel the sun, I can see the sound
I am deeply connected to the world and can sense it in a variety of ways.
I can set myself right here and
I can be present and grounded in the moment.
Drown, drown, drown, drown
I can find peace and stillness in my surroundings.
I can feel the rush, I could clear the clouds
I am powerful and can affect change in the world around me.
I could set the needles spinning
I have the ability to create and inspire.
Loud, loud, loud, loud
The impact of my actions can be felt and heard.
I can hear the crash, I can feel the pound
I am not afraid to face the challenges and struggles of life.
I can feel the current pulling
I can sense the ebb and flow of life and navigate it with ease.
Down, down, down, down
Even in the midst of difficulty, I am capable of finding my way.
With no quiet to be found, spirit lifted off the ground
The chaos of life can sometimes leave me feeling lost and disconnected.
And what lies beyond the grave
I am contemplating the mysteries of life and death.
Might be welcomed change and will come, come what may
Change is inevitable and can often bring new opportunities for growth.
With no rest in peace, until that day, yeah
I will continue to pursue my goals and dreams until the end of my life.
And the chapter I've not read
There are still mysteries in life that I have yet to discover.
Turn the page
I am ready to move forward and explore what lies ahead.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: EDDIE JEROME VEDDER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Max van Westerop
I honestly believe this song was destined to be created. It feels so natural, with such a strong message attached. It started out for me as the least recognizable track from Lightning Bolt, but grew on me so well, it ending up being my standout track from the record. Also, I love how Eddie used the term "Swallowed Whole" multiple times in the past; "Circles they grow and they swallow people whole" as sung in Guaranteed from the Into the Wild score, and "Swallowed Whole, in negatives, it's so sad and sickening" coming from Unthought Known. It are the little things like these that put a smile on my face.
Laina Wolfkiel
Max Van Westerop true
T -
+Max Van Westerop I so agree!
trey burke
+Max Van Westerop i love this song
Dean Reimer
This is definitely one of the standout songs for me. It conjures the mental image of a solo roadtrip, driving a convertible in the sunshine, on a voyage of self discovery. It just plain makes me feel good. Feel the planet humming.
gamedemon24
Favorite song on the album.
Daniel Sayers
Best track on the Lighting Bolt album. Very underrated. Great song when played live.
Lorenz Pate
So underrated, it is a HIT
Tom Healy
I find it insulting this song only has 50,000 views. Such a good song and album.
Kika Levi's
Lightning bolt is one of their best albums in my opinion