Indifference
Pearl Jam Featuring Ben harper Lyrics


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I will light the match this morning so I won't be alone
Watch as she lies silent
For soon light will be gone
Oh I will stand arms outstretched pretend I'm free to roam
Oh I will make my way through one more day in hell
How much difference does it make?
How much difference does it make yeah
I will hold the candle till it burns up my arm
Oh I'll keep takin' punches until their will grows tired
Oh I will stare the sun down until my eyes go blind
Hey, I won't change direction
And I won't change my mind

How much difference does it make?
How much difference does it make?

I'll swallow poison, until I grow immune
I will scream my lungs out till it fills this room

How much difference?
How much difference?




How much difference does it make?
How much difference does it make?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Indifference" by Pearl Jam Featuring Soundgarden And Mad Season convey a sense of hopelessness and despair in the face of adversity. The first verse speaks to the feeling of loneliness and the fear of losing light, both literally and metaphorically. The second verse expresses a determination to keep going, even in the face of being beaten down. The repetition of the question "How much difference does it make?" suggests a sense of futility, and the final lines about swallowing poison and screaming one's lungs out demonstrate a willingness to endure pain, perhaps as a way of coping with or overcoming it.


Overall, the song seems to be about persevering through difficult times, even when it feels like there is little hope for change. The lyrics express a sense of defiance and resignation, as if the singer has accepted their situation but refuses to give up entirely. The repeated refrain of "How much difference does it make?" suggests a sense of frustration and doubt, but it also implies a glimmer of hope that things can get better, even if the difference is small.


Line by Line Meaning

I will light the match this morning so I won't be alone
I will take action to avoid feeling lonely


Watch as she lies silent
Observe the stillness of the surroundings


For soon light will be gone
The momentary brightness will eventually fade away


Oh I will stand arms outstretched pretend I'm free to roam
I will try to move freely in a constrained situation


Oh I will make my way through one more day in hell
I will endure another torturous day


How much difference does it make?
Will the outcome be significantly different?


How much difference does it make yeah
The singer reiterates the question


I will hold the candle till it burns up my arm
I will endure physical pain until the light vanishes


Oh I'll keep takin' punches until their will grows tired
I will continue to withstand attacks until the aggressor tires


Oh I will stare the sun down until my eyes go blind
I will confront adversity until it blinds me


Hey, I won't change direction
I will remain resolute in my course of action


And I won't change my mind
My decision will not waver


I'll swallow poison, until I grow immune
I will expose myself to harm until I become immune to it


I will scream my lungs out till it fills this room
I will express my emotions until they consume the space


How much difference?
Again, the singer questions whether the effort is worthwhile


How much difference?
The same question is repeated


How much difference does it make?
The artist's final question remains unanswered


How much difference does it make?
The song ends on this existential question




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAVID ABBRUZZESE, EDDIE VEDDER, JEFF AMENT, MIKE MCCREADY, STONE GOSSARD

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@jakeberliner9246

Great performance!! Must've watched this hundreds of times over the years.

@namelessgrace6319

Me too! Always come back to it. :)

@laurawatters914

BEAUTIFUL SOOO BEAUTIFUL!! Ben Harper has always loved this song, he has sang it with Eddie many times. 😊💓🤘✌️

@sarahfinch6192

I will never stop viewing this performance. Spectacular!!

@mumblez7712

Got to see these guys do this one live in Adelaide '09.

Pure magic

@aleksandrabozovic3174

"I will change direction and I won't change my mind" heavy lirycs. Love this

@andrewsantos106

Me too. But its i wont change direction..

@Anne-zv3kp

The exchange beftween these two artists, at the end, is so beautiful and touching.

@rbenesh

I've listened to this every couple months for about 15 years and to this day its my favorite live performance.

@yasisoufi

R. Benesh Now I join u!

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