Soundgarden are associated with grunge, a style of alternative rock that developed in Seattle. After releasing two EPs on the Seattle-based label Sub-Pop in 1987 and 1988, their debut album, Ultramega OK was released on the California-based independent label SST Records in 1989. While the album did not sell well nationally, it gained critical acclaim and was nominated for a Grammy award in 1990. They recorded their second album, Louder Than Love, independently but had signed with major label A&M Records in the interim, and released the album as their major label debut. Unlike their debut, which had failed to chart, Louder Than Love peaked at number 108 on the Billboard 200 album chart. Released the same day as fellow Seattle grunge act Nirvana's album Nevermind, their third album Badmotorfinger would bring Soundgarden to national acclaim for the first time, buoyed by the popularity of the singles "Jesus Christ Pose", "Outshined", and "Rusty Cage", the album would reach number 39 on the Billboard 200 and has been certified double-platinum by the RIAA. Soundgarden was one of the seminal creators of grunge, a style of alternative rock that developed in Seattle, and was the first of a number of grunge bands to sign to the record label Sub Pop. Soundgarden was also one of the first grunge bands to sign to a major label (A&M Records in 1989), though they did not achieve commercial success until they popularized the genre in the early 1990s with Seattle contemporaries Alice in Chains, Pearl Jam, and Nirvana.
Soundgarden achieved its biggest success with the 1994 album Superunknown, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and yielded the Grammy Award-winning singles "Spoonman" and "Black Hole Sun". In 1996, the band experimented with new sonic textures on their follow-up album Down on the Upside, which debuted at number 2 on the Billboard 200 and spawned several hit singles of its own, including "Burden in My Hand" and "Blow Up the Outside World". In 1997, the band broke up due to internal strife over its creative direction and exhaustion from touring. After more than a decade of working on projects and other bands, Soundgarden reunited in 2010, and Republic Records released their sixth and final studio album, King Animal, two years later.
As of 2019, Soundgarden sold more than 14 million records in the United States, and an estimated 30 million worldwide. VH1 ranked Soundgarden at number 14 in their special 100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soundgarden
Studio albums
Ultramega OK (1988)
Louder Than Love (1989)
Badmotorfinger (1991)
Superunknown (1994)
Down on the Upside (1996)
King Animal (2012)
Searching With My Good Eye Closed
Soundgarden Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Do you hear a cow?
A rooster says
Here is a pig
The devil says
Painted blue across my eyes
And tied the linen on
Looking for the paradigm
So I can pass it off
Is it on my side, on my side
Is to the sky, is to the sky, is to the sky now
Searching for the ground with my good eye closed
If I took you for a ride, would you take it wrong?
Or would you make it right, make it right?
Looking for a pedestal that I can put you on
And be on my way, on my way
Is to the sky, is to the sky, is to the sky now
Searching for a ground with my good eye closed
With my good eye closed
Stop you're trying to bruise my mind
I can do it on my own
Stop you're trying to kill my time
It's been my death since I was born
I don't remember half the time if I'm hiding or I'm lost
But I'm on my way, on my way
(Is it to the sky?)
(I'm on my way) to the sky
(I'm on my way) to the sky
(I'm on my way) to the sky
(I'm on my way) to the sky
I'm on my way (to the sky)
To the sky
To the sky
On my way
On my way
Is it to the sky?
Is it to the sky
The lyrics of Soundgarden's "Searching With My Good Eye Closed" are cryptic and open to interpretation. The opening lines - "This is my good eye, do you hear a cow? A rooster says, here is a pig, the devil says" - are seemingly nonsensical, but they could be interpreted as a commentary on the way our senses can deceive us. The singer's good eye is open, but he hears a cow, a rooster, and a pig - animals that are not present. The devil adds to the confusion, perhaps representing temptation or darkness. It could be interpreted as a metaphor for searching for clarity in a chaotic world.
The singer then sings about painting his eyes blue and tying linen around them, suggesting he is blindfolded or trying to block out distractions. He is searching for the paradigm - a model or example - so he can "pass it off," which could mean achieving success or understanding. He wonders if the paradigm is on his side and then repeats the phrase "to the sky," perhaps indicating a desire to transcend earthly limitations.
The chorus features the lyric "searching for the ground with my good eye closed," which could mean trying to find solid footing or truth while deliberately ignoring distractions or falsehoods. The singer then asks if he took someone "for a ride" would they take it wrong, possibly indicating an intention to mislead or manipulate. He also searches for a pedestal on which to place someone, suggesting a desire for idolization.
Overall, the song is enigmatic and open to multiple interpretations, with themes of confusion, search for meaning, and transcendence.
Line by Line Meaning
This is my good eye
I am focusing and looking closely with my best ability
Do you hear a cow?
Asking if you can hear the sounds of the surrounding environment
A rooster says
The sound of a rooster is heard
Here is a pig
The sound of a pig is heard
The devil says
A negative thought or temptation is present
Painted blue across my eyes
A vivid and imaginative image or idea is being considered
And tied the linen on
Commitment is being made through preparation and effort
And I'm on my way
I am moving forward
Looking for the paradigm
Searching for a clear and guiding example
So I can pass it off
So I can emulate and share my success with others
Is it on my side, on my side
Questioning whether the advantage or benefit is with me
Is to the sky, is to the sky, is to the sky now
Reaffirming the upward direction and goal
Searching for the ground with my good eye closed
Looking for stability and security without relying solely on my best ability
If I took you for a ride, would you take it wrong?
Asking if leading you down a specific path would be a mistake
Or would you make it right, make it right?
Wondering if together we could make a successful journey
Looking for a pedestal that I can put you on
Searching to elevate and honor someone else
And be on my way, on my way
Moving forward with a new direction
Stop you're trying to bruise my mind
Asking someone to stop damaging and destabilizing my thoughts
I can do it on my own
I am capable and independent
Stop you're trying to kill my time
Asking someone to stop wasting my time with meaningless actions
It's been my death since I was born
Indicating the negative impact of frivolous activities on life
I don't remember half the time if I'm hiding or I'm lost
Feeling lost or uncertain due to past experiences
But I'm on my way, on my way
Still moving forward despite past difficulties
(Is it to the sky?)
Reiterating the question of the upward direction
(I'm on my way) to the sky
I am still pursuing the upward direction
(Is it to the sky?)
Posing the question again for further contemplation
Lyrics © HIPGNOSIS SONGS GROUP
Written by: CHRIS CORNELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
sadland machines
Painted blue across my eyes
And tie the linen on
And I'm on my way
Looking for the paradigm
So I can pass it off
Is it on my side
Is it to the sky
Looking to the sky and down
Searching for a friend
With my good eye closed
If I took you for a ride
Would you take it wrong
Or would you make it right
Looking for a pedestal
That I can put you on
And be on my way
Stop you're trying to bruise my mind
I can do it on my own
Stop you're trying to kill my time
It's been my death since I was born
I don't remember half the time
If I'm hiding or I'm lost
But I'm on my way
Shaun Pilkington
I’m still rocking out to this almost 30 years later.. it still hits the soul
Tlpopescu
All the time!
Unfiltered Prespective aka Mr. Social Distance
That’s because Chris had SOUL
Davit Dadiani
His voice is incomparable.
Thales4711
absolutely!
Craig Kame
You said it man. Fucking rock god!!
Batman
Jeff Buckley Thom Yorke and Chris man
Joseph Alvarez
Until you hear Ritchie Kotzen
CHE
@Joseph Alvarez Admittedly he does sound slightly like him
But
No-One will ever compare to Our CC
Imo anyway
robert johnson
This was the first Soundgarden song I ever heard back when I was 5 years old. I'm 26 now. I'll also never forget his work with Temple of the Dog either.