Stone Gossard provides guitar and backing vocals for Pearl Jam. He is also… Read Full Bio ↴Stone Gossard provides guitar and backing vocals for Pearl Jam. He is also a writer of lyrics and music for the band. Besides Pearl Jam he has a side project, Brad, with Shawn Smith. His solo music is very laid-back and influenced by funk music and Neil Young among others. So far he has released two solo albums, Bayleaf from 2001 and Moonlander in 2013.

Every Family
Stone Gossard Lyrics

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If you have an instrument, without any rhyme
That unprecedented crime
Conspiracy theorists take heed
It's time to bleed for every family with a fractured crown

You've had experience beyond your years
You've had your head up in the clouds
It's time to let go

Let the tears begin to flow for every family with a fractured crown

I found a guitar string; it tied me to my mother
I left it curled up in a ball, thinking I'd need it for tomorrow
If you have an instrument, without any key

Let's christen its demise
The queen and her jester's decree
It's time to bleed for every family with a fractured crown

Every family has a fractured crown
Every family has a fractured crown

Overall Meaning

Stone Gossard's song Every Family talks about the struggles faced by families who have experienced trauma and are grappling with the aftermath. The lyrics describe the pain and suffering that these families undergo and how it affects their relationships with each other. The opening lines, "If you have an instrument, without any rhyme, that unprecedented crime" convey the idea that trauma strikes unpredictably and can cause havoc in a family. The use of "conspiracy theorists" in the next line suggests that some people might deny the reality of the trauma, while the phrase "It's time to bleed" implies the need to confront the reality of the situation.

The second verse speaks directly to those who have experienced trauma beyond their years and have been carrying the burden of their pain for a long time. The imagery of "head up in the clouds" suggests a sense of detachment and emotional disconnection. The phrase "Let the tears begin to flow" urges them to grieve and acknowledge their pain, thereby hopefully healing from it.

The final verse adds a personal touch as the singer describes finding a guitar string that had once belonged to their mother. The singer had hoped to use it in the future but now realizes that it's time to let go and acknowledge that the past cannot be changed. The repetition of the phrase "Every family has a fractured crown" reinforces the idea that trauma is universal and something that many families experience.

Line by Line Meaning

If you have an instrument, without any rhyme
If you have a talent or passion but cannot express it properly

That unprecedented crime
It is an uncommon feeling that makes you feel guilty

Conspiracy theorists take heed
People who believe in conspiracies should pay attention

It's time to bleed for every family with a fractured crown
It's time to face the pain and hardship experienced by those from broken homes

You've had experience beyond your years
You've had to mature and take on responsibilities beyond your age

You've had your head up in the clouds
You've been unaware or unrealistic to the situation and problems around you

It's time to let go
It's time to release the emotions and pain that you've been holding on to

Let the tears begin to flow for every family with a fractured crown
It's okay to cry and mourn for the loss of a stable and loving family

I found a guitar string; it tied me to my mother
The guitar string is a reminder of the connection and love between the artist and their mother

I left it curled up in a ball, thinking I'd need it for tomorrow
I've kept it safely with me, thinking that it would provide comfort in the future

If you have an instrument, without any key
If you have a talent or passion but cannot access the resources or opportunities to pursue it

Let's christen its demise
Let's acknowledge and accept the failure or end of that talent or passion

The queen and her jester's decree
Even powerful or influential people cannot escape the consequences or pain of a broken family

Every family has a fractured crown
Every family, regardless of social status or appearance, can experience the heartache and turmoil of a broken family

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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