The band released its only album, the self-titled Temple of the Dog, in April 1991 through A&M Records. The recording sessions took place in November and December 1990 at London Bridge Studios, in Seattle, Washington with producer Rakesh "Rick" Parashar. Although earning praise from music critics at the time of its release, the album was not widely recognized until 1992, when Vedder, Ament, Gossard, and McCready had their breakthrough with Pearl Jam. Cameron would later join Pearl Jam, serving as drummer since 1998.
The band toured in 2016 in celebration of the 25th anniversary of their self-titled album.
Temple of the Dog was started by Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell, who had been a roommate of Andrew Wood, the lead singer of Malfunkshun and Mother Love Bone. Wood died on March 19, 1990, of a heroin overdose, the day Cornell got back from a tour. As he went on to tour Europe a few days later, he started writing songs in tribute to his late friend. The result was two songs, "Reach Down" and "Say Hello 2 Heaven", which he recorded as soon as he returned home from touring.
The recorded material was slow and melodic, musically different from the aggressive rock music of Soundgarden. Cornell approached Wood's former bandmates, Stone Gossard and Jeff Ament—who were still figuring out how to continue without Mother Love Bone—with the intention of releasing the songs as a single. Ament described the collaboration as "a really good thing at the time" for Gossard and him that put them into a "band situation where we could play and make music." The band's lineup was completed by the addition of Soundgarden (and later Pearl Jam) drummer Matt Cameron and future Pearl Jam lead guitarist Mike McCready. They named themselves Temple of the Dog, a reference to a line in the lyrics of the Mother Love Bone song "Man of Golden Words".
Pushin' Forward Back
Temple of the Dog Lyrics
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Gracious mother held me to her breast Until the day I started pushin'
Too late to cry she turned away I started pushin'
I saw no future in this lack
I started pushin'
Pushin', pushin', pushin' forward back
I was pushin', pushin', pushin' forward back
I was pushin', pushin', pushin' forward back
Baby brother clinging to her hair
Gracious mother pleading, "not another soul to bare"
He started pushin'
All my kings have fallen down
I started pushin'
Fallen heroes feed the ground
I started pushin', pushin', pushin' forward back
I was pushin', pushin', pushin' forward back
I was pushin', pushin', pushin' forward back
I was pushin', pushin', pushin' forward back
Fallin' down, now I know her
I know I'll never drown, drown, drown
Fallin' down, now I know her
I know I'll never drown, drown, drown
Ah, I was pushin'
I was pushin', pushin', pushin' forward back
I was pushin', pushin', pushin' forward back
I was pushin', pushin', pushin' forward back
I was pushin', pushin', pushin' forward back
I was pushin', pushin', pushin' forward back
I was pushin', pushin', pushin' forward back
I was pushin', pushin', pushin' forward back
I was pushin', pushin', pushin' forward back
I was pushin', pushin', pushin' forward back
I was pushin', pushin', pushin' forward back
The lyrics to "Pushing Forward Back" by Temple of the Dog describe the struggles and difficulties of life, as well as the determination to move forward despite them. The song begins with the singer being embraced by his mother but eventually reaching a point where he feels the need to push forward even if it means his mother turning away. The lyrics suggest that the singer sees no future in his present state and must keep pushing forward to find a way out.
The second verse continues the theme of struggle, this time with a younger brother involved. The singer describes his own kings falling down and heroes feeding the ground, implying that he has experienced loss and defeat. However, he refuses to give up and keeps pushing forward. The chorus repeats the phrase "pushin' forward back" four times, emphasizing the idea that moving forward can sometimes feel like a backwards motion.
The lyrics are open to interpretation, but it seems likely that the song is about perseverance and the need to keep moving forward despite obstacles. The imagery of maternal love, fallen heroes, and pushing forward creates a powerful emotional message that resonates with listeners.
Line by Line Meaning
Mother mother found me on her step
The singer was found on someone's doorstep as a child.
Gracious mother held me to her breast
The singer's kind mother nursed and cared for them.
Until the day I started pushin'
Until the day the singer began working hard to achieve their goals.
Too late to cry she turned away
The mother was disappointed in the artist's choices and left them to their own devices.
I saw no future in this lack
The artist felt like they had no future and needed to work harder to make something of themselves.
Pushin', pushin', pushin' forward back
The singer is constantly pushing themselves to move forward but feels like their efforts are not getting them anywhere.
Baby brother clinging to her hair
The singer's mother had another child, who was a burden.
Gracious mother pleading, "not another soul to bare"
The mother didn't want to have another child and was begging for mercy.
He started pushin'
The mother's other child also began to work hard to succeed.
All my kings have fallen down
All of the artist's heroes have failed and been forgotten.
Fallen heroes feed the ground
Heroes who have failed have become nothing but fertilizer for the earth.
Fallin' down, now I know her
The artist is struggling, but is starting to understand their mother's perspective.
I know I'll never drown, drown, drown
The singer believes they will never give up even when things are tough.
I was pushin'
The singer was working hard to achieve their goals.
I was pushin', pushin', pushin' forward back
The singer is constantly pushing themselves to move forward but feels like their efforts are not getting them anywhere.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Christopher J. Cornell, Stone C. Gossard, Jeffrey Allen Ament
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind