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".
Wooden Jesus
Temple of the Dog Lyrics
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Korea or Canada or maybe Taiwan?
Well, I didn't know it was the holy land
But I believed from the minute the check left my hand
And I pray
Can I be saved? I spent all my money
On a future grave
On twenty percent of my future sin
I'll cut you in
Yeah, Porcelain Mary, her majesties pure
Looking for virgin territory
Coat hanger halos that don't come cheap
From television shepherds with living room sheep
And I pray
Can I be saved?
I spent all my money on a future grave
Wooden Jesus, I'll cut you in
On twenty percent of my future sin
I'll cut you in
I'll cut you in
And Wooden Jesus, where are you from?
Korea or Canada or maybe Taiwan?
Well, I didn't know it was the holy land
But I believed from the minute the check left my hand
Well, can I be saved?
I spent all my money on a future grave
Wooden Jesus, I'll cut you in
On twenty percent of my future sin
Hey
I'll cut you in, I'll cut you in
I'll cut you in, I'll cut you in
I'll cut you in, I'll cut you in
Yeah
Mmm, woo
The lyrics to Temple of the Dog's song Wooden Jesus appear to be a commentary on the commercialization and commodification of religion. The singer questions the origins and authenticity of the religious artifacts they have purchased, wondering if their "Wooden Jesus" is from Korea, Canada, or Taiwan. They also reference "Porcelain Mary," suggesting that even the figure of the Virgin Mary has been turned into a marketable object. The singer then acknowledges that they have spent all their money on these objects, essentially buying themselves a "future grave." They offer to cut in their "Wooden Jesus" on "twenty percent of [their] future sin," suggesting that their religious devotion has been reduced to a financial transaction.
The repetition of the phrase "can I be saved?" throughout the song suggests that the singer is grappling with their own faith and beliefs. They are seeking redemption but feel disillusioned by the commercialization of religion. By the end of the song, they seem to have come to terms with this, accepting that they have spent all their money on a futile attempt at salvation.
Overall, Wooden Jesus is a song that critiques the commercialization of religion and the way in which faith has become commodified. It is a powerful commentary on the way in which people will go to great lengths to seek salvation, even if it means buying religious artifacts of questionable authenticity.
Line by Line Meaning
Wooden Jesus, where are you from?
Asking the origin of the wooden idol that is supposed to represent Jesus
Korea or Canada or maybe Taiwan?
Wondering where the wooden idol that is supposed to represent Jesus was made
Well, I didn't know it was the holy land
Didn't know that Jesus would be represented by a wooden idol
But I believed from the minute the check left my hand
Believed that the wooden idol representing Jesus would help the artist, as soon as they paid for it with a check
And I pray
The artist starts to pray to the idol that represents Jesus
Can I be saved? I spent all my money
Asking the wooden idol that is supposed to represent Jesus if the singer can still be saved, even though they spent all of their money on it
On a future grave
The singer has spent all of their money and will not be able to afford a proper burial
Wooden Jesus, I'll cut you in
The artist offers to cut in/ give 20% of their future sins to the wooden idol that represents Jesus
On twenty percent of my future sin
The artist will give 20% of their future sins to the wooden idol that represents Jesus
Yeah, Porcelain Mary, her majesties pure
Porcelain Mary is a figurine of the Virgin Mary and is considered pure and flawless
Looking for virgin territory
The Virgin Mary is in search of a pure and perfect location to reside in
Coat hanger halos that don't come cheap
Cheap imitation halos that are not genuine
From television shepherds with living room sheep
The false prophets that are showcased on TV
And I pray
The singer starts to pray to the figurine of the Pure Mary
I'll cut you in
Offering to give the Pure Mary a cut from future sins even though it was not asked for
Hey
An exclamation that the artist is continuing to speak
I'll cut you in, I'll cut you in
Continuation of the offer to the figurine of the Pure Mary
Mmm, woo
Murmuring of agreement to the previous statement
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Chris Cornell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind