Pearl Jam’s new single, “The Fixer” just came out recently, and you should hear it.
I’ve been reacquainting myself with Pearl Jam recently. The band and I parted ways for a while after No Code. Just a few months ago, I picked up their self-titled 2006 album and really enjoyed it. That last album was borne out of protest. It was dominated by anti-Bush tracks with titles like “World Wide Suicide,” “Comatose,” and “Severed Hand,” songs with lyrics like:
I felt the earth on Monday. It moved beneath my feet
In the form of a morning paper. Laid out for me to see.
Saw his face in a corner picture. I recognized the name.
Could not stop staring at the face I’d never see again.
It’s a shame to awake in a world of pain.
What does it mean when a war has taken over?
It’s the same every day in a hell manmade.
What can be saved, and who will be left to hold her?
The whole world … world over.
It’s worldwide suicide.
It’s pretty easy to see where the band’s head-space was.
Pearl Jam’s new song, “The Fixer,” has a decidedly more optimistic outlook, which may have something to do with the changing political climate in America. Word on the internet is that “The Fixer” could be about Obama, but that limits the song a bit for me. Sure “The Fixer” is about Obama, but it’s also about change, restoration, resistance, and irrepressible optimism. In other words, it’s a classic rock-n’-roll song.
When something’s dark let me shed a little light on it.
When something’s cold let me put a little fire on it.
If something’s old I wanna put a bit of shine on it.
When something’s gone I wanna fight to get it back again!
Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah!
Fight to get it back again!
Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah!
When something’s broke I wanna put a bit of fixin’ on it.
When something’s bored I wanna put a little excited on it.
If something’s low I wanna put a little high on it.
If something’s lost I wanna fight to get it back again!
Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah!
Fight to get it back again!
Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah!
When signals cross I want to put a little straight on it.
If there’s no love, I want to try to love again.
I’ll say your prayers. I’ll take your side.
I find us a way to make light.
I’ll dig your grave.
We’ll dance and sing.
What’s saved could be one last lifetime.
Pearl Jam’s new album, Backspacer, will be out in September.
wow. it sounds very 80s. i’ve been a fan of pj since ten, but their newest released during a time in my life when i felt a disconnect with their music. i came across your site while trying to get reacquainted with it and searching for lyrics/meanings.
i think i heard this played live — was it conan o’brien’s first show — and hearing it in studio form, i’m a bit stunned. i’m glad they’ve become more positive, but this approach is like nothing i’d expect from them.
cheers!
this is a great song. I think it expresses their yeanring to keep relevant. They have always kept deliberately non-commercial, but they still want to keep the music real and of a fantastic quality.
i think they should do a radioHead and gvie the msuci away free next time.