UNPOPULAR PEARL JAM OPINIONS

[darth_vedder]

I'm loaded. Is this the right thread?

[Kevin Davis]

I've always liked how:

You gotta know he'll never let her go
She's a lightning bolt

called back to:

Caught a bolt of lightning
Cursed the day he let it go

I'm not sure if it's a deliberate connection, but even if it's just Eddie recycling metaphors I think it goes with what Stip said in the "LB" Guided Tour thread about "the fragility, insecurity, and drive that comes with having something, finally, to lose." Eddie sings those words like a battle cry, like he's daring you to pry this good thing in his life from his cold, dead hands.

Overall I think "LB" is an average song but it has powerful elements, and Eddie's conviction in this sentiment is among them, even though I agree that some of the writing in the verses feels very forced.

As an aside: I saw this live twice last fall, and it was excellent both times.

[Norah]

I've always liked how:

You gotta know he'll never let her go
She's a lightning bolt

called back to:

Caught a bolt of lightning
Cursed the day he let it go

That's the connection I've always drawn.

[knee tunes]

I'm loaded. Is this the right thread?

zucchini

[stip]

I assumed it was about inspiration.

Like a stone that you couldn't see coming. Like a meteor that you just happened to have the right landing space for. Like a lightning bolt.

And sometimes you sit around feeling the want to create, but come up with nothing at all. So you end up flipping through the worn out pages of old ideas, repeating or just reliving, until the Lightning strike sets you free.

That is the correct interpretation, methinks

[darth_vedder]

I'm loaded. Is this the right thread?

zucchini

thank you

[Django Butterworth]

I've always thought it was about songwriting inspiration as well.

[LoathedVermin72]

I've always thought it was about songwriting inspiration as well.

how ironic

[Django Butterworth]

I've always thought it was about songwriting inspiration as well.

how ironic

Like in the Alanis Morrisette sense?

[LoathedVermin72]

I've always thought it was about songwriting inspiration as well.

how ironic

Like in the Alanis Morrisette sense?

no, in the correct sense

[Django Butterworth]

I've always thought it was about songwriting inspiration as well.

how ironic

Like in the Alanis Morrisette sense?

no, in the correct sense

How so?

[LoathedVermin72]

I've always thought it was about songwriting inspiration as well.

how ironic

Like in the Alanis Morrisette sense?

no, in the correct sense

How so?

[Django Butterworth]

I've always thought it was about songwriting inspiration as well.

how ironic

Like in the Alanis Morrisette sense?

no, in the correct sense

How so?

Thanks for clearing that up!

[epilogue]

Wait, the song "Lightning Bolt" is about a surfboard?

Yes. 100% What else do people think it's about?

[epilogue]

I assumed it was about inspiration.

Like a stone that you couldn't see coming. Like a meteor that you just happened to have the right landing space for. Like a lightning bolt.

And sometimes you sit around feeling the want to create, but come up with nothing at all. So you end up flipping through the worn out pages of old ideas, repeating or just reliving, until the Lightning strike sets you free.

That is the correct interpretation, methinks

First of all, I'm pretty sure McP is being super facetious. Secondly, I'm all about people making connections to art. People can and should interpret art in their own way. In that regard, there is no right or wrong way to listen to this song. No wrong way to hear its message. But lastly, I just can't believe, based on who Eddie Vedder is and where this song comes in their career and just the plain black and what facts of the words, that this song is about anything other than a surf board and surfing on that surf board. In the ocean.

But I'm glad you guys have found something you can latch onto, that goes a bit deeper.

[stip]

Facetious or no, it's still accurate

[epilogue]

Oh okay. My bad.

[Jorge]

I think Ed even said it was about inspiration/the creative process. Maybe someone can find the quote.

[epilogue]

Ed also said that if you can take away one thing from the album, "“Just take away that it’s really great album artwork. That’s a compliment I can accept.”

So how seriously do we wanna take Mr. Vedder?

[Kaius]

I've actually never thought of the surfboard angle before you brought it up, durd.