UNPOPULAR PEARL JAM OPINIONS

[Birds in Hell]

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.

I don't think he is, that's how I've always understood the song too.

[tragabigzanda]

pearl jam sucks now

[Birds in Hell]

These days, it seems like they are just picking songs out of a hat. It's not uncommon now to hear something like Faithful --> Betterman --> Kick Out the Jams --> Pilate --> GTF --> Johnny Guitar --> Wash. What the fuck?!

It's not that bad.

[tragabigzanda]

pearl jam sucks now

[digster]

In terms of the theme of the song, Arms Aloft works perfectly where it was placed. I get that in reality it may have gone over poorly, but I don't think there was a lack of thought there. I think they very purposefully put that there, since as far as I remember the whole song is kind of a celebration of festivals and concerts in general.

[epilogue]

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

ohmygodguys. I know. I'm saying it's a song about getting an idea or waiting for inspiration or being inspired by an idea while surfing. That's all. It's ultimately about surfing. It's a song about grabbing a board and clearing your mind and being suddenly inspired because of it. It's a love letter to surfing. "Thanks surfing! I never would have written Future Days without you!"

[epilogue]

But, again, it's Totes McCool. Who cares where the inspiration comes from. I'm just glad it still hits dude upside the head from time to time.

[stip]

But, again, it's Totes McCool. Who cares where the inspiration comes from. I'm just glad it still hits dude upside the head from time to time.

Exactly--so why reduce Lighting Bolt to the particular place Eddie derives his from? It's not like you can't appreciate release unless you and Eddie share the same dad.

[Django Butterworth]

But, again, it's Totes McCool. Who cares where the inspiration comes from. I'm just glad it still hits dude upside the head from time to time.

Exactly--so why reduce Lighting Bolt to the particular place Eddie derives his from? It's not like you can't appreciate release unless you and Eddie share the same dad.

YES.

[epilogue]

But, again, it's Totes McCool. Who cares where the inspiration comes from. I'm just glad it still hits dude upside the head from time to time.

Exactly--so why reduce Lighting Bolt to the particular place Eddie derives his from? It's not like you can't appreciate release unless you and Eddie share the same dad.

Welp. I thought I did a good job of putting this thing to bed with that comment you quoted Stip, but I guess not. Let's keep having the same conversation over and over without getting anywhere, sure! I'd LOVE to!

I was saying, "meh, ultimately what difference does it make." It was an olive branch, a way to stop this thread of discussion. BUT since you wanna keep picking at this scab, I'll tell you why.

Because I don't like the lyrics. They are exactly one level and it's a level I don't find interesting. That's all. I think writing a love letter to a surfboard is totally fine and fair game. There's nothing wrong with it, in and of itself. But that doesn't mean I have to like it. Sorry, bud, but I don't think I'm "reducing" anything. This song just ain't that deep. And that's fine. I like the song well enough for what it is. I happen to think it's one of the weakest songs on the album. And this thread is supposed to be about unpopular opinions, so .... I can't see that anything I've said is inappropriate or harsh or ignorant or anything like that.

It blows my mind that of all the Pearl Jam songs people read too much into and/or disagree about, THIS is the one we're gonna go to war over. Seems so fucking silly.

[Kaius]

For a song about surfing it sure is shallow!

Ba-da-TSH!

[Jorge]

I always thought the St. Vincent thread would be Joey's unraveling. This is a surprise.

[Strat]

I always figured this song was about ed finally figuring out who he is, where hhis place is. "Flipping through the worn out pages and stages when you knew not who to be...."

So, basically, he regrets all the great performances, music and recordings during their heyday, and now we are stuck with songs like future days, let the records play and lightning bolt. because, you know, now he knows who he his and is comfortable with it.

[epilogue]

I always thought the St. Vincent thread would be Joey's unraveling. This is a surprise.

NO ONE IS MORE FUCKING SHOCKED ABOUT THIS THAN ME JORGE

[epilogue]

I always figured this song was about ed finally figuring out who he is, where hhis place is. "Flipping through the worn out pages and stages when you knew not who to be...."

So, basically, he regrets all the great performances, music and recordings during their heyday, and now we are stuck with songs like future days, let the records play and lightning bolt. because, you know, now he knows who he his and is comfortable with it.

My final word on this... or until Stip replies and I fly off the handle (apologies in advance, maybe I need a surfcation) is, once again, like I said before, it's totally cool. I'm glad the man finds inspiration somewhere. I like having new Pearl Jam music. I like Eddie Vedder. I've never been surfing, but I bet I'd like that too. Because I love ocean. The ocean gives me inspiration. Anyway, the song is fine. It's mid-level PJ at best and it doesn't inspire me. But I'm glad it inspires others.

[E.H. Ruddock]

I thought lightning bolt was about ...a lightning bolt?

[Strat]

I always figured this song was about ed finally figuring out who he is, where hhis place is. "Flipping through the worn out pages and stages when you knew not who to be...."

So, basically, he regrets all the great performances, music and recordings during their heyday, and now we are stuck with songs like future days, let the records play and lightning bolt. because, you know, now he knows who he his and is comfortable with it.

My final word on this... or until Stip replies and I fly off the handle (apologies in advance, maybe I need a surfcation) is, once again, like I said before, it's totally cool. I'm glad the man finds inspiration somewhere. I like having new Pearl Jam music. I like Eddie Vedder. I've never been surfing, but I bet I'd like that too. Because I love ocean. The ocean gives me inspiration. Anyway, the song is fine. It's mid-level PJ at best and it doesn't inspire me. But I'm glad it inspires others.

It doesnt inspire me either Joey. Also, I too would probably enjoy surfing even though im scared of sharks. I always thought if i tried it out and loved it id end up moving to a small surf town in Cali somewhere. Much Like how I moved to Vail when i fell in love with skiing.

[Jorge]

To be fair, the line "flirtin' with the missies, kissin' on the fishies" is pretty cryptic

[LoathedVermin72]

i wish 8749873985UP were here to explain how lightning bolt is about dave a

[E.H. Ruddock]

At first listen I thought it was about the bolt of lightning that he was cursed the day he let it go