Song of the Moment: Save You

[stip]

Save You

I'm gonna save you fucker, not gonna lose you
I'm feeling cocky and strong, can't let you go
Too important to me, and too important to us
We'd be lost without you
I'm there, let yourself fall, I'm right below you now

And fuck me if I say something you don't want to hear, from me
And fuck me if you only hear what you wanna hear, from me, if I care
But I'm not leaving here

You helped me when I was down, I'll help when you're down
Why are you hitting yourself? c'mon and hit me instead
Let's pick up your will, it's grown fat and lazy
It's sympathetic as well, don't go on me now
And I'm not living this life without you, I'm selfish and clear
And you're not leaving here without me, I don't wanna be without...
My best friend
Wake up to see you could have it all
Whoa!

Cuz there is but you, and something within you
Has taken control, let's beat it
Get up, let's go
Oh, you're in your own world, let's see the whole world!
Let's pick up your soul

And fuck me if I say something you don't wanna hear from me (fuck me)
And fuck me if you only hear the treble in your head

Please help me to help you help yourself!
Help me help yourself
Help me, please want me to
Please let me to, help you...

Save You is probably my favorite song on Riot Act. The music has a force or power of its own that is only better complimented by the lyrics. For me, these lyrics are one of Pearl Jam's best when it comes to their harder songs. The words are really simple but mean so much in so many ways.

One of the things that really make me love this song is that it was written by the band collaboratively. This is something that I really love that Pearl Jam does. The fact that this song has that feature makes it kind of special and more of Pearl Jam than just one person writing the music and the rest just playing along.

In this song, Eddie shows the care and love he has for another person and that he'll do anything to not lose his friend to whatever troubles he is having. Eddie says that he needs his friend to, really be himself. He feels that without each other, neither of them exists.

Eddie says And fuck me, if I say something you don't want to hear from me. This shows that even if his friend doesn't want Eddie's help, he's going to help anyway because that's what is best. Eddie will do all that he can to help his friend, but really it's up to him.


I have many favorite lines in this song, and it's hard to choose just one, so I'll share a few.

Cuz there is but you, and something within you/has taken control/let's beat it
get up, let's go
I really love this line because it's true in everybody. All of us have something inside us that can really drag us down. But also we have something that can bring us up. We just have to decide which one will win.

And right after the previous line:

Oh, you're in your own world, let's see the whole world!

I probably love this line the best because it shows what we can really do with our lives. If we sit around and pout all day because we think our life sucks than we will be in our own world and no one else will want part in it. But if you come out, and realize what kinds of chances and opportunities you really have, then the whole world is yours.


Cool Fact: Halfway through recording Save You, Matt Cameron lost his headphones and continued through the song by watching Jeff Ament's fingers and hoping he was in time.

I really love all the aspects of this song. 5 Stars.

old thread archived here

[MadTIGERmaN]

Still easily my favorite PJ song... the lyrics just really hit me
and its one of my fav bass lines to play

[Leatherhead]

This really is a great song, it seems to get a fair amount of hate that I've never understood.

[bodysnatcher]

this song has just never, ever clicked for me

[Birds in Hell]

It’s terrible.

[chewm]

It's a fantastic song.

[PHATJ]

It took a decade plus for me to like this song and then one day it just made sense. I totes dig it now. 4 stars.

[Birds in Hell]

I think it’s the first truly awful Pearl Jam song.

[Habitman]

The music is great. The vocal performance is meh save for the "Saaaave yourSELF" part at the end.

[Hatfield]

It took some time, but I love this one. Really by the end of the 2003 tour, I was hooked. I've seen some GREAT live versions!

[tree_]

Decent song but Ed sounds terrible ... He shouldn't attempt to sing like this since around 98

[tree_]

Sportsballpete?!?!

[liebzz]

I think the hate comes from kcuf me...

Only joking. I like this song fine but I am not sure it adds much to their catalogue where much of Riot Act does. I guess it was a serviceable single to tell the world they still existed and that they could still rock out if they wanted to.

[tragabigzanda]

pearl jam sucks now

[E.H. Ruddock]

Had to get across town pretty quickly tonight. Realized this was on when I was maneuvering in and out of traffic like a champ. Fun driving song. I love this song.

[Ms Harmless]

5 stars, like everything on Riot Act

[Johnny Turner]

5 stars and one of my favorites to play at guitar. The distortion tone they had for this in the album and at the 2003 tour is great.

Cool Fact: Halfway through recording Save You, Matt Cameron lost his headphones and continued through the song by watching Jeff Ament's fingers and hoping he was in time.

Yeah thats a good story. I always think we can hear this happening in the bridge section when Matt starts playing slight different.

[binauralsounds]

I love this song. I love the music and the lyrics and the frenetic quality it has. Guitars sounding thicc. One of my favorites from Riot Act.

[guitar_davey]

I think it’s the first truly awful Pearl Jam song.

What are you even smoking? This song fucking rocks.

[PHATJ]

I think it’s the first truly awful Pearl Jam song.

What are you even smoking? This song fucking rocks.

spenno has some wild takes, man.