new (old) song: Let it Ride

[stip]

from the TSIS review:

I am a bit less impressed with this one, but it may just reflect my own idiosyncratic tastes. I know many will disagree, but this is a less polished/traditional version of Force of Nature (which is one of my favorite pearl jam songs)—both in terms of the lyrical content and the feel of the songs. This is a song describing the girl the FoN narrator is waiting for.

We have a muscular, unadorned riff that gives the song a kind of purposeful purposelessness. It’s not going anywhere in particular, but it marching to nowhere with some shit kicking determination. It plays off oddly, and (to my ears) not always successfully, with Eddie’s vocals, which seem to be moving with far less deliberation than the music (although he sounds good—and I really like the moaning at the end). I have no doubt that same contrast will be precisely what makes this song appealing to others. Lots of nice work from Mike, but I’m not sure precisely what it is adding to the song. The accusation gets thrown around a lot that Mike solos often have no rhyme or reason—no direction or purpose. I almost always disagree, but not hear. I LIKE what I’m hearing, but it feels like the solo is moving off in its own independent direction, away from the song. I think that’s my issue. The sideways plodding riff, the slow moaning vocals, and the frantic soloing feel spliced together to me, the opposite of the organic feel that its fans seem to be praising.

Lyrically what I can make out seems pretty good (although the outro, once worked out, may not hold up to the verses)—these are better written songs than much of S/T, which is probably eddie’s weakest lyrical outing to date. “Like a book with no ending read backwards to beginning” is a really nice line. Overall the song seems to be describing an independent, disaffected woman declaring her independence. Let it Ride feels like a Springsteen inspired phrase, but it needs to move more than it does. I think that may be my single biggest concern with this song. For a song about movement and independence this plods a bit. Quite possibly by design—at this stage in their careers my default reaction is to assume everything they do is deliberate—but nevertheless the song suffers for the weaker melody.

But again, these are my tastes. I love Backspacer. And the people who don’t seem to be falling over themselves for this song. It is certainly not as ‘easily digestible’ as many of the recent efforts, and that could very well be a strength of this song. And I like the song, don’t get me wrong. But Cold Confession is the far superior effort.

[E.H. Ruddock]

That was quick. Good job stip.

[Dr. Van Nostrand]

this one isnt as good as CC, so love might not be the right word for it, but i do have strong feelings for it

[stupidmop]

this one isnt as good as CC, so love might not be the right word for it, but i do have strong feelings for it

Same here. Like it!

It also reminds me of hold on for some reason.

[---]

so yeah, this is the pearl jam i love

[EJ]

I'm already in the "love it" group. This song captures what I've been missing from the band since at least Riot Act. Its organic, slightly quirky, yet an undeniable PJ rock song.

I hear similar sounding snippets of "Fatal" throughout and "Half Full" in the outtro. There's layers of guitars and bass that just naturally fit together. This isn't a protools song by any stretch. Ed does a great job at bridging the 2 sections of this song together - almost eerily like what he did for "Puzzles and Games."

[digster]

Love it. Favorite Pearl Jam song in a long time for me.

The way it deceptively starts gaining momentum in the second half of the song is stunning, and I'm a sucker for songs that make a shift into a whole new piece halfway through, breaking you out of the expected verse/chorus/verse/chorus rub rinse repeat structure.

[BurtReynolds]

I think I like this one a little more. both get five stars though.

[Soulfire]

Stip,

I think you have misinterpreted this particular song. To me, it is pretty clearly about the end of a woman's life... perhaps a mother's. Listen to the end lyrics a few more times and I think it will put things into a new perspective for you and the plodding will become something new for you.

The Pit moderators deleted my lyrics thread or I'd reference it. They're threatening to close down my account over there as well. So they clearly aren't happy this stuff got out and I guess it isn't a marketing ploy or something given the reaction I'm getting from their mods.

[warehouse]

Stip,

I think you have misinterpreted this particular song. To me, it is pretty clearly about the end of a woman's life... perhaps a mother's. Listen to the end lyrics a few more times and I think it will put things into a new perspective for you and the plodding will become something new for you.

The Pit moderators deleted my lyrics thread or I'd reference it.

no no no, its about 'agency'

[stupidmop]

I love the layered vocals at the end.

[Noonie]

I can't even remember the last time I felt such an instant connection to a PJ song, probably not since Grievance (I love RA, but it took some time to get into).

So this could have been on S/T, yes? that was the album that made me give up on them for the first time.
Seriously I just don't get these guys. they can be so frustrating.

[Soulfire]

Stip,

I think you have misinterpreted this particular song. To me, it is pretty clearly about the end of a woman's life... perhaps a mother's. Listen to the end lyrics a few more times and I think it will put things into a new perspective for you and the plodding will become something new for you.

The Pit moderators deleted my lyrics thread or I'd reference it.

no no no, its about 'agency'

Yes, it is about agency... but also death. Look at what I'm hearing in the final lyrics:

Tears will be alright
Death can't be denied
There will be goodbyes
But, she'll never leave ya (your?)
Clear and conscious mind
Except she'll decide
Law must step aside
Let the end bring her freedom
Break her body's chains
Move (Love?) without the pain
Look she signs her name
Look around, her eye (or I?) will be there
Look around, she'll always be there


To me that is about making an end of life decision, but coming to an acceptance and letting go... there's also the bit about ascending in the lyrics, etc. I see thoughts about life and then an end. Could even be suicide as she signs a suicide note or whatever medical form people would have to sign to end their life in a hospital. Knowing Eddie we're probably not in a clinical setting in his lyrics though, but who knows.

[Thurman Murman]

For now i'm a like it...but i'm leaning towards loving it.

Seriously how the fuck do you put Supersonic and Big Wave on your last 2 albums and not this?

[McParadigm]

Let it Ride feels like a Springsteen inspired phrase

[Soulfire]

LET IT RIDE

Let there be no misconception
This girl is collecting
Not without circumstance, but
Not a victim, defenseless
She’s delicate, defiant
Weary, tells no lies (Weary tales, no lies?)
Just proud acceptance

She’s gonna, she’s gonna
Gonna let it ride

She’s gonna, she’s gonna
Gonna let it ride

Like a book with no ending,
Read backwards to beginning
She stands on edge with lifted wings
Prepare to ascend
What she’s asking for
Is promises no more
She’s through depending

She’s gonna, she’s gonna
Gonna let it ride

She’s gonna, she’s gonna
Gonna let it ride

Tears will be alright (arrivin’?)
Death can’t be denied
There will goodbyes
But she’ll never leave ya (your?)
Clear and conscious mind
Accept (Except?) she’ll decide
Law must step aside
Let the end bring her freedom
Break her body’s chains
Move (love?) without the pain
Look she signs her name,
Look around, her eye (or I?) will be there
Look around, she’ll always be there


When I hear these lyrics, I see a woman's life "summary", her claiming agency of will and accepting an end to life. I don't hear Mike's contributions going off to nowhere as Stip does. Instead, I hear the release of the woman and I find it beautiful.

[stip]

you could be right, soulfire. these were my first impressions, and primarily based on the lyrics that kind of jumped out at me. Euthanasia, possibly (with the law must step aside lyric). Even abortion, from a certain angle.

This is what happens when I post something within hours instead of days

[stip]

for those of you who say this song feels 'organic', what do you mean by that?

[digster]

I think it can go both ways...I first read it similarly to stip, as a narrative for a woman's self-empowerment (I almost thought of the character in Better Man finally leaving her husband). But that last part could also definitely be centered around right-to-die, especially if you take the lyrics about "the law" literally.

[digster]

for those of you who say this song feels 'organic', what do you mean by that?

It feels that way to me because of the introduction of the second half of the song. It's a transition that wakes you up out of the verse/chorus structure, but it does it in a way that doesn't draw attention. You never hear the gears grinding to make it happen.