The board's server will undergo upgrade maintenance tonight, Nov 5, 2014, beginning approximately around 10 PM ET. Prepare for some possible down time during this process.
Joined: Thu December 13, 2012 6:31 pm Posts: 39910
Nothingman
Once divided...nothing left to subtract Some words when spoken...can't be taken back Walks on his own...with thoughts he can't help thinking Future's above...but in the past, he's slow and sinking Caught a bolt 'a lightnin'...cursed the day he let it go...
Nothingman... Nothingman... Isn't it something? Nothingman...
She once believed in every story he had to tell One day she stiffened…took the other side Empty stares from each corner of a shared prison cell... One just escapes...one's left inside the well And he who forgets will be destined to remember...
Nothingman... Nothingman... Isn't it something? Nothingman...
She don't want him She won't feed him After he's flown away Into the sun... Into the sun... Burn...burn...
Nothingman... Nothingman... Isn't it something? Nothingman... Nothingman... Coulda' been something... Nothingman...
Nothingman is one of my all time favorites. The music is simple but it is just gorgeous, and its starkness provides a great backdrop for a masterful vocal performance. Like Indifference, Eddie is the star here and the rest of the band plays to compliment, rather than upstage, his vocals. This is probably my favorite song Jeff wrote music for.
Lyrically this song is a gem (with a handful of exceptions). This (along with Betterman) kicks off a whole string of songs about dying relationships that Eddie manages to write the hell out of (hail hail and parting ways are in that list too). He captures both the sad inevitability and the regret that comes with not trying harder. But nothingman takes place a bit later than the others. The relationship has ended, and there has been enough time and distance to take stock and develop regrets. It's not quite clear to me who left who and under what circumstances. Did the woman come to her senses and leave a guy she is better than? Did the guy cheat on her or dump her for someone else only to regret it later? I'm curious to hear what other people think.
My favorite lyric in the song
Empty stares from each corner of a shared prison cell... One just escapes...one's left inside the well
Anyone who has been a part of a once meaningful relationship that has fallen apart knows exactly what this feels like. There is a sense of shared isolation. You're not physically alone, but there isn't the intimate connection with the other person there once was. Instead you're stuck with a shared isolation
My one complaint with the song is the she don't want him/she won't feed him line. That feels like it belongs in Betterman (is this meant to connect the two songs? Thoughts?). It just sounds a bit awkward to my ears
It is too bad they don't play this one live anymore. It always sounds amazing
Joined: Tue September 24, 2013 5:56 pm Posts: 47163 Location: In the oatmeal aisle wearing a Shellac shirt
Listening to the Vitalogy Remaster tonight. I think of all the songs on this remaster, this one stands out as the best-case scenario. The more prominent guitars, the wider sense of space -- it takes a fragile song and makes it bigger, without sacrificing any of the fragility.
Q: Whats your favourite Pearl Jam song? Stone: Nothing Man. I didnt write it. Jeff Ament wrote it, Dave Abbruzzese plays great drums on it. Jeff had the chord changes; him and Ed maybe worked it out before. Real Jeff Ament style, his approach to strumming. It has his character trademarks but at the same time really super simple, Ed connects so well with it that anyone who hears it will wanna sing along.
_________________ All posts by this account, even those referencing real things, are entirely fictional and are for entertainment purposes only; i.e. very low-quality entertainment. These may contain coarse language and due to their content should not be viewed by anyone
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum