I felt the earth on Monday
It moved beneath my feet
In the form of a morning paper
Laid out for me to see
Saw his face in a corner picture
I recognized the name
Could not stop staring at the
Face I'd never see again

It's a shame to awake in a world of pain
What does it mean when
A war has taken over?
It's the same every day
I heard my name
What can be saved and
Who will be left to hold her?

The whole world
World over
It's a world wide suicide
The whole world
World over
It's a world wide suicide

Medals on a wooden mantle
Next to a handsome face
That the president took for granted
Writing checks the whole world pays
And in all the madness
Thought becomes numb and naive
Too much to talk about
And nothing for to say

It's the same every day
And the wave won't break
Tell you to pray while
The devil's on his shoulder
Laying claim to the take
That our soldiers save
Does not equate, and
The truth's already out there

The whole world
World over
It's a world wide suicide
The whole world
World over
It's a world wide suicide

Looking in the eyes of the fallen
You've got to know there's another
Another
Another
Another
Another

Way

It's a shame to awake in a world of pain
What does it mean when
The war has taken over
It's the same every day
And the wave won't break
Tell you to pray while
The devil's on his shoulder

The whole world
World over
It's a world wide suicide

The whole world
World over
It's a world wide suicide

The whole world
World over
It's a world wide suicide

The whole world
World over
It's a world wide suicide


Lyrics submitted by Police991119, edited by dashthestanpeat

World Wide Suicide Lyrics as written by Eddie Vedder

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

World Wide Suicide song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

164 Comments

sort form View by:
  • 0
    General Comment

    It's a stab at the present administration for making people who aren't well off (soldiers)...

    Granted, I pretty much don't ever agree with Pearl Jam's politcal views, but I respect their opinion, and know when they write an asskicking song... and this it is,,, and asskicking song...

    N0 C0DE 79on March 06, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    ok.... I definitely didn't finish the first half of my comment, because I am an idiot, but the song is basically bashing bush for forsaking soldiers lives and using them as pawns in a game motivated by power and greed in which he has recklessly intimated himself into,...

    And like I said, I don't really ever agree with PJ's politics, but that don't matter, because this is a killer song...

    N0 C0DE 79on March 06, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I totally agree with N0 C0DE. I also don't always agree with pearl jam's political views. However, I can see where they are coming from and I also respect their opinion.
    This song sounds so awesome and now I am sad because I have almost 2 more months to wait for the new album which is way too long to wait. Oh well, at least I have this and all of PJ's other songs to listen to until then.

    Olie986on March 07, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Yep, I am definately agreeing with NO C0DE. However I do see things the same way that Pearl Jam is seeing them. Also it seems that Pearl Jam are realeasing bootlegs from the vault! So that should be enough to tide us over until the new album comes out May 2!

    Police991119on March 07, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I couldn't be a bigger Pearl Jam fan, but I'm really not feeling this song. Hopefully it will grow on me and the album will be as amazing as I hope it will be.

    Foundation4lifeon March 08, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    great tune.... my favorite of theirs in a long ass time

    bharQon March 08, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Do the backing vocals bug anyone else too? Cracking song then definitely a grower.

    AntiPop245on March 08, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    But I hope the album is more like yield than binaural or riot act.

    AntiPop245on March 08, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    i liked riot act and think it was very underrated, but if this cd can be as good as any of there previous cds than i will be happy

    richie8092on March 08, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    i completely agree with pjs views on the piece of shit we call a president and i thnk that this expresses their views better than any other song

    richie8092on March 09, 2006   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere. In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Album art
When We Were Young
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Album art
Magical
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
Album art
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
Album art
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it. “I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.