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Who You Are Lyrics
Come to send. Not condescend.
Transcendent to consequences.
To transcend where we are.
Who are we? Who we are.
Trampled marks on your souls.
Changes, all you're a part.
Seen it all. Not at all.
Can't defend fucked up men.
Take me for a ride before we leave.
Circumstance. Clapping hands.
A driving winds. Happenstance.
Off the track, in the mud.
That's the moss in the aforementioned verse (I changed this from what you have)
And a little... Wow... And a little...
Just a little time before we leave.
Stop light plays its part so I would say you've got a part.
What's your part? Who you are.
You are who who you are.
Transcendent to consequences.
To transcend where we are.
Who are we? Who we are.
Changes, all you're a part.
Seen it all. Not at all.
Can't defend fucked up men.
Take me for a ride before we leave.
A driving winds. Happenstance.
Off the track, in the mud.
That's the moss in the aforementioned verse (I changed this from what you have)
Stop light plays its part so I would say you've got a part.
What's your part? Who you are.
You are who who you are.
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Where I live, we have a train that runs through the middle of town, so often you find yourself parked waiting for it for 15 minutes at a time. One time some friends and I were waiting for the train and bitching, until we had all told a strory how waiting for a train at one time or another had a positive affect on their day. This situation fits with the line "stop light plays its part, so I would say..you have a part" It is almost a Taoist sentiment to the song, that you dont need to strive for who you are, you are already that person.
The world is the same way...quit trying to change the world or blame the world for the way it is, instead, realize that that is the way the world is...work with it
I like the reference to Taoism coz the song does have a very Eastern feel to it. I thought it was a more personal song rather than an outlook on the world and how to deal with it.
I like the reference to Taoism coz the song does have a very Eastern feel to it. I thought it was a more personal song rather than an outlook on the world and how to deal with it.
i like the way Bellyfull of Swans talks about this song, and especially the example of how waiting for a train delay made him and his friends realise how it could change what happens to you in a day.
its so hard to pinpoint the exact philosophy of this song. it for me just shows how everyone has different experiences and added up they all make us who we are, though in the same sense we are who we are anyway from birth.
i love the way Eddie's lyrics allow the listener to search deep into their own souls and just ponder all aspects of life.
I thought the second line was transcendental consequence
Yes, and in the second verse it's:
"Trampled MOSS, on your souls..."
then in the third verse/last line:
"That's the moss in the aforementioned verse."
My second favorite Pearl Jam song.
This song has always made me lookat myself and and be proud . A great song that never got the recognition it deserves.
While on the subject about recognition, this song reached top spot on the ModRock Tracks in '96 but you're right it is a forgotten song these days. Brilliant song on what was an otherwise fairly average album.
While on the subject about recognition, this song reached top spot on the ModRock Tracks in '96 but you're right it is a forgotten song these days. Brilliant song on what was an otherwise fairly average album.
Think about the butterflies in PJ's Stomach when they decided to release this song as their first single.... Listeners would go from hearing the Dreary grungy like of "Immortality" and "Corduroy" to this little uplifting song...... This song was the song that Kicked fairweather fans in the ass but not like corduroy.... Fairweather fans just didnt like this song so they didnt buy the album.... actions equal consequence.... they didnt hear no code..... that was how fair weather fans screwed themselves with pearl jam...... they didnt give "who You Are" a chance so they didnt buy No Code and missed out on one of their best albums..... this song is so beautiful, it is so uplifting it is like just awesome....
My favorite line is :
The stop light Plays it's part So I would say You've got a part What's your part? Who you are You are who Who you are
The "Who You Are" on Rearview Mirror has a different line instead of "Circumstance. Clapping hands." it is "Avalanche Fallin' fast"..... This song is so wonderful.... so close to being my favorite....
Everyone always says this song marked a turning point for Pearl Jam, where they shied away from the mainstream.
Well, I may agree, but I view this song as a success, seeing as it DID reach no.1 on the modern rock chart. I'm also angered that there is only five posts on this song, where lesser known songs garnered more. Did people just forget about this song? I hope not, because it is one of PJ's best.
I see this song as anti-suicidal. Each of us has a part and purpose in life, despite all that may happen around us, and to end it would be destroying that purpose that you were supposed to hand out. No one knows what their purpose is- to cure diseases, to become a world leader, or to even help a poor soul find his way. At least that's how I look at it. The Eastern-tinged instrumental break in the middle of the song is so amazing- imagine going from "Spin the Black Circle" to this! Hah, no wonder why people were thrown offguard.
This song is very unique. like no other PJ song
the guitars and drums in this song are played really well. I love the intro aswell
This is such a great song. I hear a lot of spiritual influence on Vedder in this.