Why Go

Pearl Jam

She scratches a letter
Into a wall made of stone
Maybe someday
Another child
Won't feel as alone as she does
It's been two years
And counting
Since they put her in this place
She's been diagnosed
By some stupid fuck
And mommy agrees

Why go home?
Why go home?
Why go home?

She seems to be stronger
But what they want her to be is weak
She could play pretend
She could join the game, boy
She could be another clone
Ooh, whoa ah, yeah oh
Why go home, why go home, why go home, why go home

What you taught me (why go home)
Put me here don't come visit, mother (why go home)
Sting me

Why go home, why go home, why go home, why go home
What you taught me (why go home)
Put me here don't come visit, mother, mother yeah (why go home)
Why go home, why go home, why go home, why go home, why go home, whoa


Lyrics submitted by mike

Why Go Lyrics as written by Jeff Ament Eddie Vedder

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

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Why Go song meanings
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32 Comments

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  • +7
    General CommentAnother stroke of genius from Pearl Jam. Her parents have put her in this place because they are not willing to take responsibility upon themselves for the child they have raised.

    Hopefully, through Eddie Vedder's lyrics, people who hear this song will mature into better parents. Songs like "Why Go" are among the many excellent Pearl Jam songs that entertain us while teaching us a lesson. Art of the highest order.
    spiralofdivinityon September 14, 2002   Link
  • +6
    General Comment"She's been diagnosed by some stupid fuck"

    Yeah, great lyrics."

    Yes they are. Sometimes when used in the right context swears can express extreme feelings of rage.
    King of Some Islandon April 29, 2006   Link
  • +4
    General Commenteddie read an article about a girl who was instituionalized by her mother for smoking pot, the inspiration for the song.
    qubeon January 17, 2002   Link
  • +1
    General Commentthis is a song that many can relate to. this girl was institutionalized and labeled by people who could never understand her, as insane. she could do nothing but stay trapped in that hospital. authority has taken over and isolated her for doing something as stupid as many of us had done.
    SwornToTheBlackon August 19, 2002   Link
  • +1
    General Commentmm,,great song. i love the beat, everything. something about pretending, life under control.
    madameon September 17, 2005   Link
  • +1
    General CommentA few years ago my best friend was institutionalized by her mother after and arguement, listening to this song helps me get out my frustrations and NOT kill her mother....and I was truly going to
    brain_stewon March 04, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General CommentHey TenvsVitalogy. I find it somewhat ironic that the Army commits you for expressing the very impulse they spend obscene amounts of money on to train you for. Could just be me though...
    cashdudeon August 18, 2008   Link
  • +1
    General CommentAt first, there is anger towards being sent away to a home/institution/care facility but then it is realized that wherever "she" is, she's better off there than at home with the people who put her there
    Alice_in_Soundweezeron August 22, 2016   Link
  • 0
    General Commentthe first time i ever trusted an adult i was in a girls home scratching my name into a bunk. a staff woman came busting in and caught me in the act. She sung this song, revising it for the occasion. "She scratches a letter, into a bunk, made of wood.." this wasn't a hard core insititution like in the song, however this woman risked her job by telling me when they were going to haul me off to a lockdown and helped me run from the girls home.
    rainanneon May 14, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General CommentI cannot believe this song didn't make the Greatest Hits album. It's always been one of my favorite PJ songs. Great lyrics, very relevent issue even today, and intense energy. Can't believe it doesn't get more attention.
    SomeoneNewon January 15, 2005   Link

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