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Why Go Lyrics

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,
yeah...
Whoa...yeah...hey yeah yeah...
Why go home... (3x)

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...

Ooh...
Why go home? (4x)
What you taught me...put me here...don't come visit...mother...
Sting me...

Whoa...ooh...
Why go home? (4x)
What you taught me...put me here...don't come visit...mother, mother,
yeah...
Why go home? (7x)
Whoa...
Song Info
Submitted by
mike On Apr 01, 2001
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33 Meanings

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Cover art for Why Go lyrics by Pearl Jam

Another 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.

@spiralofdivinity what he said!! Genious!

Cover art for Why Go lyrics by Pearl Jam

"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.

I agree 100%

@King of Some Island Agreed! Pearl Jam is the greatest and Eddie Vedder Genius!

Cover art for Why Go lyrics by Pearl Jam

eddie read an article about a girl who was instituionalized by her mother for smoking pot, the inspiration for the song.

@qube thanks for the facts!

Cover art for Why Go lyrics by Pearl Jam

this 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.

Sounds like you truly understand mental illness. So few of us…. Yet it affects the entire population.

@SwornToTheBlack right?!?!

Cover art for Why Go lyrics by Pearl Jam

mm,,great song. i love the beat, everything. something about pretending, life under control.

Cover art for Why Go lyrics by Pearl Jam

A 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_stew I completely understand! God bless your friend and you for caring so much!

Cover art for Why Go lyrics by Pearl Jam

I've been institutionalized about 8 times. It is really stupid. It helped me with my problems and such but they also tried to tell me who I am, when they wouldn't know. Like if I were to cry they would say I couldn't, or if I was talking too much they said I couldn't do that. Every action was controlled. I hated it. And the funny thing is I spent six months in one place and they gave me the wrong diagnosis. People think I'm crazy and used to make fun of me because I am bipolar and I have been to the "crazy" house.

So in short terms I can most definitely relate to this song.

@CrimsonLips I am so sorry to hear your story is really sad but you prevailed so I am happy your story ends with getting better and that you got the correct diagnosis eventually. I never understood when peers tease and bully. Hopefully they grew up and were ashamed of their behavior. Good luck to you and keep your head up!

Cover art for Why Go lyrics by Pearl Jam

Hey 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...

At 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_Soundweezer good analogy!

Cover art for Why Go lyrics by Pearl Jam

the 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.