In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
"There must be some way out of here," said the joker to the thief,
"There's too much confusion, I can't get no relief.
Businessmen, they drink my wine, plowmen dig my earth,
None of them along the line know what any of it is worth."
"No reason to get excited," the thief, he kindly spoke,
"There are many here among us who feel that life is but a joke.
But you and I, we've been through that, and this is not our fate,
So let us not talk falsely now, the hour is getting late."
All along the watchtower, princes kept the view
While all the women came and went, barefoot servants, too.
Outside in the distance a wildcat did growl,
Two riders were approaching, the wind began to howl.
"There's too much confusion, I can't get no relief.
Businessmen, they drink my wine, plowmen dig my earth,
None of them along the line know what any of it is worth."
"No reason to get excited," the thief, he kindly spoke,
"There are many here among us who feel that life is but a joke.
But you and I, we've been through that, and this is not our fate,
So let us not talk falsely now, the hour is getting late."
All along the watchtower, princes kept the view
While all the women came and went, barefoot servants, too.
Outside in the distance a wildcat did growl,
Two riders were approaching, the wind began to howl.
Lyrics submitted by T-Crash
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There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
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I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
Before everyone yells at me for posting these lyrics, let me just say that Pearl Jam does a great cover of this in concert....now yell away.
i haven't actually listened to it but it probaly is good with eddie vededer vocals. jimi hendrix owned when he covered it though.
i haven't heard this cover, but for me the U2 cover in rattle and hum is the best.
I didn't like U2's cover much...it didn't seem earnest enough. I doubt that PJ's concert version is better than Hendrix's, but McCready is a more blues-based guitar player. The Edge is more of...well, what is the Edge? U2 went from arena rock to techno to back again.
Wow i didn't even know Pearl Jam covered this song, I've only just recently discovered them and i'm already a huge fan. All Along The Watchtower is one of my favourite songs and i'd love to hear this version. I would guess its good, judging by their other covers of legendary songs such as baba o riley, keep on rockin in the free world, masters of war and so on. I think they are one of very few bands that can do such songs justice, and in some cases improve on them.
P.S if you're a fan of this song in general you should check out dave matthews band's version.
yeah the hendrix version is the best and then probably the dmb version, after that i would say this version.
okay the dylan version is the best by far. i love hendrix and his version but dylan is amazing. secondly U2 sucks at life bono is jackass and no one likes him or his crappy rock. i haven't heard the pearl jam version but im sure it is a great cover they are easily the best grunge band. nirvana doesn't even come close.
PJ's cover live is amazing. For those who've not been to a live Pearl Jam show, it is indescribable in words.
This isn't technically by pearl jam. It's Eddie Vedder and the Million Dollar Bashers on the "I'm Not There" Soundtrack.
Read the other comments dude... PJ cover this live.<br />
Jesus even Dylan admitted Hendrix owns this song.
McCready pales in comparison, let the late great rest in peace.