Yesterdays, how quick they change
All lost and long gone now
It's hard to remember anything moving at the speed of sound
Moving with the speed of sound

And yet I'm still holdin' tight to this dream of distant light
in that somehow I'll survive
But this night has been a long one
Waiting on a sun that just don't come

Can I forgive what I cannot forget
And live a lie?
I could give it one more try

Why deny this drive inside, just looking for some peace
Every time I get me some it gets the best of me

I'm not much left, you see

And yet I'm still holdin' tight to this dream of distant light
And that, somehow I'll survive
But this night has been a long one
Waiting on a word that never comes

A whisper in the dark
Is that you or just my thoughts
I'm wide awake and reaching out

It's gone so quiet now
Could it be I'm farther out?

Movin' faster than the speed of sound



Lyrics submitted by Backspacer

Track duration: 03:34

"Speed of Sound" as written by Guy Rupert Berryman, William Champion, Christopher Anthony John Martin, Jonathan Mark Buckland

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics powered by LyricFind


Speed of Sound song meanings
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8 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:I dont like the Backspacer version much but the acoustic demo version floating around is incredible :D
    Flag Tig45on November 24, 2011   Link
  • +1
    My Interpretation:for me this song is about reaching enlightenment, unity conciousness.
    from the lyrics of which eddie wrote the lyrics I think he had some revelations about absolute truth and wisdom.
    I think he knows that there is only one truth, that our thoughts and the way we experience things are illusions in the end...when you ask yourself the right questions, they all disappear.
    yesterday and tomorrow only exist in our illusory minds.
    If you see through your illusions, they all will fall apart and what remains is truth, enlightenment.
    Enlightenment is that distant light that he tries to reach.
    He knows that this absolute light and wisdom exists en that his experiences from the past, his thoughts and feelings about them get in the way to reach enlightenment, to see things clearly just as they are, to realize the one true self.
    The speed of light is faster than the speed of sound, light is ultimate wisdom.
    He is asking himself questions whether he will reach that point of unity conciousness that seems so far away.

    "Why deny this, drive inside, just looking for some peace
    Every time I get me some it gets the best of me

    Not much left, you see"

    He knows that you have to break down your ego-mind structure to get there, so less and less of your identity, who you think you are, remains left.
    It is a very hard and painfull path when you know you live a lie, know that there is a higher being, but you can't seem to break through your conditioned mind to rest in that peace and be free of judgement, duality, etc.

    there is a lots of different depts in this song, each person will take exactly that message that fits for that particlar person.

    Truely amazing, beautiful, flowing where it needs to go...
    Flag annemarelon September 08, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:The 6/8 time races this thru. Amazing flow for a song that comes across as a ballad. Almost like a major key, more wandering version of i am mine.
    This new album is the shit. The lyrics are so great in every song. I'm still figuring this one out, but like almost any vedder lyrics they seem to have multiple meanings, the literal giving way to metaphors hidden just beneath, with even deeper broad themes tying it all together. beautiful
    Flag samblisson September 25, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Beautuful song. Different Pearl Jam
    Flag PearlSTonicTBoxPon September 21, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Wow, great lyrics. I hadn't happened to me in a long time that I could actually relate to a pearl jam song. At first the melody is hard to digest, but once you've listen to it a couple of times it becomes somewhat normal and easy to follow. I agree with Elkoboldo, it becomes a better tune when the electric guitar comes in; it's just magical and emotional. Let's hope the version on the record keeps the same magic as this one. Regarding the meaning, I think it's about life and how fast it moves, and how people sometimes cannot move on with their lives and still hold on so strongly to their past lives, whether it is positive or negative.
    Flag cyndariouson August 26, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:The song is obviously about living with regrets. The lyrical subjest can't forgive himself committing the same mistakes ("Every time I get me some it gets the best of me"). They led to beeing left by somebody, preferably by partner(or he have repeated them towards some more former partners. Then it would have more sense, considering that he wants to give himself another chance). Now alone ("It's gone so quiet now"), he's longing after her ("A whisper in the dark/Is that you or just my thoughts"). In the end he also notices becoming a recluse.

    These are my three cents. Great song, wonder how it'll sound on the album. One more: Sorry for my english:).
    Flag myse1fon August 12, 2009   Link
  • +1
    My Opinion:It's a great song. Especially at 1:05, when the E-Guitar kicks in. Music from the heart :-). I'm getting goosebumps every time I listen to that song.
    Flag ElKoboldoon August 10, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:great and magical song, with incredible lyrics.
    gives me chills everytime i listen to it!
    Flag Backspaceron July 31, 2009   Link

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