He won the lottery when he was born
Took his mothers white breast to his tongue
Trained like dogs color and smell
Walks by me to get to him
Police man
Police man

He won the lottery by being born
Big hand slapped a white male American
Do no wrong so clean cut

Dirty his hands it comes right off
Police man
Police man
Police stopped my brother, again
Police stopped my brother, again
Police stopped my brother, again
Police man

Jesus greets me, looks just like me

Do no wrong so clean cut
Dirty his hands, it comes right off
Police man
Police man
Police man
Police stopped my brother again
Police stopped my brother again
Police stopped my brother again
Police man
Police man

Police stopped my brother again
Police stopped my brother again
Police stopped my brother again
Police man
Police man
Police man

E ah e ah e ah
ah ah ah
E ah e ah e ah
E ah e ah e ah
E ah e ah e ah
Eh eh
E ah
E ah
E ah
E ah na na na
E ah na na na
E ah na na na

All my pieces set me free, human devices set me free
All my pieces set me free
All my pieces set me free
Human devices set me free
Human devices set me free
All my pieces set me free
All my pieces set me free
Human devices set me free
Human devices set me free


Lyrics submitted by Trent

W.M.A. Lyrics as written by Eddie Vedder David Abbruzzese

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

W.M.A. song meanings
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24 Comments

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  • +7
    General Comment

    Dave Abbruzzese was an excellent drummer, he had chops and skills galore without ever "over-playing"; his fills were exciting to listen to but would never take away from the song. Thus, some of his most amazing work may be overlooked because of it's subtley. Take the song "Immortality" as an example of his amazing ear for melody. When Eddie sings the line "some die just to live", Dave hits a crash cymbal immediately after that sounds very much like a gunshot. This simple single drumbeat sends chills through my spine everytime I hear it, the timing of the beat and the sound it produces coming from pure Dave Abbruzzese genius.

    After Dave left, Pearl Jam did continue to experience with tribal songs, most notably "In My Tree" from No Code.

    "W.M.A." is another Pearl Jam masterpiece in which the lyric and melody effotlessly intertwine to tell the story of Eddie's Black friend who suffered harrassment at the hands of a white male anglo-saxon police officer. Eddie's amazing voice is showcased as he manages to sing above the din of the relentless tribal drumming and Earth-shaking bass line of Jeff Ament, a talent that places him in the same league as the "Greats", Robert Plant, Freddie Mercury, Jim Morrison, and Roger Daltrey.

    Above and beyond the technical wonders of this song is the way in which Eddie Vedder's vocals display anger yet despair at the same time. Clearly, Eddie is upset at his friend's harrassment, but at the same time his vocal tone shows us how saddening it is that we live in a society that is not color blind. Eddie's mastery of lyric, melody, and emotional resonance make this a Pearl Jam song not to be overlooked. "W.M.A." will go done in the record books as one of Pearl Jam's "lost masterpieces".

    spiralofdivinityon September 14, 2002   Link
  • +3
    General Comment

    about racism. It's said that eddie was just in the street talking to a friend of his who's black when a cop showed up and started harassing him, ignoring completely ed's presence.

    aldeayeahon May 28, 2002   Link
  • +3
    General Comment

    I miss Dave! he was my favorite PJ drummer...this album shows off his skill really well, especially this song...he's so tribal and raw and cool...hmm, so about the lyrics...I don't think many rock bands would attempt to seriously approach racism as a topic for a song, props to Ed and the gang.

    Nasuson June 04, 2002   Link
  • +3
    General Comment

    This id definitely the most underrated PJ song. This song touches on not only racial inequality, but also gender inequality and social inequality. I absolutely love the drums. Abruzzese was PJ's best drummer. It's not that I don't like Cameron, it's just that he fits better with Soundgarden than PJ.

    ecap28on May 31, 2013   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    i'm sad because since dave was kicked off pj, this song's been sorta forgotten, and it kicks ass. this is some really different shit, you wouldn't find a similar song

    aldeayeahon May 28, 2002   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I would have to agree. This song is highly underated, it is different. I love the music to it and eddie voice is extraordinary. His lyrical ability is quite amazing.

    Can anyone please fill me in on a rumour that I've heard? Is it true that Eddie has two vocal chords?

    lookn_2b_inspiredon September 18, 2002   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    WMA stands for white male american

    Twinb1983on April 15, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Eddie's voice is mesmerizing ~

    moonchildon June 16, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Eddie's voice is mesmerizing ~

    moonchildon June 16, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Eddie's voice is mesmerizing ~

    moonchildon June 16, 2004   Link

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