Dark Matter, by Pearl Jam (2024)

1.

Did I say something wrong?Did I walk out of step?To you do I still belong?Do I have to be scared?Oh, I'm not saying I knowIt's all feeling unclearWe all like controlI surrender to you, dearYou're hurting yourself, it's plain to seeI think you're hurting yourself just to hurt meWe used to laugh, we used to singWe used to dance, we had our own sceneHurting yourself, it's plain to seeI think you're hurting yourself 'cause you hurt meWe used to laugh, we used to singWe used to dance, we used to believeThere's something I should have known?Was I acting too proud?Oh, in my weakness, did I somehow get too loud?Oh, can I get you alone?Let me fall at your feetWhy must I be compelled to admit defeat?You're hurting yourself, it's plain to seeI think you're hurting yourself just to hurt meWe used to laugh, we used to singWe used to dance, we were our own sceneHurting yourself, nothing to tellYour secret is well and safe with meWe used to laugh, we used to singWe used to crash, we used to believeHear the voices callingHear the voices callingAll around my headAll around my headHear the voices callingOh, again they're callingAll around my headHave I lost my friend?Is this what we've become?One last setting sunI'll give, but I can't give upI'll live, not long enoughTo stop these voices callingStop the voices callingAll around my headAs if you never leftYou're hurting yourself, it's plain to seeI think you're hurting yourself just to hurt meWe used to laugh, we used to singWe used to dance, we had our own sceneHurting yourself, it's plain to seeI think you're hurting yourself 'cause you hurt meWe used to laugh, we used to drinkWe used to dance, we used to believe

2.

I see you worried and hurriedAs if addressing the juryOh, you are innocent'Til proven innocentYou are hurting and it's so magnificentDon't let the sky hookBeat you to submissionMaybe it's the price ofPrice of our admissionAin't no f*cking rosesTo our conditionTurn this anger into nuclear fission, yeah, baby, babyDon't react, respondDon't react, respondWhen what you get is what you don't wantDon't react, respondAre we at war with each other?Are you at war with yourself?We could be fighting togetherInstead of fighting ourselvesStart the rebuttalAll part of the gameYes, what makes us differentAnd what makes us the sameAh, the incandescence that is your essenceThe unexpected embraceEmbrace the unexpectedThere's no book on this lifeThere's no use as directedThe best part I knowWas when we were connectedDon't react, respondDon't react, respondWhen what you get is what you don't wantDon't reactAs the light gets brighterAs it growsThe darkness, it recedesIt's better to giveGive than to deceiveQuestions dissolveThe more you believe, ahDon't react, respondDon't react, respondWhen you get what you don't wantDon't react, respondDon't react, respondDon't react, respondWhen you get what you don't wantDon't react, respond

3.

Visited by thought, another darkened dayHow you are like the sun hiding somewhere beyond the rainI'm needing for the light, stormy is the greyRivers overflowing, drowning all our yesterdaysVisited by thoughts on another darkened weekHow even every winner hits a losing streakThe mistakes we all make and perfectly repeatChains are made by DNA refusing, refusing to releaseCombing through the wreckage, pouring through the saneSurrounded by the remnants, what we could and couldn't haveRaking through the ashes falling through my handsCharcoal on the faces in the burned up photographsOh, visited by thoughts, and this I got to sayIf you're feeling the leaving, I can't make you stayI've only ever wanted for it not to be this wayBut you're now like the water, and the water will find its wayCombing through the wreckageHolding out, holding onCombing through the wreckageCombing through the wreckageOh, visited by thoughts and not just in the nightThat I no longer give a f*ck who is wrong and who's rightThis game of winner takes all, and all means nothing leftSpoils go the victor, and the other left for deadUh-huh, combing through the wreckageHolding out, holding onCombing through the wreckageCombing through the wreckageHolding out, holding onHolding out, holdingHolding you, holding on(Combing through the wreckage)Combing through the wreckage(Falling through the wreckage)Falling through the wreckage(Combing through the wreckage)Holding on(Falling through the wreckage)Holding on(Combing through the wreckage)Oh, holding on(Falling through the wreckage)Falling through the wreckage(Combing through the wreckage)Combing through the wreckage(Falling through the wreckage)Falling through the wreckage(Combing through the wreckage)Combing through the wreckage(Falling through the wreckage)

4.

Steal the light from our eyesDrain the blood from our heartsIn all of this dark matterTake the breath from our chestBreak the thoughts in our mindWe're losing time, dark matterDenounce the demigodsKing diamond to discardDeploy the dialogueYour word against the lawIt's strange these daysWhen everybody else paysFor someone else's mistakeThis blame takes shapeStill everybody else paysFor someone else's mistakeEroding awayWe're pulling apartIn all of this dark matterI once heard it saidAnd it stuck in my headArrested the pressNo one knows what happened nextRenounce the demigodsKing diamond to discardDeploy the dialogueYour word against the lawIt's strange these daysWhen everybody else paysFor someone else's mistakeThis blame takes shapeStill everybody else paysFor someone else's mistakeNo tolerance forIntolerance orNo patience left forImpatience no moreNo love lost forLost lovesNo sorrow forThe unaccountableIt's strange these daysWhen everybody else paysFor someone else's mistakeThis blame takes shapeStill everybody else paysFor someone else's mistake

5.

Her eyes were soft and sympathizedA vision so uncompromisedFloated inAs she pulled the book up off the shelfHer dressing gown and nothing elseBut a secret grinAnd I always had one questionFree of all suggestionDo I say or keep it in?You can find me hereWaiting for your message to comeCan you heal? Can you feelThe chains in my heart?Waiting for a message to comeCan you heal? Can you feelThe change in my heart?In my heartShe laid the book upon the deskOpened to the page I askedCould that be the one?As she smiled and played a minor chordIn a key I never heard beforeOne song and it was doneYou can find me hereWaiting for your message to comeCan you heal? Can you feelThe chains in my heart?Waiting for a message to comeCan you heal? Can you feelThe change in my heart?Oh, I'd open the door, I'd let you inI would open it if you cameBut if it's not you knockingIt's staying closedOh, I'd open the door, shed all my skinAllow for a bit of graceFor in my dream you toldMe to let the longing goOh, and the promise I still holdWon't tell a soulCan you feel?Can you heal?Can you feelThe change in my heart?Can you feel?Can you heal?Can you feel?Can you heal?

6.

The distance to the end isCloser nowThan it's ever beenRoad we traveled farAll the lightsAnd sights we sawNo room left on the pagesWe filled 'em upAnd painted someThough the bookIt may never be read, oh, by anyoneOh, anyone but meAnd I hope the people are smilingAnd I hope that today and every day is grandOh, I apologize, so sorry 'bout the timingBut you know, something that I never hadWas the upper handLonely ship on the horizonSilhouetteFading outBright lights make for dark shadowsThe lines once definedGetting blurry nowAnd I hope the people are smilingOh, how I always wanted to be like one of themOh, I apologize, so sorry 'bout the timingOh, but you know, something that I never hadWas the upper handUpper handHelp to carry me homeHelp to carry me homeOh, help to carry me homeCarry meCarry me homeCarry me homeJust need a few of youA few of youOh, maybe just the two of youTwo of you

7.

You can be loved by everyoneAnd not feel, not feel loveYou can be told by everyoneAnd not hear a word from aboveSwallowed up by the soundCutting holes in the cloudsFinds herself in the songHears her own voice risingYou can be loved by everyoneAnd still not feel, not feel loveYou can relate, but still can't stopOr conquer the fear you are what you're notWould have to take an act of faithTo find relief and escape the blameWords follow her downNeeds to shake 'em off nowThis godforsaken townDon't deserve her anyhowCalling on a messengerAwaiting on a faceThat she could trust, a messengerFor her love, her loveOh, you can be loved by everyoneAnd not feel, feel loveYou can be told to not give upAnd still not hear a word from aboveYou can't take or give what you gotDissolve the fear you are what you're notNo, you can be loved by everyoneAnd not feel, feel loveYou can be lovedYou, you can be lovedYou, you can be lovedYou, you can be lovedYouTimes I feel something, at times I feel there are liesBe mighty, be humble, be mighty humble

8.

Got me runningGot me running, got me runningBut the race, it never endsGot me running, or else I'm done inYou got me coming as you're goingAnd the chase, it never endsI'll be running till the second comingDictator, love haterLost in the tunnel and the tunnel ain't no funNow I'm lost in all the sh*t you're flushingVictrola, controllerLost in the tunnel and the tunnel's getting funneledLike the sewage in the plumbing'Cause we left the f*cking water runningGot me runningGot me diving, got me divingGot me deep, I get the bendsWhen I'm summoned, or too late comingYou got me running, got me runningBut the race, it never endsI'm feeling done in, it's rather stunningDictator, love haterLost in the tunnel and the tunnel ain't no funNow I'm lost in all the sh*t you're flushingVictrola, controllerLost in the tunnel and the tunnel's getting funneledLike the sewage in the plumbing'Cause we left the f*cking water runningWas cleared for, for lift offAborted my take offLiving in the shadows, crossing my fingersA date with the gallows and a reprieve not looking likelyYou got me runningYou got me runningYou got me runningYou got me running...

9.

If you could see what I see nowYou gotta knowI'm looking up, oh, so proudThe one I used to hold is, oh, so specialMm, and every setback nowBut a chance to growIf further proof that you're phenomenalYou better believe it that you are something specialWhoa, oh, whoaAfraid to failOh, same as afraid to tryThese are the daysTo accept all the invites'Cause you're so cool and, baby, on the levelOh, and someday youMay find yourself in the place that I now doAnd someway you, yeahYou're gonna have to let it go, whoa, ohAnd I got proof'Cause my heart, it aches and breaksBut I believe in youIt's the truthAnd it's okay, should this life knock you downThe twisted wheel, you know it keeps on spinning 'roundBet on yourself, your number's, oh, so specialMm, and when it gets f*cked upYou need a helping handDo it yourselfYou're not the type to need a manBut if you find one, he better know you're damn specialOh, and someday youMay find yourself in the place that I now doAnd someway youGonna have to let it goAnd I got proofFor my heart, it aches and breaksBut I believe in youWhoa, ain't itOh, ain't it the truth?Mm, remind yourself and find what makes you freeIt's goal to go and time to find out what you seekAnd in between, avoid the devilOh, and if the night grows longYou're not feeling lovedI will be thereAnd not 'cause it's my jobI work for free because you're both so specialOh, ain't itOh, ain't it the truth?We believe, believe, believe in youWe all got somethingWe all got something to proveOh, out of everyoneYou're not just anyoneYou're the one and only youWe doneAll we can do

10.

11.

The cast was madeTo reset broken bonesBut there's no such thingTo fix a love gone wrongKeep knocking the door'Cause I know someone's thereI wait on the porchHoping someday, I'll be let inThey say in the endEverything will be okayIf it's not okayWell then, it ain't the endHad dreams to you I would belongHad the dream you would stay with me 'til kingdom comeTurns out forever has come and goneAm I the only one hanging on?Hand in handYeah, we took it onYou answered my prayersNow from my knees, I can't get upLost patience with time, yeahHurry up your patience tonightI'd like some of yoursIn trade, can take all of mineI dreamt to you I would belongHeld the dream you would stay with me 'til kingdom comeTurns out it was more like hit-and-runAm I the only one hanging on?Whoa, am I the only one hanging on?If you could see what I see nowYou'd find a way to stay somehowOh, if you could see, yeah, what I see nowYou'd make your way to stay somehowMay your days be long 'til kingdom comeMay our days be long before kingdom comeMay our days be long until kingdom comeWe can become one last setting sunAm I the only one hanging on?We could become one last setting sunOr be the sun at the break of dawnLet us not fadeLet us not fade

It’s kind of not believable in a way, but so much work was done in such a short amount of time to these album arrangements. The band was learning the thing, putting it down and doing a little bit of overdubbing. There was some semblance of a melody that Ed had, and then he would finish the song from a vocal standpoint. So many of those songs from the first week were left in that place where there was just a semblance of an Ed melody and this stuff we’d tracked. So, there was nothing to do with these songs until Ed, from his perspective, had put his words and melodies together. On ‘Scared of Fear’ and ‘React, Respond,’ Ed did his thing right then and everyone crafted them together after that.

Wreckage was one of the songs that came together at Shangri-La. That one also started with the riff and everyone kind of formulating sections together. That song just came to Ed right away. Within the first couple takes before the music was even right, his vocals were right. His melodies and words are so strong in that song. Once the initial spark was there and there were a few sections, it was just really about following him. I’m playing a ’54 Telecaster that I got when I was doing the Stones album. Keith [Richards] used that a lot on the record we made and showed me a couple tricks for how to play in an open G tuning. Now, it lives in that tuning. It got brought into the mix on ‘Wreckage,’ so there’s a little bit of crossover on those two albums right there.

The origin of ‘Waiting for Stevie’ is almost too good to be true. We were sitting around with guitars and waiting, and I said, I have this idea. Check it out. He says, that is so f*cking weird, because I’ve had this riff for literally years — since albums and albums and albums and albums ago. He showed it to me, and it was almost exactly the same. So, they both kind of melded into each other. We presented that to everyone in the first week, and they all wrote their parts and how the sections would move. It really only became a thing because the thing I showed Ed reminded him of something he’d written that was very similar. The drums on that song are f*cking biblical to me. The Matt Cameron dirge! Matt is a pretty stoic guy. He’s like Charlie Watts or something. I was screaming, go harder! Come on! It was like I was at one of their shows or something. At some point, he just had to laugh.

It’s made by a fan for the fans, and I hope that you guys dig it