Anti-Religion Songs!

[Angrboda]

How is that anti-relgion, apophenia?

Well, granted it's open to interpretation, but to me the image of chains and keys and faceless men points toward dogmatic religion and irrationality as opposed to reason. I actually picked this song up from another poster last year in a string of songs that were clearly celebratory of atheism, rebellion and free thinking. Perhaps I remember the context, and without it, the song isn't as clearly anti-religious. However, it's significant that Eddie Vedder is himself an atheist. On the other hand, he says that he "doesn't mind touching on spirituality in the songs," but that it's really "an individual thing."

Here are Vedder's comments about the song:
"[I imagined the song as] a 20-page cardboard (children's) book with a line on each page and a picture to go with it. It's a fable, that's all. The music almost gives you this feeling of flight, and I really love singing the part at the end, which is all about rising above anybody's comments about what you do and still giving your love away. You know? Not becoming bitter and reclusive, not condemning the whole world because of the actions of a few."

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"We're reluctant to disclose song meanings. If a person lends their own interpretation to a song, it becomes their song, too. Music for some people is very personal; they need it."

- EV