Dissident

Album: Vs. (1993)
Charted: 14
Play Video
  • She nursed him there
    Ooh, over a night
    Wasn't so sure she wanted him to stay
    What to say, what to say
    But soon she was down, soon he was low

    At a quarter past a holy no
    She had to turn around

    When she couldn't hold, oh, she folded
    A dissident is here
    Escape is never the safest path
    Oh, a dissident, a dissident is here

    And to this day, she's glided on
    Always home but so far away
    Like a word misplaced
    Nothing to say, what a waste

    When she had contact with the conflict
    There was meanin', but she sold him to the state
    She had to turn around

    When she couldn't hold, she folded
    A dissident is here
    Escape is never the safest path
    Oh, a dissident, a dissident is here, oh

    She gave him away
    When she couldn't hold, no, she folded
    A dissident is here
    Escape is never the safest path
    Oh, a dissident, a dissident is here, oh

    Couldn't hold on
    She couldn't hold, no, she folded
    A dissident is here
    Escape is never the safest place, oh
    A dissident is here Writer/s: David Abbruzzese, Eddie Jerome Vedder, Jeffrey Allen Ament, Michael David McCready, Stone C. Gossard
    Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 10

  • Jack from The AetherThis is my favorite PJ song of all time. A man's no can be equally sacred as a womans. If he says no, it is equally as valid. No is no, whoever says it. I can see the sexual assault reference, and that would indeed by a "holy no". I feel very sorry for the protagonist, but feel sorrier for the dissident, who will almost certainly be killed, tortured, or worse. I think she should have given the fellow a fair warning and an honest answer about her fear, a "sporting chance" to get away, instead of just calling the shock troops.
  • Wayne from Crockett, TxTo Matt from NJ, Yeah, like Yellow Ledbetter?! Come on dude, if Eddie's known for anything, it's his constant changing and slurring of words in his songs. Great tune for sure though.
  • Bill from Pierce , IdAwsome, powerful tune. PJ really flex their muscles on this one.
  • Kermsit from Plainfield, IlI like it how he screams that eddie vedder nasal/screaming when he sings ESCAPE THESE...OH! DISSIDENT!!!
  • Kirk from King George, VaMy favorite PJ song. The riff at the beginning I'll listen to over and over.
  • Wayne from Crockett, TxOne of the best all-time rock songs. Great guitar, changes in tempo, solid lyrics with meaning. Awesome stuff.
  • Ben from Cincinnati, Ohone of PJ's best. eddie vedder is one of the best songwriters ever. at www.digitaldreamdoor.com he wuz rated #13 on best lyricists of 100.
  • Hermie from Oak Forest, IlDamn cool song like the others
  • Eric from Mentor, OhThis song is awesome! I love the riff at the beginning just the whole emotion behind the lyrics. One of Pearl Jam's best.
  • Matt from E. Hanover, NjOne of the many reasons as to why Pearl Jam is such a great band is because for the most part their lyrics are clear, and they tell stories. But what makes them so amazing is that their stories always have an underlined meaning, and i think that the meaning of this song is regret, because the woman let go of the one thing in her life that actually gave it a meaning.
    Thanks.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Dr. John

Dr. JohnSongwriter Interviews

The good doctor shares some candid insights on recording with Phil Spector and The Black Keys.

Taylor Dayne

Taylor DayneSongwriter Interviews

Taylor talks about "The Machine" - the hits, the videos and Clive Davis.

Album Cover Inspirations

Album Cover InspirationsSong Writing

Some album art was at least "inspired" by others. A look at some very similar covers.

Dave Mason

Dave MasonSongwriter Interviews

Dave reveals the inspiration for "Feelin' Alright" and explains how the first song he ever wrote became the biggest hit for his band Traffic.

Real or Spinal Tap

Real or Spinal TapMusic Quiz

They sang about pink torpedoes and rocking you tonight tonight, but some real lyrics are just as ridiculous. See if you can tell which lyrics are real and which are Spinal Tap in this lyrics quiz.

Todd Rundgren

Todd RundgrenSongwriter Interviews

Todd Rundgren explains why he avoids "Hello It's Me," and what it was like producing Meat Loaf's Bat Out of Hell album.