Album: Riot Act (2002)

Charted: 26 43

License This Song 

• The selfish, they're all standing in line
  Faithin' and hopin' to buy themselves time
  Me, I figure as each breath goes by
  I only own my mind
  
  The north is to south what the clock is to time
  There's east and there's west and there's everywhere life
  I know I was born and I know that I'll die
  The in-between is mine
  I am mine
  
  And the feeling it gets left behind
  All the innocence lost at one time
  Significant behind the eyes
  There's no need to hide
  We're safe tonight
  
  The ocean is full 'cause everyone's crying
  The full moon is looking for friends at high tide
  The sorrow grows bigger when the sorrow's denied
  I only know my mind
  I am mine
  
  And the meaning it gets left behind
  All the innocence lost at one time
  Significant behind the eyes
  There's no need to hide
  We're safe tonight
  (What)
  
  And the feelings that gets left behind
  All the innocence broken with lies
  Significance between the lines
  We may need to hide
  
  And the meanings that get left behind
  All the innocence lost at one time
  We're all different behind the eyes
  There's no need to hide, yeah Writer/s: Eddie Vedder
  Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group
  Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 6

• Kai from Brookfield, OhThis song makes me think of a person who lives under some sort of oppressive government where he and his family are sort of being hunted down (like the Holocaust) and he is trying to remain confident and trying to keep himself and his family alive, but things continuously get worse IE in the whole song the lyrics are "There's no need to hide, we're safe tonight" but at the end it becomes "We may need to hide" I know that this isn't actually what the song is about, but that's what it makes me think of.
• Karl from Tallinn, EstoniaEverytime when i hear this song i feel proud that I AM MINE, and noone owns me.
• Ryan from Apple Valley, CaEd wrote this almost directly after the Roskilde Festival, as way of dealing with the incident. To help himself get on after the tragedy.
• Geoff from Adelaide, AustraliaThis song has one of my favourite lines ever: "I know I was born, and I know that I'll die, the in between is mine. I am mine.". I love that.
  Surely this song has got to be about taking possession of your own life and living each moment.
• Joe Flake 2nd from Oklahoma City, Okwhats the meaning of this song?
• Beccy from Perth, AustraliaNo he didnt.. That was Loveboat Captain

More Songfacts:

How Dry I AmIrving Berlin

Irving Berlin wrote "How Dry I Am" in anticipation of Prohibition, envisioning a bleak future without alcohol.

We Will Rock YouQueen

Brian May wrote Queen's "We Will Rock You" so the crowds could participate in the song. They didn't have instruments, but they could clap their hands and stomp their feet.

Dixie ChickenLittle Feat

The Dixie Chicks got their name from the Little Feat song "Dixie Chicken." In 2020 they became "The Chicks" because Dixie refers to the American South in times of slavery.

Wanted Dead Or AliveBon Jovi

"Wanted Dead Or Alive" by Bon Jovi got the Unplugged craze going when Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora performed it with just their acoustic guitars at the 1989 MTV Video Music Awards.

She Loves YouThe Beatles

"She Loves You" by The Beatles was the song that convinced Ozzy Osbourne to make music his life. The Beatles were a big influence on him because they were also poor kids from a small town in England.

Bang!AJR

The voice is that says "here we go" in the AJR song "Bang!" belongs to Charlie Pellett, the announcer on the New York City subway ("stand clear of the closing doors, please").

Editor's Picks

Dexys (Kevin Rowland and Jim Paterson)Songwriter Interviews

"Come On Eileen" was a colossal '80s hit, but the band - far more appreciated in their native UK than stateside - released just three albums before their split. Now, Dexys is back.

Steve Cropper (Booker T & the MG's, Blues Brothers)Songwriter Interviews

Steve Cropper on the making of "In the Midnight Hour," the chicken-wire scene in The Blues Brothers, and his 2021 album, Fire It Up.

00s Music Quiz 1Music Quiz

Do you know the girl singer on Eminem's "Stan"? If so, this quiz is for you.

Verdine White of Earth, Wind & FireSongwriter Interviews

The longtime bassist of Earth, Wind & Fire discusses how his band came to do a holiday album, and offers insight into some of the greatest dance/soul tunes of all-time.

Chris ReaSongwriter Interviews

It took him seven years to recover from his American hit "Fool (If You Think It's Over)," but Chris Rea became one of the top singer-songwriters in his native UK.

Stand By Me: The Perfect Song-Movie CombinationSong Writing

In 1986, a Stephen King novella was made into a movie, with a classic song serving as title, soundtrack and tone.