Pearl Jam - Ten album cover

Pearl Jam – Release Lyrics

Alternative

I see the world
Feel the chill
Which way to go
Windowsill
I see the words
On a rocking horse of time
I see the birds in the rain

Oh, dear dad
Can you see me now?
I am myself
Like you somehow
I'll ride the wave
Where it takes me
I'll hold the pain
Release me

Oh, dead dad
Can you see me now?
I am myself
Like you somehow
I'll wait up in the dark
For you to speak to me
I'll open up
Release me

Release me
Release me
Release me

About This Song

"Release" is a deeply personal and emotionally raw ballad where Eddie Vedder addresses his absent father, exploring themes of abandonment, identity, and the search for connection beyond death. The lyrics reveal a son's longing to understand his father and himself, with the repeated plea "Dear Dad can you see this now?" expressing both vulnerability and a desperate need for paternal recognition and guidance. Musically, the song builds from gentle, contemplative verses to soaring, cathartic choruses that mirror the emotional weight of Vedder's words. The track stands as one of Pearl Jam's most introspective moments, showcasing their ability to blend grunge's intensity with deeply personal storytelling. It captures the universal struggle of children seeking to understand absent parents while grappling with how that absence shapes their own identity.

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