Dissident by Pearl Jam

Dissident by Pearl Jam - Songfacts

Dissident
by Pearl Jam

Album: Vs. (1993)

Charted: 14

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Songfacts®:

A dissident is a person who opposes an authoritarian regime, often at great risk. This song tells the story of a woman who abets one such dissident, putting herself in danger.

Pearl Jam lead singer Eddie Vedder explained in Pearl Jam - The Illustrated Story: "In 'Dissident,' I'm actually talking about a woman who takes in someone who's being sought after by the authorities for political reasons. He's on the run, and she offers him a refuge. But she just can't handle the responsibility. She turns him in, then she has to live with the guilt and the realization that she's betrayed the one thing that gave her life meaning. It made her life difficult. It made her life hell, but it gave her a reason to be. But she couldn't hold on. She folded. That's the tragedy of the song." >>
Suggestion credit:
Martin - Rostock, Germany
According to Pearl Jam's book Twenty, Eddie Vedder wrote in an alternate meaning to "Dissident" as a metaphor for sexual abuse. He once told a live audience, "A woman's word is sacred, and no means no, and that's what a 'holy no' is."

This refers to the line, "At a quarter past a holy no."
"Dissident" was released as the last single from Pearl Jam's second album, Vs.. When they issued their debut album, Ten, in 1991, grunge was bubbling under. By the time Vs. was released in 1993, it was a geyser. This put a lot of pressure on the band, who suddenly had lots of fans who, as Kurt Cobain said, just liked all the pretty songs. Pearl Jam managed to survive the crush and evolve as the casual fans drifted away but their ardent followers stayed devoted.

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.

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