I never did this before so I apologize if I did anything wrong.
I don't mind stealing bread
from the mouths of decadence
But I can't feed on the powerless when my cup's already overfilled
But it's on the table, the fire is cooking
And they're farming babies, and the slaves are all working
Blood is on the table, the mouths are choking,
and I'm going hungry

I don't mind stealing bread
from the mouths of decadence
But I can't feed on the powerless when my cup's already overfilled
But it's on the table, the fire is cooking
And they're farming babies, and the slaves are all working
Blood is on the table, the mouths are choking,
and I'm going hungry (going hungry)
I'm going hungry (going hungry)
I'm going hungry (going hungry)

I don't mind... yeah I don't mind stealing bread, yeah...


Hunger Strike, to me, is one of those rare songs that is truly timeless. It resonates more strongly every time I hear it, but I can't really ever tell what it's trying to say. But whatever message it tries to get across, it succeeds in at least making it sound good.
Cornell's and Vedder's voices couldn't be more different, and yet they entwine so perfectly and create a completely unique dynamic. This is a perfect example of a song where the vocals are used as instruments as much as the guitars, bass, and drums.
The guitar on this song has a quality of warmth and bravery to it, until it lifts off after each chorus. Matt's drumming, while not technically amazing, keeps the song's feet firmly on the ground, where it needs to be.
But what do the lyrics mean? Chris Cornell had said that, at first, it felt like a potential filler song. While I'm not sure if an early demo without Eddie Vedder has ever been discovered, one can see why... the lyrics are pretty surreal and yet so obscure. Personally I believe it has the same values of Even Flow... but perhaps a little more stark in its imagery. I always imagine it being sung and performed, for whatever reason, off in the woods somewhere, in nature, away from the confusing bustle of society. Just someone realizing how wasteful we as people really are, and trying to find something - anything - primal and self-sufficient still alive inside of themselves. That’s probably why this song always had such a big impression on me… I have those thoughts quite often.
In addition to its physical characteristics, it also was an important song to the rising alternative rock scene at the time. I was born in 1995, so I didn't see this first-hand, but Pearl Jam and Soundgarden were right on the edge of becoming 2 of the most popular bands in the world, and once that happens and the label reissued the ToTD album as a Pearl Jam/Soundgarden collaboration, Hunger Strike pretty much became etched in stone.
And I dare you to listen to it and not sing along. As you guys might know I tend to love anything Eddie or Pearl Jam releases… but this song gets a very comfortable 5 stars from me.

This song is great, mostly because I'm a sucker for harmonies.

well, they don't harmonize much. you should listen to Queen instead.

Yeah but when they do I like it.

i agree.

to me, as unoriginal as it is, well, i don't really like Cornell's voice so it may play in favor to Ed's but seriously, when Ed comes in, something is happening. big fucking time.

Oh for sure. This is one of the few songs where the popularity of and saturation from hasn't worn it thin for me.

When the poll comes, I will most surely vote it a 4 star song.

i don't wanna say bad things about Cornell. i rekon he's a fucking great guy and a good composer. only thing is Eddie Vedder steals the show on this one.

Simon And Garfunkel

The story about how TOTD was rehearsing this one and Ed just got up unprompted and started singing is one of my favorite "early PJ" stories. If only that was on tape and Crowe got it from his film, that would have been a moment to see.

I give props to Cornell to letting Eddie steal the show. He easily could have mixed him out or overdubbed a vocal track trying to out do Eddie.

I think the poll options should be 5(a little hungry) 4(stomach growling) 3(starving) 2(stuffed) 1(full to bursting) 0(on the shitter)

After watching the documentary, I could not escape this fucking song. I love it. When Eddie comes in is in fact incredible. Cornell's voice on the track has a really nice quality to it, but fuck. Eddie.

STOP USING THIS SMILEY SO MUCH " "

Which should I use to indicate when I say something that's in jest?

5 stars.

People will probably think I'm going overboard, but I think Hunger Strike is one of, if not the best songs of the 90s by any artist.

Instead of the laughing smiley, please use this photo every time you're trying to indicate a lighthearted tone:


Stip and B, can we make this an official change?

posts like that make me feel bad about my own internetting skills

Hunger strike is a lot of fun to sing. I don't listen to it often but I always enjoy it when I do.

4 stars