Post subject: SOTM: Once fastened, servile, now you're getting sharp...
Posted: Fri Jun 23, 2006 3:29 am
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Joined: Tue Nov 30, 2004 4:02 am Posts: 44183 Location: New York Gender: Male
Go
Oh please don't go out on me, don't go out on me now Never acted up before, don't go on me now I swear I never took it for granted, just thought of it now Suppose I abused you, just passing it on
Once fastened, servile, now you're getting sharp Moving oh so swiftly, with such disarm I pulled the covers over him, shoulda' pulled the alarm Turned to my nemesis...a fool, not a fucking god
Please... Don't go on me Don't go on me Don't go on me Don't go on me Please...
Please, please, please... Don't go on me Don't go on me Don't go on me Don't go on me Please... Don't you want me Don't go on me Please... Don't go on me
_________________ "Better the occasional faults of a Government that lives in a spirit of charity than the consistent omissions of a Government frozen in the ice of its own indifference."--FDR
Joined: Tue Nov 30, 2004 4:02 am Posts: 44183 Location: New York Gender: Male
One of their greatest openers of all times, as well as one of their greatest heavier songs. Lyrically this song is decent but go is not about the lyrics—it’s about getting punched in the face by the music. I love the rolling buildup. It’s like the song is getting away from them; as if it is so heavy it takes a few tries until they are all on the same page. I wish they would do the intro live. And once the song kicks into gear it is just relentless. Awesome bass line (it just rumbles through the whole song, and it is a testament to how excellent it is that you can follow it while Mike is demanding so much attention), some searing solos, and some great work by dave A (I miss his sound). Musically Pearl jam doesn’t have many songs more bad ass than this.
Vocally Eddie is pretty good here. His vocals have the unhinged, choked quality that would really go on to define their rockers through Yield, the screams reaching the upper register and getting away from here. Too much rage for one body.
Lyrically I’m not totally certain what Eddie is doing here. I wish the words he’s mumble screaming before the choruses were clearer. That might help. The song seems in part to be a plea for a lover to stay, a gradual recognition that he had been abusive and is sorry, and increasingly furious with himself for fucking the relationship up.
Part of me also thinks the song might be about passing along AIDS or some other kind of STD, and confronting the person he did it to. In that case the two verses may have been from different points of views. The first verse is the apology, and the second the reaction from the person he infected
But I’m not sure. I’ve never been that comfortable with what I’ve seen on the web about what Ed is saying between choruses, and I’m not sure about the second verse either. I used to think the word nemesis was nurses, and pulled the covers overhead instead of over him, and both of those change the meaning of the song.
Other people’s thoughts?
Either way—this still sears live, and remains one of their all time greats. Once upon a time I would have given this one five stars, but I’m going to give it four. It’s a four and a half for me, but on its way down.
_________________ "Better the occasional faults of a Government that lives in a spirit of charity than the consistent omissions of a Government frozen in the ice of its own indifference."--FDR
Joined: Mon Oct 18, 2004 11:02 pm Posts: 569 Location: Yorba Linda, CA
My favorite album opener. See, these are the kind of songs we would have gotten if Dave had stuck around. Just a dirty riff with top notch bass and drum work, plus one of Mike's best solos. Awesome song, five stars easily.
Joined: Sun Oct 17, 2004 12:47 am Posts: 46000 Location: Reasonville
gave it two stars. it's ok.
still, i love this lyric:
turned to my nemesis...a fool, not a fucking god
_________________ No matter how dark the storm gets overhead They say someone's watching from the calm at the edge What about us when we're down here in it? We gotta watch our backs
Joined: Sun Oct 17, 2004 12:47 am Posts: 46000 Location: Reasonville
for the most part, post-2000 versions are pretty weak. ed seems to extend lines...
'turned to my nemesiiiiiiiiiiiiissssssss...a fool not a fuckin' gooooddddddddddd'
_________________ No matter how dark the storm gets overhead They say someone's watching from the calm at the edge What about us when we're down here in it? We gotta watch our backs
Joined: Tue Jun 28, 2005 11:54 pm Posts: 816 Location: Australia
Really good song and one of the few pre-vitalogy that I love, and live it just kicks ass. I always thought it was the plea to a lover, but then some of the lyrics you have written I didn't know, so not so sure now.
4.
Joined: Sun Oct 17, 2004 9:50 am Posts: 1838 Location: Perth, Australia Gender: Male
Awesome song. Great way to start Vs.
And yes, one of Mike's craziest solos. I don't really like how it sounds live these days though.
_________________ a young man on acid realized that all matter is merely energy condensed to a slow vibration that we are all one consciousness experiencing itself subjectively there's no such thing as death life is only a dream and we are the imagination of ourselves
Joined: Mon Oct 18, 2004 3:09 pm Posts: 10839 Location: metro west, mass Gender: Male
I've been waiting a long time for this.
This is my favorite live PJ song, ever.
Ever.
I don't look at this song at a fast, punkish, heavy song at all. After listening to it 190238490234823 times closely with headphones, the magic behind it just cannot be compared to any other song.
One of the highlights of the song is how Stone and Mike switch between the main guitar riff from the first chorus to the first solo. Stone's part during the chorus is genius, and I doubt many people notice it.
The climax of the song is just uplifting beyond words. I think it was done best during the version on LO2L (9/8/98). I've learned to appreciate how different the song sounds between the 3 drummers. Even though all drummers have their ups and downs with this song, Matt wins by a hair.
Upon completion of a newly downloaded show, "Go" is the first song I listen to...and I could listen to it again and again and again.
-Sunny
_________________ "There are two ways to enslave and conquer a nation. One is by the sword. The other is by debt." -John Adams
Joined: Mon Mar 13, 2006 1:02 am Posts: 2560 Location: Dallas/Atlanta/Savannah
excilent live, the studios not bad either...
this song is a great example of a really effective use of very simple lyrics. really allows the listener to draw their own conclusions.
even just the simple 'GO' really hits you in the face.
I got to say this though... seems to be alot of preference for the erlier material. not that their arent good crits, but stip seems to have a bit of a bias. just an observation no offense.
_________________ "is that a fucking pearl jam shirt?" Courtney Love
Joined: Mon Mar 13, 2006 1:02 am Posts: 2560 Location: Dallas/Atlanta/Savannah
actually this seems to tell me a story, kinda reminds me of the story in why go, the references to a hospitol... seems like someone had an accident and may have commited a rash act of violence and has a panic attack when they are trying to save that person... I can see the aids angle a bit. ultimately im sure this is all metaphorical, probably talks about family violence and the passing along of abusive behavior to future generations. who knows.
_________________ "is that a fucking pearl jam shirt?" Courtney Love
Joined: Tue Mar 21, 2006 11:36 pm Posts: 197 Location: New Zealand
When Vs first came out, I wasnt such a big fan of Go- It was a little too punky and raw for my liking, the ending too chaotic and endless. I preferred the slightly more refined Animal and the epic-ness of RVM.
But now......
It is my favourite opener, has one of my favourite lines "turn to my nemisis, a fool not a fucking God" (both lyrically and to sing to), and features in my "perfect pj setlist".
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