This song deserves it's own thread, so this just become the official thread for it.

Best song on the record. And though it's still incredibly early, this might be my favorite PJ song since Yield.

this is a very good song indeed. I'm surprised by the lack of posts about it.

Not really feeling this one too much. I'd probably love it if I didn't have the whole album.

I think this may end up being my long term favorite. I love it. Probably the best lyrics on the record too

I keep going back and forth between this and ATW. Can't decide yet which is my favorite new song.

This would do well as a second single on rock radio.

Speed of Sound would own adult contemporary radio. It'd be one of those songs you hear every damn time you go shopping.

This is the only one that hasn't really clicked for me yet.

I love this song too, though is not my favorite song from Backspacer, this song is pretty amazing and it´s definatelly on my top 4 of my favorite songs on this record and like someone said, these are probably the best lyrics on the whole record!
I´m surprised that this song isn´t being that much talked!

I couldn't figure out what 3:34 - 3:41 of the song reminded me of (Mike's guitar in particular), but it just dawned on me...."It's OK".

What Cropduster should have been.

The song that grows on me most with repeated listening.

Great lyrics.

Awesome delivery of the opening line... "UNDERSTAND she's a force of nature!"

This one will be a grower for me, I think.

People won't want to hear this but this song and unthought known have a pretty heavy 80s U2 influence in them.

My favorite, the outro might be my favorite part of the album

Is it this one has the edge bell sounds in it? or is that ATW?
agreed about the overall U2 vibe though..but not so much on UU.

i love the outro--a great example of what they meant by mike playing 'patterns' instead of a more traditional solo.

Ugh, I hate U2.. but I agree. Although I hate that band with a passion, I can't deny that they've been influential to a great number of bands. And actually, those U2 influences can't be that bad if they help create great songs like this, which is unmistakably a Pearl Jam song.

U2 = awful. Pearl Jam doing U2 = good.

Lots of conflicting emotions regarding this album, especially with this song and with Just Breathe.

The former is a nice song, with a great little McCready solo to end it all. But God forgive me, I keep hearing a slight Bon Jovi/Train influence in those first two lines in the chorus, which is what almost ruins the song for me. It's similar with Just Breathe and that godawful countryesque delivery ("Yes I understaaaaand...". Ugh.) in the verses.

I don't get the U2 (a great band, unfortunately a bit maligned due to a lackluster decade and a popularity too immense) comparisons for Force of Nature though.

Musically this song is very cohesive, every part fits. Reminds me of Sad in that way except they put this one on the record.

I completely agree with this being Ed's best lyrics on this album:

a) It tells a story
b) It has great imagery
c) It has an epic line, a thesis so to speak, that is simple but yet carries the weight and power that the rest of the lyrics deserve. "Is it so wrong to think that love can keep us safe". (sorry if I flubbed the line)

I don't quite hear a HEAVY U2 influence at all. I think U2 and i think basic drums and one string bass playing. There are some moments with some U2 flavors but i wouldn't say it goes any deeper than that.

maybe heavy goes too far (and not in the drums/bass--Matt and Jeff are much better than the rythem section in U2)

Listen to this and then listen to a song like where the streets have no name--they both rise and build in very similar ways. This is a more muscular song, but PJ is a more musclar band


And you can not like U2 and still like this song. I don't like Neil Young and I still like I got shit.