It has finally happened to me. I've been listening to this "throw-away" track for 13 years, never thinking twice about it, what it meant, whether I actually liked it, or what the lyrics/words meant. That was until recently. In the past few months I've been living through a draining separation from my wife, and just when things couldn't get more complicated we had a fire at our house that destroyed most of our belongings. The entire foundation of my life is a leaky raft right now but somehow you learn to cope in this surreal survival mode.

So here I am, at the office on a Sunday because I'd rather be at work getting things done and trying to keep my mind busy. I put on No Code and wouldn't you know it, I'm Open is the song that hits me the most...

Lying sideways atop crumpled sheets and no covers
He decides to dream... Dream up a new self... for himself

Not that I currently own a set of bedsheets (or a bed for that matter) but given all I've been through those words "to dream up a new self" perfectly encapsulates all that I feel. Anyone here have a similar connection to I'm Open? Or even another PJ song in a similar life situation?

p.s. To those concerned with the vinyl collection... the good stuff is safe, however the insurance company doesn't need to know that I did however lose hundreds of the less-valuable records, my Rega turntable and all my 45's (including Xmas singles, etc). Anyone else here have to explain Xmas singles to an insurance company before? I felt like a massive dork.

sorry to hear everything you're going through.

I actually LOVED I'm Open when the record came out. It connected with me, in a combination of teenage angst and my ridiculous belief that I was far more mature than I was.

I think it stands up, though. It always makes me a little sad that so many people shit on this one. It's got some good things to say about the struggles of growing up and becoming an adult vs. just playing the role of one.

tl;dr

Damn, dude. Hope it all balances out for you in the end.

hang in there

i think all of Ed's spoken word stuff is pretty good. and the fourteen minute soundcheck of I'm Open is pretty sweet too.

I remember "Dirtyfrank" talking something like one day he was hitted by No Code.The same happened to me.I didnt like that album.Until i suffered(a lot) and then i survived and i changed.And only then i remembered be saying:"ok.This is what this album is about".But it took me a while.
Keep going bro.Hold on.

hitted?

I've always liked it. But nowadays it comes off a bit of some wankery/filler.

Holy shit man, I just finished reading your entire post. I'm really sorry to hear that.

Perhaps maybe not everyone speaks English as a first language?


As for I'm Open, it has always seemed like a great song to me. Most everyone has that one point in their life when they are laying in bed at night, wondering what direction to go in and wondering if it is worth it and, although simple in a sense, the song captures that scenario pretty well and offers a glimmer of hope for the listener.

This is unacceptable.

I like No Code a lot, but I always could have done without this track.

"Wankery" is perfect.

I always thought of it as high school poetry. I mean, it would be good high school poetry, but still.

Exactly.

Why exactly are you a fan of this band? (I'm seriously asking here)

If you don't like I'm Open, what do you think about the rest of No Code? What songs DO you like from the band?

Oh yes, I'm Open is certainly the definitive representation of Pearl Jam's catalogue...

Not at all, but my question still stands

he likes help help

I certainly do. My favorites include Given To Fly, Rival, No Way, Sleight Of Hand, Nothing As It Seems, Tremor Christ, Porch, Sad, Parting Ways, Long Road, Help Help, and various others.

i.e. his ass, with his fingers, without gloves and not in the shower, all the way to his colon.