Looking_Into_Music

Megan Strohmier Intro to Interpersonal Communication "Looking into Music" 9/27/2012 Rear View Mirror I chose to write about a song that has been a favorite song of mine for years. "Rear View Mirror" by Pearl Jam. This song is a very intense song, that to me, has very specific meaning to it. The message of this song is about getting away from an abusive situation. A relationship with a significant other, or even a parent, or possibly a friendship. The song begins with Pearl Jams frontman Eddie Vedder singing "I took a drive today. Time to emancipate. I guess it was the beatings, made me wise. But, I'm not about to give thanks or apologize.." which would prove my theory. He/she is literally driving away from the "beatings". I like how he says the "beatings, made me wise. But, I'm not about to give thanks or apologize".. recognizing the fact that even though he had these beatings, they made him realize he had to go. He isn't going to come right out and thank someone for that, or apologize for doing whatever he did to "deserve" those beatings. He never does say if its mental beatings, or emotional, or physical. Which is why I say it could be directed to a friend, parent, or a relationship. "I couldn't breath, holdin me down. Hand on my face, pushed me to the ground" "forced to endure what I could not forgive" "head at your feet, fool to your crown, fist on my plate, swallowed it down." These are all great lyrics to show the meaning of this song. "Saw things clearer once you were in my rear view mirror" brings in the songs title and ties it all together. I love love love that line.. "saw things clearer once you were in my rear view mirror". That line has had substantial value in my personal life. Its so true! Once someone is in your past, you are more able to look back and see things much clearer and how they really were. Personal, and situational. The song is dealing with interpersonal communications on many levels. He is describing a situation of enduring what he couldn't forgive, hand on my face, pushed him to the ground. He uses a metaphor when saying "head at your feet, fool to your crown, fist on my plate, swallowed it down". I think the beginning of the metaphor is being used to describe how he felt less-worthy than the other person: "head at your feet, fool to your crown". The last part of the metaphor "fist on my plate, swallowed it down" describes to me that he was forced to do whatever the other person had wanted him to do. The ending of the song is repetitive "saw things! saw things! clearer!! yea cleaer!! once you! once you!!!! were in my!! rear view mirror!!" meaning he got away from the situation, since its in his rear view mirror. That is very empowering to anyone in a situation they need to get out of. Great song, by an awesome band thats been around for a while!