Given To Fly by Pearl Jam

Album: Yield (1998)

Charted: 12 21

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One of Pearl Jam's most popular songs of the late '90s, "Given To Fly" was written by Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready and lead singer Eddie Vedder. In Pearl Jam's compendium Twenty, McCready explained: "'Given To Fly' came out of a period of time when I was finally getting my life together after going through some dark stuff prior to that. Musically, it represents kind of an awakening for me, and it represents a period of renewal, a period of just kind of learning how to relive my life. I was more clear headed, and I was coming up with these ideas that were kind of celebratory. 'Given to Fly' musically was kind of that statement. That's why there's all the peaks and valleys in it. It starts off slow and then kind of builds."

McCready battled alcoholism for much of his life, which was exasperated by Pearl Jam's success. He went through rehab in 1994 with full support from his bandmates.
The song seems to have some religious imagery, with lines like "The love he receives is the love that is saved." But Eddie Vedder says it has nothing to do with Jesus.

When he wrote the lyric, Vedder imagined a children's book, with each line of the song on a separate page. "It's a fable, that's all," he told the Philadelphia Inquirer in 1998. "The music almost gives you this feeling of flight, and I really love singing the part at the end, which is all about rising above anybody's comments about what you do and still giving your love away. You know? Not becoming bitter and reclusive, not condemning the whole world because of the actions of a few."
"Given To Fly" borrows its structure from Led Zeppelin's "Going To California." During a Hurricane Katrina Benefit concert, Pearl Jam played some songs together with Robert Plant, and while playing this one they segued over to "Going to California," acknowledging the homage.
This was the first single from Pearl Jam's fifth album, Yield. Just getting to five albums was quite an accomplishment considering the crush of publicity generated from their 1991 debut, Ten. Their Seattle contemporaries Soundgarden, Nirvana and Alice In Chains had all fallen apart by this time, but with McCready sober, Pearl Jam stayed healthy and were on the same page when it came to side projects, which were encouraged. Every band member had something else going on (like McCready's band Mad Season and Stone Gossard's band Brad), which offered a separate creative outlet and some time away from the group. Bass player Jeff Ament, whose side projects include Deaf Charlie and Three Fish, explained it to Songfacts this way: "It's been really important for us in between albums to go off and find new ways to write. Being in a room with other artists, you pick up new tricks, and every once in a while you'll come upon something and you'll be like, 'Oh, Pearl Jam would crush this.' I think everybody does that, and I think that's been beneficial."
The first time Pearl Jam played "Given To Fly" was on November 12, 1997 to about 800 people at a secret show at The Catalyst in Santa Cruz. They next time was two days later when they played it while opening for The Rolling Stones at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Stadium. The song has remained one of their most popular to play live.
By the time this song was released, Pearl Jam was no longer the big story, and that suited them just fine. They started doing press again and gave up their fight with Ticketmaster - a battle that took a lot out of them. This coincided with the rise of internet use, which allowed them to manage their business operations more effectively, particularly their fan club, and communicate directly with fans.

After the album was released, they went through yet another drummer change, but this one stuck. With Matt Cameron replacing Jack Irons, they had a lineup the remained stable for decades.

Comments: 45

Anonymoushe didnt write it guitarist did
Michael Reagan from AlabamaEddie Veder wrote Tremor Christ, Crown of Thorns, Given to Fly, I Got ID, Evenflow. All have Christian lyrics in them. Eddie Veder is no atheist.
Charlie from New South Walesit has to be about Jesus ....He floated back down 'cause he wanted to share
His key to the locks on the chains he saw everywhere
But first he was stripped, and then he was stabbed
By faceless men, well, f--kers
He still stands all thit happened to Jesus , And he still gives his love, he just gives it away
The love he receives is the love that is saved
And sometimes is seen a strange spot in the sky
A human being that was given to fly....he gives unconditional love which was the love he saved for us ....cant see it any other way .....eddie Vedder is a humble king and poet to me , a legend i actually was given a sample cassette tape from a Dj from a seattle in 1991 named Barbara , she gave me 3 , pearl jam 10, sound garden and i cant remember the other one but i listened to them all and said this pearl jam is amazing but they will have to change their name , ha how dumb in hindsight, but there was no mistaking how much i loved them and eventually saw them live unbelievable .....i listened to that tape so much until i ended up on magic mushrooms playing a flute through the gold coast thinking i was the pide piper with a sony walkman playing Pearl Jam 10 ha that good that albumn , to think that song to me is Jesus thank God he can forgive my crazy life cheers everyone !!!!
Pj Appreciator from Scottsdale, ArizonaI have a radically different interpretation. I hear it as an escape. Someone got away, but returns to free the others still held
Ms from NzMy 5 cents. All hope!! When it came down to one last smoke in a tree before the final swing the energy for life came. A change, a flip, ignore the hate. Give love, accept love. Given to fly...it sets you free to live!!!!
Chilly ChimI thought it was a cover of Going to California when i heard it! The vocal line is the same. But it,s still a nice song!
Gord White from Waco Texas It's obvious it alludes to Jesus but the connection isnt completely clear. Left to obvious personel interpation.
Rockin Rod from St. Louis MoThis song got me through tough times in my twenties back in the mid/late 90s and it is going to help me again at 50 here in 2020. an't wiat for the Apr 4 show in STL-WOOT!
Liam from PhiladelphiaAlways thought this was about Jesus, and someone can have a perspective a Jesus as a man, and not son of God, an atheist can writes song about a man who regardless of your beliefs, has significant historical importance. It's a beautiful song on one of my favorite bands last album in their prime...
John from UkHappy to find all of these comments as I was thinking about using this as a launching point for people to share their personal theology. I see Christ in the lyrics, but I bring Christ as a lens I look at most things through. The album itself is inspired by a sociologist, Quinn I think, who wrote the novel Ishmael about a gorilla who teaches truth about man, existence and shows us this through the lens of a philosophic-not-man. To be able to see Christ's story walking through this medium is a gift. To deny Christ here is a right. Denial, however, is not uplifting. If you do not like the Christ lens, find another language that will help you to see how we learn to fly.
Al from Wf, TxThis song seems as though Eddie is drawing a correlation between the story of Jesus and a smoker. But what it ends up meaning to me is his own journey. He tells his story veiled behind other stories to create a level of separation. Like all of his songs, I get a peak into his psyche in all of the things he has experienced. He grew up not knowing who, what and where until later. And instead of being bitter and distant, he decided to give back. By doing this, he overcame his confused past and freed himself........ and gained enough strength to free others.
Mark from Houston, TxIt sounds a lot like the story of Jonathan Livingston Seagull. It is a children's book, so that is consistent with the note at the top about Eddie Vedder saying it is a children's story. My guess is he got the idea from that story. It's a great story, a children's book but a quick enjoyable read for adults. has a powerful message about a seagull who was banished by his clan for not conforming. alone he learned to fly better than any other and eventually met others similarly enlightened. with whom he pursued perfection. later he came back to his benighted flock to enlighten them.
Nathalia Juliana from Rio De Janeiro, BrazilEddie can be Catholic and not talk about it. Or it might not be practicing. But if he does not speak, just say that he is an atheist.
Zach from Tallahassee, FlIt was kinda of overplayed back in 98-99, but its still a great song, but I think their is a lot better songs from them
John from Denver, CoI think it's interesting how much controversy some of the people on this forum have created over this song.

"It's about Jesus!"

"No! Eddie Vedder is an atheist!"

"f--k you!"

"No, f--k you!"

It's a mark of artistic and aesthetic value that the piece in question could provoke a small-scale replica of the same misguided spiritual bigotry that has pervaded humanity for thousands of years. I think if one really wants to know what the song is "about," they need only to refer to the emotions incited within, not the ipso facto application of theological doctrine.

With that said, more than any other religious or mythological construct, this song calls to mind, for me, the hellenic myth of Icarus. In the story, Icarus' and his father Daedalus were imprisoned by King Minos and exiled to the great Labyrinth. There, Daedalus fashioned from bee's wax and feathers two sets of wings for himself and his son. He gave the wings to Icarus along with a warning not to fly to close to the sun, nor the sea. Icarus, however, enamored with the ecstasy of flight, came foul of the warning and continued to fly higher and higher. He eventually came to close to the sun and the heat melted the wax of the wings, sending him plummeting to his death in the sea.

What is important to realize of this story, what makes it relevant to our lives is it's power of metaphor. We are all trapped in a Labyrinth: the labyrinth of life. It is our task to fashion from the things in our own lives the wings which will bring us salvation. This is more than just esoteric rhetoric. Every person feels the pain and suffering of life, and every person seeks, whether consciously or unconsciously, to free themselves from the prison of suffering we feel in our hearts. Our memories, the people in our lives and the things we have done, are the very materials which, when understood and brought to good use and meaning, will save our souls.

Being locked in a corridor calls to mind the impossible labyrinth. The reference to Led Zeplin represents the process of finding relevant and immortal meaning in the things which have touched and changed our lives. The wings delivered our "hero" by the sea are Icarus' wings. With the gnostic understanding and participation in flight the hero then returns to the labyrinth to free the rest of humanity there enchained. The fact that he was killed has no relevance because our hero has, in effect, become immortal. Thus, "he still gives his love, he just gives it away, the love he receives is the love that is... SAVED!"
David from Houston, TxThis song is about being on acid and thinking you are flying. This song is awesome!!!
Poet1987_jlb from Horsham, PaThe song is actually about the creation of angels, ie the Archangel Michael...he's the one who, according to tradition, carries the keys, ie to the locks on the chains he sees everywhere. He carries all men to heaven's door. He was given wings and the wind "set him down on his knee" and he is "sometimes seen as a strange spot in the sky"
Adam from Centralia, Waall the basic clues of the lyrics point strongly to him writing this about jesus. If he is not a follower then he respects his utter boldness to detach himself from the world and carry out his mission. the lines " His key to the locks on the chains he saw everywhere
But first he was stripped and then he was stabbed
By faceless men, well, f--kers
He still stands "
are what pointed it towards jesus for me.
Oh, and Jordan carrol from iowa. You can shut your damn mouth about what you think you know about any artist. im not talking about the religious part but im tired people thinking they know what there talking about when it comes to any artists personal lives, you may have read an interview, but you dont know what the f--k your talking about, you dont know him, you may be his biggest fan but you dont know him and you probably know nothing about the basic fundementals of music so shut your mouth.
Matt from Houston, Tx"smoke in a tree" refers to a lyric in stairway to heaven
Matt from Houston, TxI think it is about the betrrayal of icarus. If you don't know the story it is basically this: icarus was the son of daedulous. they were both incredible craftsmen who could build almost anything. daedulous was reasonably old and bitter but icarus was young and full of spirit. anyway icarus made golden wings and melted them onto his back. in one version, as he is about to test them, his jealous father pushed him off a ledge. unprepared he fell to his death. the other version, daedulus warned him very thouroughly not to. but icarus set off nonetheless. daeduloud had a clear chance to save him. icarus flew to close to the sun and the wings melted off, and he drowned to death. daedulous was punished by having to live in agony forevor. The song seems to make that clear. "he could have turned back". he could have not taken off."a wave came crashing like a fist to the jaw". his death."well fuc*ers he stands", and " he still gives his love, he just gives it away" could both represent daedulous's punishment. the love would be a metaphor as he loved his father yet his father killed him. and finally" look at me now". is strikingly simailer to what icarus said while flying.
Jordan from Carroll, IaThis song is definitely not about Jesus. Eddie Vedder is an atheist. He would not write a song about a christianity symbol if he doesn't believe in a higher being. From a 1998 interview this is his response when asked about god.

"I think it's like a movie that was way too popular. It's a story that's been told too many times and just doesn't mean anything. Man lived on the planet -- [placing his fingers an inch apart], this is 5000 years of semi-recorded history. And God and the Bible, that came in somewhere around the middle, maybe 2000. This is the last 2000, this is what we're about to celebrate [indicating about an 1/8th of an inch with his fingers]. Now, humans, in some shape or form, have been on the Earth for three million years [pointing across the room to indicate the distance]. So, all this time, from there [gesturing toward the other side of the room], to here [indicating the 1/8th of an inch], there was no God, there was no story, there was no myth and people lived on this planet and they wandered and they gathered and they did all these things. The planet was never threatened. How did they survive for all this time without this belief in God? I'd like to ask this to someone who knows about Christianity and maybe you do. That just seems funny to me."

So that dismisses any reason this song is about Jesus.
Ben from Majuro, Mh, Otheranyone who plays guitar would disagree that this song is a ripoff of "going to california" by zeppelin. this song is really not similar to going to california. anyone who says so must be tone deaf. pick up a guitar and try to play each song. you will see.
Eric from Mentor, OhThis is my favorite Pearl Jam song. As said before, the emotion in the song is amazing and it does send a chill down my spine. I love it.
Tyler from Allentown, PaThis song is amazing, my #1 favorite song of all time..really gets me inspired. After hearing Eddie vedder say this song was about a guy who quit smoking, i was convinced it was, i mean who wouldnt? but this paragraph here is really convincing the song is about Jesus Christ..

He floated back down 'cause he wanted to share
His key to the locks on the chains he saw everywhere
But first he was stripped and then he was stabbed
By faceless men, well, f--kers
He still stands

And he still gives his love, he just gives it away
The love he receives is the love that is saved
And sometimes is seen a strange spot in the sky
A human being that was given to fly

and this part may be about the man who quit smoking..

He could've tuned in, tuned in
But he tuned out
A bad time, nothing could save him
Alone in a corridor, waiting, locked out
He got up outta there, ran for hundreds of miles
He made it to the ocean, had a smoke in a tree
The wind rose up, set him down on his knee

A wave came crashing like a fist to the jaw
Delivered him wings, "Hey, look at me now"
Arms wide open with the sea as his floor
Oh, power, ohh
John from Boston, MaDuring the intro when they played this 05/23/00 in Lisbon, Portugal ("official" bootleg 2000 series # 1), Eddie states:

"This is about a guy who quit smoking".

Straight from the horse's mouth, and sounds right to me!
Anthony from Ronkonkoma, NyGreat Song. I wouldn't take it for more than what it's written about. It's an artists goal to make you interpret it for what it means to you. Just think someone with a gift, or a feeling is being ridiculed for it. Even though they shun him, he still knows what is right and does it. People who believe in him
are rewarded and those who try to defeat him can't.
Tori from Boston, MaYeah, the guitar impressively rips off jimmy page's acoustic in Going To California. It's hard to hear at first because John Paul Jones's mandolin (or whatever he's playing) is pretty dominant in California. I didn't notice this until I played that song myself. ANYWAY... I still love this song. Yield was the first pearl jam album I bought, then I went back and got their older stuff
Ash from Charleston, WvI think Pearl Jam would more likely be influenced by Led Zeppelin then Tori Amos. No offense to Tori, but she isn't grunge rock at all. Pearl Jam rocks!
- Elliot, St. Louis, MO
What is that supposed to mean? That musicians are influenced only by other artists that sound similar to them? Hardly. And as it happens, Tori Amos is a big Led Zepp fan. She released a cover of "Thank You" on EP.
Elliot from St. Louis, MoThough I haven't seen them live, I did see a recorded live version of this song. It looked more like Eddie a was pretending to fly then to imitate Jesus. I could be wrong, though.
Matt from Dallas, TxMike McCready explains how this song reminds him of a wave breaking on PJ's Single Video Theory.
Kevin from Uxbridge, MaI believe this song is about a disenfranchised kid. He runs away, and gets an opportunity to do what the rest of us just dream about- being able to fly. He wants to use his gift to help others, but society sees him as a freak and wants to expose and kill him. He excapes and continues on...
Dave from Hawthorne, NjThis song is one of the best live songs. In my opinion Pearl Jam could be on stage, sing happy birthday with a washboard and it would be great, but the emotion that runs through your body when hearing, "Given to Fly" is a physically moving experience. The build up to the refrain is very powerful giving "hope" on a figurative and literal level with lyrics, sound and life. It's all about Jesus Christ which makes it this song all the better-"He floated back down 'cause he wanted to share His key to the locks on the chains he saw everywhere", (referring to the gates of Heaven) -But first he was stripped and then he was stabbed, (referring to the events on the Lord's death -"by faceless men, well, f#cker's, He still stands, (referring to Jesus rising above the horrible acts of mankind to live on and die as our savior)...also, when played live, Ed strikes a "Christlike pose when singing this song with his arms stretched out as if on a cross.
Jaocb from Liberty, MoIm not a very smart guy, but i do think this songs about Jesus. Wether it is or not,though, it is one cool song
Elliot from St. Louis, MoI think Pearl Jam would more likely be influenced by Led Zeppelin then Tori Amos. No offense to Tori, but she isn't grunge rock at all. Pearl Jam rocks!
Jonny from Jeff City, MoJesus? Nah. It's about surfing. Really.
Ashley from Moncton, CanadaWow, I find almost no similarity to to Going to California, which is weird because I usually think every song reminds me of another song. This is one of my favourite Pearl jam songs.
Stu from Rugby, EnglandI'm convinced this is about Jesus. All the lyrics (except maybe having a smoke!) fit, but the beauty of such brilliant songs is that we can akll interpret them in our own way and then get touched by them every time we listen. Chris Cornell said he doesn't mind how people interpret his songs as long as they affect them. What a brilliant way to look at life!
John from Raleigh, NcI actually think the song probably is about Jesus. The "a human being that was given to fly" line really seems like it would be about Jesus to me.
Zak from Nekoosa, Wi"He got up outta there, ran for hundreds of miles
He made it to the ocean, had a smoke in a tree"

Perhaps the similarity to "G.T.C." is intentional in that the song mentions the character, (you, me, jesus) going to "the ocean" possibly california, and getting high. "smoked my stuff and drank all my wine" another similarity to the infamous song...
Ash from Charleston, WvSeveral comments: first, yes this is truly a magnificent song. Definitely one of PJ's best. Second, a children's story that has the F-word in it? Third, Scott in Hubbard, OH, you say the line "he still gives his love away..." could be about Christ but in the same breath you say you like to see yourself when you hear that line. That's quite a self-image you got there. Lastly, I read somewhere once that Michael J. Fox likes to play this song for inspiration when he has particularly difficult days with his Parkinsons disease, etc.
Paulo from New York, NyI don't think the similarity to "Going to California" is all that great. The song it reminded me of initially was "Silent All These Years" by Tori Amos (which in itself may have been inspired by Zeppelin's GTC).
Scott from Hubbard, Oh"And he still gives his love he just gives it away, and the love he receives is the love that is saved." My favorite line from any song ever written. Reminiscent of one who wears their heart on their sleeve. Jesus Christ? Possibly. But, I usually see myself when I hear that line sung.
Kurt from Downers Grove, IlThe melody is a ripoff of Going to California. I don't know for sure if it was intentional.
Billy from Tallahassee, FlI would have to agree, this is arguably(IMO) Pearl Jam's best song to date. I have always read into this being his autobiography. I have never heard this to be about Jesus and I doubt it is. This song is one of those rare moments when the guitar lines, vocal abilities and lyrics all are in harmony. Truly and amazing song.
Brian from Paoli, InIn my opinion this is one of the best songs in the last 5-10 years and Pearl Jams finest. When the music speeds up and Eddis voice raises it sends chills down my spine.