Blood

Pearl Jam's song 'Blood' is a visceral exploration of identity, exploitation, and the emotional toll of fame. The lyrics are raw and intense, reflecting the band's grunge roots and their penchant for addressing deep, often painful themes. The repeated phrase 'It's my blood' serves as a powerful assertion of personal identity and ownership, suggesting a struggle to maintain one's sense of self amidst external pressures and exploitation.

The imagery in the song is stark and violent, with references to being spun around, rolled over, and stabbed. These metaphors convey a sense of being manipulated and drained, both physically and emotionally. The line 'Stab it down, one way needle, pulled so slowly' evokes a painful, drawn-out process of being exploited, while 'Drains and spills, soaks the pages, fills their sponges' suggests that the artist's life and experiences are being absorbed and used by others for their gain.

The mention of 'Paint Ed big, Turn Ed into one of his enemies' is particularly poignant. It reflects the internal conflict and alienation that can come with fame, as the public persona ('Ed' likely referring to lead singer Eddie Vedder) becomes something unrecognizable and even antagonistic to the person behind it. The final lines, 'Stab it down, fill the pages, suck my fuckin' life out, man' and 'Maker of my enemies,' underscore the sense of being consumed and betrayed by those who should be allies or supporters. This song is a powerful commentary on the personal cost of fame and the struggle to retain one's identity in the face of relentless external demands.