Meaning of "Comatose" by Pearl Jam

"Comatose" explores themes of detachment and liberation from societal demands. The opening lines, "Consider me an object/Put me in a vacuum," suggest a desire to be stripped of identity and placed in an environment free from external influences. The narrator yearns for a state beyond human conditions and expectations, void of pain or limitations. This could be interpreted as a desire for an escape from the pressures and expectations of society. The repetition of the phrase "Feel it rising" throughout the song indicates an impending liberation, a release from the shackles of conformity. The line, "If it's illegal to be in love/Leave the hatred on the cross," suggests that the narrator is willing to defy societal norms, even if it means breaking the law. This can be seen as a rejection of the constraints placed upon love and a call to abandon hateful ideologies. The idea of hanging upside down and swinging for eternity conveys a sense of freedom from the limitations of time and space. The final lines, "Something never thought you'd be part of," may allude to the narrator's discovery of unexpected freedom and a sense of belonging within the comatose state. Overall, "Comatose" portrays a longing for escape from societal norms and a desire for liberation from the constraints of everyday life.