Meaning of "Green Disease" by Pearl Jam

The lyrics of "Green Disease" offer a scathing critique of greed and its negative impact on society. The repetition of "G-R-E-E-D" at the beginning of the song emphasizes the message and serves as a call to attention. The line "It's a disease and they're all green" suggests that greed is pervasive and infects those consumed by it. The word "green" can also be interpreted as a symbol of envy, representing the desire for more wealth and power.

The lyrics continue to explain how this greed stems from a constant need for occupation and accumulation. The imagery of "weeds with big leaves" stealing light from what's beneath implies that those driven by greed exploit and overshadow the less fortunate. Despite having more than they need, they continue to take more at the expense of others.

The lines "I know then I don't / There's a stowaway with my throat / It's deceiving / I don't believe him" suggest a sense of internal conflict. The narrator recognizes the deception embedded within greed but also expresses uncertainty and struggle in resisting it.

The song further critiques the complacency of society in accepting this greed. The lines "We can scream out our doors / Behind the wall a fat man snores / In his dreams he's / Choking tea leaves" suggest that while people may be aware of the negative consequences of greed, they are hesitant to speak out against it. The image of the fat man choking on tea leaves represents the self-destructive nature of greed, as he suffocates on his own indulgence.

The lyrics also touch on the theme of authority and the manipulation used by those in power. The verse "Tell the captain / 'The boat's not safe and we're drowning'" highlights the urgency to address the issues caused by greed. However, it is revealed that the captain himself is the one making waves, suggesting that those in positions of power often perpetuate the very problems they should be solving.

In the chorus, the song challenges the listener to question societal norms and institutions governed by greed. By asserting that there is "nothing wrong with what you say," the lyrics acknowledge that greed and the pursuit of personal gain are often justified. However, the plea to "sway" invites individuals to consider alternative perspectives and to view the world through compassion and empathy.

The final lines of the song express the need to transcend the binary thinking of black and white and instead view the world as a complex tapestry of gray. This shift requires engaging with the world through emotions and empathy rather than relying solely on rationality and logic.