"Given To Fly," or, Myths of the Modern

Modern myth-makers abound, creating tales that inpsire, challenge, confound, and disturb us. Among the greatest are Pearl Jam, with their dense, powerful lyrics and songs of epic proportions. One of their greatest songs is just such a modern myth, "Given to Fly." According to Eddie Vedder, "[I imagined the song as] a 20-page cardboard (children's) book with a line on each page and a picture to go with it. It's a fable, that's all." [Article.] In the powerful words, a new myth is created, of a man who is given gifts, and shares them with the world. As he is hurt for giving, he does not become angry at the world, and instead continues to give his love to everyone. Corny? Cheesy? Powerful. This song is buried in the ideals and concepts of myth, full of what gives them their power, and proves that classic works don't exist solely in the past. Hear it, and let its life roll over you.