10 Worst Hard Rock Lyrics Of The '90s
4. Bugs - Pearl Jam
Vitalogy holds a special place in the grand scheme of Pearl Jam's discography. During most of the sessions, the band members were having some harsh disagreements about their direction, with Eddie Vedder wanting to scale back a lot of the commercial elements of their sound. The album still made for an engaging listen, but it did look like Vedder got his wish when it came to "Bugs."
Structured around an old accordion that Vedder came across, this cut almost feels less like a song and more like a public outcry of frustration on Vedder's part. As you could probably guess, the song is about insects, but the lyrics turn from boring to just creepy when Vedder starts talking about becoming one with the insects and feeding their hubris. This could easily just be a mock character that Vedder threw together, but it ends up coming off less like a disturbing story and more like the cries of a homeless man about to snap.
Even if Vitalogy ended up being a classic in the band's catalog, "Bugs" is still rarely performed live and feels like a public cry for help. A lot of Pearl Jam's records can move you to tears, but this tune just encourages you to find a nice comfy spot away from where this song is in earshot.