Written by Stone Gossard, this song was originally titled “Growing Up Gay in Littleton”.
When performed live at Pinkpop 2000, Vedder states:
“In America, what we do for fun, because we’re kind of an advanced culture, we have some really kind of futuristic ways of handling our overpopulation proble...
[Instrumental Intro]
[Verse 1]
All my rivals will see what I have in store
My gun
I've been harboring fleets in this reservoir
Red sun
And this nation's about to explode
[Verse 2]
Your disciples are riddled with metaphors
Well hung
Better pony up and bring both your barrelfulls
Not one
As we release this unspeakable toll
(Woo!)
[Bridge]
And I stand my ground
All alone around the world (and I stand my ground)
[Verse 3]
How's our mother to damn these contributors
With mud?
How will the man who made chemicals difficult
Shed blood?
How's our father supposed to be told? (Woo!)
Rival was written by Eddie Vedder & Mike McCready & Jeff Ament & Tchad Blake & Stone Gossard.
Rival was produced by Pearl Jam & Tchad Blake.