According to Eddie Vedder, the song is about “a person in turmoil” and “…hitchhiking your way through a broken heart.”
Throughout the song, there are indeed many references to hitchhiking.
Eddie wanted to write a song that wasn’t about himself or personal experiences. He explained in a VH1 intervi...
[Verse 1]
I have not been home since you left long ago
I'm thumbing my way back to heaven
Counting steps, walking backwards on the road
I'm counting my way back to heaven
[Chorus 1]
I can't be free with what's locked inside of me
If there was a key, you took it in your hand
There's no wrong or right, but I'm sure there's good and bad
The questions linger overhead
[Verse 2]
No matter how cold the winter, there's a springtime ahead
I'm thumbing my way back to heaven
I wish that I could hold you, I wish that I had
Thinking about heaven
[Bridge]
I let go of a rope, thinking that's what held me back
And in time I've realized, it's now wrapped around my neck
I can't see what's next, from this lonely overpass
Hang my head and count my steps, as another car goes past
[Chorus 2]
All the rusted signs we ignore throughout our lives
Choosing the shiny ones instead
I turned my back, now there's no turning back
[Verse 3]
No matter how cold the winter, there's a springtime ahead
I smile, but who am I kidding?
I'm just walking the miles, every once in a while I'll get a ride
I'm thumbing my way back to heaven
[Outro]
I'm thumbing my way back to heaven
I'm thumbing my way back to heaven
Thumbing My Way was written by Jeff Ament & Eddie Vedder & Stone Gossard & Mike McCready & Adam Kasper.
Thumbing My Way was produced by Pearl Jam & Adam Kasper.
Pearl Jam released Thumbing My Way on Tue Nov 12 2002.