Jeremy is a song by Pearl Jam, based on the true story of Jeremy Wade Delle, a young man who committed suicide in front of his classmates in 1991. Eddie Vedder was inspired by a brief paragraph he read in a newspaper about the incident. The song discusses the impact of parental neglect and isolation that can lead to tragic acts.
At home Drawing pictures Of mountain tops With him on top Lemon yellow sun Arms raised in a V And the dead lay in pools of maroon below Daddy didn't give attention Oh, to the fact that mommy didn't care King Jeremy The Wicked Ruled his world Jeremy spoke in class today Jeremy spoke in class today Clearly I remember Pickin' on the boy Seemed a harmless little fuck But we unleashed a lion Gnashed his teeth And bit the recess lady's breast How could I forget And he hit me with a surprise left My jaw left hurting Dropped wide open Just like the day Oh, like the day I heard Daddy didn't give affection, no! And the boy was something that mommy wouldn't wear King Jeremy The Wicked Ruled his world Jeremy spoke in class today Jeremy spoke in class today Jeremy spoke in class today Jeremy spoke in class today Try to forget this Try to forget this Try to erase this from the black board Jeremy spoke in class today Jeremy spoke in class today Jeremy spoke in class today Jeremy spoke in class today