“Hunger Strike” is a 1991 song by the Seattle supergroup Temple of the Dog, released as the lead single from their self-titled album. The track was written by Chris Cornell of Soundgarden as a tribute to his late friend Andrew Wood, the frontman of Mother Love Bone, who died of a heroin overdose in March 1990. The song emerged from Cornell’s existential crisis regarding Soundgarden’s rising commercial success and his desire to maintain artistic integrity, serving as a statement against greed and inequality.
The recording of the song involved a spontaneous collaboration that defined its iconic sound. Cornell originally intended to sing both the high and low vocal parts himself but struggled with the lower register during rehearsal. Eddie Vedder, who had recently moved to Seattle to join Pearl Jam, stepped in and sang the low harmony parts instinctively, transforming the track into a powerful duet that Cornell described as giving the lyrics a “gospel” quality.
Key historical details include:
- Timing: The song was written in late 1990 and recorded in October 1990, just days after Vedder arrived in Seattle.
- Motivation: Cornell added the track to complete the album’s ten-song list, citing a dislike for odd numbers, and viewed it as a declaration of staying true to his artistic path regardless of commercial pressure.
- Legacy: The song became the band’s breakout hit, symbolizing the collaborative unity of the 1990s Seattle grunge scene and remaining a poignant tribute to Cornell and Wood following their respective deaths.
[Verse: Chris Cornell]
Well I don’t mind stealin’ bread from the mouths of decadents
But I can’t feed on the powerless when my cup’s already overfilled
Yeah
[Pre-Chorus: Chris Cornell]
But it’s on the table, the fire’s cookin’
And the former babies of slaves are all workin’
And blood is on the table and the mouths are chokin’
[Chorus: Chris Cornell]
But I’m goin’ hungry, yeah
[Verse: Eddie Vedder]
I don’t mind stealin’ bread from the mouths of decadents
But I can’t feed on the powerless when my cup’s already overfilled, uh-uh, uh
[Pre-Chorus: Eddie Vedder]
But it’s on the table, the fire’s cookin’
And the former babies of slaves are all workin’
And it’s on the table, their mouths are chokin’
[Chorus: Eddie Vedder, Chris Cornell]
But I’m goin’ hungry (Goin’ hungry!)
I’m goin’ hungry (Goin’ hungry!)
I’m goin’ hungry (Goin’ hungry!)
I’m goin’ hungry (Goin’ hungry!)
[Instrumental Break]
[Chorus: Eddie Vedder, Chris Cornell]
I’m goin’ hungry (I’m goin’ hungry!)
I’m goin’ hungry (Goin’ hungry!)
[Outro: Chris Cornell, Eddie Vedder]
Yeah, I don’t mind stealin’ bread! (Ooh, I don’t mind)
No, I don’t mind stealin’ bread
I’m goin’ hungry (Goin’ hungry!)
I’m goin’ hungry (Goin’ hungry, yeah!)
