“Pass the Nirvana” by Pierce the Veil

The lyrics of “Pass the Nirvana” are not the easiest to understand, which is a statement we’ve been making a lot as of late in terms of rock songs that have been recently coming out. Part of that reality is due to the fact that rock is traditionally, when compared to other mainstream genres, a category of music in which metaphors are heavily utilized. 

Another logical reason though is that increasingly there seems to be such tracks coming out which are sorely critical of the state of society. And perhaps, we can reasonably postulate that presenting such an argument in front of the entire world is not an easy thing to do. Owing to this, such artists are compelled to relay their message behind what at times reads as painfully-veiled lingo.

For instance, you may notice that the cover art of this song appears as if a young person may have hung him or herself, and there is a strong reference to “suicide season” found in the first verse. 

A Tough Life

Outside of the above, a listener would likely be hard-pressed to come to the conclusion that what this piece is actually about is the disheartening hardships American youth have faced during the last couple of years.

Those would include, most pointedly based on Vic Fuentes’s explanation, not only COVID-19 itself as a life-threatening disease but also the various negative social effects of the pandemic, such as kids being deprived of proms and graduations and what have you. 

Also, let’s not forget that there was recently an insurrection, as Vince puts it. This would most likely be a reference to what is known as the United States Capitol Attack of 2021. And even now as of this writing, some are predicting that a full-fledged civil war in the US may be imminent. Also, there is the prospect of little kids being gunned down inside their school, not even by opps if you will but just some random, crazed A-hole. 

So it’s like the Pierce the Veil gang, who don’t really look too old themselves (though are actually in their late thirties), are sympathizing with what these youngsters are going through. Indeed growing up in the 1980s and 90s, as they have, wasn’t all gravy, but it pales in comparison to what children must endure today. 

As such, going back to Vic’s explanation, the title is meant to illustrate the youth’s need for “nirvana” which, in context, is a term synonymous with peace.

Takeaway

That said, good luck being able to derive that sentimental backdrop from these lyrics. Besides for suicide, the only other identifiable issue Vic really seems to addressee is poverty. But for instance it is never revealed herein, as is apparently the case, that the vocalist is taking on the role of one of the aforementioned youth. Instead, what it does read like is that he’s suffering from some type of harrowing depression, where drugs – or at least allusions to such – plays a role. 

But the second verse in particular does read more hopeful. Here, Vic asserts that “this gun would never turn on me”. We will take that statement to mean that despite what the vocalist may be going through, he has ultimately decided that taking his own life is not an option.

But all in all, this piece can definitely be deemed more pessimistic than optimistic. What the singer appears to be speaking to, conclusively, is being someone who is suffering from depression. In addition to that, he is also plagued with a high sense of alienation, i.e. not really having anyone to relay his feelings to.

Vic Fuentes talks about the Meaning of “Pass the Nirvana”

According to Vic, this song is about the “traumas” that many young Americans have recently had to encounter.

Pierce the Veil

Pierce the Veil is a rock group from San Diego. The group has thus far put out a handful of studio albums. The most recent of these albums, 2016’s “Misadventures”, reached fourth place on the Billboard 200 (in addition to topping the US Alternative Albums chart). 

Below are the names of the musicians that currently make up this band:

• Vic Fuentes (vocalist)
• Tony Perry (guitarist)
• Jaime Preciado (bassist)  

Release of “Pass the Nirvana”

“Pass the Nirvana”, which came out on 1 September 2022, is the first single they have dropped since those associated with said album.

Credits

Fuentes (singer of Pierce the Veil) wrote this song alongside three other songwriters. Below is the list of writing credits for this song.

• Pat Morrissey
• Kill Dave
• Curtis Peoples
• Paul Meany (who also served the role of the track’s producer)