Cornell said that he tried to not get too specific with his lyrics and was more interested in letting ambiguity "colourful images." Thayil suggested that it is "like reading a novel man's conflict with himself and society, or the government, or his family, or the economy, or anything." "Jesus Christ Pose" was written about famous people who exploit the symbol of Jesus' crucifixion as to suggest that they're persecuted by the public. Cornell said that "Outshined" is about going from "periods of extreme self-confidence" to "plummeting in the opposite direction". "Holy Water" was written about people who force their beliefs unto others. Thayil wrote the lyrics for "Room a Thousand Years Wide", and said that the song is about "experience in general". "New Damage" subtly criticizes the right-wing government of the United States.