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How did Immortality not become huge?

CitizenRickCitizenRick Posts: 1,079
edited June 2008 in The Porch
That is a question I always ask myself whenever I hear this song. I know it wasn't released as a single (I think STBC was the only single off Vitalogy)...but it's such a fucking amazing and haunting song.

I remember it getting some airplay back then...but it quickly dissapeared soon thereafter. This song should still be on the radio today...but much like many other PJ songs...it never got it's due respect because the band just didn't push them enough.

I understand that this was the team gameplan back then...and that it was their own choice not to exploit the "rumored" fact that alot of this song was about Kurt and his death (and I'm convinced it is...sorry Ed)...but my God...how did this incredible song slip through the cracks?

I just think it's a timeless classic...and it shoulda been recognized as such.

What do you think?
"Had my eyes peeled both wide open, and I got a glimpse...of my innocense, got back my inner sence, baby got it...still got it"
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Comments

  • DriftingByTheStormDriftingByTheStorm Posts: 8,684
    Spin The Black Circle
    Not For You
    and
    IMMORTALITY

    were all singles off of Vitalogy.

    Just, FYI.

    ;)
    If I was to smile and I held out my hand
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  • CitizenRickCitizenRick Posts: 1,079
    DriftingByTheStorm wrote:
    Spin The Black Circle
    Not For You
    and
    IMMORTALITY

    were all singles off of Vitalogy.

    Just, FYI.

    ;)

    Interesting! Good Knowledge. It's even more confusing to me then.
    "Had my eyes peeled both wide open, and I got a glimpse...of my innocense, got back my inner sence, baby got it...still got it"
  • tmud91087tmud91087 Posts: 97
    Ive always loved immortality but have never held it on the high pedastall that many othes put it on. I think tremor christ should have gotten more radio time...

    It also boggles my mind that Pearl Jams biggest radio hit betterman and a top five radio hit in corduroy were never released as "singles"
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  • DriftingByTheStormDriftingByTheStorm Posts: 8,684
    CitizenRick wrote:
    Interesting! Good Knowledge. It's even more confusing to me then.

    Immortality was released to radio in the middle of 1995,
    after Kurt was dead, after "grunge" had peaked" and right around the time more pop and commercialy oriented "rock" music was becoming popular.

    Immortality was just not the kind of "feel good" bullshit radio was looking for in the summer of '95.

    When Kurt died everything seemed to change, and not for the better.
    It's like the media wanted to bury the entire "scene" and move on.

    I dunno.

    I guess the "mainstream" could only handle so much depression before it lost interest.

    ;)
    If I was to smile and I held out my hand
    If I opened it now would you not understand?
  • CitizenRickCitizenRick Posts: 1,079
    DriftingByTheStorm wrote:
    Immortality was released to radio in the middle of 1995,
    after Kurt was dead, after "grunge" had peaked" and right around the time more pop and commercialy oriented "rock" music was becoming popular.

    Immortality was just not the kind of "feel good" bullshit radio was looking for in the summer of '95.

    When Kurt died everything seemed to change, and not for the better.
    It's like the media wanted to bury the entire "scene" and move on.

    I dunno.

    I guess the "mainstream" could only handle so much depression before it lost interest.

    ;)

    Good points...but it just bugs me that those Staind songs weren't exactly uplifting...and were in the same vein as Immortality...yet the radio played the shit out of them.
    "Had my eyes peeled both wide open, and I got a glimpse...of my innocense, got back my inner sence, baby got it...still got it"
  • hiding103006hiding103006 Posts: 452
    i don't know.
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  • CitizenRickCitizenRick Posts: 1,079
    tmud91087 wrote:
    It also boggles my mind that Pearl Jams biggest radio hit betterman and a top five radio hit in corduroy were never released as "singles"

    I never really thought about that. It's really a fickle business...you never can tell what the masses are gonna flock to.
    "Had my eyes peeled both wide open, and I got a glimpse...of my innocense, got back my inner sence, baby got it...still got it"
  • slightofjeffslightofjeff Posts: 7,762
    Where I lived, they played the holy shit out of Immortality on the radio throughout the summer of '95. It was the song I most associate with my bullshit job that summer, working the kitchen at a barbecue joint.

    Because that song was on the radio all. the. damn. time.

    Not that I was/am complaining.

    Another song they played the hell out of? That Scott Weiland "Mockingbird Girl" song.
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  • CitizenRickCitizenRick Posts: 1,079
    slightofjeff wrote:
    Where I lived, they played the holy shit out of Immortality on the radio throughout the summer of '95. It was the song I most associate with my bullshit job that summer, working the kitchen at a barbecue joint.

    Because that song was on the radio all. the. damn. time.

    Not that I was/am complaining.

    Another song they played the hell out of? That Scott Weiland "Mockingbird Girl" song.

    They played it here too...but it had no staying power. I can't even remember the Weiland song...I'll have to find it and refresh my memory.
    "Had my eyes peeled both wide open, and I got a glimpse...of my innocense, got back my inner sence, baby got it...still got it"
  • HebejebeHebejebe Posts: 108
    In my opinion the reason a great number of songs weren't huge was because the band(Ed) didn't want them to be huge.
  • the wolfthe wolf Posts: 7,027
    SOLAT319 wrote:
    It's always been huge to me and that's all it matters. If you like a song so much, why do you even care what everybody else's opinion of it is?

    Same thing with Tremor Christ. I actually take pride from the fact that these songs are not "front window" songs for this band and yet they are on top of my list. I would take Tremor Christ and Immortality over, say Love Boat Captain or...what's another "hip" song that every "hip" Pearl Jam fan likes? Oh, I know....Leatherman or any of the songs from Binaural album anyday.

    Yeah, I know, Binaural is "cool and hip" and all of us are supposed to melt in its presence if we know any better. Well, frankly my dear, I don't give a damn ;-)
    I mean, don't get me wrong. I do have the album. I bought it like a nice little faithful fan and listened to it from time to time. But overall...not so much ;-P
    Now, Binaural outtakes on the other hand....that's a whole different story. They're fucking awesome!! In fact, Fatal has the same problem that Immortality has. How is it that that song is not HUGE???

    Oh, and like I stated a gazillion times on this board.....VITALOGY IS A FUCKING MASTERPIECE!!!

    i agree with so much of what you are saying!

    Imortality and Tremor Christ are HUGE to me. i just think the OP is not understanding how the mass public didnt get Imortality. that is the song from that album i hold in highest regard myself.
    it is all about what "you hold close and dear", but it does rack the brain that this song was not a hit, but, SPBC, or even Betterman was.

    the one thing i dont agree with is, Binaural rocked my world. im not saying it should have rocked everyones world. but after about 5 spins, at the time, it became my favorite record. with that being said, Avacado is now my favorite record. ( and i know most of you dont feel the same about that record )

    so to each their own.

    but..............Imortality.............epic.

    at least me thinks. :D
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  • ChazzChazz Posts: 1,141
    SOLAT319 wrote:
    .....VITALOGY IS A FUCKING MASTERPIECE!!!

    Word!

    Although I like the quirky 'fillers' on this album, I do think if they'ed been left off, Vitology would be hailed THE classic Pearl Jam album (maybe even more so than Ten). There are so many great songs on there.....I think its my favourate PJ album (well for today anyway :o)
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  • InHiding19InHiding19 Posts: 2,385
    Immortality = Wild
    Out of the Blue and Into the Black................Uncle Neil Philly 08 here I come!!!!
  • JaneNYJaneNY Posts: 4,438
    Immortality has always been one of my favorites. That instrumental part in the middle is something I wait for. Have you heard the Benaroya version? Amazing.
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  • jchais01jchais01 Posts: 129
    K-Rock 92.3 played the shit out of Immortality in the summer of '95. That and White Discussion by Live were my 2 fav's that summer. Along with the others that were mentioned before, I remember Nothingman getting play on the radio that summer as well.

    Anyway, as others have stated, does it really matter that songs you like get or don't get radio air time??? I personally think that some of their greatest songs arguably are on their most recent record and they aren't Life Wasted or WWS, yet got zero air time.

    For the record though, Immortality remains one of my all-time favorite PJ tunes and I hope to hear it on this tour.

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  • Gonzo1977Gonzo1977 Posts: 1,696
    Great song definately one of the best songs they have ever written. I always look forward to Mike's solos. The song just gives him so much room to wail away. I wish they'd play this more. Mike's Acoustic solo on the album version is one of my all time favorite solos.

    Courdory and Betterman get the bulk of the airplay...but this song would definately be a real nice change to hear on the radio every once and a while.
  • faithful2youfaithful2you Madison, WI Posts: 779
    It was huge when Vitalogy came out around where I lived.

    The reason it didn't explode was the same reason the band lost commercial success after Vitalogy.....it was their choice.
    Like a word misplaced...nothing said...what a waste
  • Gremmie95Gremmie95 Posts: 749
    JaneNY wrote:
    Immortality has always been one of my favorites. That instrumental part in the middle is something I wait for. Have you heard the Benaroya version? Amazing.

    Benaroya version is amazing. Cleveland 06 is quite amazing as well.
  • OffHeGoes132OffHeGoes132 Posts: 594
    A "timeless classic" is a perfect way to describe Immortality. One of my PJ favorites. But it's kind of trite to say a "favorite" since I have SO many.
  • HermanBloomHermanBloom Posts: 1,764
    It's beautiful, but not mainstream enough to be huge
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  • pjtaperpjtaper Posts: 3,020
    Immortality is HUGEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE in my book! First song I ever learned on guitar, always makes me think of lost friends, one of my favorites...
    and the studio solo is one of my favorite Mike studio solos, I remember the first time I heard this song... so magical...
  • Yellow LedbellyYellow Ledbelly Posts: 3,749
    It is and always was a fantastic song, but the thing to remember is that radio is bullshit and the musical tastes of far too many people are based on the songs their favorite stations play every 15 minutes, the ones they are told are supposed to be popular.
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  • lostdogs77lostdogs77 Posts: 94
    Vitalogy is one of the best albums of all time in my opinion. I think it was ahead of its time when it came out. It sold well but most people that I knew did not get it. The Cleveland 06 version of immortality is one of my favorite live PJ recordings.
  • AnthonyD1987AnthonyD1987 Boston, MA Posts: 347
    I think it's funny that Spin The Black Circle, Not For You and Immortality were the only singles, but Corduroy and Better Man are the bigger hits from that album.
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  • blondieblue227blondieblue227 Va, USA Posts: 4,509
    good question.
    when i got the vs CD as a kid that song got stuck in my head for weeks!
    *~Pearl Jam will be blasted from speakers until morale improves~*

  • woundedorganwoundedorgan Posts: 607
    Immortality is huge was huge and will forever be huge..number 2 on the all time favorite list...it is a little different from what was being played on the radio then...Betterman and Corduroy were the only 2 songs they played the shit out of off the Vitalogy album on the radio...It is better listened to live in my opinion.....Hey PJ play Tremor Christ in Camden....



    ....sorry I posted before I read all the responses, I pretty much reiterated everything that was said before...
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  • cbbjrcbbjr Posts: 238
    In the mid to late 90s I worked at a couple radio stations doing PR-type work. I would often ask the music directors questions like this. The answer was often along the lines of "great song but it doesn't fit". Based on the crap that you often hear on the radio, I'm guessing this excuse is still widely used.

    I love the song - definitely one of my favorites - but I don't think it works that well on commercial radio. I know the live version with the extended instrumental is different from the album, but the song takes too long to get going for what a lot of stations want to play.
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  • CitizenRickCitizenRick Posts: 1,079
    SOLAT319 wrote:
    It's always been huge to me and that's all it matters. If you like a song so much, why do you even care what everybody else's opinion of it is?

    Same thing with Tremor Christ. I actually take pride from the fact that these songs are not "front window" songs for this band and yet they are on top of my list. I would take Tremor Christ and Immortality over, say Love Boat Captain or...what's another "hip" song that every "hip" Pearl Jam fan likes? Oh, I know....Leatherman or any of the songs from Binaural album anyday.

    Yeah, I know, Binaural is "cool and hip" and all of us are supposed to melt in its presence if we know any better. Well, frankly my dear, I don't give a damn ;-)
    I mean, don't get me wrong. I do have the album. I bought it like a nice little faithful fan and listened to it from time to time. But overall...not so much ;-P
    Now, Binaural outtakes on the other hand....that's a whole different story. They're fucking awesome!! In fact, Fatal has the same problem that Immortality has. How is it that that song is not HUGE???

    Oh, and like I stated a gazillion times on this board.....VITALOGY IS A FUCKING MASTERPIECE!!!

    What's up SOLAT (fellow Bay Area resident)! Yes... Vitalogy is a FUCKING MASTERPIECE!!!

    Just to reiterate my original thought...I'm just dumbfounded how this song isn't considered an all-time classic. I know all that matters is that I think it's a classic...but how the hell did all the "sheep" miss out on this one?

    It can't be because it was too dark or depressing can it? Half the shit on rock radio was depressing at the time.

    Maybe it was just too well written and metaphorical for dumbshit America to digest. Bottom line...this song to me is "the" masterpiece of the masterpiece that is Vitalogy(filler or no filler).
    "Had my eyes peeled both wide open, and I got a glimpse...of my innocense, got back my inner sence, baby got it...still got it"
  • blondieblue227blondieblue227 Va, USA Posts: 4,509
    woundedorgan wrote:
    Hey PJ play Tremor Christ in Camden....

    and in Va Beach!!!!! :D
    *~Pearl Jam will be blasted from speakers until morale improves~*

  • StuffnJunkStuffnJunk Posts: 896
    let me get this straight.....you're SURPRISED that commercial radio plays one dimensional pop shit rather than high quality artsy music????

    welcome to planet Earth!!!
    "I'll tell you what: If all I had was Pearl Jam, and I didn't have another band in the world, I would not be worried. Because in there is the essence of making great music. You don't have to use it all at once, but it's there." - Neil Young
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