Alright, so I was listening to 106.5 the end out of Charlotte,NC today when the DJ said, "coming up next is a song by Pearl Jam. Eddie Vedder personally called radio stations and asked them not to play this song." He went on to explain that because this song had so much personal meaning behind it, that Ed did not want it played. My first thought was, well then why are you playing it you tool. Shortly after Black began to play. Has anyone ever heard of this before or know if its true? I found it interesting. Incite??
I met ed after a solo show in upper darby, pa last year. I asked him if black was based on real relationship or fictional. someone taped the coverasation and put it on youtube. the link is below. my question comes in at 2 minutes. if anybody wants a transcript of conversation let me know
that is so awesomely cool!
i just love how ed takes the time to talk to all of us.
he is just so freakin wonderful. someone really got his heart there at the end...hugs and all.
he is so sincere in his feelings...and what a treat that must have been for you
but man...when you asked about black..wow! the look on his face said "don't go there man"
ya guys i'm pretty sure black was written before pj was even officially pj right? so it sure couldn't have been about the girl from 7yr..man that band had a hard time didn't they? wow...so many of those early seattle bands went through so much loss. its a sad sad story, but i seriously doubt black could have fit that time frame.
the video is priceless dude!
peace,
jo
http://www.Etsy.com/Shop/SimpleEarthCreations
"How I choose to feel is how I am." ~ EV/MMc
"Some people hear their own inner voices with great clearness and they live by what they hear. Such people become crazy, or they become legends." ~ One Stab ~
"This is the saddest song I know...all that's left is the pain"
"Its personal, a relationship thing...I don't think I can ever explain what its all about"
"...hope none of you can relate"
he often tags black with "we belong together" which makes the whole thing just so much sadder
I do know he doesn't like other people to sing it...that's quite telling
I have written of this several times, but I'm happy to discuss it again: Other fans often insist that the song is about the breakup of a man and a woman, but the lyrics just don't fit. I clearly see Black as a heartbroken, tormented Lovesong to the aborted foetus from Vedder's teenage years.
"Empty canvas" and "Untouched clay" are metaphors for the potential of life that did not happen. The narrator "cradles" broken glass. Not holds, not caresses, but cradles.
He sings, "I'm surrounded by some kids at play. I can feel their laughter, so why do I sear?" Again, he is specifically referencing children- not happy loving couples, not the laughter of women, etc.
And the final line is a wish for reincarnation. "I know some day you'll have a beautiful life. I know/hope you will be a star/sun in somebody else's sky. But why can't it be mine? We belong together."
The narrator is insisting that the hypothetical child WILL have a life. He can't admit otherwise. "Star" and "Sun" (depending on the version of the song) are celestial and heavenly, like Western myths of afterlife.
I think that the "She" character in the song is the ex-girlfriend. But Black is in no way a simple breakup song. I hear a man whose heart, mind, and soul were shattered.
---Edit: Oops, I forgot the "Five Horizons" bit. The first or second post I ever made on this forum was in the several-years-long thread about Five Horizons in the lyrics section. "Five horizons revolved around the soul" could mean a pregnancy of five weeks or months.
From what I understand, Black was written about Stefanie Sargent who was a guitarist in Seven Year Bitch. She died after suffocating on her own vomit from drinking and taking heroin. I'm not sure how much truth there is to this or if she was Ed's girlfriend at the time or whatnot. Ed doesn't talk about it for obvious reasons whatever they are. The song speaks volumes of the pain he went through.
I thought Ed was with Beth at that time, but I'm not an expert on his personal life so I don't know. "She died after suffocating on her own vomit from drinking and taking heroin." ~Just one of the many reasons to abstain from that. Ed did seem to struggle a lot with the fame and privacy issue a lot back then, but to personally call a radio station sounds a little extreme to me, that's just my two cents.
Some great lyrics from Black
"And now my bitter hands,shake beneath the clouds, of what was everything " Great imagery of him crying, his eyes the clouds..his hands shaking beneath his face.
"Oh, I'm spinning ..How quick the sun can, drop away... " What happens when the sun drops away or sets..it turns Black.
"All the love gone bad, turned my world to black" "And now my bitter hands
Cradle broken glass Of what was everything All the pictures had All been washed in black" The theme of blackness..permiates throught the song as well.
Bridge Benefit 1994, San Francisco 1995, San Diego 1995 1 & 2, Missoula 1998, Los Angeles 2000, San Diego 2000, Eddie Vedder/Beck 2/26/2002, Santa Barbara 2003, Irvine 2003, San Diego 2003, Vancouver 2005, Gorge 2005, San Diego 2006, Los Angeles 2006 1 & 2, Santa Barbara 2006, Eddie Vedder 4/10/08, Eddie Vedder 4/12/08, Eddie Vedder 4/15/08, 7/12/2008, SF 8/28/09, LA 9/30/09, LA 10/1/09, LA 10/06/09, LA 10/07/09, San Diego 10/09/09, Eddie Vedder 7/6/2011, Eddie Vedder 7/8/2011, PJ20 9/3/2011, PJ20 9/4/2011, Vancouver 9/25/2011, San Diego 11/21/13, LA 11/24/13, Ohana 9/25/21, Ohana 9/26/21, Ohana 10/1/21, EV 2/17/22, LA Forum 5/6/22, LA Forum 5/7/22, EV 10/1/22, EV 9/30/23
Some great lyrics from Black
"And now my bitter hands,shake beneath the clouds, of what was everything " Great imagery of him crying, his eyes the clouds..his hands shaking beneath his face.
"Oh, I'm spinning ..How quick the sun can, drop away... " What happens when the sun drops away or sets..it turns Black.
"All the love gone bad, turned my world to black" "And now my bitter hands
Cradle broken glass Of what was everything All the pictures had All been washed in black" The theme of blackness..permiates throught the song as well.
Agreed. This song has some of the most beautiful lyrics ever written (not just of Pearl Jam songs, but any song). You can feel the pain in them, you know his (the person in the song) heart has been ripped out, so beautiful. It captures those feelings of hopelessness and despair that comes with loss.
this whole thing is just soooo sad
I wish I hadn't re-read any of it this morning
What a tormented soul
Suppose that's what it takes to
Make truly beautiful music
peace,
jo
http://www.Etsy.com/Shop/SimpleEarthCreations
"How I choose to feel is how I am." ~ EV/MMc
"Some people hear their own inner voices with great clearness and they live by what they hear. Such people become crazy, or they become legends." ~ One Stab ~
Some great lyrics from Black
"And now my bitter hands,shake beneath the clouds, of what was everything " Great imagery of him crying, his eyes the clouds..his hands shaking beneath his face.
"Oh, I'm spinning ..How quick the sun can, drop away... " What happens when the sun drops away or sets..it turns Black.
"All the love gone bad, turned my world to black" "And now my bitter hands
Cradle broken glass Of what was everything All the pictures had All been washed in black" The theme of blackness..permiates throught the song as well.
Amazing lyrics for sure! Black has always been one of my favorite songs.
Me: Ed, quick question. Was Black based on a real relationship or was that kinda fictional?
some girl: Oh don’t nag him right now.
Ed: Yeah, no that's a good question, yeah it’s fictional. (rolls his eyes a little)
Me: It wasn't a real relationship, you had.
(Ed tilts his head slightly)
Me: No
(Ed kind of lifts his hand): It was
Ed: You got it right from what you know. Sometimes you cover it up. See back then, we didn't, I didn't think anyone would ever hear that song. So I didn't think I would have to cover anything up.
Me: So it's a fictional story.
Ed: Oh, no, no, no.
Me: So it's a real experience Ed.
Ed: Oh Yeah. I think we've all had heartache???.
When he first said its fictional was clearly just sarcasm, him messing with me. I think what he meant by that he didn't "cover it up", was he did not try to hide his feelings or the meaning of the song. It was kind of funny when I asked him because everybody was just saying things like "i love you" and "you're great" and then I think I caught him off guard with a serious question. I tell his was very taken back. One the coolest most unforegetable moments of my life. I would appreciate any comments of their interpretation of his answer.
didn't he say "you've got to write from what you know"?
+1
watch The History of Pearl Jam videos
OR
Storytellers
ed says a lot in those
I have all 5 of the Hx vids on my fb page which you can get to by clicking on my badge at the bottom of this page....if you're interested and haven't seen...its worth watching
peace,
jo
http://www.Etsy.com/Shop/SimpleEarthCreations
"How I choose to feel is how I am." ~ EV/MMc
"Some people hear their own inner voices with great clearness and they live by what they hear. Such people become crazy, or they become legends." ~ One Stab ~
"This is the saddest song I know...all that's left is the pain"
"Its personal, a relationship thing...I don't think I can ever explain what its all about"
"...hope none of you can relate"
he often tags black with "we belong together" which makes the whole thing just so much sadder
I do know he doesn't like other people to sing it...that's quite telling
I have written of this several times, but I'm happy to discuss it again: Other fans often insist that the song is about the breakup of a man and a woman, but the lyrics just don't fit. I clearly see Black as a heartbroken, tormented Lovesong to the aborted foetus from Vedder's teenage years.
"Empty canvas" and "Untouched clay" are metaphors for the potential of life that did not happen. The narrator "cradles" broken glass. Not holds, not caresses, but cradles.
He sings, "I'm surrounded by some kids at play. I can feel their laughter, so why do I sear?" Again, he is specifically referencing children- not happy loving couples, not the laughter of women, etc.
And the final line is a wish for reincarnation. "I know some day you'll have a beautiful life. I know/hope you will be a star/sun in somebody else's sky. But why can't it be mine? We belong together."
The narrator is insisting that the hypothetical child WILL have a life. He can't admit otherwise. "Star" and "Sun" (depending on the version of the song) are celestial and heavenly, like Western myths of afterlife.
I think that the "She" character in the song is the ex-girlfriend. But Black is in no way a simple breakup song. I hear a man whose heart, mind, and soul were shattered.
---Edit: Oops, I forgot the "Five Horizons" bit. The first or second post I ever made on this forum was in the several-years-long thread about Five Horizons in the lyrics section. "Five horizons revolved around the soul" could mean a pregnancy of five weeks or months.
i always took the "star in someone elses sky" as in star, like a superstar or a extremely famous/important person
as in you will find love and be loved by someone else, but why can't it be me
E. Rutherford 6/03/06
Camden 6/19/08
Newark 5/18/10
MSG 5/20/10
MSG 5/21/10
Brian (Staten Island): Does Boom even speak to you guys?
SportsNation Jeff Ament: (6:42 PM ET ) we can only speak to Boom when spoken to...
Comments
not true.
that is so awesomely cool!
i just love how ed takes the time to talk to all of us.
he is just so freakin wonderful. someone really got his heart there at the end...hugs and all.
he is so sincere in his feelings...and what a treat that must have been for you
but man...when you asked about black..wow! the look on his face said "don't go there man"
ya guys i'm pretty sure black was written before pj was even officially pj right? so it sure couldn't have been about the girl from 7yr..man that band had a hard time didn't they? wow...so many of those early seattle bands went through so much loss. its a sad sad story, but i seriously doubt black could have fit that time frame.
the video is priceless dude!
jo
http://www.Etsy.com/Shop/SimpleEarthCreations
"How I choose to feel is how I am." ~ EV/MMc
"Some people hear their own inner voices with great clearness and they live by what they hear. Such people become crazy, or they become legends." ~ One Stab ~
I have written of this several times, but I'm happy to discuss it again: Other fans often insist that the song is about the breakup of a man and a woman, but the lyrics just don't fit. I clearly see Black as a heartbroken, tormented Lovesong to the aborted foetus from Vedder's teenage years.
"Empty canvas" and "Untouched clay" are metaphors for the potential of life that did not happen. The narrator "cradles" broken glass. Not holds, not caresses, but cradles.
He sings, "I'm surrounded by some kids at play. I can feel their laughter, so why do I sear?" Again, he is specifically referencing children- not happy loving couples, not the laughter of women, etc.
And the final line is a wish for reincarnation. "I know some day you'll have a beautiful life. I know/hope you will be a star/sun in somebody else's sky. But why can't it be mine? We belong together."
The narrator is insisting that the hypothetical child WILL have a life. He can't admit otherwise. "Star" and "Sun" (depending on the version of the song) are celestial and heavenly, like Western myths of afterlife.
I think that the "She" character in the song is the ex-girlfriend. But Black is in no way a simple breakup song. I hear a man whose heart, mind, and soul were shattered.
---Edit: Oops, I forgot the "Five Horizons" bit. The first or second post I ever made on this forum was in the several-years-long thread about Five Horizons in the lyrics section. "Five horizons revolved around the soul" could mean a pregnancy of five weeks or months.
I thought Ed was with Beth at that time, but I'm not an expert on his personal life so I don't know. "She died after suffocating on her own vomit from drinking and taking heroin." ~Just one of the many reasons to abstain from that. Ed did seem to struggle a lot with the fame and privacy issue a lot back then, but to personally call a radio station sounds a little extreme to me, that's just my two cents.
fade away...
I am at peace with my lust.....for Eddie.
"And now my bitter hands,shake beneath the clouds, of what was everything " Great imagery of him crying, his eyes the clouds..his hands shaking beneath his face.
"Oh, I'm spinning ..How quick the sun can, drop away... " What happens when the sun drops away or sets..it turns Black.
"All the love gone bad, turned my world to black" "And now my bitter hands
Cradle broken glass Of what was everything All the pictures had All been washed in black" The theme of blackness..permiates throught the song as well.
Agreed. This song has some of the most beautiful lyrics ever written (not just of Pearl Jam songs, but any song). You can feel the pain in them, you know his (the person in the song) heart has been ripped out, so beautiful. It captures those feelings of hopelessness and despair that comes with loss.
fade away...
I am at peace with my lust.....for Eddie.
I wish I hadn't re-read any of it this morning
What a tormented soul
Suppose that's what it takes to
Make truly beautiful music
jo
http://www.Etsy.com/Shop/SimpleEarthCreations
"How I choose to feel is how I am." ~ EV/MMc
"Some people hear their own inner voices with great clearness and they live by what they hear. Such people become crazy, or they become legends." ~ One Stab ~
Amazing lyrics for sure! Black has always been one of my favorite songs.
Me: Ed, quick question. Was Black based on a real relationship or was that kinda fictional?
some girl: Oh don’t nag him right now.
Ed: Yeah, no that's a good question, yeah it’s fictional. (rolls his eyes a little)
Me: It wasn't a real relationship, you had.
(Ed tilts his head slightly)
Me: No
(Ed kind of lifts his hand): It was
Ed: You got it right from what you know. Sometimes you cover it up. See back then, we didn't, I didn't think anyone would ever hear that song. So I didn't think I would have to cover anything up.
Me: So it's a fictional story.
Ed: Oh, no, no, no.
Me: So it's a real experience Ed.
Ed: Oh Yeah. I think we've all had heartache???.
When he first said its fictional was clearly just sarcasm, him messing with me. I think what he meant by that he didn't "cover it up", was he did not try to hide his feelings or the meaning of the song. It was kind of funny when I asked him because everybody was just saying things like "i love you" and "you're great" and then I think I caught him off guard with a serious question. I tell his was very taken back. One the coolest most unforegetable moments of my life. I would appreciate any comments of their interpretation of his answer.
watch The History of Pearl Jam videos
OR
Storytellers
ed says a lot in those
I have all 5 of the Hx vids on my fb page which you can get to by clicking on my badge at the bottom of this page....if you're interested and haven't seen...its worth watching
jo
http://www.Etsy.com/Shop/SimpleEarthCreations
"How I choose to feel is how I am." ~ EV/MMc
"Some people hear their own inner voices with great clearness and they live by what they hear. Such people become crazy, or they become legends." ~ One Stab ~
i always took the "star in someone elses sky" as in star, like a superstar or a extremely famous/important person
as in you will find love and be loved by someone else, but why can't it be me
Camden 6/19/08
Newark 5/18/10
MSG 5/20/10
MSG 5/21/10
Brian (Staten Island): Does Boom even speak to you guys?
SportsNation Jeff Ament: (6:42 PM ET ) we can only speak to Boom when spoken to...
I'm not sure if he said, "you've got to write from what you know" or "You got it right from what you know". could somebody listen to it for me.
it makes sense in the context.
you've got it right from what you know doesn't make sense.