Pearl Jam... the perfect medicine.

chris450

Without trying to be over dramatic... I think this might just be the case.

I've always kind of always been... the weird kid. Don't get me wrong, I could walk through my high school hallways and literally be liked by nearly everybody I pass, but I just never fit in. Alcohol made me vomit, parties made me nervous, girlfriends were a far off dream, and I was the president of the hacky sack club. On friday nights you were most likely to find me driving around in my car with a friend, smoking a blunt, and listening to music. This has been the pattern for quite a while... until 'that girl' came along and basically just ruined my life. Since her, I've pretty much withdrawn from all my friends and spend virtually 99% of my free time alone, finding solace in music. I already had all the Pearl Jam albums (excluding Lost Dogs and Riot Act... I now have both of those as well) and started really listening and dissecting the emotion that runs rampant through nearly every song. Hearing the pained groan when Eddie is screaming out on of his classic lines pulls my heartstrings in the best possible way. Hearing just as much emotion in the guitar squeal coming out of Mike or Stones guitar is like my innermost emotions breaking through in the most freeing way. Watching Jeff and Matt (or Dave) bobbing with the music, letting the pulse overtake their bodies is almost contagious expressionism.

I just heard the interview where Eddie says if it wasnt for music, he was afraid he would have been Jeremy standing in front of his class, and it really resonated with me. Someone who was saved by music is now saving with music. A heavy dose of heartbreak gets the best of all of us, and the only thing that lick my wounds a bit has been music, and Pearl Jam is my medicine of choice (the only other artist to hold such a high spot in my eyes remains John Frusciante). Anyone have similar feelings/stories of gratitude that you found this band to get you through the tougher times?

ShimmyMommy

Welcome to the boards :wave: I am glad to hear you found solace and safety with PJ, so you can exorcise what haunts you. Rise above.

One day, I just may tell how many times PJ has rescued me. They are definitely a catalyst for many important moments in my life. PJ is catharsis for me. PJ4LIFE.

whispering hands

Let's just say this.. When Ed says if wasn't for music... he meant, for himself, The Who..though there's no record that I know of, of him EVER trying to kill himself. When I tell you the same thing, I mean Pearl Jam.. and to be quite honest, I wasn't going to shoot myself in front of a class of people, but I DID have the barrel of a gun in my mouth when I first heard Garden, and it made me cry so hard I couldn't pull the trigger.. So beyond any shadow of a doubt.. yes I know exactly what you mean, I'm totally happy this band and their music came into my life. and I'm glad they ended up in yours as well.. Welcome..We are super glad you're here with us!!

ShimmyMommy

whispering hands wrote:

Let's just say this.. When Ed says if wasn't for music... he meant, for himself, The Who..though there's no record that I know of, of him EVER trying to kill himself. When I tell you the same thing, I mean Pearl Jam.. and to be quite honest, I wasn't going to shoot myself in front of a class of people, but I DID have the barrel of a gun in my mouth when I first heard Garden, and it made me cry so hard I couldn't pull the trigger.. So beyond any shadow of a doubt.. yes I know exactly what you mean, I'm totally happy this band and their music came into my life. and I'm glad they ended up in yours as well.. Welcome..We are super glad you're here with us!!

Glad you made it too.

whispering hands

thank you! And the best paret is the fans that love this band are SOOOOOOO cool.. The 10c never NEVER fails to amaze me with the absolute reality to ALLLLL these people!!!!!

Vandal_Liza

As i sit here reading these endless threads and listening to music. I am reminiscing about the early 90's. I was young then, full of life, full of hope and days felt like an endless summer.

Now i'm older, wiser and tied to a life of some conventionality. I yearn for those carefree days with a longing that physically hurts. Knowing they'll never come back is something i have to deal with. I don't want to get old, i don't want to leave that young girl i was, too far behind.

Listening to PJ and Nirvana just takes me right back to that time and i feel invincible once again. Long may their music continue to soothe (and anger and sadden) my soul. Without them i would be lost.

ShimmyMommy

Vandal_Liza wrote:

As i sit here reading these endless threads and listening to music. I am reminiscing about the early 90's. I was young then, full of life, full of hope and days felt like an endless summer.

Now i'm older, wiser and tied to a life of some conventionality. I yearn for those carefree days with a longing that physically hurts. Knowing they'll never come back is something i have to deal with. I don't want to get old, i don't want to leave that young girl i was, too far behind.

Listening to PJ and Nirvana just takes me right back to that time and i feel invincible once again. Long may their music continue to soothe (and anger and sadden) my soul. Without them i would be lost.

Take her with you on the journey...I bet she can convince you of all kinds of fun stuff!

Love the name too, Vandal_Liza!

Juan Godoy

really heart-touching stories..

i'm very happy you could make it guys!!

best wishes for all..

WhyGo91

While I'm too young to remember the old records, I do remember when Yield came out...cause it was my first cd I ever bought. From that point on I was hooked, glued, mezmorized, fascinated, or whatever you wanna call it. After that I my collection of music grew to an astounding amount, mostly bands from the 90's and the time I grew up in. ANYWAYS, from the point I bought Yield to now, its been an amazing adventure. Pearl Jam got me through my grandfathers death, heartbreak from a girl who led me on my entire senior year and told me i was no good, surgery, bullying in school for being too fat (ive lost 50 lbs. since then), and learning my grandma has lung cancer. That was all in the past. Now I'm skinnier, madly in love, in college, and happier than ever!!! But I noticed something very interesting as I progressed through my teen years. I will always need Pearl Jam. No matter if im sad and lonely, or happy and feeling great. Their music...it heals wounds that appear through my life like nothing else does. I love that feeling, because no matter what, they will always be there.

ShimmyMommy

WhyGo91 wrote:

While I'm too young to remember the old records, I do remember when Yield came out...cause it was my first cd I ever bought. From that point on I was hooked, glued, mezmorized, fascinated, or whatever you wanna call it. After that I my collection of music grew to an astounding amount, mostly bands from the 90's and the time I grew up in. ANYWAYS, from the point I bought Yield to now, its been an amazing adventure. Pearl Jam got me through my grandfathers death, heartbreak from a girl who led me on my entire senior year and told me i was no good, surgery, bullying in school for being too fat (ive lost 50 lbs. since then), and learning my grandma has lung cancer. That was all in the past. Now I'm skinnier, madly in love, in college, and happier than ever!!! But I noticed something very interesting as I progressed through my teen years. I will always need Pearl Jam. No matter if im sad and lonely, or happy and feeling great. Their music...it heals wounds that appear through my life like nothing else does. I love that feeling, because no matter what, they will always be there.

+1 and ccongratulations on taking control!!

And, I agree, PJ will always be there.

whispering hands

Thank God they will be here!! Cause you know we all need them here!!! This band is here for a reason.. and it's cool to know that we are all-so-related by the same need for the music that makes our lives so much better!!

cinderelochka

ShimmyMommy wrote:

Welcome to the boards :wave: I am glad to hear you found solace and safety with PJ, so you can exorcise what haunts you. Rise above.

One day, I just may tell how many times PJ has rescued me. They are definitely a catalyst for many important moments in my life. PJ is catharsis for me. PJ4LIFE.

Wow, well said.. Agreed, and great, great subject

Couldn't agree more.

ShimmyMommy

cinderelochka wrote:

ShimmyMommy wrote:

Welcome to the boards :wave: I am glad to hear you found solace and safety with PJ, so you can exorcise what haunts you. Rise above.

One day, I just may tell how many times PJ has rescued me. They are definitely a catalyst for many important moments in my life. PJ is catharsis for me. PJ4LIFE.

Wow, well said.. Agreed, and great, great subject

Couldn't agree more.

Thank you, and welcome to the boards! :wave:

pennylane106

When words escape you...

“It sounds silly, I know. But for me, the power of music rests in its ability to reach inside and touch the places where the deepest cuts lie. Like a benevolent god, a good song will never let you down.
And sometimes, when you're trying to find your way, one of those gods actually shows up and gives you directions.” -Tiffanie DeBartolo, How to Kill a Rockstar

Amen.

ShimmyMommy

pennylane106 wrote:

When words escape you...

“It sounds silly, I know. But for me, the power of music rests in its ability to reach inside and touch the places where the deepest cuts lie. Like a benevolent god, a good song will never let you down.
And sometimes, when you're trying to find your way, one of those gods actually shows up and gives you directions.” -Tiffanie DeBartolo, How to Kill a Rockstar

Amen.

Aye Davanita! That's an amazing quote!! Thank you for posting that!!! :thumbup:

Miss Terri

Listening to music has always been a huge part of who I am and how I cope with all of the struggles that day to day life seems to dump on all of us. At my age (45), I sometimes feel like my peers do not "get it" and have "outgrown" that part of their lives, but for me it's only gotten stronger. My love for Pearl Jam has only grown as they continue to share intensely personal and emotional experiences through their music. In a nutshell, PJ is always there for me. No matter what, I'm never alone. Thank you, more than you will ever know.