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Footsteps. Best PJ song ever?

pledgeagrievancepledgeagrievance Posts: 2,865
in The Porch
I was listening to PJ radio on the way home and Footsteps came on. The case for it being the best song they've recorded is as follows:

The lyrics. "I've got scratches all over my arms/one for each day since I fell apart" encapsulates the universality of the song as a whole. Even if someone hasn't been through a bad breakup, the lyric can apply to just about any feeling of loss or hopelessness.

The history of the music. Its relation to temple of the dog and times of trouble

Please feel free to add more . . .

For me, present tense was on top for a long time but today it's got to be footsteps
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Comments

  • FrankY59FrankY59 Posts: 1,049
    With or without the harmonica?
  • iamloco724iamloco724 Brooklyn NY Posts: 1,441
    Its certainly my favorite!
  • FrankieGFrankieG Abingdon MD Posts: 9,100
    Close to best ever, but Breath is the best ever ;)
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  • mwplummwplum Posts: 1,535
    It's definitely up there...I get chills just hearing that intro
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  • rummyrummy British Columbia, Canada Posts: 4,458
    FrankY59 said:

    With or without the harmonica?

    I prefer it without.
  • lazyjc22lazyjc22 Posts: 135
    Which came first, Foosteps, or Times of Trouble?
  • jlaustinjlaustin Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 2,355
    One of my all time favorites. Agree, OP, I get chills every time I hear "I got scratches..."
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  • RiotZactRiotZact Posts: 6,260
    It's about 5th or so for me but I'd probably say it's my favorite PJ guitar riff.
  • red mosred mos Posts: 4,953
    I think footsteps came first. Don't hate me if I am wrong.
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  • njnancynjnancy Posts: 5,096
    It's definitely in my top 5 - i love everything about the song. And the op is right; it can apply to more situations than a break-up. It's a beautiful mix of anger and sadness; deep wounds. I have times when i'll put Footsteps on loop and just let my pain and tears flow.
  • KC138045KC138045 Columbus, OH Posts: 2,716
    s="Quote" rel="red mos">I think footsteps came first. Don't hate me if I am wrong.

    I asked about this a while ago and I think I was told times of trouble was first. Either way I prefer Footsteps (with hormonica) over TOT.
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  • whofeelslikeadrankwhofeelslikeadrank Posts: 2,702
    Footsteps is my favorite PJ song. momma-son.
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  • WobbieWobbie Posts: 30,644
    I'm partial to times of trouble...
    If I had known then what I know now...

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  • DewieCoxDewieCox Posts: 11,430
    I love Footsteps, but it don't think it would be all that close to the top.
  • TheLuckyOnesTheLuckyOnes Posts: 472
    Now:it's good.
    Back in the day: put me over the top; this band is incredible. This is the song they're NOT putting on an album!?!?!?! WTF!!??!?!?

    cheers
  • FoxyRedLaFoxyRedLa Lauren / MI Posts: 4,810
    Footsteps came first - at the same time they were putting together TOTD. Chris rearranged it to fit his lyrics.
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  • BinFrogBinFrog MA Posts: 7,309
    rummy said:

    FrankY59 said:

    With or without the harmonica?

    I prefer it without.


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  • SVRDhand13SVRDhand13 Posts: 26,546
    Its third place for me, only behind Black and Present Tense.
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  • Spiritual_ChaosSpiritual_Chaos Posts: 30,877
    WHY GO is the perfect Pearl Jam song.

    But the best would be Release, Hard to Imagine or Breath I think. Footsteps is up there though.
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  • pjradiopjradio Posts: 6,704
    FoxyRedLa said:

    Footsteps came first - at the same time they were putting together TOTD. Chris rearranged it to fit his lyrics.

    "The music for the "Footsteps," which was written by Pearl Jam's Stone Gossard, was first used by Cornell and Gossard on the Temple of the Dog song "Times of Trouble." Footsteps" was later released by Pearl Jam as the B-side on the single for "Jeremy."
    aqo2t.jpg
  • cydoniacydonia Denbighshire, North Wales , UK Posts: 456
    Live footsteps is amazing, creates a atmosphere, particularly after the encore break, lyrically very strong and easy to relate to. Its one of my favourites but sirens has been a highlight for me from the last record, as I've lost people I love and the lyrics and music just reflect that loss. The journey from album to album always creates new favourites, especially no code and yield, with present tense and faithful my all time favourites.
  • whofeelslikeadrankwhofeelslikeadrank Posts: 2,702
    SVRDhand13 said:

    Its third place for me, only behind Black and Present Tense.

    there's nice versions of both of those on "the fans are alright", both awesome songs too.
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    Last: SEA2 08/10/2018
    Next: ??
    http://expressobeans.com/members/collections.php?id=29417
    “I think you won, but I enjoyed the fight” - EV
  • ZodZod Posts: 10,751
    Definitely one of my favorites. It look me a long time to finally see it live (and now i've seen it live a number of times). My favorite version is the original version from the Jeremy single.
  • FoxyRedLaFoxyRedLa Lauren / MI Posts: 4,810
    edited June 2014
    pjradio said:

    FoxyRedLa said:

    Footsteps came first - at the same time they were putting together TOTD. Chris rearranged it to fit his lyrics.

    "The music for the "Footsteps," which was written by Pearl Jam's Stone Gossard, was first used by Cornell and Gossard on the Temple of the Dog song "Times of Trouble." Footsteps" was later released by Pearl Jam as the B-side on the single for "Jeremy."
    I agree with this based on release date.
    Post edited by FoxyRedLa on
    Oh please let it rain today.
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  • DewieCoxDewieCox Posts: 11,430
    ^^^ wasn't the Mamasan trilogy the first songs Ed wrote with the rest of the fellas, while he was still in San Diego? Going by that and the fact that he was around when they were recording TOTD, I'd say Footsteps came first. Maybe I missed where the members lay it out for us.
  • FoxyRedLaFoxyRedLa Lauren / MI Posts: 4,810
    DewieCox said:

    ^^^ wasn't the Mamasan trilogy the first songs Ed wrote with the rest of the fellas, while he was still in San Diego? Going by that and the fact that he was around when they were recording TOTD, I'd say Footsteps came first. Maybe I missed where the members lay it out for us.

    Agreed.
    Oh please let it rain today.
    Those that can be trusted can change their mind.
  • callencallen Posts: 6,388
    One if my favorites. Most of LD is incredible.
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  • EB218946EB218946 Posts: 3,987
    I agree good song but I like Times of trouble better.
  • PJ_SoulPJ_Soul Vancouver, BC Posts: 50,126
    Not IMHO. There are dozens of PJ songs I would personally put before Footsteps, but I really like the song a lot!
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  • whoyouare72whoyouare72 Chicago IL Posts: 2,157
    Rearview Mirror is the best PJ song of all time.
    RVM has withstood the test of time for me as #1 and this will always be my favorite.
    I have had a number of "2nd" favorites over the years but RVM ALWAYS comes out on top!!!
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