I love reading everyone's responses to this topic. As a new fan, it is interesting to see other people's interpretations to songs, and I have been going and listening to them as I read the comments.
Mine:
Black-NEVER gets old; beautiful music and lyrics; reminds me of when I first heard of Pearl Jam ( early 90s?) and high school. I honestly get a nostalgic feeling whenever I hear the opening. AND Black is sexy.
Indifference-Love the lyrics and the music, and I can (and have) play it over and over.
Just Breathe-Absolutely beautiful!!
Release-I love the meaning behind this song, and PJ opened with it at my first (and so far only) concert. My brother had just talked about how they never do Release live anymore, and then PJ opened with it, and it was beautiful and special!!
Betterman-The lyrics are perfect and so true. I can relate.
Alive-Love the story and reminds me that people can make something beautiful out of something shitty. It shows Eddie's talent as a songwriter, and I like the idea that even after you go through shit, you can get through it and still be alive.
Immortality-I just like it. I love the music and Eddie's voice.
Picking one is easy (for me), so I decided to put together a top 10. I want to stress that I love all Pearl Jam, but Ten through Vitalogy is definitely on a separate tier, IMO.
10. Betterman
I love the gradual build in this song... One second you think it's going to be slow throughout, and then the rest of the guys join Eddie to rock out through the rest of this one.
9. Daughter
I'll be honest, I used to skip this one pretty much every time it came on. I thought it was a good song when I listened to it, but it had been played on the radio so much that I was just sick of it... But over the last couple of years it has found itself on my "Can't Skip" list. The live versions with the tags on the end have won me over, and now I rarely ever skip it.
8. Porch
Porch is just an absolute rock song through and through, and I can't think of many other ways to describe it. Hear my name / Take a good look / This could be the day / Hold my hand / Walk beside me / I just need to say... Ahh, that's good stuff.
7. Corduroy
My favorite track off of Vitalogy... Especially love hearing it live.
6. Garden
To me, Garden captures everything you could possibly want in a Pearl Jam song... I haven't had the opportunity to read through this entire thread yet, but I'd be surprised if it wasn't on a couple more lists.
5. Yellow Ledbetter
One of the most popular and recognizable songs in the Pearl Jam catalogue. Whether you enjoy the song because you're trying to figure out the lyrics or you just love the sweet guitar playing of Mike McCready, Yellow Ledbetter is a sweet tune to jam.
4. State of Love & Trust
When people ask me why I love Pearl Jam so much, I point out this fact to them: Two of my top five favorite songs by them weren't even released on an official Pearl Jam album... SoLaT and Yellow Ledbetter just go to show you that you can't ignore a song just because it's hidden on a b-side or a soundtrack. If it's a Pearl Jam song, you better believe it's worth listening to.
3. Alive
Part 1 of the infamous Mamasan trilogy, and the beginning of the 3 easiest selections on this entire list... By this point, my descriptions aren't necessary and the music speaks for itself... I will say this, though... The only way to listen to Alive is with the volume cranked all the way up.
2. Rearviewmirror
Words can't describe how much I love this song, but I will tell you that for one entire summer I kept it on repeat in headphones in my ears as I went to sleep... So it played all through the night and was the song I woke up to. Does that give you any kind of indicator?
1. Black
Black has been my favorite song by ANY band since the first time I ever had the pleasure of listening to it. I could talk for years about this one, but just let the music do the talking.
Hi I would have to say the song that i like the most is Reign O'er Me..Its true in many ways...
It's a song by The Who.
Mine is I Got Id, Release, Unthought Known and Habit!
PJ - Sydney 1998; Sydney 2003; Sydney, Melbourne, Newcastle 2006; Melbourne, Sydney 2009; Gold Coast, Melbourne, Sydney 2014.
EV - Canberra, Newcastle, Sydney 2011; Sydney 2014.
My favorite is Given To Fly.
It just has a beautiful an inspiring sound to it, same thing with the lyrics.
I do not know if my personal interpretation of the lyrics is directly in line with the true meaning of the lyrics, but here is what I get out of the song.
It is about a man who is so close to the edge, so broke down, on the brink of suicide. Upon making it to the ocean and stopping for his smoke the beauty of the ocean hit him as "A wave came crashing like a fist to the jaw" and in this moment he realized that there is so much beauty in the world to take in, and this moment and though process saved him in a why. He no longer wanted to leave this earth but rather embrace it's beauty. In this moment of clarity he was "given to fly" He felt above all the bullshit that has been clouding his life. He then wanted to share this newly found frame of mind, but was written off, ignored, looked at as if he were crazy. But that did not change his new love for life, he was a new man and nothing could drag him down.
Like I said..this may not be Eddies intention lyrically, however this is how I take the song and to me it is the most beautiful that Pearl Jam has ever written.
Ever since I first heard indifference it has been my favorite song. Just breathe has become a close second. Both are just beautiful and what I believe love should be.
Still can't believe I met Mike Mccready at the Guggenheim and got a pic with him!!!!!
2010: 9/7/10 - Bilbao
2012: 26-27/6/12 - Amsterdam ~~ 29/6/12 - Werchter ~~ 4-5/7/12 - Berlin
2014: 25/6/14 - Vienna ~~ 26/6/14 - Berlin
Live I really enjoy Comatose, Spin the Black Circle, Leash and Porch. Love to rock out at shows.
But Thumbing my Way has my heart. I clearly remember the first time I heard it and how it made me cry half way into it. The line "All the rusted signs we ignore throughout our lives, choosing the shiny ones instead" is a life lesson, one that hit me hard and good. And the music is one of the most beautiful things I have heard in my life. So yeah, that's the one!
Very close to my heart as well are Footsteps and Low Light.
"He who hears music, feels his solitude peopled at once" R. Browning
I can remember exactly when and where I was when I first heard this song and how I knew right there that this song was one that I would continue to listen to and love forever. This song got me through a lot of tough times when my parents were going through a divorce because my dad was such a jerk. I can still remember after all of there fights just going into my room and listening to this song on repeat and may sound corny but gave me a lot of strength to keep on chugging rather than feel sorry for myself. I agree with what others have said that this isn't really a fair choice because of pearl jam's extensive catalog (I will say that In My Tree would be my second), but, nonetheless, this song is awesome both musically and lyrically.
all time whammy bammy favorite:
Black, handsdown my favorite song ever and ever. EVERYTHING fits in that song, emotion, fancy tunes, great singing. darn its great.
Ten: see above
Vs. : Indifference, that song just closes the album off with a bang without bangin itself. its quiet, and contains some very strong vedder vocals imo
Vitalogy: Immortality, it resonates with something in me. cant really put my finger on it, but whenever i hear this song i zone out and it takes me to places i have never been or ever will be.
No Code: In My Tree/Present Tense, i cant really decide between these two. Present Tense appears to be written as a warning for me specifically as i tend do dwell on the past. I KNOW it makes 'more sense to live in the present tense', but man its hard when the past was awesome and the now isnt.
The percussion in In My Tree lifts it up and up until it passes way beyond my tree and enters the stuff off legends. excuse me i am off putting No Code on....best pj album imo.
Yield: In Hiding, i felt like this songs lyrics during my teens. i still get shivers if i hear it, but then i get shivers with most pj songs
Benaural: Insignificance, turn on your telly, watch the news. nuff said.
Riot Act: You Are, but it was a close call with Save You. in the end the fact that it is a Matt song edged it before 'feelin cocky and strong, can't let u go'.....
Lost Dogs: Sad, great piece of guitar work there. loved it instantly
Pearl Jam: Severed Hand, it rocks and it rocks hard. when i first listened to the avocado album this song stood out and it still does for me. 'Do u want some more, and i said yeaahhh'....
Backpacer: Amongst the waves, i absolutely have to crank it up when i am driving. singing loudly i actually feel as though my soul can be saved. 'better loud than to late'
sorry for any grammar problems i am from the netherlands and english is secondary for me
I watch the board all the time, but I don't weigh in too often.
I have a running top 3 songs of all time...I'm adamant about them and all my friends know this.
1. State of Love and Trust: All time favorite song (especially the unplugged)...Don't ask me why, but the themes really hit home. A few favorites from the song include the lyrics, 'I want to be enlightened like I wanna be told the end.' I love that... Also, the free spirited existential undertones of, ' Nothing!....I'll do this one myself.' Over all I think the song is a lot about the speed of life and the decisions involved being your own...and that alone is hard. Who are we to choose who we are to be? The freedom is heavy with responsibility. How I interpret it for myself; the Barrel is the future, the trigger is my willingness...and my head is all the possibilities. Perhaps you know the feeling of making decisions and living with them when you know fully well nothing is inherently wrong or right for you.
2. Force of Nature (I know this might come under scrutiny) What I love so much about this song is the conviction the man has for the love that has somehow left him 'shipwrecked' Not to mention these lyrics:
'One man stands alone, Awaiting
For her to come home
Eyes are closed,.. You cannot know
But his heart don’t seem to roam.'
3. NOT PJ - but Springsteen's Lost in the Flood - the live version (From Hammersmith) - Holy shit that guy knows how to sing a song with emotion.
Thanks for reading
M
Oh tonight began with anything
Thunder Bay, 2005
St. Paul, 2006
Las Vegas, 2006
Lollapalooza, 2007
PJ20, 2011
Baltimore, 2013
I know sounds a little cheese, but ALIVE is my favorite song. It has always ranked in my top 5 of PJ songs, but since december 2010 that has been #1. In dec, 2010, my mom decided to hit me with, guess what, you know the guy that you thought was your father for 32yrs? Well theres a good possibility that he is not your father. The year before you were born I had a fling and there is a possibility he is your father. I am 32, my parents divorced when I was 3 and my mom moved 1600 miles away and has been there ever since. I take the dna test with the guy I thought was my father and sure enough. My mom is a hewer. The guy who I thought was my father for 32yrs is not, and my mom cant remember enough about my actual father to let me look for him. F-me
Songs like; Just Breathe, Betterman, Black, and Indifference all deserve their own pedestal for being great. However, my favorite all time Pearl Jams songs are Unthought Known and Yellow Ledbetter. Unthought Known is one of my favorites because aside from it being a great song, my daughter was born while this song was playing on the radio.
I have to say Yellow Ledbetter is my other favorite. The beginning guitar solo, and for the whole song, the music literally envelopes your heart and fills your soul with an undescribable calm. Ed's deep voice and profound lyrics not just add to the music - it heightens the whole song.
I know it's a cover, but I've never had a song hit me as hard as Love Reign O'er Me.
No matter what mood I'm in, no matter how happy or sad I'm feeling, it kicks me up the arse and just fills me with energy.
An amazing song, and I have one of my most favourite PJ memories because of it.
I was looking for my holiday single with it on a few weeks ago and it seems to have been lost when I moved house, absolutely gutted as I finally got a record player for Christmas.
To me its about a long lost love. Someone who you loved and longed over, but as time passed the memories and feelings faded. Then you run into the person years latter and you try to recall. Its an amazing song. The way Eddie sings it conveys the emotion so well.
Close second has to be Betterman, title mine Better(wo)man though.
Just the feeling of being in love with someone, yet you know its wrong. You want to leave, you know theirs something better, but youre to fearful to leave the familiar comfort of everything you have. So you lie to yourself and everyone else. I first heard a live version (Gorge 05 I think...) I fell in love with every aspect of the song. Guitar arpeggio, the melody, and how he sings it. Its best when the crowd sings however!
Comments
Mine:
Black-NEVER gets old; beautiful music and lyrics; reminds me of when I first heard of Pearl Jam ( early 90s?) and high school. I honestly get a nostalgic feeling whenever I hear the opening. AND Black is sexy.
Indifference-Love the lyrics and the music, and I can (and have) play it over and over.
Just Breathe-Absolutely beautiful!!
Release-I love the meaning behind this song, and PJ opened with it at my first (and so far only) concert. My brother had just talked about how they never do Release live anymore, and then PJ opened with it, and it was beautiful and special!!
Betterman-The lyrics are perfect and so true. I can relate.
Alive-Love the story and reminds me that people can make something beautiful out of something shitty. It shows Eddie's talent as a songwriter, and I like the idea that even after you go through shit, you can get through it and still be alive.
Immortality-I just like it. I love the music and Eddie's voice.
10. Betterman
I love the gradual build in this song... One second you think it's going to be slow throughout, and then the rest of the guys join Eddie to rock out through the rest of this one.
9. Daughter
I'll be honest, I used to skip this one pretty much every time it came on. I thought it was a good song when I listened to it, but it had been played on the radio so much that I was just sick of it... But over the last couple of years it has found itself on my "Can't Skip" list. The live versions with the tags on the end have won me over, and now I rarely ever skip it.
8. Porch
Porch is just an absolute rock song through and through, and I can't think of many other ways to describe it. Hear my name / Take a good look / This could be the day / Hold my hand / Walk beside me / I just need to say... Ahh, that's good stuff.
7. Corduroy
My favorite track off of Vitalogy... Especially love hearing it live.
6. Garden
To me, Garden captures everything you could possibly want in a Pearl Jam song... I haven't had the opportunity to read through this entire thread yet, but I'd be surprised if it wasn't on a couple more lists.
5. Yellow Ledbetter
One of the most popular and recognizable songs in the Pearl Jam catalogue. Whether you enjoy the song because you're trying to figure out the lyrics or you just love the sweet guitar playing of Mike McCready, Yellow Ledbetter is a sweet tune to jam.
4. State of Love & Trust
When people ask me why I love Pearl Jam so much, I point out this fact to them: Two of my top five favorite songs by them weren't even released on an official Pearl Jam album... SoLaT and Yellow Ledbetter just go to show you that you can't ignore a song just because it's hidden on a b-side or a soundtrack. If it's a Pearl Jam song, you better believe it's worth listening to.
3. Alive
Part 1 of the infamous Mamasan trilogy, and the beginning of the 3 easiest selections on this entire list... By this point, my descriptions aren't necessary and the music speaks for itself... I will say this, though... The only way to listen to Alive is with the volume cranked all the way up.
2. Rearviewmirror
Words can't describe how much I love this song, but I will tell you that for one entire summer I kept it on repeat in headphones in my ears as I went to sleep... So it played all through the night and was the song I woke up to. Does that give you any kind of indicator?
1. Black
Black has been my favorite song by ANY band since the first time I ever had the pleasure of listening to it. I could talk for years about this one, but just let the music do the talking.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFVlJAi3 ... r_embedded
It's a song by The Who.
Mine is I Got Id, Release, Unthought Known and Habit!
EV - Canberra, Newcastle, Sydney 2011; Sydney 2014.
It just has a beautiful an inspiring sound to it, same thing with the lyrics.
I do not know if my personal interpretation of the lyrics is directly in line with the true meaning of the lyrics, but here is what I get out of the song.
It is about a man who is so close to the edge, so broke down, on the brink of suicide. Upon making it to the ocean and stopping for his smoke the beauty of the ocean hit him as "A wave came crashing like a fist to the jaw" and in this moment he realized that there is so much beauty in the world to take in, and this moment and though process saved him in a why. He no longer wanted to leave this earth but rather embrace it's beauty. In this moment of clarity he was "given to fly" He felt above all the bullshit that has been clouding his life. He then wanted to share this newly found frame of mind, but was written off, ignored, looked at as if he were crazy. But that did not change his new love for life, he was a new man and nothing could drag him down.
Like I said..this may not be Eddies intention lyrically, however this is how I take the song and to me it is the most beautiful that Pearl Jam has ever written.
"I could no sooner choose a favorite star in the heavens."
I can't even pick a favorite song from each album.
2010: 9/7/10 - Bilbao
2012: 26-27/6/12 - Amsterdam ~~ 29/6/12 - Werchter ~~ 4-5/7/12 - Berlin
2014: 25/6/14 - Vienna ~~ 26/6/14 - Berlin
But Thumbing my Way has my heart. I clearly remember the first time I heard it and how it made me cry half way into it. The line "All the rusted signs we ignore throughout our lives, choosing the shiny ones instead" is a life lesson, one that hit me hard and good. And the music is one of the most beautiful things I have heard in my life. So yeah, that's the one!
Very close to my heart as well are Footsteps and Low Light.
I can remember exactly when and where I was when I first heard this song and how I knew right there that this song was one that I would continue to listen to and love forever. This song got me through a lot of tough times when my parents were going through a divorce because my dad was such a jerk. I can still remember after all of there fights just going into my room and listening to this song on repeat and may sound corny but gave me a lot of strength to keep on chugging rather than feel sorry for myself. I agree with what others have said that this isn't really a fair choice because of pearl jam's extensive catalog (I will say that In My Tree would be my second), but, nonetheless, this song is awesome both musically and lyrically.
all time whammy bammy favorite:
Black, handsdown my favorite song ever and ever. EVERYTHING fits in that song, emotion, fancy tunes, great singing. darn its great.
Ten: see above
Vs. : Indifference, that song just closes the album off with a bang without bangin itself. its quiet, and contains some very strong vedder vocals imo
Vitalogy: Immortality, it resonates with something in me. cant really put my finger on it, but whenever i hear this song i zone out and it takes me to places i have never been or ever will be.
No Code: In My Tree/Present Tense, i cant really decide between these two. Present Tense appears to be written as a warning for me specifically as i tend do dwell on the past. I KNOW it makes 'more sense to live in the present tense', but man its hard when the past was awesome and the now isnt.
The percussion in In My Tree lifts it up and up until it passes way beyond my tree and enters the stuff off legends. excuse me i am off putting No Code on....best pj album imo.
Yield: In Hiding, i felt like this songs lyrics during my teens. i still get shivers if i hear it, but then i get shivers with most pj songs
Benaural: Insignificance, turn on your telly, watch the news. nuff said.
Riot Act: You Are, but it was a close call with Save You. in the end the fact that it is a Matt song edged it before 'feelin cocky and strong, can't let u go'.....
Lost Dogs: Sad, great piece of guitar work there. loved it instantly
Pearl Jam: Severed Hand, it rocks and it rocks hard. when i first listened to the avocado album this song stood out and it still does for me. 'Do u want some more, and i said yeaahhh'....
Backpacer: Amongst the waves, i absolutely have to crank it up when i am driving. singing loudly i actually feel as though my soul can be saved. 'better loud than to late'
sorry for any grammar problems i am from the netherlands and english is secondary for me
and so, We´re all still Alive, YEAH YEAH YEAH!!!
Wuhlheide, Berlin - June 30, 2010
Wuhlheide, Berlin - June 26, 2014
http://www.lastfm.de/user/thegrumpel
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I have a running top 3 songs of all time...I'm adamant about them and all my friends know this.
1. State of Love and Trust: All time favorite song (especially the unplugged)...Don't ask me why, but the themes really hit home. A few favorites from the song include the lyrics, 'I want to be enlightened like I wanna be told the end.' I love that... Also, the free spirited existential undertones of, ' Nothing!....I'll do this one myself.' Over all I think the song is a lot about the speed of life and the decisions involved being your own...and that alone is hard. Who are we to choose who we are to be? The freedom is heavy with responsibility. How I interpret it for myself; the Barrel is the future, the trigger is my willingness...and my head is all the possibilities. Perhaps you know the feeling of making decisions and living with them when you know fully well nothing is inherently wrong or right for you.
2. Force of Nature (I know this might come under scrutiny) What I love so much about this song is the conviction the man has for the love that has somehow left him 'shipwrecked' Not to mention these lyrics:
'One man stands alone, Awaiting
For her to come home
Eyes are closed,.. You cannot know
But his heart don’t seem to roam.'
3. NOT PJ - but Springsteen's Lost in the Flood - the live version (From Hammersmith) - Holy shit that guy knows how to sing a song with emotion.
Thanks for reading
M
Thunder Bay, 2005
St. Paul, 2006
Las Vegas, 2006
Lollapalooza, 2007
PJ20, 2011
Baltimore, 2013
The opening riff gets everyone yelling.
The end when the crowd yells "yeah" over & over. So much fun in concert.
Better Man is painful and special to me and is the song that made me love Pearl Jam.
Nothingman gave me chills when I heard it live and I think it is a beautifully written and performed song.
I have to say Yellow Ledbetter is my other favorite. The beginning guitar solo, and for the whole song, the music literally envelopes your heart and fills your soul with an undescribable calm. Ed's deep voice and profound lyrics not just add to the music - it heightens the whole song.
No matter what mood I'm in, no matter how happy or sad I'm feeling, it kicks me up the arse and just fills me with energy.
An amazing song, and I have one of my most favourite PJ memories because of it.
I was looking for my holiday single with it on a few weeks ago and it seems to have been lost when I moved house, absolutely gutted as I finally got a record player for Christmas.
But hey, iPod speakers will still work for me :-)
"The live shows? Well, that's church on Sundays"
To me its about a long lost love. Someone who you loved and longed over, but as time passed the memories and feelings faded. Then you run into the person years latter and you try to recall. Its an amazing song. The way Eddie sings it conveys the emotion so well.
Close second has to be Betterman, title mine Better(wo)man though.
Just the feeling of being in love with someone, yet you know its wrong. You want to leave, you know theirs something better, but youre to fearful to leave the familiar comfort of everything you have. So you lie to yourself and everyone else. I first heard a live version (Gorge 05 I think...) I fell in love with every aspect of the song. Guitar arpeggio, the melody, and how he sings it. Its best when the crowd sings however!
just a perfect song, i love the studio version, love it live, love it love it love it live
i'll never forget how a friend described it, like every soul in the crowd is reaching out to connect with Ed during 'hellooooo' - not corny
plus i'm from Adelaide!
What Cinnamon Girl said.
Plus: Force of Nature, Black, Nothing As it Seems, You Are and In Hiding for the same reason.