Release@MSG (My Story)

KH260116

"Release" is a song that has meant so much to me over the years, for many personal reasons. Love lost, the passing of a loved one...the applicability of Ed's writing seems so open -- so that the listener can find a connection, no matter what the reason for the connection may be. I was a "late comer" the the PJ bandwagon, for a reason even I cannot explain. I had heard them on the radio, but they never "grabbed" me. Until I saw them live for the first time in 1998 (WPB Florida) and they opened up with "Release." I was a casual fan at best at the time. By the time they finished the song, I was hooked forever. I immediately began to get my hands on any and all PJ I could...and damn near memorizing every note, every word I could get into my eardrums. The song itself, at first was just a hauntingly beautiful song to me. Then events in my life caused the song to mean so much more to me. I don't wanna bore anyone with the details...but suffice to say the song played while I made love to someone, who later ended up being the biggest heartbreak in my life. And after she was gone from my life - the song that had such wonderful memories tied to it -- became achingly painful to hear...as therapeutic as it was to listen to it. It became so I couldn't listen to a lot of PJ for a while...it was too painful. As time passed, I was finally able to listen without breaking down and crying into my hands. I was able to come full circle - and now the song is uplifting again, albeit with a hint of sorrow.
I consider myself lucky - I was able to hear it live the first time I saw them live...and lucky to have discovered the wealth of incredible music created by Pearl Jam. Their music, probably more than any other - has literally improved my life - for helping me to cope with anything and everything. I'm glad you finally got to hear "Release" live...I feel spoiled having lucked out to see it my first time (and knowing nothing about it beforehand either) and I'm glad you finally got your wish!