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Pearl Jam - Arc = David Crosby - I'd Swear There Was Somebody Here

nepalnepal Posts: 143
edited April 2008 in The Porch
Well, I think the basic idea for "Arc" comes from the David Crosby song. "Arc" is ok song, but "I'd Swear There Was Somebody here" has so much more emotion in it, propably because Crosby wrote it to his girlfriend who died in a car accident. Pearl Jam is a band that has always respected the roots of Rock, and I think Arc is just another example of that. Btw. The whole David Crosby album "If I Could Only Remember My Name" is awesome!
...the dreams ain't broken down here now,
they're walking with a limp
Post edited by Unknown User on

Comments

  • nepalnepal Posts: 143
    For those of you who haven't heard the David Crosby song:

    http://youtube.com/watch?v=sdCWQyY42gI
    ...the dreams ain't broken down here now,
    they're walking with a limp
  • justamjustam Posts: 21,410
    I think you're right, this does seem similar.
    &&&&&&&&&&&&&&
  • Sexy2aFaultSexy2aFault Posts: 388
    Crosby's is better.
  • nepalnepal Posts: 143
    What do I need to do,to get people to read my threads, I mean I think the subject was pretty interesting... Just tell me, I just don't get it anymore
    ...the dreams ain't broken down here now,
    they're walking with a limp
  • South of SeattleSouth of Seattle West Seattle Posts: 10,724
    nepal wrote:
    What do I need to do,to get people to read my threads, I mean I think the subject was pretty interesting... Just tell me, I just don't get it anymore
    Interesting thread, I read it. Maybe no one read it because you posted in the middle of the night?
    NERDS!
  • nepalnepal Posts: 143
    South of Seattle wrote:
    Interesting thread, I read it. Maybe no one read it because you posted in the middle of the night?

    Thanks for the reply. Yeah, that might be the case, it's just that this has happened with my other threads too, and I'm coming more and more paranoid :P I guess I have to try to post my threads when most of the Americans are awake :)

    about the song.. I was browsing through my Riot Act booklet, but couldn't find credits for Arc. I guess it is Eddie's song because he has performed it during his solo tour. It would be hard to believe, that Eddie would have never heard the David Crosby song, not that he has ever said anything like that.
    ...the dreams ain't broken down here now,
    they're walking with a limp
  • Pearl JenPearl Jen Posts: 136
    Yeah, could have been an influence. But while they are similar, they are not the same, so I don't think Ed would need to give him a credit on Riot Act or anything.
  • IAmMyselfIAmMyself Posts: 671
    nepal wrote:
    Well, I think the basic idea for "Arc" comes from the David Crosby song. "Arc" is ok song, but "I'd Swear There Was Somebody here" has so much more emotion in it, propably because Crosby wrote it to his girlfriend who died in a car accident. Pearl Jam is a band that has always respected the roots of Rock, and I think Arc is just another example of that. Btw. The whole David Crosby album "If I Could Only Remember My Name" is awesome!

    So, are you saying Arc does not have enough emotion behind it, because they didn't write it for anyone who died? I'm just trying to understand your point, not to be rude.
    "Please help me to help you, help yourself." EV
  • AnonAnon Posts: 11,175
    irieinindy wrote:
    So, are you saying Arc does not have enough emotion behind it, because they didn't write it for anyone who died? I'm just trying to understand your point, not to be rude.

    I think he's just saying that Ed might have gotten the inspiration for his song from David Crosby's song. Obviously, 9 people died. Maybe he is just suggesting that it wasn't an entirely original idea?

    Have been a fan of CSN and CSNY since the 70's, never heard that song before. Its beautiful.

    Not taking anything away from Arc either, that is a moving and beautiful song also, but they are stikingly similar, no denying that.
  • nepalnepal Posts: 143
    Dollpartz wrote:
    I think he's just saying that Ed might have gotten the inspiration for his song from David Crosby's song. Obviously, 9 people died. Maybe he is just suggesting that it wasn't an entirely original idea?

    Have been a fan of CSN and CSNY since the 70's, never heard that song before. Its beautiful.

    Not taking anything away from Arc either, that is a moving and beautiful song also, but they are stikingly similar, no denying that.

    I think you summed up my point well, I didn't mean that Ed should have credited Crosby on Riot Act, I was just wondering which one of the PJ members wrote the song. Ed should have the credits because it is not the same song, all I'm saying is that I'm hearing the influence of the Crosby song behind it. And the emotion thing.. what I wanted to say is that FOR ME, when I listen to the Crosby song, it is heartbreakingly sad, I can hear a broken man weeping in the song. All I wanted to say, was that when I know the story behind this song, it makes it even more powerful experience to me. I didn't mean to compare the tragedies behind the two songs. Sometimes it is hard to explain yourself when your not writing in your mother tongue.
    ...the dreams ain't broken down here now,
    they're walking with a limp
  • MarvelousManMarvelousMan Posts: 55
    Wow...it was really refreshing to come on to the MP and find something of substance to read and think about. I have been a LOONNNG time fan of CSN and especially David Crosby. I've read his books and he is very talented all around. There is no doubt that Ed/Pearl Jam may have been influenced from David's song. Why not? They are friends. They spent time together at least at Neil Youngs Bridge School Benefits, etc. And besides, almost anything we listen to these days has some influence or direct reference to music previously written. It's all relative.

    David even wrote about Pearl Jam in his book "Stand and Be Counted". A must read in these times of American politics. Its about how music (or can) influence the political movement and other essential social issues since the 60's. Check it out.
    "How loud can silence get?"

    http://www.myspace.com/cockeyedoptimus
  • PilatesBettermanPilatesBetterman Posts: 306
    Dollpartz wrote:
    I think he's just saying that Ed might have gotten the inspiration for his song from David Crosby's song. Obviously, 9 people died. Maybe he is just suggesting that it wasn't an entirely original idea?

    Have been a fan of CSN and CSNY since the 70's, never heard that song before. Its beautiful.

    Not taking anything away from Arc either, that is a moving and beautiful song also, but they are stikingly similar, no denying that.

    Or maybe even paying homage, which would be my guess, Crosby's had 6 tracks, Arc 9. Similar concept and results, I believe a MUCH different approach
    "So forget the other boys because my love is real.
    Come off your battlefield."
  • senninsennin Posts: 2,146
    I'm not sure Arc is meant to be sad. Sorrow...yet hopeful?...more of a tribute, not a song of loss.
  • nepalnepal Posts: 143
    MarvelousMan wrote:
    Wow...it was really refreshing to come on to the MP and find something of substance to read and think about. I have been a LOONNNG time fan of CSN and especially David Crosby. I've read his books and he is very talented all around. There is no doubt that Ed/Pearl Jam may have been influenced from David's song. Why not? They are friends. They spent time together at least at Neil Youngs Bridge School Benefits, etc. And besides, almost anything we listen to these days has some influence or direct reference to music previously written. It's all relative.

    David even wrote about Pearl Jam in his book "Stand and Be Counted". A must read in these times of American politics. Its about how music (or can) influence the political movement and other essential social issues since the 60's. Check it out.

    Kind of an old thread, and my post is a bit off the topic, but about the Crosby books, from which one should I start? Long time gone seems interesting, if only I can find it withing reasonable price. Does he mention in the book, what was the reason why he disliked Morrison?
    ...the dreams ain't broken down here now,
    they're walking with a limp
  • DanimalDanimal Posts: 2,000
    I always thought it was similar to Neil Young's Arc. Neil Young's Arc did not have words and neither does Eddie's. They were both kinda like overlapping sounds or something.
    "I don't believe in PJ fans but I believe there is something, not too sure what." - Thoughts_Arrive


  • HatfieldHatfield Posts: 122
    On a similar note about Ed's influence for the song, I think he might have gotten the title from Neil Young's Arc which was a compliment to his album Weld in 1991.

    An explanation of the album:
    For those of you who didn't get quite enough feedback, arena reverb, or raw electricity from 1991's live Weld album to suit your tastes, Neil Young thoughtfully compiled this bizarre aural document. Originally included as a bonus disc on early versions of Weld, Arc is 35 minutes of stray guitar explosions, feedback screeches, stage announcements, and drum checks, all edited together to form a continuous (and actually rather compelling) listening experience. Call it Neil's delayed reaction to Lou Reed's Metal Machine Music, or think of it as his personal scrapbook of the Ragged Glory tour. Either way, you probably won't play it very often, but it's still a nice oddity to have in your Neil collection. --Dan Epstein

    Thanks for the heads up on this amazing Crosby song!
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  • DanimalDanimal Posts: 2,000
    Hatfield wrote:
    On a similar note about Ed's influence for the song, I think he might have gotten the title from Neil Young's Arc which was a compliment to his album Weld in 1991.

    An explanation of the album:
    For those of you who didn't get quite enough feedback, arena reverb, or raw electricity from 1991's live Weld album to suit your tastes, Neil Young thoughtfully compiled this bizarre aural document. Originally included as a bonus disc on early versions of Weld, Arc is 35 minutes of stray guitar explosions, feedback screeches, stage announcements, and drum checks, all edited together to form a continuous (and actually rather compelling) listening experience. Call it Neil's delayed reaction to Lou Reed's Metal Machine Music, or think of it as his personal scrapbook of the Ragged Glory tour. Either way, you probably won't play it very often, but it's still a nice oddity to have in your Neil collection. --Dan Epstein

    Thanks for the heads up on this amazing Crosby song!

    Hhahaha. Beat ya!
    "I don't believe in PJ fans but I believe there is something, not too sure what." - Thoughts_Arrive


  • MarvelousManMarvelousMan Posts: 55
    nepal wrote:
    Kind of an old thread, and my post is a bit off the topic, but about the Crosby books, from which one should I start? Long time gone seems interesting, if only I can find it withing reasonable price. Does he mention in the book, what was the reason why he disliked Morrison?

    Yeah...I (think) I remember him talking about Morriosn...but I dont think it was anything negative. More disappointed if anything. Well..for sure go with Long Time Gone. Its an autobiography so you have an idea what he would talk about. Its a fairly thick book so he talks a lot about the interesting details between he and Stills, Nash, and Young. About his travels around the world by boat. The haunts of his addictions. Some stuff I was amazed to read. When he was a junkie, (after rising to fame) he was broke and was living in a van doing shitty tavern shows. He gives an interesting perpective from a personal and musical point of view.

    I think has another one that came out last year..."Since then and Now" or something? Havent read it yet.
    "How loud can silence get?"

    http://www.myspace.com/cockeyedoptimus
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