How did Immortality not become huge?

CitizenRick · June 2008

That is a question I always ask myself whenever I hear this song. I know it wasn't released as a single (I think STBC was the only single off Vitalogy)...but it's such a fucking amazing and haunting song.

I remember it getting some airplay back then...but it quickly dissapeared soon thereafter. This song should still be on the radio today...but much like many other PJ songs...it never got it's due respect because the band just didn't push them enough.

I understand that this was the team gameplan back then...and that it was their own choice not to exploit the "rumored" fact that alot of this song was about Kurt and his death (and I'm convinced it is...sorry Ed)...but my God...how did this incredible song slip through the cracks?

I just think it's a timeless classic...and it shoulda been recognized as such.

What do you think?

DriftingByTheStorm · June 2008

Spin The Black Circle
Not For You
and
IMMORTALITY

were all singles off of Vitalogy.

Just, FYI.

CitizenRick · June 2008

DriftingByTheStorm wrote:

Spin The Black Circle
Not For You
and
IMMORTALITY

were all singles off of Vitalogy.

Just, FYI.

Interesting! Good Knowledge. It's even more confusing to me then.

tmud91087 · June 2008

Ive always loved immortality but have never held it on the high pedastall that many othes put it on. I think tremor christ should have gotten more radio time...

It also boggles my mind that Pearl Jams biggest radio hit betterman and a top five radio hit in corduroy were never released as "singles"

DriftingByTheStorm · June 2008

CitizenRick wrote:

Interesting! Good Knowledge. It's even more confusing to me then.

Immortality was released to radio in the middle of 1995,
after Kurt was dead, after "grunge" had peaked" and right around the time more pop and commercialy oriented "rock" music was becoming popular.

Immortality was just not the kind of "feel good" bullshit radio was looking for in the summer of '95.

When Kurt died everything seemed to change, and not for the better.
It's like the media wanted to bury the entire "scene" and move on.

I dunno.

I guess the "mainstream" could only handle so much depression before it lost interest.

CitizenRick · June 2008

DriftingByTheStorm wrote:

Immortality was released to radio in the middle of 1995,
after Kurt was dead, after "grunge" had peaked" and right around the time more pop and commercialy oriented "rock" music was becoming popular.

Immortality was just not the kind of "feel good" bullshit radio was looking for in the summer of '95.

When Kurt died everything seemed to change, and not for the better.
It's like the media wanted to bury the entire "scene" and move on.

I dunno.

I guess the "mainstream" could only handle so much depression before it lost interest.

Good points...but it just bugs me that those Staind songs weren't exactly uplifting...and were in the same vein as Immortality...yet the radio played the shit out of them.

hiding103006 · June 2008

i don't know.

CitizenRick · June 2008

tmud91087 wrote:

It also boggles my mind that Pearl Jams biggest radio hit betterman and a top five radio hit in corduroy were never released as "singles"

I never really thought about that. It's really a fickle business...you never can tell what the masses are gonna flock to.

slightofjeff · June 2008

Where I lived, they played the holy shit out of Immortality on the radio throughout the summer of '95. It was the song I most associate with my bullshit job that summer, working the kitchen at a barbecue joint.

Because that song was on the radio all. the. damn. time.

Not that I was/am complaining.

Another song they played the hell out of? That Scott Weiland "Mockingbird Girl" song.

CitizenRick · June 2008

slightofjeff wrote:

Where I lived, they played the holy shit out of Immortality on the radio throughout the summer of '95. It was the song I most associate with my bullshit job that summer, working the kitchen at a barbecue joint.

Because that song was on the radio all. the. damn. time.

Not that I was/am complaining.

Another song they played the hell out of? That Scott Weiland "Mockingbird Girl" song.

They played it here too...but it had no staying power. I can't even remember the Weiland song...I'll have to find it and refresh my memory.

Hebejebe · June 2008

In my opinion the reason a great number of songs weren't huge was because the band(Ed) didn't want them to be huge.

the wolf · June 2008

SOLAT319 wrote:

It's always been huge to me and that's all it matters. If you like a song so much, why do you even care what everybody else's opinion of it is?

Same thing with Tremor Christ. I actually take pride from the fact that these songs are not "front window" songs for this band and yet they are on top of my list. I would take Tremor Christ and Immortality over, say Love Boat Captain or...what's another "hip" song that every "hip" Pearl Jam fan likes? Oh, I know....Leatherman or any of the songs from Binaural album anyday.

Yeah, I know, Binaural is "cool and hip" and all of us are supposed to melt in its presence if we know any better. Well, frankly my dear, I don't give a damn ;-)
I mean, don't get me wrong. I do have the album. I bought it like a nice little faithful fan and listened to it from time to time. But overall...not so much ;-P
Now, Binaural outtakes on the other hand....that's a whole different story. They're fucking awesome!! In fact, Fatal has the same problem that Immortality has. How is it that that song is not HUGE???

Oh, and like I stated a gazillion times on this board.....VITALOGY IS A FUCKING MASTERPIECE!!!

i agree with so much of what you are saying!

Imortality and Tremor Christ are HUGE to me. i just think the OP is not understanding how the mass public didnt get Imortality. that is the song from that album i hold in highest regard myself.
it is all about what "you hold close and dear", but it does rack the brain that this song was not a hit, but, SPBC, or even Betterman was.

the one thing i dont agree with is, Binaural rocked my world. im not saying it should have rocked everyones world. but after about 5 spins, at the time, it became my favorite record. with that being said, Avacado is now my favorite record. ( and i know most of you dont feel the same about that record )

so to each their own.

but..............Imortality.............epic.

at least me thinks.

Chazz · June 2008

SOLAT319 wrote:

.....VITALOGY IS A FUCKING MASTERPIECE!!!

Word!

Although I like the quirky 'fillers' on this album, I do think if they'ed been left off, Vitology would be hailed THE classic Pearl Jam album (maybe even more so than Ten). There are so many great songs on there.....I think its my favourate PJ album (well for today anyway

)

InHiding19 · June 2008

Immortality = Wild

JaneNY · June 2008

Immortality has always been one of my favorites. That instrumental part in the middle is something I wait for. Have you heard the Benaroya version? Amazing.

jchais01 · June 2008

K-Rock 92.3 played the shit out of Immortality in the summer of '95. That and White Discussion by Live were my 2 fav's that summer. Along with the others that were mentioned before, I remember Nothingman getting play on the radio that summer as well.

Anyway, as others have stated, does it really matter that songs you like get or don't get radio air time??? I personally think that some of their greatest songs arguably are on their most recent record and they aren't Life Wasted or WWS, yet got zero air time.

For the record though, Immortality remains one of my all-time favorite PJ tunes and I hope to hear it on this tour.

W. Palm less than a week away!!!! WOO-HOO!!!!!

Gonzo1977 · June 2008

Great song definately one of the best songs they have ever written. I always look forward to Mike's solos. The song just gives him so much room to wail away. I wish they'd play this more. Mike's Acoustic solo on the album version is one of my all time favorite solos.

Courdory and Betterman get the bulk of the airplay...but this song would definately be a real nice change to hear on the radio every once and a while.

faithful2you · June 2008

It was huge when Vitalogy came out around where I lived.

The reason it didn't explode was the same reason the band lost commercial success after Vitalogy.....it was their choice.

Gremmie95 · June 2008

JaneNY wrote:

Immortality has always been one of my favorites. That instrumental part in the middle is something I wait for. Have you heard the Benaroya version? Amazing.

Benaroya version is amazing. Cleveland 06 is quite amazing as well.

OffHeGoes132 · June 2008

A "timeless classic" is a perfect way to describe Immortality. One of my PJ favorites. But it's kind of trite to say a "favorite" since I have SO many.

HermanBloom · June 2008

It's beautiful, but not mainstream enough to be huge

How did Immortality not become huge?

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