The STRANGE STORY of PEARL JAM's YELLOW LEDBETTER’s Popularity
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 26 เม.ย. 2024
- The story behind Pearl Jam's Yellow Ledbetter
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Pearl Jam released their landmark debut album Ten in late August of 1991. Coupled with groups like Nirvana, Soundgarden and Alice in Chains they ushered in the so called grunge era of the early 90’s. Ten would go on to be the biggest album of the band’s career and one of the most popular records of the decade selling over 12 million copies stateside. But one of the first song’s the band wrote for the album, a track called Yellowledbetter didn’t make the record and would instead be released as a b-side. Years later it became one of the band’s most popular songs. The reason it got popular, might surprise you. In today’s video,, let’s talk about the history of the song
The first thing that’s noticeable about the jimi hendrix and stevie ray vaughn influenced track are the lyrics. What are they many people ask? Well the first clue came from the Japanese 3” CD single for Daughter. The correct lyrics were supposedly printed in both english and japanese, but fans became suspicious when the lyrics didn’t seem correct.
Frontman Eddie Vedder gave an online chat to fans in 2000. He was asked about the story behind the song to which he responded Yellow Ledbetter,"was written right around the time of the Gulf War. That's about as far as I can get into it. It's an anti-patriotic song, actually." But fast forward to a vedder solo performance in 2008. During a Q&A session Vedder shined more light on the song revealing "Wait...you mean there's lyrics?" He would reveal the song was about a friend of his whose brother served in the first Gulf War. His brother died in the war and as a result he received a yellow letter informing him of the news. He didn’t need to open the letter, he knew what is was.The yellow letters are a normal part of contacting family about the death of loved one in the military.
Following the news Vedder and his friend then went for a walk to digest the news.. On this walk, the friend, whom Vedder described as "alternative looking", Eddie would be quoted AS SAYING So he tries to walk this off in this little suburban neighborhood. He’s walking it off and his mind is racing and he doesn’t know what to do. He feels like he can’t take a step without falling into some deep abyss. And so he’s walking and walking and he sees a couple on a porch with an American flag. And then he waves to them like ‘my brother,’ and the people look at him like ‘you fucking scumbag,’ like ‘who are you.’ They don’t know. They don’t know the inside. They’re just judging him by his cover. So that’s what the thought was.” That friend would be Tim ledbetter.
It was believed for quite sometime that the song was initially inspired a blues musician, 'Leadbelly' WHOSE LAST NAME IS Ledbetter... who was said to be a big influence on mike mcready. There was also another theory that 1) The name "Yellow Ledbetter" is from an old tongue twister in which you try to say "yellow better, red better" as fast as you can. Just a few times repeated, the words become jumbled and you get "yellow ledbetter." It was that that because the lyrics are indistinguishable just like the tongue twister.
As for why the song never made Ten, Eddie Vedder would explain to howard stern that he wanted the song on the record, but he didn’t finish the lyrics in time. The song is credited to Eddie, Mark McReady and Jeff Ament. The song was said to be inspired by jimi hendrix’s little wing and stevie ray vaughn AS MCREADY MENTIONS TO STERN HERE. Mcready would recall ABOUT THE SONG’S WRITING.
That was written around the time of the first record [Ten]. I think that was the second thing Ed and I wrote together. It came out of a jam in the studio and Ed didn't really have any lyrics. He came up with some ideas right there on the spot, and that's what we recorded. For some reason, it didn't make it on Ten. I was kind of bummed at the time. I really wanted it to be on our first record. But at the time, I was really young and just happy to be around this situation, so I did whatever.[5] - เพลง
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I like mumbling along to this song.
Suhhh, moo sheee-sed, havuh li'sorreeefuhyuu
I had no idea what he was saying, just I don't want to stay. 30 years later I still sob it has way too much meaning at the time in my life. Its the music just gets into by brain and soul. I sob now. It's so intense.
😂
So does Eddie!
A little drunk mumbling never hurt anybody
One of the best songs ever written, and a great example of a voice used as an instrument, which is why the lyrics never really mattered anyway.
Yellow Ledbetter is one of those songs I can listen to on repeat for ages. Love the rift
Riff
Yes, Mike mccready has many riffs that are awesome
I'm so ecstatic about the eras I grew up in!! I've had an awesome life!!
Yellow Ledbetter is the perfect concert closer. Love this song so much!
Great song, and it's the only one Eddie can sing after drinking his way through a show
It’s so fitting how they had it as the last track on their greatest hits album
Pearl Jam goes on Howard Stern and talks about the history of YLB a few days ago. This dude jumps on it.
People don't listen to Stern like they used to. Plus, the story is fake anyway.
You know what the definition of Hell is? Trying to decipher the lyrics to "Yellow Ledbetter" without looking them up.
"Discovered the B-side" lol I never found it very difficult to find the b-side tracks but maybe I'm just extraordinarily gifted lol
I know right?
Hahaha good one. By the way, care to give away your secret to finding the opposite side of the album or disc?
😅
@@dtcdtc8328 shhh! You flip it over
I love when Pearl Jam closes a concert with Yellow Ledbetter!
I prefer Indifference 😃
@@Jared40
Down is the correct choice
"Ten" does rule, and many other albums they've put out do as well. Looking forward to digging into the latest release.
Actually real good release in my opinion
Thanks for the background on this! I remember it hitting the radio stations at the time and wondering where the heck it came from since they hadn't put out a new release yet.
One of PJ greatest songs, ever!! I always thought to myself "Why was this left out of any album?!" Guess I wasn't the only one.. Cheers from Portugal
“Inspired”by little wing is one way to put it . Great episode though I still love the tune
Kenny Wayne Sheppard has a song called "While We Cry" that sounds very similar. That was a big controversy at one time but not mentioned. His album was called Ledbetter Heights.
I'm convinced that Yellow Ledbetter was written as a bet that he couldn't write and sing a song without his lips touching and people would still buy it.
Keep up your great work on this channel Sid , always a pleasure to watch.
Thanks, will do!
Thank you for the post! 🤘🏻✌🏼😊
You’re welcome!
@@rnrtruestories 👍🏻😊
One of my favorite PJ songs. Like it even more now that I see what he meant.
Love your videos! Thank you.
Glad you like them!
Rock ICONS!
I never heard Yellow Leadbetter till after hearing Kenny Wayne Shepard's While We Cry and a friend said OMG this sound like that Pearl Jam song
Yes! Kenny Wayne was playing while we cry live around Shreveport when he was 13 or so. Around 91 and 93.
One of my all-time favorite PJ songs!!!!
Thanks 4 this
Love the song. Can't remember when or where I first heard it because I've been listening to it for so long
This is my favorite PJ song. Love riffs/ guitar licks.
McCready is very very talented
My favorite song of theirs and i had absolutely no idea what it's about!
Great video.
Thanks!
To be honest, I didn't know this song actually had lyrics.
One of their greatest songs!
Eddie always looks stoned, or agitated, or confused, or on the spectrum, or angry, or puzzled,… all at the same time.
One person commented on their first performance and they said that he looks like he’s in a boat and a storm trying to battle the waves and that is the best comment I’ve ever heard every time I watch an old PJ said I see him on his ship battling waves and trying to perform and I cracked up
I love how every time he sings it the lyrics are different.. favorite pj song
I've got the CD single. German import, I believe.
U.S. military doesn't send letters out for death notifications anymore. Haven't since the 70's?
Vedder is a lot older than you think
@@bx3054exactly
Hmmmmm, all this time I thought it was yellow Ed Vedder...
@@bx3054 does that matter if the story is supposed to be about a war that happened in 1991?
Edit: maybe it inspired some imagery that was developed into the song, but the video is pretty clear about the death of a soldier in the Gulf War.
@@bx305458 years old.
I don't know, the supposed sources of songs always seem to slip and slide as the years go by. I don't even think it's necessarily that they're being deceptive, it's just that there often there really is no definitive inspiration, it just happens. Later it's like reading into Nostradamus predictions and filling in the blanks with whatever.
Also weird sh happens all the time. Therefore when u lose ur mind, all u got is to just laugh at sh. I made a meme out of this. I didnt really. Lisa simpson did. But + also kinda me. & Im absolutely hilarious _slaps knee & cry laughs_ . I wish i knew my roots more... But id say theyre pretty admirable anyways. Soo now 🙄, idk. Maybe. Scratch. Not maybe. I was on rotation too. I need to get the hell up off my phone
Where does the time go❤🎉🎉🎉
Was sitting in a hammock listening to the local alternative radio station when I first heard this. I fell out of the hammock and ran inside to record it on cassette.
I was working at an indie record store when this went down. Demand was HUGE!!
I think the meanning is: "I dont want to stay here, but I cant leave"
Funny thing is i never listened to the lyrics of most songs. I always focused on the beat and instruments. Vocals were just part of the sound.
You must love Shoegaze =]
💯 as a producer... I do the same. I focus on all the sounds and instruments first then the vocals. It's how my brain works.
@@At.mos.fEarProduktionz
Now we know you're a producer 😅
@@travzimmerman1340 cool
Wow. That is one intense and very sad story.Legends.
I ended up getting a live version in 92 that was listed as an import but recorded in early 92 in Arizona. Newbury comics back in tye day in Boston had the best stuff.
the first version i was able to get my hands on was the Woodstock live performance... years later I was able to get a re-issue of the UK Jeremy EP and i finally had my copy.
I’ve still got a radio recording from K ROQ of Pearl Jam in Berlin Germany on cassette
I remember buying this as an import of a single of Jeremy! Happily paid $16 for a cd with just these 2 songs on it just so I had it!! 50/50 was a perfect use of it too!
Love that song. Makes me cry every time 😢 am I the boxer or the bag.
One of the all time great lyrics.
I can’t remember when I bumped onto yellow Ledbetter I think it was the b side cassette early 90’s great memories .
It's about a butterfly that was poisoned by led paint, but got better.
1:34
Wow one of one hundred a fifty that died in the gulf war. I was in the military and never met anybody that knew anyone that had died in desert storm.
I usually drink a 5th before I start singing along
As a teenager I always thought it was some kind of inside joke about pee, like Yellow Bedwetter or something. 😅 Didn't realize how deep they were at the time I guess.
This was the only song one band I played in would play.
I was in high school when this came out and hated mornings. The local stations would air this constantly when I'd be getting up for school and it made me absolutely hate the song. I angrily called it a Little Wing ripoff as I'd shut off the radio. It took like 20 years to fully love and appreciate the song.
Mike is so underrated as a guitarist. He is absolutely amazing. One of my favorites
Not underrated at all. Pretty well respected.
He's not really very good, there are many better players. Hendrix was top shelf. McCready was never top shelf, just lucky
@@doofwopdon’t agree
@@travzimmerman1340mccready is why I recently like PJ I was into Nirvana L7 rancid but I just started listening to PJ bc mccready!
This was one of the first songs I learned on guitar in college... I don't think anyone really knew the lyrics 25 years ago though lol
EdVed named it after me when he lost the lyrics. I
am honored.
Anyone else remember when KROQ aired out of Pasadena on Los Robles?
Why didn’t it come out on Vs then after it was too late to put it out on Ten?
🤘🏻😭👉🏻 WHAT A JAM
I wonder how many times they laughed at us as we try to figure out this song! ☮️💜✝️🇺🇸
The rumor is the band knew there were already several quieter, mid-tempo songs, and adding another would kill the momentum.
I don't care for PJ, but I love this song.
Me a few years back. They have some decent songs, try Black
I don't care for PJ, but think this song is ok. I probably wouldn't turn the station when it came on.
Like all Pearl Jam songs, I have no idea what the words are, I just make the sounds with my mouth.
Why is Kenny Wayne shepherd not mentioned? Listen to ledbetter heights! It's the same song!
Yes! And Kenny Wayne was playing it live around Shreveport as early as 91!
Face reveal! Hi Rock n Roll guy!!
Whoa been doing face reveal for 8 months or so haha
I remember all of this very well.. Tie crazy the song is such a critical pj staple... In that it was basically never released. Maybe that was part of the draw... The allure of the unobtainable. Or, in cheesy Hollywood Marvel speak... the song was pure unobtainium.
I didn't know this song was in English.
I love the movie 50/50
My uncle always told me when he first heard this song, he thought it was about ordering a pizza.
Your uncle sounds like a......um....
@@travzimmerman1340 Stoner?
Anyone know the song this guy uses constantly as background music? It's pkaying at 6:00 sounds like it might ve good. 5/5 video as always btw!
It’s TH-cam creator studio royalty free music
@@rnrtruestories Thanks for the reply, the song always suits your videos like mad and really adds a nostalgic feeling.
@@crafyerthanks! I call it “alternative music” and mostly use it for grunge stories.
I always thought it was about drug induced paranoia. I never thought it was about anything else.
It's basically a hendrix riff.
Dont know a single word lol but i mumble along😂
6:33 what’s this interview?
Live in Tokyo Japan is the best
Man, if they would have stuffed this ass kicker in with all the other mega hits on Ten . . . earth would have likely imploded. That would have been way too much. Would have just made Vs seem like even more aid a disappointment than it already was.
The birth of Mumble Rap
419, I was one like off! Lol I'm smoking right mow
Yellow Ledbetter's success could never happen today since no stations use real DJ's anymore. People can choose what they like anymore. The record companies choose what people listen to.
I always liked Yellow Bedwetter.
Misheard Lyrics does a fantastic version
Hiddle diddle diddle bomma sey
Stay away from elementary schools, oddball.
If it’s written in America it’s patriotic. We will take Aphex Twins Come to Daddy because of CKY2K too.
It was slow laidback jam track i don't see it being on ten. Still I like it.
On a wheel... on a wizard... on a whale...
I think Eddy Vedder was drunk during recording
Anti-Patriotic? I didn't even realize it was English.
This still doesn't answer the question, what the fu*k are the lyrics?
There are no lyrics. It’s an unfinished song. That’s why he makes up lyrics on the spot on his live performances.
@mmasterdp
Nope. It was finished it '92. He changes it now because he's a pothead alcoholic that can't remember '92. This is my favorite band BTW.
Fair point. I stand down. I’m going to go smoke some pot now
its actually very easy to understand if you are more than a casual fan, has nothing to do with patriotism
Red leather yellow leather
No shit, I already know they'd NEVER make a patriotic song. 🤣
Potato wave!
They never guessed how bad Jeremy's in our schools would get.....2024. I cannot count the school and mass shootings anymore....
I don't know all the lyrics to most of my favorite songs. Thats not the point to me. Sometimes lyrics ruin a song for me. Its the flow, the beat, the musicianship on display.....thats more important to me.
I know a bunch of people don't like the band but I'm not sure how anyone can say this isn't a great song. It oozes feeling and your can kinda make up what it's about since the lyrics seem nonsensical even when you can understand them, so anytime can have a personal connection to it.
Its a cover
@@latentsea
No, it isn't. Grow up.
Little Wing copy
Pearl Jam writing a patriotic song is about as likely as Nergal from Behemoth finding God.
Owen Benjamin has a great bit about this song
Fact check-ish... I have a recorded interview around 1994 on 107.7 in Seattle, Pearl Jam rarities. In that interview Vedder and Ament said the original version of the song was written by Andrew Wood/Ma Ha Bone prior to his death.
They sold their souls for rock n roll.
Make me fries…
Mike McCready is no Stevie Ray Vaughn.
The odd thing about how a band perceives a song's meaning or purpose is the fans will determine it's true meaning and purpose.
It happens with entire groups as well. Public Enemy is one of the most white-suburban groups played at bbqs. RATM is the conservative's go-to anti-woke a.k.a normal person music.
The song was also on the "Singles" movie soundtrack...along with "state of love and trust" that soundtrack is dope