Comments on: Yellow Ledbetter

By: drpiper

drpiper — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 05:37:59 +0000

I have to say even though I love Yellow Ledbetter. The most famous B-side single ever is “We Will Rock You” by Queen. “We are the champions” was the A-side

By: yellowledvedder

yellowledvedder — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 08:24:43 +0000

i get exactly what you are saying Oleyever. i thought i had discovered something too back then that no one else knew about this b side. and for sometime we were probably right.

c13 you are the $%&@. i love this band like no other, but i dont know if i could pull off what you have done.

good work!

By: corduroy13

corduroy13 — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 17:42:11 +0000

Thanks Oleyever. Of course, I can brook all dissent on the topic of Pearl Jam, but no dissent on my status of being cool.

By: oleyever

oleyever — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 17:25:12 +0000

This is my favorite song. It’s strange to think back to 1993 when I bought the Jeremy single and couldn’t stop listening to this song, and really feeling like I had discovered something special…but more than thet…feeling like I was the only one…like it was mine, this great song, this great band, MY favorite, at last, a favorite…a real favorite, not just saying something is my favorite because it’s an acceptable favorite to have, but really enjoying listening to this song so much that there is no doubt that it’s my favorite…and always will be. One long wine and weed filled night a few years ago I listened to all the versions of Yellow Ledbetter i could find in my CD collection, which ended up being about a dozen, and tried to transcribe the lyrics as I heard them…trying to pick up the hidden and always changing story…i have video that i recorded in Barcelona last year of Ed “ohh”-ing away at the end…i don’t know how or when Yellow Ledbetter became the concert closer, but i don’t think there’s ever been a more perfect song to end a concert…Mike’s solo’s alone are worth the price of admission.

So, I guess i just could have said, “This is my favorite song.” and left it at that…but that’s what’s so great about this blog…I can rant and riff all I want about this music I love so much, and no one can stop me…well, that’s not true…I think a couple of my comments were deleted, but it seems there’s nothing wrong with a little censorship these days. So, C13, sorry for calling you a loser…I was only kidding…or jealous…or drunk…you did a great thing here and it’s been great fun. Thanks. And respect to all the others for reading and sharing with respect…long live Pearl Jam.

By: Susan

Susan — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 05:00:05 +0000

C13, it’s been a wonderful journey that you’ve taken us on. I’m a YL gal. I love this song. I love those opening chords. But as NoCoder said, when you hear them, you know that it’s nearly over. And yet, we all sing along. There’s such a feeling of community in that moment. Your blog has done much the same thing for us. You’ve provided us with a place to meet and talk about this music that we’ve loved. We’ve been a community, and it’s been wonderfully satisfying. Thank-you again.

By: corduroy13

corduroy13 — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 02:47:46 +0000

Thanks NoCoder, Kevin, Eric, Susan, and everyone. It’s been great to read everyone’s thoughts and stories and opinions, and hopefully it will continue in some fashion. I’ll be posting an editor’s note soon, with my contact info for anyone who wants to take on solo material, side projects, live shows, videos, etc. Be well, friends.

By: NoCoder

NoCoder — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 01:50:32 +0000

I don’t know how you did it, friend. The thought of writing about every Pearl Jam song must have seemed daunting beyond imagine back in April (or whenever this started). I’ve never seen a project like this actually get completed. And no offense to you, but along the way, I expected long gaps between post, sloppier writing, and an eventual fade out of this site halfway through the catalogue.

Forgive me for my underestimation of your stamina and dedication. I am happy to say that my doubts were proven completely wrong.

It’s fitting (obviously) that we would go out with “Ledbetter.” It’s not my favorite closer (sorry, I’m a “Baba” guy), but nothing says, “Good night, than you for coming” like this song.

And you nailed, C-13, that I had always thought, and said to fellow PJ concert-goers: there is a sharp pain that rips through my body when I’m in the audience and I hear Mike start in “Ledbetter.” It’s a pain that says,

“You’ve waited to see Pearl Jam for months. You counted down the days. They just totally rocked your fucking face off. And now, in about four minutes, it’s going to be over. And the wait begins again…”

And yet, the band has managed to turn this into a triumphant closing tune that assures you that all is still well. That tomorrow you’ll be a little sad, but mostly, you’ll be overwhelmed with the insatiable urge that you’ve just seen the single greatest band in the world give it their all right in front of your eyes.

That’s what this song, and by extention, this entire blog project, means to me. Thanks for all you’ve done. It’s a really beautiful thing you’ve put together here and I think we’ve all enjoyed it immensely. Until next album, friend…

By: Kevin Davis

Kevin Davis — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 01:22:31 +0000

Thanks so much c13. I’ve enjoyed reading this blog so much, and enjoyed contributing to it in its last month or so. I agree with everything you’ve said about “Yellow Ledbetter”; there’s something about the song that sounds all-encompassing, ethereal, like one of those pieces of music that always existed that the band just managed to snag and claim as their own.

The most famous b-side of all-time = “The Hokey Pokey.” I don’t know what the a-side was, but some DJ got a kick out of the b-side, and well, now little kids sing it in gym class.

Can’t wait to see where this blog goes next. Congrats on making it all the way through without losing your mind.

By: ericdb

ericdb — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 00:30:38 +0000

I’ve enjoyed your blog. You’ve done a fantastic job. Look forward to coming back when the next album comes out.