Once (song)
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| “Once” | |||||
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| Song by Pearl Jam | |||||
| Album | Ten | ||||
| Released | August 27, 1991 | ||||
| Recorded | March 27, 1991–April 26, 1991 at London Bridge Studios, Seattle, Washington | ||||
| Genre | Grunge | ||||
| Length | 3:51 | ||||
| Label | Epic | ||||
| Writer | Eddie Vedder, Stone Gossard | ||||
| Producer | Pearl Jam, Rick Parashar | ||||
| Ten track listing | |||||
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"Once" is the lead track on Pearl Jam's debut album Ten (1991). On Ten, it is preceded by a brief interlude of the album's closing hidden track, "Master/Slave". Besides Ten, the song was also featured as a B-side on the single for "Alive". A remixed version of the song was featured on the band's greatest hits album, rearviewmirror: Greatest Hits 1991–2003.
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[edit] Origin and recording
The song features lyrics written by frontman Eddie Vedder and music written by guitarist Stone Gossard. The song originated as an instrumental demo titled "Agytian Crave" that was written by guitarist Stone Gossard in 1990. The instrumental was one of five songs compiled onto a tape called Stone Gossard Demos '91 that was circulated in the hopes of finding a singer and drummer for Pearl Jam.[1] The tape made its way into the hands of vocalist Eddie Vedder, who was working as a San Diego gas station attendant at the time. He listened to the tape shortly before going surfing, where lyrics came to him.[2] Vedder recorded vocals for three of the songs on the demo tape, one of which was "Once", and mailed the tape back to Seattle. Upon hearing the tape, the band invited Vedder to come to Seattle and he was asked to join the band.
[edit] Reception
"Once" has received considerable radio airplay as Pearl Jam's popularity has endured.
[edit] Lyrical meaning
The song is the middle chapter of what has become known as the "Mamasan trilogy," with it being preceded by "Alive" and followed by "Footsteps". "Once" tells the tale of a man's descent into madness which leads him into becoming a serial killer.[2]
During the bridge of the song, Eddie Vedder can be heard muttering. He is actually saying "You think I got my eyes closed/But I'm lookin' at you the whole fuckin' time..."
[edit] Live performances
The song was premiered live at the band's October 22, 1990 concert in Seattle, Washington.[3] Live performances of "Once" can be found on the "Dissident"/Live in Atlanta box set and on the Live at the Gorge 05/06 box set.
[edit] References
- ^ Pearlman, Nina. "Black Days". Guitar World. December 2002.
- ^ a b Crowe, Cameron. "Five Against the World". Rolling Stone. October 28, 1993.
- ^ "Pearl Jam Songs: "Once"". pearljam.com.
[edit] External links
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