Wishlist (song)
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| “Wishlist” | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| Single by Pearl Jam from the album Yield |
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| B-side | "U" / "Brain of J." (live) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Released | May 5, 1998 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Format | CD single, Vinyl | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Recorded | February 1997–September 1997 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Genre | Alternative rock | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Length | 3:26 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Label | Epic Records | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Writer(s) | Eddie Vedder | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Producer | Brendan O'Brien, Pearl Jam | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Pearl Jam singles chronology | |||||||||||||||||||||
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"Wishlist" is the second single from Pearl Jam's fifth studio album, Yield (1998). It was released as a single on May 5, 1998. "Wishlist" peaked at number six on both the Mainstream and Modern Rock Billboard charts. The song was included on Pearl Jam's greatest hits album, rearviewmirror: Greatest Hits 1991–2003.
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[edit] Origin and recording
"Wishlist" was written by frontman Eddie Vedder. Eddie Vedder about the song:
It was a stream-of-consciousness exercise. [Mike] McCready booked studio time in a tiny studio here with our friend Stu behind the board and another friend playing drums. We don't have the discipline to sit down and teach each other parts, so you're writing simple chord changes that someone else can follow without having to take breaks to learn them. It was probably eight minutes long originally. I listened to the tape and picked out the better wishes.[1]
[edit] Release and reception
It was released as a single with a B-side titled "U", which can also be found on Lost Dogs.
The song peaked at number 47 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number six on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks and Billboard Modern Rock Tracks charts.
In his review of Yield, Rob Sheffield of Rolling Stone magazine said, "The gentle power-pop nugget "Wishlist", a silly love song that Vedder composed solo, might be the simplest song Pearl Jam have ever done. But it's also the most moving."[2]
[edit] Lyrical meaning
The song is about singer Eddie Vedder seeking fulfillment of wishes desired, but resolves his wishlist with the line "I wish I was as fortunate, as fortunate as me." When asked about the song, Vedder stated, "I thought I'd lighten up."[3] The line "I wish I was the full moon shining off your Camaro's hood" references the car that belonged to Beth Liebling, Vedder's wife at the time.[4]
[edit] Live performances
The song was premiered live at the band's November 12, 1997 concert in Santa Cruz, California.[5] The band played this song when it appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman in May 1998 in support of Yield. In concert, the song is often extended with an extended, softly played, thoughtful outro jam, sometimes segueing into another song such as the Buzzcocks' "Why Can't I Touch It". Performances of "Wishlist" can be found on the DVDs Single Video Theory, Touring Band 2000, and Live at the Garden.
[edit] Formats and track listing
Information taken from various sources.[6][7][8]
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[edit] Chart positions
Information taken from various sources.[9][10][11][12][13]
| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Canadian Singles Chart | 7 |
| UK Singles Chart | 30 | |
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 47 | |
| US Mainstream Rock Tracks | 6 | |
| US Modern Rock Tracks | 6 | |
| US Adult Top 40 | 39 | |
| US Billboard Hot 100 Airplay | 52 | |
| Australian Singles Chart | 48 |
[edit] References
- ^ Interview with Eddie Vedder. Microsoft MusicCentral. February 1998.
- ^ Sheffield, Rob. "Pearl Jam: Yield". Rolling Stone. March 11, 1998.
- ^ Macdonald, Patrick. "Yield Signals Pearl Jam's Return To Rock Of Old". The Seattle Times. February 2, 1998.
- ^ Marsh, Dave. "Pearl Jam's New Day Rising". Addicted to Noise. February 1998.
- ^ "Pearl Jam Songs: "Wishlist"". pearljam.com.
- ^ Cohen, Jonathan. Wishlist. All Music Guide. Retrieved on 2007-04-28.
- ^ Wishlist Single. Lukin.com. Retrieved on 2007-04-28.
- ^ pjcollectors.com. Retrieved on 2007-04-28.
- ^ EveryHit.com. Retrieved on 2007-02-16.
- ^ Pearl Jam Artist Chart History. Billboard. Retrieved on 2007-04-28.
- ^ Pearl Jam – Billboard Singles. All Music Guide. Retrieved on 2007-06-11.
- ^ PEARL JAM - WISHLIST (SINGLE) (12662). Australian-charts.com. Retrieved on 2007-04-29.
- ^ Billboard.com / Pearl Jam / Longplay. Billboard.com. Retrieved on 2008-02-19.
