Alive

Pearl Jam

About Alive

"Alive" is the debut single by American rock band Pearl Jam. "Alive" also appears on the band's debut album, Ten (1991). Written by guitarist Stone Gossard, "Alive" originated as an instrumental titled "Dollar Short" and was included on a demo tape circulated in hopes of finding a singer for the group. Vocalist Eddie Vedder obtained a copy of the tape and wrote lyrics that describe a somewhat fictionalized account of the time when he was told that the man he thought was his father was not actually his biological parent. "Alive" charted at number 16 in the United Kingdom and number nine in Australia. To date, it is the only Pearl Jam song to receive a certification from the British Phonographic Industry, going Silver for sales greater than 200,000. It also reached the top 20 in Belgium, Ireland, the Netherlands, and New Zealand. The single was available only through import in the United States, so it was not able to chart on the Billboard Hot 100. However, the song did peak at number 16 on the Album Rock Tracks chart and number 18 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart. 


Year:
1991
5:40
6,058 
#8

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Son she said
Have I got a little story for you
What you thought was your daddy
Was nothin' but a fool

While you were sittin'
Home alone at age thirteen
Your real father was dyin'
Sorry you didn't see him
But I'm glad we talked,

Oh I, oh, I'm still alive
Hey, hey, I, oh, I'm still alive
Hey I, oh, I'm still alive

Oh she walks slowly
Across a young man's room
She said I'm ready, for you
I can't remember anything
To this very day
'Cept the look, yeah the look
Oh, you know where

Now I can't see, I just stare
I, I, I'm still alive
Yeah, yeah I, oh, I'm still alive
Yeah, yeah I, oh, I'm still alive
Yeah, yeah I, oh, I'm still alive

Is something wrong
She said
Of course there is
You're still alive
She said
Oh do I deserve to be?
And is that the question? Oh
And if so, if so
Who answers?
Who answers?

I, I, I'm still alive
Yeah, yeah I, oh, I'm still alive
I'm still alive

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

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Pearl Jam

Pearl Jam is an American rock band that formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1990. Since its inception, the band's line-up has included Eddie Vedder (vocals), Stone Gossard (guitar), Jeff Ament (bass), and Mike McCready (guitar). The band's current drummer is Matt Cameron, also of Soundgarden, who has been with the band since 1998. more »

13 fans

Written by: Stone C. Gossard, Eddie Jerome Vedder

Lyrics © DistroKid, Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


8 facts about this song

Song Background
"Alive" is the debut single by American rock band Pearl Jam. - It was included in the band's 1991 debut album, "Ten". - The lyrics for "Alive" were written by lead vocalist Eddie Vedder, while the music was co-written by guitarists Stone Gossard and Mike McCready.
Album Information
"Ten" is Pearl Jam's debut studio album, released on August 27, 1991, through Epic Records. - The album produced three hit singles: "Alive", "Even Flow", and "Jeremy".
Chart Performance
"Alive" reached number 16 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. - The song, despite not originally being released as a commercial single, enabled Pearl Jam to establish their popularity in the rock music industry.
Song Themes
"Alive" was reportedly based on Vedder's personal experiences and feelings. - The song tells the semi-autobiographical tale of a son discovering that his father is actually his stepfather, while his mother expresses her sexual desires toward him.
Significance in Pearl Jam's Catalog
"Alive" is considered to be Pearl Jam's first major hit and played a major role in the band's success. - The track is still a staple in the band's live concerts, showing the song's enduring popularity and significance to the group's history.
Cultural Impact
In 1993, "Alive" was included on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time". - The song is known for the catchy guitar riff and Vedder's powerful vocals, making it a defining song of the early-'90s grunge movement.
Music Video
The music video for "Alive" was directed by Josh Taft, a childhood friend of Stone Gossard. - It mainly features footage of the band's performance at a club.
Critic Reception
"Alive" and the album "Ten" have received universal acclaim from critics. - As a testament to its lasting appeal, the song continues to be highly regarded in the rock genre.

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