Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town

Pearl Jam

About Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town

"Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town" is a song by the American rock band Pearl Jam. The song is the tenth track on the band's second studio album, Vs. (1993). Although credited to all members of Pearl Jam, it was primarily written by vocalist Eddie Vedder. The length of the song's title was a reaction by the band to the fact that most of its songs featured one-word titles. The song is often referred to simply as "Elderly Woman" or "Small Town" by the band and its fans. Despite the lack of a commercial single release, the song reached number 17 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. An acoustic version of the song can be found on the "Go" single. The song was included on Pearl Jam's 2004 greatest hits album, rearviewmirror (Greatest Hits 1991–2003). The song was used in promos for the final season of Rescue Me. 


Year:
2001
3:27
31 

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I seem to recognize your face
Haunting  familiar  yet I can't seem to place it
Cannot find the candle of thought to light your name
Lifetimes are catching up with me
All these changes taking place  I wish I'd seen the place
But no one's ever taken me
Hearts and thoughts they fade  fade away

I swear I recognize your breath
Memories like fingerprints are slowly raising
Me  you wouldn't recall, for I'm not my former
It's hard when, your stuck upon the shelf
I changed by not changing at all, small town predicts my fate
Perhaps that's what no one wants to see
I just want to scream, hello
My god its been so long, never dreamed you'd return
But now here you are, and here I am
Hearts and thoughts they fade, away

Hearts and thoughts they fade, fade away
Hearts and thoughts they fade, away
Hearts and thoughts they fade, fade away
Hearts and thoughts they fade

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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 »

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Written by: DAVE ABBRUZZESE, JEFF AMENT, STONE C GOSSARD, MICHAEL DAVID MCCREADY, EDDIE VEDDER

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


15 facts about this song

Band Formation
"Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town" is a song by the American rock band Pearl Jam. The band was formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1990.
Album Information
The song is the tenth track on the band's second studio album, "Vs.", which was released on October 19, 1993.
Song Length
"Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town" is one of the band's shortest songs, clocking in at just under three minutes long.
Songwriting Credits
The song was written by band members Eddie Vedder, Jeff Ament, Stone Gossard, Mike McCready, and Dave Abbruzzese.
Unique Song Title
The song has one of the longest titles of any Pearl Jam song. According to Vedder, the long title was chosen because he was tired of short, cryptic titles.
Song Meaning
The song tells the story of an elderly woman who sees a familiar face return to her small hometown, and she regrets the life she has led there.
Concert Favourite
Despite its melancholy theme, the song has become a fan favorite at concerts, frequently inspiring a mass sing-along.
Chart Performance
"Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town" did not chart in America. However, it did well in Canada, ranking on the RPM Top Singles chart.
Acoustic Performance
The song is primarily an acoustic tune, a departure from the band's typical grunge sound.
Album Success
Despite the fact the song didn't chart in the U.S., the "Vs." album it belongs to set the record for most copies of an album sold in its first week, a record it held for five years.
Official Release
Even though it was not released as a single, the song was released as an official A-side along with Go, making it the second song to be prominently featured from the album.
Significance of Lyrics
The song is often interpreted as reflecting on aging, memory, and the power of the past which shapes our reality and identity over time.
Live Performances
Since its initial debut, the song has been performed in nearly all of Pearl Jam's live shows.
Popular Cover
The song has been covered by various artists, one notable version being by the Canadian rock singer, Sarah Slean.
Linear Notes
In the linear notes of the album "Vs", the title is shortened simply to "Elderly Woman...".

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