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“Yellow Ledbetter” is a song by Pearl Jam, featuring lyrics written by vocalist Eddie Vedder and music co-written by bassist Jeff Ament and guitarist Mike McCready. It was an outtake from the band’s debut album, Ten (1991), and was selected as the B-side of the 1992 single “Jeremy”. “Yellow Ledbetter” was one of the first songs Pearl Jam wrote as a group and was recorded during the Ten sessions. The version eventually released was the second take, according to guitarist Mike McCready.

Despite its initial B-side release, the song became popular on radio, peaking at number 21 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart and number 26 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart in 1994. It was later included on Pearl Jam’s 2003 B-sides and rarities album Lost Dogs and their 2004 greatest hits album Rearviewmirror (Greatest Hits 1991–2003).

Music critics have praised “Yellow Ledbetter,” with Steve Huey of AllMusic noting McCready’s “airy Stevie Ray Vaughan imitations” and Vedder’s “alternately intense and achingly wistful” vocals. Will Hermes of Spin called it “some of the best Pearl Jam music ever recorded.

The song is regarded as one of Pearl Jam’s best, with American Songwriter ranking it number seven on their list of the 10 greatest Pearl Jam songs, and Kerrang! ranking it number three on their list of the 20 greatest Pearl Jam songs.

In this article, we’ll delve into the song’s origins, explore the meaning behind its elusive “Yellow Ledbetter” lyrics, and uncover why this track continues to gain fans worldwide more than thirty years after its release.


Yellow Ledbetter” Lyrics

Unsealed
On a porch a letter sat
Then you said I want to leave it again

Once I saw him
On a beach of weathered sand
And on the sand I want to leave it again

On a weekend want to wish it all away
And they called and I said that I want what I said
And then I call out again

And the reason oughta leave her calm, I know
I said, I don’t know whether I’m the boxer or the bag

Oh yeah, can you see them?
Out on the porch
Ah, but they don’t wave
I see them
‘Round the front way, yeah
And I know and I know
I don’t want to stay

Make me cry

I see
Oh, I don’t know, there’s something else
I want to drum it all away
And I said
“I don’t, I don’t know whether I was the boxer or the bag”

Oh yeah, can you see them?
Out on the porch
Yeah, but they don’t wave
I see them
‘Round the front way, yeah
And I know and I know
I don’t want to stay at all
I don’t want to stay
I don’t want to stay
I don’t want to stay
I don’t, oh-ooh, yeah

Ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh-oh oh oh


Pearl Jam – “Yellow Ledbetter

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters:  Eddie Vedder and music co-written by Jeff Ament and Mike McCready

Yellow Ledbetter lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group


Pearl Jam’s “Yellow Ledbetter” Meaning

Eddie Vedder’s singing in the song leaves many listeners unsure of the words and, consequently, their meaning. However, the song has become a huge fan favorite and has frequently been the closing song at Pearl Jam concerts for the past twenty years.

Eddie Vedder once mentioned that the song was inspired by a friend whose brother served in the Gulf War, reflecting the anxiety about whether he would return in a “box or a bag.”

The official version of “Yellow Ledbetter” only tells part of its story. In the hundreds of live concerts that the band has performed, the lyrics of this song vary each time. However, a deeper examination reveals that it consistently conveys a strong, deep, and powerful feeling. Eddie Vedder wrote the music to express his feelings on the wrongness of war and his strong opposition to it.

Despite the variations, there are critical lines in the song that remain clear every time. It always begins with “Unsealed on a porch, a letter sat…” The chorus always includes, “I don’t know whether I’m the boxer or the bag / I don’t know whether he’s coming home in a box or a bag.” Another recurring line is about someone or something “…out on the porch, but they don’t wave.”

The song was written around the Gulf War, which inspired the band. The lyrics often reflect their anti-war stance, emphasizing the uncertainty and tragedy associated with war.


5 Things You Didn’t Know About Pearl Jam’s

1. Stone Gossard and Jeff Ament Form the Essential Core of the Band

Stone Gossard and Jeff Ament, originally from the band Mother Love Bone, formed the core of Pearl Jam in Seattle, Washington, in 1990. They were pivotal in shaping the band’s early sound and direction, with Gossard on rhythm guitar and Ament on bass guitar. Their collaboration laid the foundation for Pearl Jam’s distinctive grunge-rock style that would define the Seattle music scene of the early 1990s.

2. The Band’s First Name Was Mookie Blaylock

Initially named after NBA player Mookie Blaylock, the Seattle band adopted this name as a tribute to Blaylock’s jersey number (#10) and energetic playing style. The band quickly gained popularity under this name, performing their first few gigs and recording their early demos under the moniker Mookie Blaylock before legal issues prompted them to change to Pearl Jam.

3. Pearl Jam Had Five Drummers

Throughout their career, Pearl Jam has had a notable turnover of drummers. After the departure of their original drummer, Dave Krusen, the band employed Matt Chamberlain, Dave Abbruzzese, and Jack Irons and finally settled with Matt Cameron, who has been their drummer since 1998.

4. Eddie Vedder Wrote “Better Man” in His Teenage Years

Eddie Vedder wrote the song “Better Man” during his teenage years. The song explores regret, disillusionment, and introspection themes, drawing from Vedder’s personal experiences and observations. Written as a demo tape, “Better Man” became one of Pearl Jam’s most beloved and commercially successful songs. It first appeared on their third studio album, Vitalogy (1994), which departed from their earlier sound with its raw and experimental approach.

5- Pearl Jam’s Record-Breaking Album “Vs”

Pearl Jam’s second album, Vs (1993) distinguished itself as the fastest-selling album in history at its release, with over 950,000 copies sold in its first week alone. This record lasted until Garth Brooks released his live album Double Live five years later. Interestingly, Pearl Jam chose not to promote Vs actively and refrained from producing music videos for the album’s singles.

This decision was part of the band’s stance against the commercialization of their music, their desire to focus on live performances, and the integrity of their artistic expression.


Yellow Ledbetter” Video

“Yellow Ledbetter” by Pearl Jam
Alexandre G.
He’s just a guy who got tired of bothering his friends with talk about music, so he decided to create a blog to share what he loves most.
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