Joined: Sat Mar 25, 2006 8:26 pm Posts: 736 Location: Sussex by the sea
Dr. Gonzo wrote:
stip wrote:
Best X-mas song.
I always thought this was about a homeless man on x-mas, which was where Eddie's mind was on a few of the early songs (even flow, homeless with bad radio), and that will always be what I picture when I picture the song, but some of that might be that this is the social problem that hits me hardest. Some really great lyrics here. Heaven knows nothing of me is my favorite
great write up frank
Yeah, it's about a homeless guy they encountered outside the studio I believe.
Thought you burned, not froze for your sins I'm so tired and cold
I agree, one of the best lines Ed has written. Thought you went to hell and burned for your sins, not freeze in the dead of winter for them. This also plays into the perception a lot of people have about the homeless, that they are all drug addicts and alcholoics. Because of their sins they are homeless. Great, simple song that is deeper than a lot of people I know realize. THis song is always played on our local station, WBCN, during the holidays.
It does make a lot of sense about a homeless person.
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Joined: Mon Oct 18, 2004 11:36 pm Posts: 25824 Location: south jersey
damn, i never thought about it about a homeless person, but that totally works. it still reminds me of myself when i listen to it. definitely an oldie, but a goodie
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Joined: Sat Mar 25, 2006 10:56 pm Posts: 230 Location: Orange County, California
I love this song. It captures perfectly how I've come to feel about Christmas. I remember going to sleep early the day before and this feeling of elation when I'd see trees covered in lights and the decorations....but that hasn't happened for about 4 years. At times I miss it, but ah well. Good song either way.
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this song is perfect around christmas time, i barely listen to it the rest of the year... i also always here it on the radio on christmas eve coming from the family party i go to every christmas eve, i give it 4 stars, good lyrics
A very well crafted write up, Frank. I love this song throughout the year, but it definately gains momentum in late Nov/all of Dec. Where was it said that the band encountered a homeless person outside of the studio? I'd like to read about it if there is an article. One last project and the school years over. Happy holidays everbody.
Joined: Mon Oct 18, 2004 1:14 am Posts: 5428 Location: The Juicebox Gender: Male
This is easily my least favorite recording by Pearl Jam. I think I dislike everything about it, especially the guitar riff. And I'm not a grinch, I really enjoy the holidays. I have a Christmas tree in my one-bedroom apartment, but I won't be listening to this song come Dec. 25.
Joined: Sun Oct 24, 2004 3:21 pm Posts: 463 Location: Cream Ridge, NJ Gender: Male
Really nice write-up dirtyfrank0705. This song and this single still make up some of my earliest PJ fan memories because when i got the single in the mail i was so excited, considering i only sent in my fan club money a month earlier
as for the inspiration for the song:
"It's a little song, I remember writing it because Jeff, I was staying with Jeff at the time in his very small apartment and he went to a Christmas party. And I didn't want to have anything to do with any kind of party. I was too busy being depressed. So I went and had coffee, and I went back to the house, and I got locked out, and I wrote the words to this song."
It's scary when you can recite entire lyrics to songs of any band, but when you can rattle off songs like "Ramblings", maybe i've listened to PJ a little too much.
4 stars for me, because I only feel attached to it when the weather is cold. Something intangible about it personifies the feelings of a lot of people around this time of year; I think it's perfect.
I listened to the Bridge version last night. I felt compelled in fact to listen to this song. It is a touching song this time of year. As others have stated, it captures the bittersweet feelings that come along with Christmas once childhood fades away.
Not long ago on this board I said that pearl jam aren't my favorite band anymore (which is true), but still, no other band writes songs that I simply have to listen to sometimes, or that perfectly capture a time in life or moment in time like Pearl Jam, and for that, they will always have a sentimental value that exceeds that of any other band.
Post subject: Re: SOTM 73: When I was a kid, oh how magic it seemed
Posted: Sat Oct 06, 2007 3:19 pm
Yeah Yeah Yeah
Joined: Wed Dec 13, 2006 4:37 am Posts: 3610 Location: London, UK Gender: Female
I utterly that song! my favourite non-rocker PJ one. it goes on loop comes Xmas time (and i like xmas.. not the commercial shit, let alone the religious one.. but it's family-time, big dinners, the chance to see EVERYONE and since I live in a different country, I care about it)
if I was asked by Ed to pick 1 song, any, no matter how rare to be played.. that'd be it! (though I have 0 hope to ever hear it live)
the simplicity, the percussions, Ed's voice, the quiet sadness... perfect!
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that song! my favourite non-rocker PJ one.