Formed after the demise of Gossard and Ament's previous band, Mother Love Bone, Pearl Jam broke into the mainstream with their debut album, Ten, in 1991. Ten stayed on the Billboard 200 chart for nearly five years, and has gone on to become one of the highest-selling rock records ever, going 13× platinum in the United States. Released in 1993, Pearl Jam's second album, Vs., sold over 950,000 copies in its first week of release, setting the record for most copies of an album sold in its first week of release at the time. Their third album, Vitalogy (1994), became the second-fastest-selling CD in history at the time, with more than 877,000 units sold in its first week.
One of the key bands in the grunge movement of the early 1990s, Pearl Jam's members often shunned popular music industry practices such as making music videos or participating in interviews. The band also sued Ticketmaster, claiming it had monopolized the concert-ticket market. In 2006, Rolling Stone described the band as having "spent much of the past decade deliberately tearing apart their own fame."
Pearl Jam had sold more than 85 million albums worldwide by 2018, including nearly 32 million albums in the United States by 2012, making them one of the best-selling bands of all time. Pearl Jam was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017 in its first year of eligibility. They were ranked eighth in a readers' poll by Rolling Stone magazine in its "Top Ten Live Acts of All Time" issue. Throughout its career, the band has also promoted wider social and political issues, from pro-abortion rights sentiments to opposition to George W. Bush's presidency. Vedder acts as the band's spokesman on these issues.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pearl_Jam
Studio albums
Ten (1991)
Vs. (1993)
Vitalogy (1994)
No Code (1996)
Yield (1998)
Binaural (2000)
Riot Act (2002)
Pearl Jam (2006)
Backspacer (2009)
Lightning Bolt (2013)
Gigaton (2020)
Bee Girl
Pearl Jam Lyrics
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You don't want to be famous, you want to be shy
Do your dances alone in your room
Becoming a star will become your doom
Bee girl, be a girl...
Bee girl, be a girl...
You know time is long, and life is short
Believe in nothing, believe me
Those who can be trusted can change their mind
The anxious is the present
Unwrap your gifts, take your time
Everything you imagined
Needn't be stuck in your mind
Bee girl, be a girl...
Bee girl, be a girl...
Thank you
The lyrics of Pearl Jam's "Bee Girl" speak to the dangers of fame and the value of living a simple, quiet life. The titular Bee Girl is presented as someone who avoids the spotlight and instead enjoys dancing alone in her room. The lyrics suggest that attempting to become a star will ultimately lead to the Bee Girl's downfall. The chorus of the song, "Bee girl, be a girl," is a plea for the Bee Girl to remain true to herself and not get caught up in the pursuit of fame.
The second half of the song offers more advice on how to live a fulfilling life. The lyrics urge the listener to "begin to live while you still can" and to "unwrap your gifts" and take their time. The idea that "those who can be trusted can change their mind" suggests that the pursuit of fame can lead to disappointment and betrayal.
Overall, the message of "Bee Girl" is a warning against the dangers of fame and a call to live a simple, authentic life. The song is a poignant reminder that success and fame are not the only measures of a fulfilling life, and that there is value in pursuing personal passions and goals.
Line by Line Meaning
Bee girl, you're gonna die
This line is a warning that we are all mortal and our time is limited, so we should make the most of it.
You don't want to be famous, you want to be shy
The singer believes that the Bee Girl doesn't want fame or attention, but instead, wants to be quiet and introspective.
Do your dances alone in your room
The singer suggests that the Bee Girl should engage in her passions, regardless of how they may seem to others. Dancing alone can be a joyful and liberating way to express oneself.
Becoming a star will become your doom
The singer implies that fame can come at a heavy cost and that the Bee Girl should think carefully before pursuing it.
Bee girl, be a girl...
The repetition of this line is a call to action for the Bee Girl to embrace her femininity and be true to herself.
You know time is long, and life is short
This line once again emphasizes that the Bee Girl should live her life to the fullest, as time is precious and fleeting.
Begin to live while you still can
The singer encourages the Bee Girl to start living her life now, rather than waiting for the 'perfect' moment to begin. Life is happening in the present and she should experience it fully.
Believe in nothing, believe me
The lyric may seem contradictory as it tells the Bee Girl not to believe in anything, but to believe the singer. However, the message may be that she should not blindly follow the ideas and beliefs of others, but to develop her own independent perspective.
Those who can be trusted can change their mind
The singer alludes to the fact that people are not static but constantly evolving, and that the Bee Girl should be aware of that in her relationships.
The anxious is the present
This line is a reflection on how anxiety can take over our thoughts and emotions, and how it can consume our present moment. The Bee Girl should try to be mindful of that.
Unwrap your gifts, take your time
The singer suggests that the Bee Girl should explore her talents and interests, and not rush to achieve her goals. Taking her time can allow her to fully appreciate and enjoy the process.
Everything you imagined / Needn't be stuck in your mind
Here, the singer reminds the Bee Girl that her fantasies and dreams can become a reality if she takes action and pursues them. She should not let fear or doubt hold her back from achieving her goals.
Bee girl, be a girl...
The repetition of this line is a reminder for the Bee Girl to embrace and celebrate her femininity.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
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