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)
Leatherman
Pearl Jam Lyrics
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Leatherman
Died a long time ago, in the 1880s
Leatherman, Leatherman
Covered with leather but it wasn't tight
Underneath the moon in the woods at night
Once a month they spot him
Here's what they say:
"Here he comes, he's a man of the land
He's Leatherman
Smile on his face
Axe in his pack
He's Leatherman, Leatherman, Leatherman."
Comes out of the caves once a day to be fed
He wasn't known to say much
But, "Thanks for the bread."
So modern day I walk my way, my jacket faded
Just like a man of leather to whom I may be related
Rolled a cigarette for which he asked for a light
Appeared to be an animal, yet so polite
Making the rounds, ten miles a day
Once a month they spot him
Here's what they say:
"Here he comes, he's a man of the land
He's Leatherman
Smile on his face
Axe in his pack
He's Leatherman, Leatherman, Leatherman
He's Leatherman, Leatherman."
Shakes his head, he's Leatherman
Bake some bread, he's Leatherman
Shame he's dead
I saw his bed
It's all that's left of Leatherman
Leatherman
Give me some skin, Leatherman.
The lyrics of Pearl Jam's song "Leatherman" are centered around a man who is no longer alive and who is remembered through various anecdotes and stories. The song portrays an air of mystery surrounding the Leatherman, especially as he appears beyond human, almost like an animal, yet so polite. His actions, on the other hand, are quite human - he's shown walking 10 miles a day and stopping once a month to be fed. The Leatherman seems to be wandering in the woods, covered in leather, and carrying an axe, with a smile on his face. The Leatherman is viewed as a man of the land, and his persona is remembered by the people who see him, and their stories are repeated to this day.
The song's lyrics invoke the image of a man that is almost mythical in nature, perhaps reflecting how he is viewed by those that remember him. The singer suggests that he may be related to Leatherman in some way, tying the present with the past. The Leatherman is remembered despite the passage of time, and his stories continue to be passed on to new generations.
The song has a haunting quality to it, perhaps reminiscent of the mystery surrounding Leatherman, a man who lived a rather solitary existence in life.
Line by Line Meaning
I read about a man to whom I may be related
I stumbled upon a story about a certain man who may have some shared ancestry with me.
Leatherman, Died a long time ago, in the 1880s
This man that I read about who is known as Leatherman passed away many years ago, specifically in the 1880s.
Covered with leather but it wasn't tight, Underneath the moon in the woods at night
Leatherman was described as wearing leather clothing that was not too tight, and one can imagine this person walking through the woods at night under the moonlight.
Making the rounds, ten miles a day, Once a month they spot him, Here's what they say:
Despite Leatherman's strange lifestyle, he was seen frequently in the area, traveling around 10 miles a day. Those who saw him usually did so once a month and would often remark certain things about him.
"Here he comes, he's a man of the land, He's Leatherman, Smile on his face, Axe in his pack, He's Leatherman, Leatherman, Leatherman."
The people who witnessed Leatherman's appearances would often describe him as a man of the land who seemed to genuinely enjoy life. He would carry an axe with him and the name 'Leatherman' was bestowed upon him.
Comes out of the caves once a day to be fed, He wasn't known to say much, But, "Thanks for the bread."
Leatherman was said to come out of his cave once a day to be given food. He wasn't known to speak very much but would express gratitude for the food he received.
So modern day I walk my way, my jacket faded, Just like a man of leather to whom I may be related
Presently, I take to walking in the same way as Leatherman once did, and my jacket looks well worn, much like the clothing of that man who I believe I may share some kinship with.
Rolled a cigarette for which he asked for a light, Appeared to be an animal, yet so polite
A person who witnessed Leatherman's routine once said that they saw him roll a cigarette and then request a light. Despite giving off an animalistic aura, Leatherman was quite polite.
Shakes his head, he's Leatherman, Bake some bread, he's Leatherman, Shame he's dead, I saw his bed, It's all that's left of Leatherman, Leatherman
These are a few statements that could have been made by people who knew of Leatherman's passing. They are expressing sadness that such a unique personality is gone and acknowledging that all they have left of him is the memory of his life and seeing his abandoned bed.
Give me some skin, Leatherman.
This is a phrase that could have been a request made to Leatherman looking for some form of human connection (such as a handshake).
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: EDDIE JEROME VEDDER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mike Marinacci
Always like it when rock bands draw on strange stories from history for songs.
Ignacio Dupin
one of my favorite pj tracks. I CANT BELIEVE ITS NOT IN YIELD
Borys Buza
exactly, mate!
Mario Harris
Leather man is an inspiration to us all. You guys should look him up!
Scott Gibson
I went hiking today and went to one of the cave he used to stay in. There is plack telling of his story. He certainly has my respect.
Aaron and Anne Logan
Hiked to his cave in Watertown, CT this weekend. First time I've ever heard of this character. Really interesting story!
Dana_lee_lolo
Grew up here in upper Westchester with the legend of the Leatherman. Back on vacation and taking our children to see some of his caves today 😊
Sara Bly
I just told my 14 yr old son about leatherman today. We live in CT, did you visit any of his caves in CT? My son really wants to check them out!
Dana_lee_lolo
@Sara Bly we didn’t go to any in CT. I grew up in Pound Ridge (right in the border of Ridgefield, New Canaan, and Stamford). I know one of his caves is in a reserve in Watertown.
FiddlersF
@Dana_lee_lolo Used to camp and hike in Ward Pound Ridge Reserve in the 80's and 90's and was always looking for his shelters...