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)
Release
Pearl Jam Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I
Oh oh
Oh oh
I see the world, feel the chill
Which way to go, windowsill
I see the words on a rocking horse of time
Oh
Oh
Oh
Oh, dear dad, can you see me now?
I am myself, like you somehow
I'll ride the wave where it takes me
I'll hold the pain, release me
Oh
Oh I, oh oh
Oh, dear dad, can you see me now?
I am myself like you somehow
I'll wait up in the dark for you to speak to me
How I've opened up, release me
Release me, release me dad, release me
Oh oh I
Oh ooh ooh
Ah ooh
Ooh
"Release" is a deeply personal and introspective song by Pearl Jam's lead vocalist Eddie Vedder. The song reflects on Vedder's relationship with his father, who he never met until he was in his thirties. The first verse sets the tone with Vedder feeling lost and unsure of which direction to take in life. The lyrics "Which way to go, windowsill" may be a metaphor for the decision-making process, feeling unsure whether to jump into the unknown or stay safely indoors. The next line "I see the words on a rocking horse of time" is a reference to time as a factor and how life is a fleeting ride.
Then Vedder sings "I see the birds in the rain," which could symbolize hope or beauty even in the darkest of times. The chorus is a plea to his father, who Vedder feels disconnected from, to acknowledge him and see him for who he is. The line "I am myself, like you somehow" is a way of Vedder saying that he sees himself in his father, even though they have never met. The second verse is Vedder waiting for his father to come to him, to offer some kind of connection or guidance. The final line "Release me, release me, release me dad, release me" is Vedder asking his father to let him go and move on from the past.
Overall, "Release" is a heartfelt and cathartic song that deals with themes of family, connection, and self-discovery.
Line by Line Meaning
I see the world, feel the chill
I am observing the world around me and it makes me feel uneasy
Which way to go, windowsill
I am contemplating which direction to take in my life, like a bird perched on a windowsill
I see the words on a rocking horse of time
I can see the passage of time and how it changes everything, like a rocking horse going back and forth
I see the birds in the rain, ohh
I am watching the beauty of nature even in difficult times, like birds in the rain
Oh, dear dad, can you see me now?
I am reaching out to my father from beyond, asking if he can see me as I am today
I am myself, like you somehow
I have become my own person, but I still see parts of my father within me
I'll ride the wave where it takes me
I will go with the flow and let life take me where it will
I'll hold the pain, release me
I will endure the struggles in my life, but I am asking for a way to be free of them
I'll wait up in the dark for you to speak to me
I am waiting for a sign of guidance from my father, even if it is in the darkness
How I've opened up, release me
I am acknowledging that I have unburdened myself and want to be set free
Release me, release me dad, release me
I am pleading with my father to release me from the pain and struggles I am enduring
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Dave Krusen, Eddie Vedder, Jeff Ament, Mike Mccready, Stone Gossard
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
afro1samuri
This is one of the best live versions of this song. You can hear the emotion in Eddie's voice.
OCTOCAMO
They opened with Release in Argentina. I cried when i heard the first verse, it was the first time I saw them playing. Best night in my life.
Teacher Chio
espero un día poder verlos también, moriré. no sin antes llorar también.
Victoria VP
Love forever, Pearl Jam ❤️ One of my favorite songs, this song reaches the soul with the voice of Ed, sound and lyric. Mix perfect!!! ... Greetings from Colombia 😍😘 long live alternative rock and grunge 🤟. I will never get tired of listening to them, PJ!. .
Bubba Hotep
Favorite band in the world. Hands down the greatest band of their era and in my opinion already a top 5 band ever. With their massive catalog of unbelievable music and the fact they are a touring band. Touring usually at least every couple years and when they do tour and play live concerts. They prove why they are leaps and bounds above other bands. Every show night after night is different. You’ll never see the same show twice and your gurenteed to get at least 35 songs and 3 hours of live music. What other bands can say that. Plus besides their original drummer who was let go after first album this band is still the original members. They been together almost 30 years and are all still together consistently pumping out classic music
Hrod Behrat Roderico
There is something so powerful in his voice that makes me cry every time I hear this song, man, I would love to see them live
Eric Rodriguez
Such an incredible song, I close my eyes everytime I hear it to envision myself in a peaceful world.. You could feel like you're in Eddie's shoes and you just can't help but be teary eyed, so powerful...
przemi95
Performed 15 years after Ten was released, still sounds better than the studio version, just fucking amazing
Mr. Pancakes
Every time I listen to this song it is a spiritual moment.
cristian Rodriguez
release como todas las otras canciones de TEN son increibles y no te aburres de escucharlas todo el dia son lo maximo...bendiciones ....sigan igual....lo mejor...chaoooo..